Refractory Organic Substances in the Environment

Refractory organic substances (ROS) are an essential part of the biogeochemical carbon cycle. Wherever there is life on earth, there will also be ROS in the form of poorly biodegradable leftovers of organisms and as a source for new life. Furthermore, it is now beyond doubt that ROS are closely related to the carbon intensity identified as one of the driving forces in the dynamics of green house gas emission, such that ROS play a key role in sustainable development. 'Refractory Organic Substances in the Environment' provides the results of six years of top-priority research, funded by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG). This research program investigated the struct…