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Sophie Opfergelt

Maître de recherche FNRS, Professeure
sophie.opfergelt@uclouvain.be

SST/AGRO Faculty of bioscience engineering (AGRO)

SST/ELI Earth and Life Institute (ELI)

SST/ELI/ELIE Environmental Sciences (ELIE)

  • Expertise :
  • weathering
  • critical zone
  • geochemistry
  • isotope geochemistry
  • cryosphere
  • permafrost

The motivation of my research is the understanding of the Earth’s surface processes controlling chemical weathering and element export from continents to the hydrosphere. Chemical weathering of minerals in the Earth’s Critical Zone is the engine that replenishes the soil mineral nutrient reserve and ultimately nourishes terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Changing weathering dynamics in the Critical Zone in response to climate changes is expected to impact on mineral nutrient cycling and mineral nutrient export to rivers. With my research group, I have developed a specific focus in polar regions on the enhanced thawing of the permafrost in response to warming of the Earth’s high latitude regions. My approach is at the crossroad of disciplines with a main expertise in geochemistry (e.g., Ge/Si ratio, stable isotopes of Si, Mg, etc.).

Research projects

Les Sundogs dansent, les muscles fondent, Recherche-Création (FRC, UCLouvain) , 2026-2027

Magnitude of winter biogeochemical connectivity in permafrost environments (MOIST), FNRS, CDR, 2023-2025

Evolution of colloid transfer during river ice break-up in permafrost catchments (CEDRIC), Circle U. Seed funding (UCLouvain, Université Paris Cité, University of Oslo), 2024

Pushing the boundaries of Critical Zone research: Unravelling hydrological controls on carbon and nutrient fluxes by integrating proximal sensing, field measurements and smart modelling (LandSense), ARC, 2021-2026

Nutrient lift upon permafrost thaw: sources and controlling processes (LIFTHAW), Belspo, IMPULS, 2023-2025

Recent Arctic and Antarctic sea ice lows: same causes, same impacts? (RESIST), Belspo, IMPULS, 2023-2026

Mineral Weathering in Thawing Permafrost: Causes and Consequences (WeThaw), ERC Starting Grant, 2017-2022

Scientific collaboration with Nanok Expedition (Royal Observatory of Belgium, ULB, ULg, UCLouvain, GEUS)

Controls on weathering fluxes from hydrothermally-active volcanic regions (FluxHyd), FNRS, PDR, 2016-2020

Soils under global change (SOGLO), BELSPO, IAP, 2012-2017

Programme de Révision de la Carte géologique de la Wallonie, SPW, 2016-2020

Since 2016, I teach “Introduction to Earth Sciences” (LBIR1130) to first year students from the “Faculté des bioingénieurs” and “Faculté des sciences” (~500 students). The course is based on the book “Terre, portrait d'une planète” by S. Marshak. My contribution to this course is about mineralogy, the rock cycle, shaping the Earth surface, deformation and metamorphic rocks, fossils and evolution, geological times, Earth’s biography, Earth resources, processes at the Earth’s surface cryosphere, global change). The practicals of this course represent the first opportunity for the students to manipulate minerals, rocks and fossils, get a direct sense of their properties, and discover their beauty under the microscope.

Teaching team

Professors: Pierre Delmelle and Sophie Opfergelt

Teaching assistant: Joachim Van Hauwaert

Collaborator: Gérard Philippe

Learning units for 2025

Label Code
Introduction to Earth sciences LBIR1130
2026
Journal article

Li, Y., Zhao, P., Henrion, M., Gerin, P., Leclercq, M., Moore, A., du bois d’Aische, E., Lambot, S., Opfergelt, S., Vanacker, V., Jonard, F., & Van Oost, K. (2026). Hillslope-induced environmental gradients regulate potential soil respiration in temperate peatlands. CATENA, 263, 109769. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.catena.2025.109769 (Original work published 2026)

https://research.dial.uclouvain.be/handle/2078.5/273984


Li, Y., Zhao, P., Henrion, M., Gerin, P., Leclercq, M., Moore, A., du Bois d’Aische, E., Lambot, S., Opfergelt, S., Vanacker, V., Jonard, F., & Van Oost, K. (2026). Hillslope-induced environmental gradients regulate potential soil respiration in temperate peatlands. CATENA, 263, 109769. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.catena.2025.109769 (Original work published 2025)

https://research.dial.uclouvain.be/handle/2078.5/273064


2025
Book chapter

De Souza G.F., Savage P.S., & Opfergelt, S. (2025). Silicon Stable Isotope Analysis of Natural Aqueous and Solid Samples by MC-ICP-MS. In Gyana Ranjan Tripathy (ed.), Analytical Isotope Geochemistry (Springer, p. p. 155-180). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-88388-0_7

https://research.dial.uclouvain.be/handle/2078.5/262690


Strauss Jens, Fuchs Mathias, Hugelius Gustaf, Miesner Frederieke, Nitze Ingmar, Opfergelt, S., Schuur Edward, Treat Claire, Turetsky Merritt, Yang Yuanhe, & Grosse Guido. (2025). Organic matter storage and vulnerability in the permafrost domain. In Elias, S. (ed.), Encyclopedia of Quaternary Science (pp. 399-410). Elsevier BV. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-323-99931-1.00164-1

https://research.dial.uclouvain.be/handle/2078.5/272914


Journal article

Ogneva, O., Mollenhauer, G., Sanders, T., Juhls, B., Palmtag, J., Fuchs, M., Hammes, J., Grotheer, H., Mann, P.  J., Opfergelt, S., & Strauss, J. (2025). Dissolved and Particulate Organic Carbon Characteristics in Summer and Winter Waters of the Lena Delta. Permafrost and Periglacial Processes, 37(1), 154-166. https://doi.org/10.1002/ppp.70021 (Original work published 2026)

https://research.dial.uclouvain.be/handle/2078.5/272915


du Bois d’Aische, E., Jonard, F., Hirst, C., Villani, M., Thomas, M., Giesler, R., Mörth, C.-M., Lundin, E., Van Oost, K., Vanacker, V., Lambot, S., & Opfergelt, S. (2025). Permafrost Thaw Drives Iron and Organic Carbon Release Into Soil Pore Water During Palsa to Degraded Palsa Transition. Permafrost and Periglacial Processes, 37(1), 107-123. https://doi.org/10.1002/ppp.70018 (Original work published 2025)

https://research.dial.uclouvain.be/handle/2078.5/269844


Juhls, B., Morgenstern, A., Hölemann, J., Eulenburg, A., Heim, B., Miesner, F., Grotheer, H., Mollenhauer, G., Meyer, H., Erkens, E., Gehde, F. Y., Antonova, S., Chalov, S., Tereshina, M., Erina, O., Fingert, E., Abramova, E., Sanders, T., Lebedeva, L., et al. (2025). Lena River biogeochemistry captured by a 4.5-year high-frequency sampling program. Earth System Science Data, 17(1), 1-28. https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-17-1-2025 (Original work published 2025)

https://research.dial.uclouvain.be/handle/2078.5/239310


Li, Y., Henrion, M., Moore, A., Lambot, S., Opfergelt, S., Vanacker, V., Jonard, F., & Van Oost, K. (2025). Hot spots, hot moments, and spatiotemporal drivers of soil CO2 flux in temperate peatlands using UAV remote sensing. Biogeosciences Discussions, 22(21), 6369-6392. https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-6369-2025 (Original work published 2025)

https://research.dial.uclouvain.be/handle/2078.5/273775


Villani, M., Hirst, C., du Bois d’Aische, E., Thomas, M., Lundin, E., Giesler, R., Mörth, C.-M., & Opfergelt, S. (2025). Lengthening of biogeochemical processes during winter in degraded permafrost soils. Geochemical Perspectives Letters, 34(1), 36-42. https://doi.org/10.7185/geochemlet.2511 (Original work published 2025)

https://research.dial.uclouvain.be/handle/2078.5/269475


Lathrop, E., See, C., Walker, X., Falvo, G., Axler, Z., Ebert, C., Kadej, S., Kelley, A., Ledman, J., Opfergelt, S., Rodenhizer, H., & Schuur, E. A. G. (2025). Permafrost Thaw Accelerates Old Soil Carbon Release, Outpacing New Plant Inputs During a 13‐Year Tundra Warming Experiment. Global Change Biology, 31(12), e70609. https://doi.org/10.1111/gcb.70609 (Original work published 2025)

https://research.dial.uclouvain.be/handle/2078.5/263987


Li, Y., Henrion, M., Moore, A., Lambot, S., Opfergelt, S., Vanacker, V., Jonard, F., Van Oost, K., & et al. (2025). Hot spots, hot moments, and spatiotemporal drivers of soil CO2 flux in temperate peatlands using UAV remote sensing. Biogeosciences Discussions, 22, 6369-6392. https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-6369-2025 (Original work published 2025)

https://research.dial.uclouvain.be/handle/2078.5/273068


Henrion, M., Li, Y., Wu, K., Jonard, F., Opfergelt, S., Vanacker, V., Van Oost, K., & Lambot, S. (2025). Drone-borne ground-penetrating radar reveals spatiotemporal moisture dynamics in peatland root zones. Science of Remote Sensing, 12(100311), 17. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.srs.2025.100311 (Original work published 2025)

https://research.dial.uclouvain.be/handle/2078.5/267349


2024
Journal article

Fouché, J., Hirst, C., Bonneville, S., Opfergelt, S., Haghipour, N., Eglinton, Timothy I., Vonk, Jorien E., & Bröder, L. (2024). Rainfall Impacts Dissolved Organic Matter and Cation Export From Permafrost Catchments and a Glacial River During Late Summer in Northeast Greenland. Permafrost and Periglacial Processes. Published. https://doi.org/10.1002/ppp.2250 (Original work published 2024)

https://research.dial.uclouvain.be/handle/2078.5/235226


Li, Y., Henrion, M., Moore, A., Lambot, S., Opfergelt, S., Vanacker, V., Jonard, F., & Van Oost, K. (2024). Factors controlling peat soil thickness and carbon storage in temperate peatlands based on UAV high-resolution remote sensing. Geoderma, 449, 117009. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoderma.2024.117009 (Original work published 2024)

https://research.dial.uclouvain.be/handle/2078.5/266389


Henrion, M., Li, Y., Koganti, T., Bechtold, M., Jonard, F., Opfergelt, S., Vanacker, V., Van Oost, K., & Lambot, S. (2024). Mapping and monitoring peatlands in the Belgian Hautes Fagnes: Insights from Ground-penetrating radar and Electromagnetic induction characterization. Geoderma Regional, 37, e00795. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geodrs.2024.e00795 (Original work published 2024)

https://research.dial.uclouvain.be/handle/2078.5/266392


Opfergelt, S., Gaspard, F., Hirst, C., Monin, L., Juhls, B., Morgenstern, A., Angelopoulos, M., & Overduin, P. P. (2024). Frazil ice changes winter biogeochemical processes in the Lena River. Communications Earth & Environment, 5(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s43247-024-01884-9 (Original work published 2024)

https://research.dial.uclouvain.be/handle/2078.5/235221


Burn, Christopher R., Bartsch, A., Chakraborty, E., Das, S., Frauenfelder, R., Gärtner‐Roer, I., Gisnås, Kjersti G., Herring, T., Jones, Benjamin M., Kokelj, Steven V., Langer, M., Lathrop, E., Murton, Julian B., Nielsen, David M., Niu, F., Olson, C., O’Neill, H.  ., Opfergelt, S., Overduin, P., et al. (2024). Developments in Permafrost Science and Engineering in Response to Climate Warming in Circumpolar and High Mountain Regions, 2019–2024. Permafrost and Periglacial Processes. Published. https://doi.org/10.1002/ppp.2261 (Original work published 2024)

https://research.dial.uclouvain.be/handle/2078.5/236123


Thomas, M., Jongejans, Loeka L., Strauss, J., Vermylen, C., Calcus, S., Opel, T., Kizyakov, A., Wetterich, S., Grosse, G., & Opfergelt, S. (2024). A Third of Organic Carbon Is Mineral Bound in Permafrost Sediments Exposed by the World’s Largest Thaw Slump, Batagay, Siberia. Permafrost and Periglacial Processes, 35(3), 278-293. https://doi.org/10.1002/ppp.2230 (Original work published 2024)

https://research.dial.uclouvain.be/handle/2078.5/268558


2023
Journal article

Zahajská, P., Frings, P. J., Gaspard, F., Opfergelt, S., Stadmark, J., Fritz, S. C., Cartier, R., & Conley, D. J. (2023). The Holocene silicon biogeochemistry of Yellowstone Lake, USA. Quaternary Science Reviews, 322, 108419. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quascirev.2023.108419 (Original work published 2023)

https://research.dial.uclouvain.be/handle/2078.5/23515


Mauclet, E., Hirst, C., Monhonval, A., Stevenson, E., Gérard, M., Villani, M., Dailly, H., Schuur, E., & Opfergelt, S. (2023). Tracing changes in base cation sources for Arctic tundra vegetation upon permafrost thaw. Geoderma, 429(429), 116277. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoderma.2022.116277 (Original work published 2022)

https://research.dial.uclouvain.be/handle/2078.5/106216


Monhonval, A., Hirst, C., Jens Strauss, Edward Schuur, Opfergelt, S., & et al. (2023). Strontium isotopes trace the dissolution and precipitation of mineral organic carbon interactions in thawing permafrost. Geoderma, 433(116456), 116456. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoderma.2023.116456 (Original work published 2023)

https://research.dial.uclouvain.be/handle/2078.5/233615


Thomas, M., Monhonval, A., Hirst, C., Bröder, L., Zolkos, S., Vonk, J. E., Tank, S. E., Keskitalo, K. H., Shakil, S., Kokelj, S. V., van der Sluijs, J., & Opfergelt, S. (2023). Evidence for preservation of organic carbon interacting with iron in material displaced from retrogressive thaw slumps: Case study in Peel Plateau, western Canadian Arctic. Geoderma, 433(116443). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoderma.2023.116443 (Original work published 2023)

https://research.dial.uclouvain.be/handle/2078.5/269459


Hirst, C., Monhonval, A., Mauclet, E., Thomas, M., Villani, M., Ledman, J., Schuur, Edward. A. G., & Opfergelt, S. (2023). Evidence for late winter biogeochemical connectivity in permafrost soils. Communications Earth & Environment, 4(1 (2023)). https://doi.org/10.1038/s43247-023-00740-6 (Original work published 2023)

https://research.dial.uclouvain.be/handle/2078.5/269152


Mauclet, E., Villani, M., Monhonval, A., Hirst, C., Schuur, E. A. G., & Opfergelt, S. (2023). Quantifying exchangeable base cations in permafrost: a reserve of nutrients about to thaw. Earth System Science Data, 15(9), 3891-3904. https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-15-3891-2023 (Original work published 2023)

https://research.dial.uclouvain.be/handle/2078.5/268779


Monhonval, A., Mauclet Elisabeth, Hirst, C., Bemelmans, N., Eekman, E., Schuur Edward, & Opfergelt, S. (2023). Mineral organic carbon interactions in dry versus wet tundra soils. Geoderma, 436(116552), 116552. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoderma.2023.116552 (Original work published 2023)

https://research.dial.uclouvain.be/handle/2078.5/269527


2022
Journal article

Mauclet, E., Agnan, Y., Hirst, C., Monhonval, A., Pereira, B., Vandeuren, A., Villani, M., Ledman, J., Taylor, M., Jasinski, B. L., Schuur, E. A. G., & Opfergelt, S. (2022). Changing sub-Arctic tundra vegetation upon permafrost degradation: impact on foliar mineral element cycling. Biogeosciences Discussions, 19(9), 2333-2351. https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-19-2333-2022 (Original work published 2022)

https://research.dial.uclouvain.be/handle/2078.5/107822


Bröder, L., Hirst, C., Opfergelt, S., Thomas, M., Vonk, J. E., Haghipour, N., Eglinton, T. I., & Fouché, J. (2022). Contrasting Export of Particulate Organic Carbon From Greenlandic Glacial and Nonglacial Streams. Geophysical Research Letters, 49(21), 1. https://doi.org/10.1029/2022gl101210 (Original work published 2022)

https://research.dial.uclouvain.be/handle/2078.5/240718


Villani, M., Mauclet, E., Agnan, Y., Druel, A., Jasinski, B., Taylor, M., Schuur, E. A. G., & Opfergelt, S. (2022). Mineral element recycling in topsoil following permafrost degradation and a vegetation shift in sub-Arctic tundra. Geoderma, 421, 115915. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoderma.2022.115915 (Original work published 2022)

https://research.dial.uclouvain.be/handle/2078.5/107825


Hirst, C., Mauclet, E., Monhonval, A., Tihon Emeline, Ledman Justin, Schuur Edward A.G., & Opfergelt, S. (2022). Seasonal changes in hydrology and permafrost degradation control mineral element-bound DOC transport from permafrost soils to streams. Global Biogeochemical Cycles : an international journal of global change, 36(2 (2022)), 1-24. https://doi.org/10.1029/2021GB007105 (Original work published 2022)

https://research.dial.uclouvain.be/handle/2078.5/110750


Monhonval, A., Strauss, J., Thomas, M., Hirst, C., Titeux, H., Louis, J., Gilliot, A., du Bois d’Aische, E., Pereira, B., Vandeuren, A., Grosse, G., Schirrmeister, L., Jongejans, L. L., Ulrich, M., & Opfergelt, S. (2022). Thermokarst processes increase the supply of stabilizing surfaces and elements (Fe, Mn, Al, and Ca) for mineral–organic carbon interactions. Permafrost and Periglacial Processes. Published. https://doi.org/10.1002/ppp.2162 (Original work published 2022)

https://research.dial.uclouvain.be/handle/2078.5/103239


Book chapter

Doetterl Sebastian, Rose Abramoff, Jean-Thomas Cornelis, Aline Frossard, Peter Fiener, Gina Garland, Michael Kaiser, Moritz Laub, Opfergelt, S., Marijn Van de Broek, Sarah van den Broek, & Sophie F. von Fromm. (2022). Understanding soil organic carbon dynamics at larger scales. In Rumpel C. (ed.), Understanding and fostering soil carbon sequestration (Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing Limited). Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing Limited. https://doi.org/10.19103/AS.2022.0106.05

https://research.dial.uclouvain.be/handle/2078.5/222602


2021
Journal article

Mauclet, E., Agnan, Y., Hirst, C., Monhonval, A., Taylor, M., Ledman, J., Schuur, E., & Opfergelt, S. (2021). What are the impacts of shifting Arctic tundra vegetation? Open Access Government, European Union(April 2021), 232. https://hdl.handle.net/2078.5/241116 (Original work published 2021)

https://research.dial.uclouvain.be/handle/2078.5/241116


Monhonval, A., Mauclet, E., Pereira, B., Vandeuren, A., Strauss, J., Grosse, G., Schirrmeister, L., Fuchs, M., Kuhry, P., Opfergelt, S., & et al. (2021). Mineral Element Stocks in the Yedoma Domain: A Novel Method Applied to Ice-Rich Permafrost Regions. Frontiers in Earth Science, 9(1), 773. https://doi.org/10.3389/feart.2021.703304 (Original work published 2021)

https://research.dial.uclouvain.be/handle/2078.5/113952


Zahajská, P., Olid, C., Stadmark, J., Fritz, S. C., Opfergelt, S., & Conley, D. J. (2021). Modern silicon dynamics of a small high-latitude subarctic lake. Biogeosciences Discussions, 18(7). https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-18-2325-2021 (Original work published 2021)

https://research.dial.uclouvain.be/handle/2078.5/112701


Gaspard, F., Opfergelt, S., Dessert, C., Robert, V., Ameijeiras Mariño, Y., & Delmelle, P. (2021). Imprint of chemical weathering and hydrothermalism on the Ge/Si ratio and Si isotope composition of rivers in a volcanic tropical island, Basse-Terre, Guadeloupe (French West Indies). Chemical Geology, 577(120283). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemgeo.2021.120283 (Original work published 2021)

https://research.dial.uclouvain.be/handle/2078.5/113531


Pogge von Strandmann, P. A. E., Burton, K. W., Opfergelt, S., Genson, B., Guicharnaud, R. A., & Gislason, S. R. (2021). The lithium isotope response to the variable weathering of soils in Iceland. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 313, 55-73. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gca.2021.08.020 (Original work published 2021)

https://research.dial.uclouvain.be/handle/2078.5/111335


Zahajská, P., Cartier, R., Fritz, S. C., Stadmark, J., Opfergelt, S., Yam, R., Shemesh, A., & Conley, D. J. (2021). Impact of Holocene climate change on silicon cycling in Lake 850, Northern Sweden. The Holocene : a major interdisciplinary journal focusing on recent environmental change, 1(11), 095968362110259. https://doi.org/10.1177/09596836211025973 (Original work published 2021)

https://research.dial.uclouvain.be/handle/2078.5/108090


Brosens, L., Robinet, J., Pelckmans, I., Ameijeiras-Mariño, Y., Govers, G., Opfergelt, S., Minella, J. P. G., & Vanderborght, J. (2021). Have land use and land cover change affected soil thickness and weathering degree in a subtropical region in Southern Brazil? Insights from applied mid-infrared spectroscopy. CATENA, 207, 105698. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.catena.2021.105698 (Original work published 2021)

https://research.dial.uclouvain.be/handle/2078.5/111338


Monhonval, A., Strauss, J., Mauclet, E., Hirst, C., Bemelmans, N., Grosse, G., Schirrmeister, L., Fuchs, M., & Opfergelt, S. (2021). Iron Redistribution Upon Thermokarst Processes in the Yedoma Domain. Frontiers in Earth Science, 9. https://doi.org/10.3389/feart.2021.703339 (Original work published 2021)

https://research.dial.uclouvain.be/handle/2078.5/108087


Shmelev, D., Cherbunina, M., Rogov, V., Opfergelt, S., Monhonval, A., & Strauss, J. (2021). Reconstructing Permafrost Sedimentological Characteristics and Post-depositional Processes of the Yedoma Stratotype Duvanny Yar, Siberia. Frontiers in Earth Science, 9. https://doi.org/10.3389/feart.2021.727315 (Original work published 2021)

https://research.dial.uclouvain.be/handle/2078.5/108818


Opfergelt, S. (2021). The unaccounted-for side of permafrost carbon - ebook. Open Access Government, 29(3), 1-10. https://hdl.handle.net/2078.5/240719 (Original work published 2021)

https://research.dial.uclouvain.be/handle/2078.5/240719


Murphy, M. J., Hendry, K., & Opfergelt, S. (2021). Editorial: Novel Isotope Systems and Biogeochemical Cycling During Cryospheric Weathering in Polar Environments. Frontiers in Earth Science, 9. https://doi.org/10.3389/feart.2021.660333 (Original work published 2021)

https://research.dial.uclouvain.be/handle/2078.5/112694


Gaspard, F., Opfergelt, S., Hirst, C., Hurwitz, S., McCleskey, R. B., Zahajská, P., Conley, D. J., & Delmelle, P. (2021). Quantifying non‐thermal silicate weathering using Ge/Si and Si isotopes in rivers draining the Yellowstone Plateau Volcanic Field, USA. G3: Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems : an electronic journal of the earth sciences. Published. https://doi.org/10.1029/2021gc009904 (Original work published 2021)

https://research.dial.uclouvain.be/handle/2078.5/166098


Delmelle, P., Maters, E. C., Calkins, J. A., Gaspard, F., Opfergelt, S., & Jenkins, S. F. (2021). Eruptive style controls the formation of silicon hexafluoride salts on volcanic ash: The case of the 2010 eruption of Eyjafjallajökull volcano, Iceland. Chemical Geology, 579. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemgeo.2021.120327 (Original work published 2021)

https://research.dial.uclouvain.be/handle/2078.5/112860


2020
Journal article

Zahajská, P., Opfergelt, S., Fritz, S. C., Stadmark, J., & Conley, D. J. (2020). What is diatomite? Quaternary Research, 96, 48-52. https://doi.org/10.1017/qua.2020.14 (Original work published 2020)

https://research.dial.uclouvain.be/handle/2078.5/119885


Hatton, J. E., Hendry, K. R., Hirst, C., Opfergelt, S., Henkel, S., Silva-Busso, A., Welch, S. A., Wadham, J. L., Lyons, W. B., Bagshaw, E., Staubwasser, M., & McKnight, D. M. (2020). Silicon Isotopic Composition of Dry and Wet-Based Glaciers in Antarctica. Frontiers in Earth Science, 8, 286. https://doi.org/10.3389/feart.2020.00286 (Original work published 2020)

https://research.dial.uclouvain.be/handle/2078.5/121303


Baronas, J. J., West, A. J., Burton, K. W., Hammond, D. E., Opfergelt, S., Pogge von Strandmann, P. A. E., James, R. H., & Rouxel, O. J. (2020). Ge and Si Isotope Behavior During Intense Tropical Weathering and Ecosystem Cycling. Global Biogeochemical Cycles : an international journal of global change, 34(8 (2020)), e2019GB006522 (1-25). https://doi.org/10.1029/2019gb006522 (Original work published 2020)

https://research.dial.uclouvain.be/handle/2078.5/117352


Hirst, C., Opfergelt, S., Gaspard, F., Hendry, K. R., Hatton, J. E., Welch, S., McKnight, D. M., & Berry Lyons, W. (2020). Silicon Isotopes Reveal a Non-glacial Source of Silicon to Crescent Stream, McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica. Frontiers in Earth Science, 8 (2020), article 229. https://doi.org/10.3389/feart.2020.00229 (Original work published 2020)

https://research.dial.uclouvain.be/handle/2078.5/128077


Opfergelt, S. (2020). The next generation of climate model should account for the evolution of mineral-organic interactions with permafrost thaw. Environmental Research Letters, 15(9), 91003. https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/ab9a6d (Original work published 2020)

https://research.dial.uclouvain.be/handle/2078.5/121300


Opfergelt, S. (2020). The unaccounted-for side of permafrost carbon - profile. Open Access Government, 3(1), 240. https://hdl.handle.net/2078.5/240721 (Original work published 2020)

https://research.dial.uclouvain.be/handle/2078.5/240721


Pogge von Strandmann, P. A. E., Burton, K. W., Opfergelt, S., Eiríksdóttir, E. S., Murphy, M. J., Einarsson, A., & Gislason, S. R. (2020). Hydrothermal and Cold Spring Water and Primary Productivity Effects on Magnesium Isotopes: Lake Myvatn, Iceland. Frontiers in Earth Science, 8, article 109. https://doi.org/10.3389/feart.2020.00109 (Original work published 2020)

https://research.dial.uclouvain.be/handle/2078.5/119883


Brosens, L., Campforts, B., Robinet, J., Vanacker, V., Opfergelt, S., Ameijeiras‐Mariño, Y., Minella, J. P. G., & Govers, G. (2020). Slope Gradient Controls Soil Thickness and Chemical Weathering in Subtropical Brazil: Understanding Rates and Timescales of Regional Soilscape Evolution Through a Combination of Field Data and Modeling. Journal of Geophysical Research: Earth Surface, 6 (2020), 1-26. https://doi.org/10.1029/2019jf005321 (Original work published 2020)

https://research.dial.uclouvain.be/handle/2078.5/218309


Bouchard, F., Agnan, Y., Bröder, L., Fouché, J., Hirst, C., Sjöberg, Y., Alexis M, Behmel S, Biskaborn B, Christaki U, Dean J, Desyatkin A, Farquharson L, Fishback L, Fortier D, Fritz M, Gandois G, Hugelius L, Jardillier L, et al. (2020). The SPLASH Action Group - Towards standardized sampling strategies in permafrost science. Advances in Polar Science, 31(3), 153-155. https://doi.org/10.13679/j.advps.20 20.0009 (Original work published 2020)

https://research.dial.uclouvain.be/handle/2078.5/120536


2019
Journal article

Hatton, J. E., Hendry, K. R., Hawkings, J. R., Wadham, J. L., Opfergelt, S., Kohler, T. J., Yde, J. C., Stibal, M., & Žárský, J. D. (2019). Silicon isotopes in Arctic and sub-Arctic glacial meltwaters: the role of subglacial weathering in the silicon cycle. Proceedings of the Royal society of London. Mathematics, physical sciences and engineering, 475(2228), 20190098. https://doi.org/10.1098/rspa.2019.0098 (Original work published 2019)

https://research.dial.uclouvain.be/handle/2078.5/57658


Cornelis, J.-T., Weis, D., Opfergelt, S., Van Ranst, E., & Dumon, M. (2019). Past and current geochemical conditions influence silicon isotope signatures of pedogenic clay minerals at the soil profile scale, Ethiopia. Chemical Geology, 524(5), 174-183. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemgeo.2019.06.013 (Original work published 2019)

https://research.dial.uclouvain.be/handle/2078.5/60747


Vanacker, V., Ameijeiras Mariño, Y., Schoonejans, J., Cornelis, J.-T., Minella, J., Lamouline, F., Vermeire, M.-L., Campforts, B., Robinet, J., Van de Broek, M., Delmelle, P., & Opfergelt, S. (2019). Land use impacts on soil erosion and rejuvenation in Southern Brazil. CATENA, 178, 256-266. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.catena.2019.03.024 (Original work published 2019)

https://research.dial.uclouvain.be/handle/2078.5/218325


2018
Journal article

Robinet, J., Minella, J. P. G., de Barros, C. A. P., Schlesner, A., Lücke, A., Ameijeiras Mariño, Y., Opfergelt, S., Vanderborght, J., & Govers, G. (2018). Impacts of forest conversion and agriculture practices on water pathways in Southern Brazil. Hydrological Processes, 32(15), 2304-2317. https://doi.org/10.1002/hyp.13155 (Original work published 2018)

https://research.dial.uclouvain.be/handle/2078.5/126005


Ameijeiras Mariño, Y., Opfergelt, S., Derry Louis A., Robinet Jérémy, Govers Gerard, Minella Jean P.G., & Delmelle, P. (2018). Ge/Si ratios point to increased contribution from deeper mineral weathering to streams after forest conversion to cropland. Applied Geochemistry, 96, 24-34. https://hdl.handle.net/2078.5/126004 (Original work published 2018)

https://research.dial.uclouvain.be/handle/2078.5/126004


2017
Journal article

Unzué-Belmonte, D., Ameijeiras Mariño, Y., Opfergelt, S., Cornélis, J.-T., Barao, L., Minella, J., Meire, P., & Struyf, E. (2017). Land use change affects biogenic silica pool distribution in a subtropical soil toposequence. Solid Earth, 8, 737-750. https://doi.org/10.5194/se-8-737-2017 (Original work published 2017)

https://research.dial.uclouvain.be/handle/2078.5/178147


Schoonejans, J., Vanacker, V., Opfergelt, S., & Christl, M. (2017). Long-term soil erosion derived from in-situ 10Be and inventories of meteoric 10Be in deeply weathered soils in southern Brazil. Chemical Geology, 466, 380-388. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemgeo.2017.06.025 (Original work published 2017)

https://research.dial.uclouvain.be/handle/2078.5/218346


Ameijeiras Mariño, Y., Opfergelt, S., Schoonejans, J., Vanacker, V., Sonnet, P., de Jong, J., & Delmelle, P. (2017). Impact of low denudation rates on soil chemical weathering intensity: A multiproxy approach. Chemical Geology, 456, 72-84. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemgeo.2017.03.007 (Original work published 2017)

https://research.dial.uclouvain.be/handle/2078.5/218345


Opfergelt, S., Williams, H. M., Cornélis, J.-T., Guicharnaud, R. A., Georg, R. B., Siebert, C., Gislason, S. R., Halliday, A. N., & Burton, K. W. (2017). Iron and silicon isotope behaviour accompanying weathering in Icelandic soils, and the implications for iron export from peatlands. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 217, 273-291. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gca.2017.08.033 (Original work published 2017)

https://research.dial.uclouvain.be/handle/2078.5/175382


Detienne, M., Delmelle, P., Guevara, A., Samaniego, P., Opfergelt, S., & Mothes, P. A. (2017). Contrasting origin of two clay-rich debris flows at Cayambe Volcanic Complex, Ecuador. Bulletin of Volcanology, 79:27. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00445-017-1111-2 (Original work published 2017)

https://research.dial.uclouvain.be/handle/2078.5/181383


Opfergelt, S., Cornélis, J.-T., Houben, D., Givron, C., Burton, K. W., & Mattielli, N. (2017). The influence of weathering and soil organic matter on Zn isotopes in soils. Chemical Geology, 466, 140-148. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemgeo.2017.06.002 (Original work published 2017)

https://research.dial.uclouvain.be/handle/2078.5/175253


2016
Journal article

Pogge von Strandmann, P. A. E., Burton, K. W., Opfergelt, S., Eiríksdóttir, E. S., Murphy, M. J., Einarsson, A., & Gislason, S. R. (2016). The effect of hydrothermal spring weathering processes and primary productivity on lithium isotopes: Lake Myvatn, Iceland. Chemical Geology, 445, 4-13. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemgeo.2016.02.026 (Original work published 2016)

https://research.dial.uclouvain.be/handle/2078.5/180065


Oye Anda, C. C., Opfergelt, S., & Declerck, S. (2016). Silicon acquisition by bananas (c.V.Grande Naine) is increased in presence of the arbuscularmycorrhizal fungus Rhizophagus irregularis MUCL 41833. Plant and Soil : international journal on plant-soil relationships, 409(1), 77-85. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-016-2954-6 (Original work published 2016)

https://research.dial.uclouvain.be/handle/2078.5/181618


Delvigne, C., Opfergelt, S., Cardinal, D., Hofmann, A., & André, L. (2016). Desilication in Archean weathering processes traced by silicon isotopes and Ge/Si ratios. Chemical Geology, 420, 139-147. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemgeo.2015.11.007 (Original work published 2016)

https://research.dial.uclouvain.be/handle/2078.5/92209


Schoonejans, J., Vanacker, V., Opfergelt, S., & Ameijeiras Mariño, Y. (2016). Kinetically limited weathering at low denudation rates in semiarid climatic conditions. Journal of Geophysical Research, 121(121 (2016)), 336-350. https://doi.org/10.1002/2015jf003626 (Original work published 2016)

https://research.dial.uclouvain.be/handle/2078.5/218364


Schoonejans, J., Vanacker, V., Opfergelt, S., Granet, M., & Chabaux, F. (2016). Coupling uranium series and 10Be cosmogenic radionuclides to evaluate steady-state soil thickness in the Betic Cordillera. Chemical Geology, 446, 99-109. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemgeo.2016.03.030 (Original work published 2016)

https://research.dial.uclouvain.be/handle/2078.5/218363


2015
Book chapter

Delmelle, P., Henley, R. W., Opfergelt, S., & Detienne, M. (2015). Summit acid crater lakes and flank instability in composite volcanoes. In Rouwet, D., Christenson, B., Tassi, F., Vandemeulebrouck, J. (Eds.) (ed.), Volcanic Lakes (pp. 289-305). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-36833-2_12

https://research.dial.uclouvain.be/handle/2078.5/191553


Delmelle, P., Opfergelt, S., Cornelis, J.-T., & Ping, C.-L. (2015). Volcanic soils. In Sigurdsson H., Houghton B., Rymer H., Stix J., McNutt S. (ed.), The Encyclopedia of Volcanoes, 2nd Edition (pp. 1253-1264). Academic Press. https://hdl.handle.net/2078.5/257766

https://research.dial.uclouvain.be/handle/2078.5/257766


Journal article

Doetterl, S., Cornélis, J.-T., Six, J., Bodé, S., Opfergelt, S., Boeckx, P., & Van Oost, K. (2015). Soil redistribution and weathering controlling the fate of geochemical and physical carbon stabilization mechanisms in soils of an eroding landscape. Biogeosciences Discussions, 12, 1357-1371. https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-12-1357-2015 (Original work published 2015)

https://research.dial.uclouvain.be/handle/2078.5/191956


Couder, E., Mattielli, N., Drouet, T., Smolders, E., Delvaux, B., Iserentant, A., Meeus, C., Maerschalk, C., Opfergelt, S., & Houben, D. (2015). Transpiration flow controls Zn transport in Brassica napus and Lolium multiflorum under toxic levels as evidenced from isotopic fractionation. Comptes rendus. Geoscience, 347, 386-396. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crte.2015.05.004 (Original work published 2015)

https://research.dial.uclouvain.be/handle/2078.5/190285


Siebert, C., Pett-Ridge, J. C., Opfergelt, S., Guicharnaud, R. A., Halliday, A. N., & Burton, K. W. (2015). Molybdenum isotope fractionation in soils: influence of redox conditions, organic matter, and atmospheric inputs. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 162, 1-24. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gca.2015.04.007 (Original work published 2015)

https://research.dial.uclouvain.be/handle/2078.5/95505


Xiong, Z., Li, T., Algeo, T., Doering, K., Frank, M., Brzezinski, M. A., Chang, F., Opfergelt, S., Crosta, X., Jiang, F., Wan, S., & Zhai, B. (2015). The silicon isotope composition of Ethmodiscus rex laminated diatom mats from the tropical West Pacific: Implications for silicate cycling during the Last Glacial Maximum. Paleooceanography, 30, 803-823. https://doi.org/10.1002/2015PA002793 (Original work published 2015)

https://research.dial.uclouvain.be/handle/2078.5/89952


Tallberg, P., Opfergelt, S., Cornélis, J.-T., Liljendahl, A., & Weckström, J. (2015). High concentrations of amorphous, biogenic Si (BSi)in the sediment of a small high-latitude lake: implications for biogeochemical Si cycling and for the use of BSi as a paleoproxy. Aquatic Sciences : research across boundaries, 77, 293-305. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00027-014-0387-y (Original work published 2015)

https://research.dial.uclouvain.be/handle/2078.5/77323


2014
Journal article

Opfergelt, S., Burton, K. W., Georg, R. B., West, A. J., Guicharnaud, R. A., Sigfusson, B., Siebert, C., Gislason, S. R., & Halliday, A. N. (2014). Magnesium retention on the soil exchange complex controlling Mg isotope variations in soils, soil solutions and vegetation in volcanic soils. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 125, 110-130. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gca.2013.09.036 (Original work published 2014)

https://research.dial.uclouvain.be/handle/2078.5/75881


Houben, D., Sonnet, P., Tricot, G., Mattielli, N., Couder, E., & Opfergelt, S. (2014). Impact of Root-Induced Mobilization of Zinc on Stable Zn Isotope Variation in the Soil-Plant System. Environmental Science & Technology (Washington), 48(14), 7866-7873. https://doi.org/10.1021/es5002874 (Original work published 2014)

https://research.dial.uclouvain.be/handle/2078.5/92813


2013
Journal article

Opfergelt, S., Burton, K. W., Pogge von Strandmann, P. A. E., Gislason, S. R., & Halliday, A. N. (2013). Corrigendum to: Riverine silicon isotope variations in glaciated basaltic terrains: implications for the Si delivery to the ocean over glacial-interglacial intervals [Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 369-370 (2013) 211-219]. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 375, 451-452. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2013.07.010 (Original work published 2013)

https://research.dial.uclouvain.be/handle/2078.5/75592


Opfergelt, S., Burton, K. W., Pogge von Strandmann, P. A. E., Gislason, S. R., & Halliday, A. N. (2013). Riverine silicon isotope variations in glaciated basaltic terrains: implications for the Si delivery to the ocean over glacial-interglacial intervals. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 369-370, 211-219. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2013.03.025 (Original work published 2013)

https://research.dial.uclouvain.be/handle/2078.5/36287


2012
Journal article

Opfergelt, S., & Delmelle, P. (2012). Silicon isotopes and continental weathering processes: assessing controls on Si transfer to the ocean. Comptes rendus. Geoscience, 344(11-12), 723-738. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crte.2012.09.006 (Original work published 2012)

https://research.dial.uclouvain.be/handle/2078.5/76472


Opfergelt, S., Georg, R. B., Delvaux, B., Cabidoche, Y.-M., Burton, K. W., & Halliday, A. N. (2012). Silicon isotopes and the tracing of desilication in volcanic soil weathering sequences, Guadeloupe. Chemical Geology, 326-327, 113-122. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemgeo.2012.07.032 (Original work published 2012)

https://research.dial.uclouvain.be/handle/2078.5/40142


Pogge von Strandmann, P. A. E., Opfergelt, S., Lai, Y. J., Sigfusson, B., Gislason, S. R., & Burton, K. W. (2012). Lithium, magnesium and silicon isotope behaviour accompanying weathering in a basaltic soil and pore water profile in Iceland. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 339-340, 11-23. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2012.05.035 (Original work published 2012)

https://research.dial.uclouvain.be/handle/2078.5/157519


Opfergelt, S., Georg, R. B., Delvaux, B., Cabidoche, Y. M., Burton, K. W., & Halliday, A. N. (2012). Mechanisms of magnesium isotope fractionation in volcanic soil weathering sequences, Guadeloupe. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 341-344, 176-185. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2012.06.010 (Original work published 2012)

https://research.dial.uclouvain.be/handle/2078.5/70394


Book chapter

Cornélis, J.-T., Kruyts, N., Dufey, J., Delvaux, B., Opfergelt, S., & et al. (2012). Understanding root uptake of nutrients, toxic and polluting elements in hydroponic culture. In T. Asao (ed.), Hydroponics (pp. 153-180). In Tech. https://hdl.handle.net/2078.5/43332

https://research.dial.uclouvain.be/handle/2078.5/43332


2011
Journal article

Opfergelt, S., Eiriksdottir, E. S., Burton, K. W., Einarsson, A., Siebert, C., Gislason, S. R., & Halliday, A. N. (2011). Quantifying the impact of freshwater diatom productivity on silicon isotopes and silicon fluxes : Lake Myvatn, Iceland. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 305, 73-82. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2011.02.043 (Original work published 2011)

https://research.dial.uclouvain.be/handle/2078.5/153057


Opfergelt, S., Burton, K. W., Guicharnaud, R., Siebert, C., Gislason, S. R., & Halliday, A. N. (2011). Silicon isotopes in allophane as a proxy for mineral formation in volcanic soils. Applied Geochemistry, 26(S1), S115-S118. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apgeochem.2011.03.044 (Original work published 2011)

https://research.dial.uclouvain.be/handle/2078.5/153711


Cornélis, J.-T., Delvaux, B., Georg, B., Lucas, Y., Ranger, J., & Opfergelt, S. (2011). Tracing the origin of dissolved silicon transferred from various soil-plant systems towards rivers: a review. Biogeosciences Discussions, 8, 89-112. https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-8-89-2011 (Original work published 2011)

https://research.dial.uclouvain.be/handle/2078.5/268481


2010
Journal article

Cardinal, D., Gaillardet, J., Hughes, H. J., Opfergelt, S., & André, L. (2010). Contrasting silicon isotope signatures in rivers from the Congo Basin and the specific behaviour of organic-rich waters. Geophysical Research Letters, 37. https://doi.org/10.1029/2010GL043413 (Original work published 2010)

https://research.dial.uclouvain.be/handle/2078.5/131494


Opfergelt, S., Cardinal, D., André, L., Delvigne, C., Bremond, L., & Delvaux, B. (2010). Variations of delta Si-30 and Ge/Si with weathering and biogenic input in tropical basaltic ash soils under monoculture. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 74(1), 225-240. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gca.2009.09.025 (Original work published 2010)

https://research.dial.uclouvain.be/handle/2078.5/39084


Cornélis, J.-T., Delvaux, B., Cardinal, D., André, L., Ranger, J., & Opfergelt, S. (2010). Tracing mechanisms controlling the release of dissolved silicon in forest soil solutions using Si isotopes and Ge/Si ratios. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 74(14), 3913-3924. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gca.2010.04.056 (Original work published 2010)

https://research.dial.uclouvain.be/handle/2078.5/78614


2009
Journal article

Delstanche, S., Opfergelt, S., Cardinal, D., Elsass, F., André, L., & Delvaux, B. (2009). Silicon isotopic fractionation during adsorption of aqueous monosilicic acid onto iron oxide. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 73(4), 923-934. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gca.2008.11.014 (Original work published 2009)

https://research.dial.uclouvain.be/handle/2078.5/79790


Delvigne, C., Opfergelt, S., Cardinal, D., Delvaux, B., & André, L. (2009). Distinct silicon and germanium pathways in the soil-plant system: Evidence from banana and horsetail. Journal of Geophysical Research, 114, G02013. https://doi.org/10.1029/2008JG000899 (Original work published 2009)

https://research.dial.uclouvain.be/handle/2078.5/81157


Opfergelt, S., de Bournonville, G., Cardinal, D., André, L., Delstanche, S., & Delvaux, B. (2009). Impact of soil weathering degree on silicon isotopic fractionation during adsorption onto iron oxides in basaltic ash soils, Cameroon. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 73(24), 7226-7240. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gca.2009.09.003 (Original work published 2009)

https://research.dial.uclouvain.be/handle/2078.5/37177


2008
Journal article

Henriet, C., De Jaeger, N., Dorel, M., Opfergelt, S., & Delvaux, B. (2008). The reserve of weatherable primary silicates impacts the accumulation of biogenic silicon in volcanic ash soils. Biogeochemistry : an international journal, 90(2), 209-223. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10533-008-9245-0 (Original work published 2008)

https://research.dial.uclouvain.be/handle/2078.5/133412


Abraham, K., Opfergelt, S., Fripiat, F., Cavagna, A.-J., de Jong, J. T. M., Foley, S. F., André, L., & Cardinal, D. (2008). delta Si-30 and delta Si-29 determinations on USGS BHVO-1 and BHVO-2 reference materials with a new configuration on a Nu Plasma multi-collector ICP-MS. Geostandards and Geoanalytical Research, 32(2), 193-202. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1751-908X.2008.00879.x (Original work published 2008)

https://research.dial.uclouvain.be/handle/2078.5/133701


Opfergelt, S., Delvaux, B., André, L., & Cardinal, D. (2008). Plant silicon isotopic signature might reflect soil weathering degree. Biogeochemistry : an international journal, 91(2-3), 163-175. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10533-008-9278-4 (Original work published 2008)

https://research.dial.uclouvain.be/handle/2078.5/37737


2007
Journal article

Reynolds, B. C., Aggarwal, J., André, L., Baxter, D., Beucher, C., Brzezinski, M. A., Engstrom, E., Georg, R. B., Land, M., Leng, M. J., Opfergelt, S., Rodushkin, I., Sloane, H. J., van den Boorn, S. H. J. M., Vroon, P. Z., & Cardinal, D. (2007). An inter-laboratory comparison of Si isotope reference materials. Journal of Analytical Atomic Spectrometry, 22(5), 561-568. https://doi.org/10.1039/b616755a (Original work published 2007)

https://research.dial.uclouvain.be/handle/2078.5/39739


2006
Journal article

Opfergelt, S., Cardinal, D., Henriet, C., Draye, X., Draye, X., & Delvaux, B. (2006). Silicon isotopic fractionation by banana (Musa spp.) grown in a continuous nutrient flow device. Plant and Soil : international journal on plant-soil relationships, 285(1-2), 333-345. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-006-9019-1 (Original work published 2006)

https://research.dial.uclouvain.be/handle/2078.5/72043


Opfergelt, S., Cardinal, D., Henriet, C., André, L., & Delvaux, B. (2006). Silicon isotope fractionation between plant parts in banana: In situ vs. in vitro. Journal of Geochemical Exploration, 88(1-3), 224-227. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gexplo.2005.08.044 (Original work published 2006)

https://research.dial.uclouvain.be/handle/2078.5/80661


Opfergelt, S., Delmelle, P., Boivin, P., & Delvaux, B. (2006). The 1998 debris avalanche at Casita volcano, Nicaragua: Investigation of the role of hydrothermal smectite in promoting slope instability. Geophysical Research Letters, 33(15), L15305. https://doi.org/10.1029/2006GL026661 (Original work published 2006)

https://research.dial.uclouvain.be/handle/2078.5/71077


March 2026 - RTBF - Podcast Matière Grise - Partons pour une expédition scientifique en Alaska (26/03/26)

March 2026 - RTBF - Matière Grise - Contribution au numéro spécial "Printemps des sciences" (25/03/26)

March 2026 - Podcast Daily Science - Sous nos pieds, le pergélisol (25/03/26)

March 2026 - Printemps des sciences - Ciné-débat “Something in the Water” in collaboration with IMAQA (25-26/03/26)

Jan 2026 - Laser Talk - The Future Is Not Fixed - Hosted at Nadine in Brussels (27/01/26)

Dec 2025 - Carte blanche Daily Science "Surtout, n’oublions pas de garder à l’œil la glace invisible" (11/12/25)

Oct 2025 - Festival Fruits de la Passion - collab. I. Dumont (cabinet de curiosité), H. Bellenger (Bianco Ordinario), & L. Vanneste (conférence dansée)

Oct 2025 - Living Earth Festival, "3 jours, 3 nuits", conférence dansée avec Louise Vanneste (11/10/25)

Oct 2025 - Premiere of IMAQA‘s documentary “Something in the Water” (7/10/25)

Oct 2025 - Membre titulaire de la classe des Sciences de l’Académie royale de Belgique (4/10/25 - réception des nouveaux membres)

June 2025 - Interview journal l'Echo (16/06/25)

Fev 2025 - Danse, roches & permafrost – Les Temps Vécus, conférence avec l'artiste en résidence Louise Vanneste, CCBW (15/02/25)

Jan 2025 - Contribution à l'exposition "Les Temps vécus" de Gaël Turine et Céline Gautier du 18 janv au 16 mars au Centre culturel du Brabant wallon 

Dec 2024 - Quel Temps pour la planète, RTBF, interview en direct sur le pergélisol et ses émissions de carbone (17/12/24)

Dec 2024 - Gérer et protéger les sols passe par la recherche, Journée mondiale des sols du 5 décembre

Nov 2024 - "Arctique, quand le sol dégèle sous tes pieds", conférence grand public au café citoyen Le Six Heures

Nov 2024 - La rencontre de la géologie et de la danse, bord de scène avec l'artiste en résidence Louise Vanneste au théâtre Le Vilar (28/11/24)

Nov 2024 - Lauréate du prix du Public des Trophées de Vulgarisation Scientifique de Matière Grise (bande annonce; interview; article Paris Match 28 novembre 2024)

Nov 2024 - Les Visages de la Recherche, émission sur LN24, interview par Pascal Vrebos (autres émissions)

Sept 2024 - Podcast WiseNight, Femmes et Sciences en Belgique, projet visant à encourager les femmes à s’engager dans des études STEM 

Sept 2024 - Exposition photos WiseNight, du photographe Michiel Devijver: portraits de scientifiques belges

July 2024 - Interview radio RTBF Matin Première sur la mission de terrain menée par IMAQA au Groenland en collaboration avec des scientifiques

June 2024 - Article dans La Libre et dans la DHnet sur la mission de terrain menée en février-mars 2024 en Alaska en collaboration avec IMAQA

May 2024 - Exposition photo au MuséeL "Arctique en transition", Journée européenne des musées, en dialogue avec des gravures de G. Marchoul (P. Roux, S. Opfergelt, E. du Bois d'Aische, M. Villani)

April 2024 - LIMIT (YouTube) - Le géant endormi - Interview of S. Opfergelt by V. Kanté

March 2024 - Printemps des Sciences, conference, "Arctique : quand le sol dégèle sous tes pieds"

March 2024 - Soirée inaugurale du Printemps des Sciences, table-ronde, 20 000 lieues sous les terres

Feb 2024 - La recherche et la presse: un apprentissage - FNRS news 130 - interview de F. Massonnet et S. Opfergelt par L. Zanella

Feb 2024 - Exposition photo à la maison culturelle Jonniaux "Arctique en transition", Pommeroeul, Belgium (M. Villani, E. du Bois d'Aische, S. Opfergelt)

Jan 2024 - Interview in the letter from the “Plateforme wallone pour le GIEC” about permafrost

Dec 2023 - Lauréate du Prix Adolphe Wetrems en Sciences Naturelles décerné par la Classe des Sciences de l’Académie Royale des Sciences, des Lettres et des Beaux-Arts de Belgique  

Nov 2023 - Bianco Ordinario, Hélène Bellenger, projet artistique sur le concept de blanchité mêlant culture visuelle et géologie, collab. S. Fevry, S. Opfergelt, F. Blondeau (Fonds de recherche et création)

Oct 2023 - Fieldwork in Alaska (Daily science article ; Le Soir web article ; La Libre Belgique web article ; L’Avenir article print ; La Dernière Heure web article ; Sud Info ; RTL Info web article ; interview RTBF Matin Première)

Oct 2023 - La Traversée, projection à Mons avec l'explorateur N. Goffart et les scientifiques B. Bertrand, N. Bergeot, S. Opfergelt (collab. Francesco LoBlue, UMons)

Oct 2023 - Résidence d’artiste de Louise Vanneste (2023-2025), « Vers les territoires de l'imaginaire », lien entre le fonctionnement du végétal et les phénomènes géologiques et le climat, marraine académique

Oct 2023 - Articles mission Groenland Imaqa Expeditions en collaboration avec ULiège, ULB et UCLouvain (articles La Libre, la DH)

June 2023 - La Bellone, Bruxelles, "Pangée", conversation publique entre Louise Vanneste, danseuse et chorégraphe et Dénètem Touam Bona (artiste et philosophe) et Sophie Opfergelt (géologue) (projet FRArt)

April 2023 - Matière Grise - Zoom sur « Nanok Expédition » (RTBF Auvio)

March 2023, Printemps des sciences, conference, "Arctique: quand le sol dégèle sous tes pieds" 

March 2023 - Nanok conference à l’UCLouvain, Alumni Faculté AGRO

March 2023 - Article dans le journal l'Avenir sur la collaboration UCLouvain et Nanok Expedition (projection du film "La Traversée au festival GO Future)

March 2023 - Participation au ciné-débat sur le permafrost basé sur le film "Pleistocene Park" au festival GO Future

Nov 2022 - MuséeL, exposition « Fossiles et Fictions », collaboratrice scientifique

August 2022 - Collaboration avec Nanok Expedition et participation au documentaire "La Traversée"

July 2022 - Podcast UCLouvain Exergie - Le permafrost et son impact sur notre budget CO2

June 2022 - Court métrage sur le permafrost réalisé par S. Seif eddine au cours "Techniques et Technologies Vidéographie" de R. Noviello - collab. avec ARTs², Mons et UCLouvain Culture

March 2022 - Livre illustré pour enfants sur le pergélisol réalisé par A. Montesi et D. Philippe, option "Communication visuelle et graphique" de J.-B. Libert - collab. avec ARTs², Mons et UCLouvain Culture

March 2022 - Déclic RTBF radio, interview en lien avec des vagues de chaleurs extrêmes en Arctique

March 2022 - Interview en radio LouiZ sur le printemps de sciences en lien avec l'atelier et la conférence sur le pergélisol

December 2021 - Radio Tendances Première - Au chevet du permafrost - interview

November 2021 - Abisko mission on national media (RTBF web article; La première Radio JT ; Journal télévisé RTL – 13H et 19H ; RTL info – Web; DH net Web ; L’Avenir)

February 2021 - The unaccounted-for side of permafrost carbon, ebook, Open Access Government

August 2020 - Horizon Magazine, interview - role of weathering and erosion in the carbon cycle

July 2020 - Communication about the WeThaw project to the EU Research Journal

May 2020 - Le permafrost arctique en péril grave (interview Le Soir)

2020-2023 - Contribution to exhibition "ParTouthétys", Musée Riveo, Hotton, for 3 years about large rivers including Yukon, Alaska (contribution from WeThaw project: video, text, photos, samples)

March 2020 - General public conf., Impact of climate change on permafrost, Rotary-club LLN

November 2019 - Contribution to exhibition BST « Mendeleïev : 150 Ans Du Tableau Périodique » (poster about Carbon in permafrost environments)

October 2019 - RTBF, scientific outreach with Quel temps, 28 october 2019

September 2019 - Reportage RTBF after fieldwork in Alaska

September 2019 - Article in Daily Science about the mission to Alaska

August 2019 - Interview on national television (RTL 13h, RTL 19h, RTBF 13h) and on regional television (TVcom) about the mission in Alaska

August 2019 - Interview on national radio (RTBF) and on regional radio (Vivacité Journal, Vivacité BW Matin, Vivacité BW Matin) about the mission in Alaska

August 2019 - Newspaper and Web articles about the mission in Alaska (La DH, La libre, L’Avenir, RTBF, RTLInfo, Le Vif, TVcom, L’Avenir BW)

May 2019 - Interview in ScienceToday about the WeThaw project

June 2018 - Interview in ScienceToday about the fieldwork in Alaska in May 2018

May 2018 - The project WeThaw in the satellite of Louvain[s]

November 2017 - Participation au film "Uni-Diversité: Passions de chercheurs" créé pour le Musée L

October 2017 - Interview UCL Presse about the ERC project on permafrost (WeThaw)

June 2017 - Interview Radiocontact (Contact News 19h30, 01/06/17) - implications pour notre planète à l’annonce du retrait des USA des accords de Paris sur le climat

November 2015 - Interview UCL Presse - recherches en lien avec le changement climatique dans le contexte de la conférence de Paris (COP21)

March 2015 - Pr. Oliver Chadwick (UC Santa Barbara, US) hosted in our lab to receive the title of Doctorat Honoris Causa at UCL during the International Year of Soils

February 2015 - Interview dans la Revue Athena (pg 32-35)

October 2014 - Interview dans la revue FNRS news (pg 36)

September 2006 - AGU Journal Highlights in EOS regarding the publication in GRL about the contribution of smectite clays to slope instability on volcanic flanks

I have developed my interest in weathering since my MSc thesis on hydrothermally altered materials involved in debris avalanche at Casita volcano, Nicaragua (2002). With my background in geology, I did a PhD thesis in Bioscience Engineering on “Silicon cycle in the soil-plant system: Biogeochemical tracing using Si isotopes” (2008). Then I expanded my research to the Critical Zone interactions with the hydrosphere during my postdoc in the Department of Earth Sciences at the University of Oxford, UK (2009-2010). I was appointed as permanent FNRS Research Associate in 2014 at the Earth and Life Institute, UCLouvain, Belgium, where I was promoted FNRS Senior Research Associate in 2023, and Professor at the Faculty of Bioscience Engineering. Since 2025, I am Member of the Royal Academy of Belgium in the Class of Sciences.

2014 - Ebelmen Award of the International Association of Geochemistry 

2023 - Prix Adolphe Wetrems sciences naturelles 2023 of the classe des Sciences de l’Académie Royale de Belgique

2024 - Prix du Public des Trophées de Vulgarisation Scientifique de Matière Grise

Year Label School
2008 Docteur en sciences agronomiques et ingénierie biologique Université catholique de Louvain (Belgique)
2006 Diplômée d'études approfondies en sciences agronomiques et ingénierie biologique Université catholique de Louvain (Belgique)
2002 Licenciée en sciences géologiques Université catholique de Louvain (Belgique)
2000 Candidate en sciences géologiques Université catholique de Louvain (Belgique)