Battarbee Lecture 2026: Viewing the past through geochemical palaeolimnology: mud and models
Explore ancient lakes and geochemical clues at the Battarbee Lecture 2026 featuring Dr John Boyle and insights into palaeolimnology, environmental change, and lake systems past and present.
Battarbee Lecture 2026: Viewing the past through geochemical palaeolimnology: mud and models
07 May 2026, 17:00 – 18:00
Book your place
Reserve your free ticket to attend the Battarbee Lecture 2026 in person at UCL.
Book via EventbriteThis lecture explores how sediment geochemistry helps us understand environmental change over time.
Dr Boyle combines fieldwork, laboratory analysis and simple models to interpret lake records. The talk moves from marine sediments in Cyprus to lakes across Europe.
You’ll hear about:
- Atmospheric pollution in Norwegian lakes
- Early Holocene lake acidification
- Long-term phosphorus movement in landscapes
- The rise of modern eutrophication
- A mass balance model for lake phosphorus dynamics
Why lake sediments matter
Lake sediments preserve chemical signals that reveal how environments change over time, from natural shifts to human impacts such as pollution and nutrient enrichment.
Find out more
Dr Boyle studies how chemical reactions in the environment are recorded in lake sediments. His work links geochemical analysis with process models to understand pollution, ecosystem change and lake–catchment interactions.
He has worked widely with environmental scientists in the UK and internationally, including long-standing collaborations with UCL’s Environmental Change Research Centre (ECRC).
How geochemical records help reconstruct past environments and track human impact
No. The lecture is accessible to anyone interested in environmental science or geography.
A reception will follow in Room G07.
The Battarbee Lecture Series
Established in 2012, the Battarbee Lecture Series showcases leading research in physical geography. It honours Emeritus Professor Rick Battarbee and brings together staff, students, alumni and the wider community.
Visit Professor Battarbee's UCL ProfileGot questions? Get in touch.
Contact us if you have any questions about studying Geography at UCL.
Further information
Ticketing
Ticketed
Cost
Free
Open to
All
Availability
Yes