Research

I come from a background in soils (I studied Soil Science at the University of Aberdeen) and now manage the National Soils Database of Scotland as well as helping oversee access to the National Soil Archive. The Institute continues to try and make both its data and samples more accessible to everybody, and I am in the process of working towards making our datasets more open and accessible, as well as compliant with the INSPIRE directive along with Allan Lilly and David Donnelly.

I have three main personal research interests. The first is making ‘technical’ soils: using things which are normally thoughts of as wastes, like construction waste and compost, to make substances which do the same jobs for us as real soils – for example growing plants, filtering pollutants, possibly even capturing carbon. I work on this along with  Luke Beesley and Ben Butler.

The second is trying to relate environmental data to the spread and survival of diseases in the environment. I am working on a system to collect data using remote sensors to help in the early detection of the symptoms of Johnes disease in cattle, with the help of the Institute’s electronics engineer David Drummond. I also work with Eulyn Pagaling, Lisa Avery and Rupert Hough on anti-microbial resistance (AMR) in Scottish soils.

The third is using spatial data to solve environmental problems. I work with Geographic Information Systems (such as ArcGIS and QGIS) and databases (Oracle and PostgreSQL) to help combine different datasets in new ways to answer questions relating to soil, landcover and climate with a wide range of colleagues, both at the Institute and in our partner organisations, but particularly Matt Aitkenhead.

Publications

Journals

Books / chapters

  • Aitkenhead, M.J.; Donnelly, D.; Coull, M.C.; Gwatkin, R. (2016) Estimating soil properties with a mobile phone., In: Hartemink, A., Minasny, B. (eds) Digital Soil Morphometrics. Progress in Soil Science. Springer, pp. 89-110
  • Dawson, L.A.; Towers, W.; Owen, J.; White, D.; Coull, M.C.; Ross, J.M.; Donnelly, D.; Cooper, P. (2010) Soils of the crofts., In: Dawson, L.A., Morrice, J. & Rodway, P. Soils of the Crofts. The James Hutton Institute Publication with Crofting Connections, Aberdeen, 130pp.
  • Blackstock, K.L.; Cooksley, S.L.; Langan, S.J.; Marshall, K.B.; Coull, M.C. (2009) CATCH: Integrated catchment planning: a handbook for project officers., Macaulay Land Use Research Institute, Aberdeen, 97p.

Technical / contract reports

Conference papers

  • Coull, M.C.; Beesley, L. (2019) One man’s trash: reusing construction and other municipal wastes to relieve the pressure on urban soils., 3rd International Conference on Green Urbanism, University of Rome tor Vergata, Rome, Italy, 11-13 December 2019.
  • Aitkenhead, M.J.; Cameron, C.; Gaskin, G.; Choisy, B.; Coull, M.C.; Black, H.I.J.; Robertson, A.H.J. (2016) The Scottish way – getting results in soil spectroscopy without spending money., European Geosciences Union General Assembly 2016 (EGU 2016), Vienna, Austria, 17-22 April 2016. Geophysical Research Abstracts, Vol. 18, EGU2016-162.
  • Hough, R.L.; Elliott, G.E.; Coull, M.; Avery, L.M.; Thomas, N.; Campbell, C.D. (2014) PARABAN: Knowledge exchange for the control of paratuberculosis in Scottish cattle., British Cattle Veterinary Association Congress, Hinckley, Leicestershire, 16-18 October 2014. Proceedings – Cattle Practice, 22(2), p194.
  • Aitkenhead, M.J.; Coull, M.C.; Robertson, A.J.H. (2013) Prediction of soil properties with NIR data and site descriptors using preprocessing and neural networks., International Workshop, Soil Spectroscopy: the present and future of Soil Monitoring, FAO HQ, Rome, Italy, 4-6 December 2013.
  • Hough, R.L.; Elliott, G.; Avery, L.M.; Coull, M.C.; Shand, C.A.; Lumsdon, D.; Campbell, C.D (2013) Environmental factors and Johne’s disease – results and guidance., Learning the Lessons for Disease Control – Stobshiel, East Lothian, Scotland, 16 May 2013.
  • Hough, R.L.; Elliott, G.; Avery, L.M.; Coull, M.C.; Shand, C.A.; Lumsdon, D.; Campbell, C.D. (2013) Environmental factors and Johne’s disease – results and guidance., Learning the Lessons for Disease Control – Ballintomb, Dulnain Bridge, Scotland, 16 May 2013.
  • Hough, R.L.; Elliott, G.; Avery, L.M.; Coull, M.C.; Shand, C.A.; Lumsdon, D.; Campbell, C.D. (2013) Environmental factors and Johne’s disease – results and guidance., Learning the Lessons for Disease Control – Overcairn, New Cumnock, Scotland, 7 June 2013.
  • Hough, R.L.; Elliott, G.; Avery, L.M.; Coull, M.C.; Shand, C.A.; Lumsdon, D.; Campbell, C.D. (2013) Environmental factors and Johne’s disease – results and guidance., Learning the Lessons for Disease Control – Torr Farm, Castle Douglas, Scotland, 30 April 2013.
  • Aitkenhead, M.; Donnelly, D.; Coull, M.; Black, H.I.A. (2013) E-SMART: Environmental Sensing for Monitoring and Advising in Real-Time., In: Hrebicek, J., Schimak, G., Kubasek, M. & Rizzoli A.E. (eds.). Environmental Software Systems: Fostering Information Sharing, 10th IFIP WG 5.11 International Symposium on Environmental Software Systems (ISESS), Springer, 413, 129-142.
  • Walker, R.L.; Oborn, I.; Bertilsson, J.; Campbell, C.D.; Coull, M.C.; Dahlin, A.S.; Edwards, A.C.; Eriksson, J.; Frankow-Lindberg, B.E.; Hillier, S.; Lindstrom, B.; Linse, L.; Ramezanian, A.; Lumsdon, D.G.; Shand, C.; Sinclair, A.H.; Watson, C.A.; Wivstad, M. (2010) Micronutrient strategies in organic systems: using local and site specific resources to improve crop and livestock quality., Proceedings of 15th World Fertilizer Congress of the International Scientific Centre for Fertilizers (CIEC), Romania, 29 August – 2 September 2010.
  • Campbell, C.D.; Towers, W.; Dawson, L.A.; Coull, M.C. (2010) Public engagement – How we make soils entertaining., World Congress of Soil Science: Soil Solutions for a Changing World, 19th, Brisbane Australia, 1-6 August 2010.
  • Towers, W.; Campbell, C.D.; Paton, G.I.; Paterson, E.; Dawson, J.J.C.; Cameron, C.M.; Coull, M.C.; Christie, P.; Scanlan, C. (2003) The development of a biological sensitivity classification of soils to heavy metals., Proceedings of “Integrating Novel Approaches to Pollution Research in Terrestrial and Marine Environments”. A Joint BSSS/SETAC-UK Meeting, 8-10 September 2003.
  • Towers, W.; Coull, M.C.; Paterson, E. (2001) Upland soils: an altitudinal or ecological definition., Proceedings of Soils and the Uplands, British Society of Soil Science Annual Conference, Durham, September 2001. Oral presentation.
  • Bacon, J.R.; Campbell, C.D.; Coull, M.C.; Chambers, B.J.; Gibbs, P.A.; Chaudri, A.; McGrath, S.P.; Carlton-Smith, C.; Aitken, M. (2001) A long-term study of the effects of heavy metals in sewage sludge on soil fertility and soil microbial activity., In: Recycling and Reuse of Sewage Sludge, Proceedings of the International Symposium, University of Dundee, Dundee, 19-20 March 2001 (eds. R.K. Dhir, M.C. Limbachiya and M.J. McCarthy). Thomas Telford, London, pp87-96.
  • Towers, W.; Horne, P.L.; Paterson, E.; Coull, M.C. (2001) Recycling of sewage sludge to land: legislative, scientific and practical considerations., In: Proceedings of Recycling and Reuse of Sewage Sludge (eds. Dhir, R.K., Limbachiya, M.C. and McCarthy, M.J.). University of Dundee, March 2001, pp273-286.
  • Towers, W.; Coull, M.C.; Paterson, E.; Stephen, N.H.; Watson, C.; Dunn, S.M.; Aitken, M.; Langan, S.J.; Swaffield, R.; Vinten, A.; Watt, D. (2001) Waste to land development of a spatially based decision support tool., In: Proceedings of Agriculture and Waste : Management for a Sustainable Future. SAC/SEPA, Edinburgh, April 1999, pp47-62.
  • Bacon, J.R.; Coull, M.C.; Hewitt, I.J.; Cooper, P. (2000) Increased extractable metal concentrations following sewage sludge additions to grassland soils., Proceedings of International Conference on Heavy Metals in the Environment, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA, 6-10 August 2000.

Conference posters / abstracts

  • Glendell, M.; Vinten, A.J.A.; Richards, S.; Gagkas, Z.; Lilly, A.; Baggaley, N.; Coull, M.; Schurch, N.; Gimona, A.; Pohle, I.; Troldborg, M.; Stutter, M.I. (2020) A systems approach to modelling phosphorus pollution risk in Scottish rivers using bayesian belief networks., EGU General Assembly 2020 Online, 4-8 May 2020, EGU2020-8229. Abstract.
  • Glendell, M.; Vinten, A.J.A.; Richards, S.; Gagkas, Z.; Lilly, A.; Baggaley, N.; Coull, M.; Schurch, N.; Pohle, I.; Gimona, A.; Troldborg, M.; Stutter, M.I. (2019) Modelling phosphorus pollution risk in Scottish rivers – a decision support tool., SAGES’19 Conference ‘Global Climate Challenges for a Blue Green Economy: Scientific Evidence; its Relevance; Societal Solutions’ John McIntyre Centre, Edinburgh, 27-28 November 2019. Book of Abstracts, p16.
  • Sinclair, A.; Edwards, A.; Coull, M.; Crooks, W.; Lumsdon, D. (2015) Managing soil phosphorus copper and cobalt in Scotland., British Society of Soil Science Annual Meeting, Royal College of Physicians, London, 26 November 2015.
  • Sinclair, A.; Edwards, A.; Coull, M.; Crooks, W.; Lumsdon, D. (2015) Managing soil phosphorus, copper and cobalt in Scotland., Making Soil Count – International Year of Soil Scotland 2015, Scottish Natural Heritage, Battleby Conference Centre, 9 September 2015. Poster.
  • Toberman, H.; Tipping, E.; Adams, J.; Helliwell, R.C.; Davies, J.; Smart, S.; Coull, M.C.; Bryant, C. (2013) UK soil survey to test LTLS terrestrial model outputs., NERC Macronutrient Programme Level Meeting, Oxford University, 17-18 September 2013.
  • Lumsdon, D.G.; Shand, C.A.; Edwards, A.C.; Stutter, M.I.; Sinclair, A.H.; Crooks, W.; Wendler, R.; Coull, M.C. (2013) A soil surface complexation model to derive a P sorption index for Scottish soils., 7th International Phosphorus Workshop (IPW7), Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden, 9-13 September 2013.
  • Towers, W.; Dawson, L.A.; Coull, M.C.; Miller, D.R.; Campbell, C.D. (2012) Innovative mechanisms for soil engagement – the Scottish experience., EUROSOIL 2012, Soil Science for the Benefit of Mankind and Environment, 4th International Congress of the European Confederation of Soil Science Societies (ECSSS), Bari, Italy, 2-6 July 2012. Proceedings, p2628.
  • Hough, R.L.; Elliott, G.; Avery, L.M.; Thomas, N.T.; Coull, M.C.; Shand, C.A.; Lumsdon, D.G.; Campbell, C.D. (2012) Investigating soil risk factors for paratuberculosis in Scottish cattle farming., EUROSOIL 2012 Soil Science for the Benefit of Mankind and Environment, 4th International Congress of the European Confederation of Soil Science Societies (ECSSS), Bari, Italy, 2-6 July 2012.
  • Shand, C.A.; Wendler, R.; Coull, M.C. (2012) Phosphorus stocks in Scottish soils., BSSS Annual Meeting 2012: Soil Science and Food Security, Sutton Bonington Campus, University of Nottingham, 4-5 September 2012. Book of Abstracts p69.
  • Zhang, Z.; Rhind, S.M.; Kyle, C.; Osprey, M.; Kerr, C.; Coull, M.; McKenzie, C. (2012) Source and trend of polychlorinated biphenyls in soils of Scotland., Proceedings of SESEH (Sino-European Symposium on Environment and Health) 2012, Galway, Ireland, 20-25 August 2012.
  • Jackson-Blake, L.A.; Helliwell, R.C.; Britton, A.; Gibbs, S.; Coull, M.C.; Dawson, L.A. (2012) Controls on soil solution nitrogen along an altitudinal gradient in the Scottish uplands., European Geophysical Union General Assembly, Vienna, Austria. 23-27 April 2012.
  • Black, H.I.J.; Brooker, R.W.; McVittie, A.; Irvine, R.J.; Coull, M.C. (2011) Ecosystem Services in the Scottish Government’s Environmental Change Research Programme, British Ecological Society Annual Meeting 2011, University of Sheffield, 12-14 September 2011.
  • Thornton, B.; Midwood, A.J.; Coull, M.C.; Hudson, G. (2011) Carbon and nitrogen isotopes of scottish soils., Stable Isotopes Mass Spectrometry User Group Meeting 2011, Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster, 23-24 November 2011.
  • Oborn, I.; Bertilsson, J.; Campbell, C.D.; Coull, M.C.; Dahlin, A.S.; Edwards, A.C.; Eriksson, J.; Frankow-Lindberg, B.E.; Hillier, S.; Lindstrom, B.; Linse, L.; Lumsdon, D.G.; Ramezanian, A.; Shand, C.A.; Sinclair, A.H.; Walker, R.L.; Watson, C.A.; Vivstad, M. (2011) Micronutrient management strategies in agriculture – how to utilize local and site specific resources to produce high quality products?, International Conference on the Biogeochemistry of Trace Elements (ICOBTE 2011), 11th, Congress Center, Florence, Italy, 3-7 July 2011.
  • Jackson-Blake, L.A; Helliwell, R.C.; Britton, A.; Gibbs, S; Coull, M.C. (2010) Can environmental traits be used to understand nitrogen leaching?, Global Change and the World’s Mountains, Perth, Scotland, 26-30 September 2010.
  • Walker, R.L.; Oborn, I.; Bertilsson, J.; Campbell, C.D.; Coull, M.C.; Dahlin, A.S.; Edwards, A.C.; Eriksson, J.; Frankow-Lindberg, B.E.; Hillier, S.; Lindstrom, B.; Linse, L.; Ramezanian, A.; Lumsdon, D.G.; Shand, C.; Sinclair, A.H.; Watson, C.A.; Wivstad, M. (2010) Micronutrient strategies in organic systems: using local and site specific resources to improve crop and livestock quality., Proceedings of 15th World Fertilizer Congress of the International Scientific Centre for Fertilizers (CIEC), Romania, 29 August – 2 September 2010. (Poster)
  • Vinten, A.J.A.; Blackstock, K.L.; Stutter, M.I.; Watson, A.; Coull, M.C. (2009) Lunan monitored priority catchment., Knowledge Scotland KTE Event, SEPA, Stirling, 29 May 2009.
  • Blackstock, K.L.; Coull, M.C.; Dunglinson, J.; Fischer, A.; Futter, M.; Glenk, K.; Marshall, K.; Smith, H. (2009) Stakeholder engagement in river basin management planning., Knowledge Scotland KTE Event, SEPA, Stirling, 29 May 2009.
  • Helliwell, R.C.; Britton, A.J.; Evans, C.; Coull, M.C.; Gibb, S.; Fisher, J.M.; Armitage, H. (2009) Modelling soil carbon stocks and nitrogen dynamics in spatially heterogeneous montane environments., British Society of Soil Science Conference Panel.
  • Helliwell, R.C.; Britton, A.J.; Evans, C.; Coull, M.C.; Gibbs, S.; Fisher, J.M.; Armitage, H.; Dawson, L.A. (2009) Modelling soil carbon stocks and nitrogen dynamics in spatially heterogeneous montane environments., In: Predicting the Future for Highly Organic Soils, British Society of Soil Science, Spring Conference, Edinburgh Conference Centre, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, 5-7 May 2009.