Dynamics of persistent organic pollutants in soil environment and their interaction with organic matter and root exudates.-\nMicrobial extracellular enzymes and the degradation of natural and synthetic polymers in soil.-\nStructure, biological activity and environmental fate of insecticidal Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) Cry proteins of bacterial and genetically modified plant origin.-\nThe role of bacteria and archaea in nitrification, nitrate leaching and nitrous oxide emissions in nitrogen-rich grassland soils.-\nAdvances in the use of synchrotron radiation to elucidate environmental interfacial reaction processes and mechanisms in the Earth\'s critical zone.-\nMicrobial roles in mineral transformations and metal cycling in the Earth\'s critical zone.-\nRole of biomolecules in influencing transformation mechanisms of metals and metalloids in soil environments.-\nMechanisms for the interaction between heavy metals and variable charge surfaces.-\nThe electrostatic field effect from surface charges on ion diffusion/adsorption in the soil.-\nEffects of \"aging\" on bioreactive chemical retention, transformation, and transport in soil.-\nSorption comparison between pharmaceuticals and hydrophobic organic chemicals in soils and sediments.-\nAdsorption of organic compounds by black carbon from aqueous solution.-\nSubsoil acidification in farming systems: its possible causes and management options.-\nMicrobial indicators of soil quality in upland soils.-\nImpacts of agricultural management practices on soil physical, chemical and biological properties.