Andreas Paul Loibner

Andreas Paul Loibner is an Associate Professor in Environmental Biotechnology at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU), based at the Department of Geobiotechnology and Environmental Chemistry in Tulln. He has held leadership roles including Head of the Department since 2013 and former Head of the Institute of Environmental Biotechnology (2010–2013). His research focuses on bioremediation of contaminated soils and groundwater, particularly polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and petroleum hydrocarbons.

His research interests include environmental biotechnology, bioremediation, bioavailability and bioaccessibility of hydrophobic organic contaminants, microbial degradation processes, and in-situ remediation technologies. He investigates how soil-pollutant interactions influence the success of biodegradation, with a focus on enhancing bioavailability through innovative methods such as vegetable oil amendment. His work integrates ecotoxicological assessments, analytical chemistry, and microbial ecology to evaluate and improve remediation strategies.

The recent publications reflect a strong trend toward understanding the fundamental behavior of PAHs in historically contaminated soils, contrasting them with spiked laboratory models. His research emphasizes the limitations of artificial contamination models and advocates for more realistic assessments in bioremediation planning. Key subfields include PAH bioaccessibility, anaerobic degradation with electron shuttles, nitrate-reducing bioremediation, and the use of stable isotopes for monitoring.

• Reviewer, Biodegradation (2006–present)
• Reviewer, Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry (2006–present)
• Reviewer, Science of the Total Environment (2006–present)
• Reviewer, Environmental Pollution (2005–present)
• Reviewer, Environmental Science & Technology (2005–present)
• Reviewer, Chemosphere (2001–present)

Loibner has supervised multiple university theses and contributed to numerous national and international research projects. He has delivered invited lectures and presentations across Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, and the Americas, demonstrating strong engagement in the global scientific community. His work bridges academic research and practical application in contaminated land management.