Emma Engström

Emma Engström serves as an Adjunct Professor in the Geosciences and Environmental Engineering division at Luleå University of Technology, specifically within the Department of Civil, Environmental and Natural Resources Engineering. Her research falls under the Applied Geochemistry subject area, focusing on environmental geochemical processes and contaminants.

Dr. Engström's research interests center on applied geochemistry with particular emphasis on technology-critical elements (TCEs), rare earth elements (REEs), and their environmental behavior. Her work investigates the geochemical cycling of these elements in various environmental systems including soils, water bodies, and waste streams. She examines the plant uptake mechanisms of TCEs, the dynamics of REEs in boreal stream networks, and the cytotoxic effects of these emerging contaminants compared to traditional metal pollutants. Her research bridges fundamental geochemical processes with environmental health implications, contributing to our understanding of how modern technological elements interact with natural systems.

Analysis of her recent publications reveals a strong focus on emerging contaminants in environmental systems. Her work consistently examines technology-critical elements and their environmental behavior, with particular attention to their presence in waste streams, soil-plant systems, aquatic environments, and potential health impacts. The research demonstrates sophisticated analytical approaches including metal isotope analysis, in vitro bioassays, and comprehensive geochemical characterization.

Dr. Engström actively collaborates with researchers across multiple institutions in Sweden and internationally, as evidenced by her co-authorship on numerous publications in high-impact environmental science journals. Her work receives funding from organizations including the Swedish Research Council and Linnaeus University, supporting her investigations into the environmental behavior of emerging contaminants.

Her research group focuses on environmental geochemistry, particularly studying the behavior and impacts of technology-critical elements in various environmental matrices. The team employs advanced analytical techniques including metal isotope analysis and in vitro toxicity testing to understand the environmental fate and potential risks associated with these emerging contaminants.