The Institute is devoted to the aim of creating a basis for the quantitative understanding of changes in sediments, soil/groundwater, vegetation and the atmosphere on different spatial and temporal scales. For this purpose, the distribution, conversion and impact of selected substances in the atmosphere, biosphere, soil and subsoil as well as the material transport between these environmental compartments are investigated in interdisciplinary cooperation. These processes are particularly important for regions with high industrial activity, great density of traffic and simultaneous intensive agricultural use, as are to be found in Germany and Europe. The results obtained support environmental protection and contribute towards implementing a sustainable use of soils, air and water.

The research activities are carried out in five departments:

• I. Stratosphere,
• II. Troposphere,
• III. Phytosphere,
• IV. Agrosphere and
• V. Sedimentary Systems (being founded).

The research tasks are combined in the R&D project "Chemistry and Dynamics of the Geobiosphere" and currently concentrate on the areas "chemistry and transport processes in the atmosphere", "transport and interactions in the plant-soil-atmosphere system" and "transport and conversion in soils, sediments and groundwater". For the intercompartmental research approach ranging from sedimentary systems up to the stratosphere, special scientific and technical infrastructure facilities, such as the atmosphere simulation chamber (SAPHIR), plant emission chambers, lysimeter stations with permission to handle radioactive substances and field sites with different hydrogeological conditions are available to ICG. The ICG uses large balloons and various aircraft as measuring platforms and is a member of a European Economic Interest Group (EEIG) of the Geophysika high-altitude research aircraft. Research at the ICG is integrated nationally (HGF, BMBF, DFG, industry) and on a European level. Research at Jülich is a central component of relevant programmes.