A deep interest in soil chemistry and sustainable agriculture led Tania Monir to pursue a Soil CRC PhD with Murdoch University, exploring how different soil amendments influence the stability of carbon compounds in sandy soils.
“My research aimed to uncover whether certain types of chemical compounds are more likely to be stabilised by specific amendments – knowledge that can help improve soil fertility, soil health and long-term carbon storage in Australian farming systems,” Tania said.
Sandy soils cover more than 16 million hectares across Australia and make up a major share of the nation’s agricultural land. However, their poor water and nutrient retention, as well as low soil organic carbon (SOC), often result in reduced productivity.
Tania explained that while many studies focus on increasing total SOC, few have examined how amendments change the types of organic compounds that make up soil organic matter (SOM), the true drivers of soil health and carbon stability. Her research fills this gap by investigating how organic and inorganic amendments alter SOM composition using advanced analytical techniques.
“I wanted to understand not just how much carbon we could add to soils, but what kind of carbon is most likely to stay. By looking at the molecular detail, we can identify which amendments truly improve long-term soil health,” she said.
Tania developed an optimised Accelerated Solvent Extraction (ASE) method, coupled with Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (GC–MS), to achieve faster, cleaner and more accurate SOM analysis.
“The new ASE method reduced solvent use and extraction time by more than 90% compared with traditional methods, while enabling detection of both polar and non-polar organic compounds,” Tania said.
“My research revealed that inorganic amendments can enhance the microbial processing of existing carbon in soil, and that using pelletized amendments reduced rapid carbon loss from compost treatments, a simple yet effective way to retain more carbon in sandy soils.
“Further experiments showed that co-applying compost and hydrotalcite improved nutrient retention, enhanced plant biomass, and achieved a nearly uniform SOM distribution across soil depths, a promising sign for long-term carbon stabilisation.
“Additionally, the composition of SOM was significantly influenced by the type of amendment, plant presence and application method. These changes were time-dependent, with plant roots playing a major role in transforming soil organic matter.
“Overall, my research provides new insight into how different amendment strategies can make sandy soils more fertile, productive and resilient,” she said.
“By understanding how carbon behaves at the molecular level, we can help farmers and land managers select the most effective amendments to improve soil health and support sustainable agriculture across Australia’s diverse landscapes.”
Although Tania’s research is laboratory- and glasshouse-based, she believes it lays the foundation for future field applications.
“The findings act as a seed for larger-scale studies that can help identify which soil amendments most effectively improve soil carbon stability, fertility and plant growth in sandy soils,” she said.
Where it began
Tania grew up in a small town in Bangladesh, where she recalls serene mornings filled with birdsong and the gentle sounds of people starting their day.
“My father was a teacher, and he believed that learning was the key to a better life,” Tania reminisced. “He wanted us to stay curious and informed about the world.”
Tania’s father gave his children the task of finding one interesting piece of news in the newspaper every day. In the evening, the family would sit together and share what they had found.
“The person with the best story got a small reward, but what I loved most was the excitement of discovering something new,” she said.
Tania credits these simple moments for teaching her the joy of learning and the value of curiosity.
“They inspired me to dream of higher education and to keep gaining knowledge – I learned that knowledge can open doors, shape our future and make a real difference in the world.”
With this thirst for knowledge, Tania went on to complete a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in Applied Chemistry and Chemical Engineering. She developed a strong interest in how science can solve real-world problems and joined her university as a faculty member to teach and guide students.
Later, she relocated to Australia to pursue further education – keen to learn more, to explore new ideas and to use her knowledge to make a difference.
“My goal has always been to use what I learn, especially through science, to solve real-world problems that affect everyday living,” she said.
“I believe research should go beyond the laboratory to help improve communities, support sustainability, and enhance the quality of life for people.”
A journey of learning, strength and collaboration
Coming from an applied chemistry background, Tania was excited to apply her knowledge of chemistry to the field of soil science.
“Soil chemistry was one of the branches of my previous study, but being able to use those theories in a practical way, through real soil experiments and glasshouse trials, has been an amazing experience. Seeing how chemical principles translate into understanding soil processes and improving soil health has been fascinating,” she said.
“I have also greatly enjoyed working with my two wonderful supervisors, Professor David Henry and Dr Damian Laird from Murdoch University, whose guidance and encouragement have shaped me as a researcher. They have taught me how to approach science with both curiosity and perseverance, and how to turn complex research into knowledge that can make a practical difference.”
Tania said her PhD journey has been a period of discovery, not only about soils and science, but also about life.
“During this time, I have been blessed with the constant support of my husband and daughter, who have been my strength through every challenge. I also experienced deep loss when my father passed away during this journey.
“It has truly been a time of both gain and loss, but also one filled with lifelong memories and lessons that have strengthened both my scientific skills and my understanding of life.”
One memory she is particularly fond of is when she received the First Poster Presentation Award at the Women in STEM Research Symposium at Murdoch University for presenting her research for two consecutive years, 2024 and 2025.
“As a woman, a mother and a researcher, I feel very proud of this achievement. It means a great deal to me to be recognised in a space that celebrates women in STEM, and it reinforces my commitment to contributing to a more inclusive and inspiring scientific community,” she said.
“I am deeply grateful to the Soil CRC for supporting my research journey and making this work possible.
“This experience has shown me how collaboration and investment in research can create real impact, and I am truly honoured to be part of the Soil CRC community that is working together toward a more sustainable and resilient agricultural future.”
What comes next
Tania’s PhD research findings come from controlled, pot-based experiments carried out in the laboratory, so she is eager to take her research into the field.
“Testing the soil amendments in the field across multiple seasons and diverse farming systems will help us understand how they perform under real-world conditions, including different climates, crops and management practices,” she said.
“Field studies are essential to see how laboratory results translate to farm-scale success. They will also help evaluate how scalable, compatible and economically viable these amendment strategies are for farmers working with sandy soils.”
Tania’s next goal is to transform her PhD outcomes into a comprehensive, field-ready solution for enhancing sandy soils.
“This is a long-term journey that extends beyond a four-year PhD, but it’s one I am passionate about continuing, building on this foundation to develop practical, science-based solutions that support sustainable and productive agriculture.”
Tania said she is also eager to participate in research that contributes to global food security.
“I am currently seeking research-based opportunities, including postdoctoral positions, in academia, government or industry,” she said.
When she isn’t tackling real-world problems with science, you will find Tania quietly engaged in her other passion: writing poetry.
“Writing is a way to express my thoughts about life, nature and the beauty of simple moments,” she enthused. “For me, poetry is more than just words on paper, it’s how I make sense of the world. When anything becomes intense or stressful, writing helps me find calm and balance. I often pour my emotions into verses, whether it’s joy, curiosity or gratitude.”
The Soil CRC wishes Tania every success in her future endeavours, both in the field and at the writing desk.