Cash grant will aid rocks study

Bristol University academics are working on the project

Academics from three British universities have been awarded £1.75m to research the effects of natural and human activity on rock transformation.

The research, led by the Universities of Sheffield, Bristol and Leeds, should lead to better knowledge of weathering.

This is a natural process which transforms rocks to soil and unlocks key nutrients for forest, grassland and agricultural production.

The funds from the Natural Environment Research Council will last until 2010.

Dr David Pilsbury, executive director of the project said: "Weathering and soil erosion is a serious environmental issue that we need to better understand.

"Working collectively will allow the consortium to move out of traditional science areas to create a new integrated interdisciplinary approach to tackling this critical issue."