The initial idea for this research project started in August 2021, not long after the torrential rains overflowed the Midwest of Europe, resulting in severe floods. At the time, I only lived 50 km from Liege and was following the news day by day and the devastating outcome of the disaster unfolded more and more. A few weeks later, I came across an article about polluted river sludge that due to the flood, moved to places outside of Wallonia. The consequences of resurfaced pollution that moves via rivers, transgressing borders, were questioned as was the dilemma of where to turn to for responsibility to clean up the damage. This made me wonder about mud, its composition and properties and how this substance is active to think with, work with and moreover very suitable to study the long-term effects of a flood with.
