The initial idea for this research project started in August 2021, right after the torrential rains that overflowed the Midwest of Europe resulting in severe floods. I only live 50 km from Liege and was following the news day by day in which the devastating outcome of the disaster unfolded more and more. The event also entered my house, filling my basement with water, that was gushing into our street. A few weeks later I came across an article about polluted river sludge that due to the floods moved over borders to places outside of Wallonia. Here the consequences of resurfaced pollution that moves via rivers, transgressing borders, was questioned as was the dilemma of where to turn to for responsibility to clean up the mess. 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.
