Marine Organic Biogeochemistry

The Marine Organic Biogeochemistry department studies the origin and fate of organic matter, both of natural and anthropogenic origin, in the marine environment at the molecular level. Common general research questions are:

• Which organic compounds are present in the different compartments (biota, water, sediments) of the marine environment and what is their origin?
• What is their biochemical role in marine organisms, or, in case of anthropogenic components, what are their toxic effects?
• Which reactions (e.g. biotransformation and diagenesis) affect these components during transport in the marine environment? How are these reactions affected by environmental conditions and on which time scales?

What can be learned from organic matter deposited in marine sediments with respect to marine evolution, the functioning of past marine ecosystems, climate variability and organic carbon burial?