Biogeochemistry of Soils and Sediments

The group focuses on biogeochemical cycling and stability of organic matter in soils and sediments by the implementation of inorganic and organic geochemical methods, including also molecular and isotope proxies. Diverse recent and past terrestrial ecosystems are under investigation and manipulative experiments improve our understanding of the influence of environmental changes on these systems.
More information on running research and projects
Former research projects
DEEP C (SNSF 172744, 2017-2023)
Key drivers for alkane d2H composition of boreal tree needles (SNSF 204051, 2021)
The consequence of future soil warming on carbon cycling at a molecular level (SATW Germaine de Staël 2019-08, 2020-2022)
Biogeochemcial validation of remotely sensed plant traits (UZH URPP GCB, 2017-2022)
Lifestyle assessment of GDGT source organisms via root systems (DAAD 54366179, 2012-2013)
Einfluss von Wasser auf die Erhaltung von Lipiden in Böden (DAAD 50022145, 2009-2011)
Group leader
Group members
Thomas Keller (Lab technician)
Dario Püntener (PhD candidate)
Barbara Siegfried (Lab technician)
Tatjana C. Speckert (PhD candidate)
Carrie L. Thomas (PhD candidate)
Dmitry Tikhomirov, Dr. (Scientific collaborator)
Former group members
Marco Griepentrog (PhD candidate)
Silke Hafner (external PhD candidate)
Nicholas E. Ofiti (PhD candidate)
Kavita Srivastava (PhD candidate)
Daniel B. Wiedemeier (PhD candidate)
Cyrill U. Zosso (PhD candidate)
Long-term visiting researchers
Charlotte Angove (Luke Helsinki, Finland, Research Scientist, 2021-2022)
Pranav Hirave (University of Basel, Switzerland) PhD candidate, 2018-2019)
Marlène Lavrieux (University of Basel, Switzerland, Postdoc, 2017-2018)
Paul Mathijssen (University of Münster, Germany, Postdoc, 2021)
Philipp Schuler (WSL Birmensdorf, Switzerland, PhD candidate, 2021)
MSc students
Tatjana Speckert (2019)