Marine Biogeochemistry
Chemical Oceanography

Chemical oceanography investigates the chemical composition of sea water. Chemical oceanographers study the interactions between organic and inorganic substances and the biological, physical and geological conditions of the ocean. They want to understand how marine chemistry is influenced by physical processes and exchanges with the atmosphere, biosphere and geosphere.
Processes, which introduce chemical species into the ocean and those which remove or transform the substances are important targets of marine chemical research. We preferentially investigate the cycling of those elements which are important for biological processes ( eg. carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, iron,...). The ocean contains each chemical element of our planet either in its pure form or in any kind of chemical compounds either dissolved or particulate.
Besides the main components of seawater, which strongly dictate its properties, many elements and compounds occur as trace ingredients confering great biogeochemical interest. These constituents often exhibit important biological or chemical functions, which stimulate the specific interests of marine chemistry and chemical oceanography. Sea water contains many gaseous components, which are introduced into the atmosphere or are absorbed from it.
The origin and fate of gases, affecting the atmosphere are a very special element of research therefore. Green house gases, contributing to atmospheric warming, trace gases forming aerosols and those destroying ozone belong to this category.
As chemistry controls and reflects the environment of the ocean-earth-atmosphere system, chemical oceanography has links to all the other disciplines of the GEOMAR. We therefore work in close co-operation with the physical, geological, and biological research units of ocean and earth sciences research.
Contact
Head of Research Unit:
Prof. Dr. Arne Körtzinger
GEOMAR | Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel
West shore campus
Düsternbrooker Weg 20
D-24148 Kiel
Germany
Phone: +49-431 600-4200
Fax: +49431 600-134200
e-mail: akoertzinger(at)geomar.de
Administrative Assistant / Office Management:
Birgit Reiner
Phone: +49-431-600-4201
Fax: +49-431-600-134201
e-mail: breiner(at)geomar.de
Publications
Working Groups
Observational Chemical Oceanography
PI Prof. Dr. Arne Körtzinger
Water Column Biogeochemistry
PI Prof. Dr. Eric Achterberg
Trace Gas Biogeochemistry
PI Prof. Dr. W. Hermann Bange
Trace Gas Air-Sea Exchange
PI Prof. Dr. Christa Marandino
Marine Bioinorganic Chemistry
PI Dr. Martha Gledhill
Contaminant Behavior in Aquatic Systems
PI Dr. Pablo Lodeiro
Halocarbons
PI Dr. Birgit Quack
Trace Metal Biogeochemistry
PI Dr. Christian Schlosser
Transient Tracers
PI Dr. Toste Tanhua