© Photo credit: Katja Laufer

GEOMAR  Research  Marine Biogeochemistry  Marine Geosystems  Geomicrobiology

Geomicrobiology

Current Projects

Temporal and spatial extent of hypoxic and sulfidic bottom waters in Kiel Bight (PrimePrevention, Third DAM Misssion, BMBF) 2024-2026

The Impact of Microbes for Seafloor Massive Sulfide Formation, Transformation and Dissolution (DFG Priority Programme “Dynamics of Ore Metals
Enrichment – DOME, SPP 2238) 2023-2025

Microbially influenced corrosion of Fe and possible corrosion protection measures in monopiles of offshore wind turbines (MiCorFe, BMWK) 2023-2026

Enhanced benthic weathering of carbonate and olivine in the Baltic Sea (RETAKE I, CDRMare, DAM MIssion, BMBF) ends 2024

 

 

In situ incubation experiments

We investigate local bio-geo-coupling processes in situ and use special devices for our in-situ incubation experiments. We are particularly interested in understanding microbially catalyzed iron, manganese, sulfur and hydrogen conversion and their impact on the biological carbon cycle. Photo credit: BGR

Method development

We develop techniques to seek novel enzymes by activity-based searches from metagenomic fosmid libraries. This includes biocatalysts involved in CO2 reduction, H2 conversion and Fe-cycling. Photo credit: Stefanie Böhnke-Brandt

Seeking novel RubisCOs

In this project, our self-established activity-based screening process is used to isolate and characterize RubisCOs from metagenomic libraries of marine origin. Photo credit: Nicole Adam

ECO2nvert

CO2 reducing enzymes from uncultured microbes are recovered from marine environmental samples via activity-based screening. These biocatalysts are immobilized on electrode surfaces to enzymatically reduce CO2 in electrochemical cells. Photo credit: Stefanie Böhnke-Brandt

New hydrogenases

Within this project an activity-based screening process was established to seek hydrogenases from yet uncultured microorganisms inhabiting hydrothermal vents and sediments. Photo credit: Stefanie Böhnke-Brandt

Hydrothermal vents in the deep sea

In this project we investigate the microbial communities along the Indian Ridge at various active and inactive hydrothermal fields. In addition to phylogenetic analyzes (next-generation sequencing), incubation and cultivation experiments are used. Photo credit: © GEOMAR ROV-Team

Marine sediments exposed to episodical hypoxia (Boknis Eck)

The aim of this project is to investigate the effect of increasing temperatures and simultaneously decreasing oxygen concentrations on microorganisms and the metabolic pathways they mediate in and above the sediment at Boknis Eck. Photo credit: Stefanie Böhnke-Brandt

Microbial diversity and processes in ports and waterways

Complementing questions surrounding the turnover of suspended and settled organic matter in ports and waterways, we here investigate the respective microbial phylogenetic and functional diversity.

Associated Projects

Fjord Project

We explore biogeochemical iron cycling in Arctic fjords. Our goal is to understand the processes that drive this cycle, as well as the impacts on other element cycles, also to be able to estimate potential effects of glacial shrinkage and retreat. Photo credit: Katja Laufer
RD2
Marine Biogeochemistry

Geomicrobiology Home

  • Head of the group:

    Geomicrobiology

    Prof. Dr. Mirjam Perner

    GEOMAR | Helmholtz-Centre for Ocean Research Kiel
    Eastshore Campus, Building 12
    Wischhofstrasse 1-3
    D-24148 Kiel
    Phone: ++49-431 600-2837
    Fax:++49-431 600-2941
    e-mail: mperner@geomar.de

    Personal Assistant:

    Marion Liebetrau
    Phone: ++49-431 600-2847
    Fax: ++49-431 600-2941
    e-mail: mliebetrau@geomar.de

     

  • !!! Bachelor and Master Theses !!!
    There are numerous exciting projects available in our working group raising questions that can also be investigated in the context of bachelor and master theses. Feel free to contact us and find a suitable topic for your thesis together with us!

     

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