Research Division 2: Marine Biogeochemistry

Overview

The Research Division Marine Biogeochemistry has four Research Units: Biogeochemical Modelling, Biological Oceanography, Chemical Oceanography and Marine Geosystems.

Work in the Marine Biogeochemistry Research Division focuses on interactions between sediment, oceanic, and atmospheric material reservoirs and the organisms (including humans) which mediate marine biogeochemical processes.

Major emphasis is on the highly dynamic interfaces between atmosphere and ocean and sediment and ocean. Particular attention is paid to elements and compounds that are highly mobile and radiatively active.

 The research activities of the Division extend from the oceanic crust and sediments, through the water column to the surface layer and marine atmosphere. Investigative approaches include field work, laboratory and mesocosm studies as well as modeling.

A closely related theme is the development of chemical, biological and isotopic diagnostic tools (proxies) that are suited to investigation of current and past oceanic conditions. An emerging research area concerns the future biogeochemical state of the oceans in a high-CO2 environment.

The Division comprises a community of geochemists, biologists, geologists, physicists and modellers with complementary skills, diverse perspectives and inter-related scientific interests.

RD2 News

Research vessel POLARSTERN in the Antarctic during the "EASI-1" expedition. Photo: Marcus Gutjahr, GEOMAR
29.11.2023

Research vessel POLARSTERN sets course for the East Antarctic

Expedition EASI-2 on ice sheet instabilities is led by GEOMAR

Cover “Best Practices Guide to Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement research”
27.11.2023

Speeding up knowledge generation in a transparent and responsible way

Best Practices Guide to Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement Research published in State of the Planet and launched at United Nations Climate Change Conference

  • Head of the Research Division 2 - Marine Biogeochemistry (RD2):

    Prof. Dr. Anja Engel
    GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel
    West shore campus
    Düsternbrooker Weg 20
    D-24105 Kiel
    Germany
    Phone: +49-431 600-1510
    Fax: +49-431 600-4448
    e-mail: aengel@geomar.de 

    Administrative Assistant/Office of the Research Division 2 - Marine Biogeochemistry (RD2):
    Silvana Gagliardi
    Phone: +49 431 600-1508
    Fax: +49 431 600-134445
    e-mail: sgagliardi(at)geomar.de