GOKonAQua

Biogeochemistry of DOC and mechanism of its mobilization under contrasting topographic conditions


This joint PhD program with partners from the UFZ (departments Anylstical Chemistry and Hydrogology    ), University Bayreuth, Technical University Dresden and Research Institute Senckenberg is funded by the “Rudolf und Helene Glaser Stiftung” and coordinated by the National Park “Bayerischer Wald”. The program is committed to investigate the influence of natural factors on concentration, quality and effects of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in the National Park “Bayerischer Wald”.
Here, we will focus on a detailed mechanistic investigation of DOC mobilization into the stream at contrasting hydrologic and topographic conditions. The PhD student working in the Department Analytical Chemistry (working group BioGeoOmics) investigates the sources and mobilization mechanisms of DOC under different hydrologic conditions within the head water catchment “Große Ohe”. To this end, ultra-high resolution mass spectrometry (FT-ICR MS) is used to get molecular insights of the DOC in the stream and the groundwater of source soils/layers. To achieve a comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms, we will also use optical analyses, lignin biomarker and radiocarbon age and hydrologic information obtained by program partners.

GOKonAqua project
In the national park (clockwise): fall, winter, spring snowmelt and summer sampling campaigns in the “Große Ohe“ catchment, and (in the middle) sample measurement by FT-ICR-MS. Photos: Maria da Silva/Limei Han (UFZ)
Contact persons:
Dr. Oliver Lechtenfeld
Maria da Silva

External Links:
Press release of the National Park (in german)