Nitrogen (N) is essential for life. As a nutrient for organisms and a crucial element for the biosynthesis of proteins, it represents a key component of many biochemical processes and occurs in a grand variety of chemical forms. The N cycle is interlaced throughout the ecosystems and the atmosphere of the earth. Current phenomena like climate change and eutrophication are often closely linked with the N cycle. The overall basis for a better understanding of the ecological functioning of aquatic ecosystems and their undergoing change is the knowledge about their biogeochemical cycles in general, and of nitrogen fluxes (transformations, sinks and sources) in particular. Stable isotope measurements can provide important constraints on these fluxes.
During the PhD I will investigate stable nitrate and nitrite isotope dynamics during fixed-N elimination and N regeneration in marine and lacustrine sediments. The aim is to identify the controls on the N isotope signature of benthic denitrification and anammox. This project combines the use of isotope measurements, 15N tracer and molecular microbiological techniques in lab experiments with natural and artificial sediments. The research will attempt to assess the most important factors that modulate benthic N isotope effects during sedimentary diagenesis and N loss (sediment reactivity, redox, sediment permeability etc.).
My PhD project is highly interlinked with the PhD project of Alessandra Mazzoli. The two PhD projects benefit from each other by using a complementary experimental approach with common research questions.
Tim Paulus
Biogeochemistry / University Basel
Bernoullistrasse 30
CH-4056 Basel
Tel. +41 (0)61 207 36 29
email: tim.paulus-at-unibas.ch
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