PhD Thesis

Dissolved organic matter, iron and sulfur biogeochemistry in aquifers

Zhiguo Yu (08/2010-05/2015)

Support: Klaus-Holger Knorr, Christian Blodau

Studying the biogeochemistry of DOM, iron, and sulfur in anoxic aquifers with fluorescence spectroscopy and stable isotope tools

Dissolved organic matter (DOM) plays an important role in the biogeochemical cycling of iron and sulfur in aquifers. DOM may interact with iron and sulfur by complexation, colloid formation, oxidation/reduction processes, or further reaction with functional groups. In this project, we will use fluorescence spectroscopic and electrochemical techniques to analyze the interaction of DOM with iron and sulfur species in aquifers. State of the art methods are available for studying the biogeochemical process patterns, e.g. stable isotope facilities, radioactive tracer techniques, trace gas analysis, anaerobic chamber techniques. The project is part of the interdisciplinary DFG research unit FOR 580 “eTRAP” (electron transfer processes in anoxic aquifers). This research unit is a cooperation of scientists from the Universities of Bayreuth, Tübingen, the UFZ Leipzig and the Helmholtz Centre Munich.