Marine Chemistry

Our group studies the Chemical Ecology of planktonic microorganisms.

Just like plants on land, marine microalgae fix and convert atmospheric CO₂ into organic matter.  Through their exudates of organic matter, microalgae drive the biological carbon pump and thus initiate global carbon cycling. In doing so, microalgae interact with bacteria and vice-versa. This interaction is rendered by chemical crosstalk which affects various properties of microalgae, the most prominent of which is primary production.

Our goal is to classify positive and negative interactions of diatoms and bacteria and to distinguish the chemical "currencies" which orchestrate these interaction types. The long-term goal is to use this understanding to better assess the interactions, their efficiencies and vulnerabilities under future ocean conditions.

We are located at the University of Bremen and the Alfred Wegener Instutute for Polar Marine Research in Bremerhaven.