Research projects
Research projects at the GeoZentrum
SO311 - DRILLBROTHERS: Drilling Brothers Volcano - an active submarine island arc volcano in New Zealand; Petrologic-geochemical study of magmatic processes
(Third Party Funds Single)Term: 1. November 2024 - 30. April 2027
Funding source: Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung (BMBF)Das Potenzial von corallinen Algen als Indikator des Klimas in der Südlichen Hemisphäre und für die Evaluierung von globalen Klimamodellen: eine Fallstudie zu Neuseeland - Fortsetzungsprojekt
(Third Party Funds Single)Term: 1. October 2024 - 30. September 2026
Funding source: DFG-Einzelförderung / Sachbeihilfe (EIN-SBH)Coupled atmosphere/ocean general circulation models, or global climate models (GCMs) in short, are our most important tools for projecting climate into the future. In addition, they provide input for regional atmospheric models that translate global climate change to regional and local scales where humans face the impacts. Owing to this importance, GCMs must be evaluated against the observed past climate as thoroughly as possible, where one focus is the so-called historical period from 1850 to present. However, the evaluation task is difficult for the period of World War II and earlier due to a frequent lack of reliable observations. The outlined problem is exacerbated for the Southern Hemisphere, which has been notoriously understudied in comparison to the climate of the Northern Hemisphere. --- The present project proposes to utilize a rather recently discovered proxy archive (crustose coralline algae, CCA) for extending the observational record of the climatic environment of New Zealand back to ~1850, and exploit the new data set for the benefit of GCM evaluation, regional atmospheric modeling, and improved understanding of climate system functioning. CCA has a number of advantages compared to other proxy archives (e.g., easy retrieval, high temporal resolution, worldwide distribution). In the first part we will collect CCA offshore New Zealand and extract geochemical signals that allow us to reconstruct ocean temperatures back to the 19th century (the large-scale signal). Second, this new information will be employed in GCM evaluation to reveal their skill of representing large-scale climate of New Zealand. And third, regional numerical atmospheric modeling will be conducted to test whether the addition of the CCA-based criterion to the GCM evaluation ultimately adds value to regional climate modeling. A focus here will be on highaltitude climate and glacier variability in the Southern Alps (the impact signal). The regional modeling will also allow us to unravel the physical mechanisms that determine the potential of CCA as a climate proxy in New Zealand. --- The proposed project bundles the expertise of three partners across the fields of paleoclimate, Southern Hemisphere climatology and measurements, and climate modeling, which strongly supports the project goals due to the collaboration. The implications of the potential results, however, will go beyond the specific case study. Results will demonstrate how to rigorously combine the GCM and climate proxy worlds in a systematic framework, highlighting the role of CCA, and how the said combination can enhance regional climate modeling down to the local scale. These points are of generic importance for climate modeling and climate impact research.
Nutzung der Vergangenheit zur Vorhersage künftiger Veränderungen
(Third Party Funds Group – Sub project)Overall project: Nutzung langfristiger Daten zur Planktonvielfalt zur Entwicklung eines Rahmens für die Bewertung und den Schutz der biologischen Vielfalt in Gebieten außerhalb der nationalen Gerichtsbarkeit
Term: 1. September 2024 - 31. August 2027
Funding source: BMBF / VerbundprojektMagmenbildung und -entwicklung im westlichen Südägäischen Vulkanbogen: Implikationen für Krustenwachstumund Migration des Magmatismus
(Third Party Funds Single)Term: 1. August 2024 - 31. July 2027
Funding source: DFG-Einzelförderung / Sachbeihilfe (EIN-SBH)Smarte Thermische Bodenclusterung für die neuen Vorhaben der StromNetzDC Kooperation
(Third Party Funds Single)Term: 15. May 2024 - 31. August 2024
Funding source: IndustrieFür die Vorplanung von erdverlegten Hochspannungskabeln hinsichtlich der Themen Bodenschutz, Wärmeableitung und HHD-Planungen ist eine bodenkundliche Grundlage essenziell. Dazu sind in diesem Projekt digitale Bodeninformationen aufzubereiten und zu homogenisieren. Berechnungskonzepte sind auszuarbeiten. Diese Berechnungskonzepte sind dann auf die Bodendaten zur Erstellung von digitalen Karten anzuwenden. Am Ende ist ein GIS-Projekt zu erstellen, in welchem flächendeckend für die Untersuchungsbereiche Wärmeleitfähigkeiten und andere essenzielle Bodenparameter (Basisdaten der digitalen Bodenkarte und berechnete Parameter) dargestellt werden. Außerdem sind weitere Themenkarten in das GIS-Projekt einzubinden (Geologische Karte, Hydrologische Karten). Zusätzlich ist ein Layer mit Punktinformationen zu den verfügbaren Bohrdaten zu erstellen, über den die Bohrprotokolle verknüpft sind.
Impact of climate change on groundwater storage in high Alpine catchments: from observation to model predictions
(Third Party Funds Group – Sub project)Overall project: Sensitivity of High Alpine Geosystems to Climate Change Since 1850 (SEHAG)
Term: 1. April 2024 - 31. December 2025
Funding source: DFG / Forschungsgruppe (FOR)Capacity building for management and governance of MICROplastics in DRINKing water resources of Danube Region
(Third Party Funds Single)Term: 1. April 2024 - 20. June 2026
Funding source: Bayerisches Staatsministerium für Wissenschaft und Kunst (StMWK) (seit 2018)
URL: https://interreg-danube.eu/projects/microdrinkVergleichsstudie zwischen bisherigen wissenschaftlichen Erdkabeluntersuchungen.
(Third Party Funds Single)Term: 1. April 2024 - 22. December 2024
Funding source: IndustrieOlivin-basierte Zemente – Grundlagenuntersuchungen für ein CO2-neutrales Bindemittel
(Third Party Funds Single)Term: 1. November 2023 - 28. February 2026
Funding source: DFG-Einzelförderung / Sachbeihilfe (EIN-SBH)Vorbereitung eines EU HORIZON Projekts zu Lagerstätten kritischer Metalle
(Third Party Funds Group – Overall project)Term: 1. November 2023 - 30. November 2024
Funding source: Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung (BMBF)Metal fractionation by arc magma differentiation in the continental crust
(Third Party Funds Single)Term: 1. May 2023 - 30. April 2025
Funding source: DFG-Einzelförderung / Sachbeihilfe (EIN-SBH)Mafic magmas at subduction settings stagnate at different levels during the ascent through the continental crust and the fractional crystallization, assimilation and mixing processes affect the composition of the magmas. The variation in density of the mafic to intermediate magmas probably cause the layering of the crust because mafic magmas typically stagnate in the lower crust. Sulphide saturation in the mafic magmas probably causes a depletion of chalcophile elements like Cu and Au in the upper continental crust. We suggest to study magmatic rocks and sulphides from two mafic-ultramafic intrusions in the Svecofennian Vammala Ni-Cu Belt of S Finland in order to define the formation of the cumulates from Proterozoic arc magmas and the associated sulphide deposits. The results will provide important insights into fractional crystallization and crustal assimilation processes related to the formation and segregation of sulphides and the fractionation of chalcophile elements. Because the Proterozoic oceans probably were anoxic and sulphidic, subduction-related magmas at that time may have been more reduced than those in the Phanerozoic. We will study the mineral compositions in the Vammala rocks and the potential effects of more reduced arc melts on magma evolution and transport of chalcophile elements by comparing the Vammala rocks to those from intrusions in young arcs.
Grundwasser-Isoscapes für Deutschland - Wasserisotope als innovatives Werkzeug für eine nachhaltige Wasserbewirtschaftung
(Third Party Funds Single)Term: 1. March 2023 - 28. February 2026
Funding source: Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung (BMBF)Silica fume in LCC castables
(Third Party Funds Single)Term: 1. January 2023 - 31. December 2026
Funding source: IndustrieEine integrierte geodynamische, magmatische und hydrothermale Studie des Bismarck-Archipels, Papua Neuguinea; Vorhaben: Petrologisch-geochemische Untersuchungen der magmatischen Prozesse im New Ireland Becken
(Third Party Funds Group – Sub project)Overall project: Eine integrierte geodynamische, magmatische und hydrothermale Studie des Bismarck-Archipels, Papua Neuguinea
Term: 1. January 2023 - 30. June 2025
Funding source: BMBF / VerbundprojektDanube Region Water Lighthouse Action
(Third Party Funds Group – Sub project)Overall project: Danube Region Water Lighthouse Action
Term: 1. January 2023 - 31. December 2026
Funding source: Europäische Union (EU)The Danube River Basin (DRB) host 79 million inhabitants. As the Danube River Management Plan indicates the majority (52%) of all rivers do not meet the criteria of good chemical status, moreover all monitored indicators deteriorated. The Danube River is an artery of the ecosystems of the whole DRB and the region with significant environmental impact. The river also has an important economic utilization supporting SMEs, and creating jobs for locals as well as having a cultural importance. To properly manage this complex and fragile ecosystem we must think of a river basin and harmonize our actions from the Black Forest to the Black Sea.
The project DALIA (Danube Region Water Lighthouse Action) is comprised of 22 expert organizations – including universities, authorities, SMEs and NGOs – from 8 different Danube EU and Associated countries accumulating an outstanding set of knowledge, covering not only the basin geographically but all different fields of expertise necessary to deal with the multidisciplinary issues from source to sea.
The project brings to DRB integrated DALIA tool, which will be integrated into DAnube Mission Hub for better decision making to improve DRB restoration of fresh and transitional water ecosystems. The project also provides options for strategies and policies that concern freshwater ecosystem protection and ecosystem connectivity in the DRB and improved protection of local communities and ecosystems from extreme events and pollution threats.
The DALIA project will contribute directly to the establishment of EU and UN initiatives, related to the further execution on the Water Framework Directive by the execution of innovative actions across a variety of geographies, their scaling and the multiplication of outcomes with a wider network of ecosystems and related EU Missions and project actions throughout framework.Sources and enrichment processes of metal(loid)s in submarine back-arc hydrothermal systems: A combined Se and multiple S isotope approach
(Third Party Funds Group – Sub project)Overall project: Ocean Drilling Program/Deep Sea Drilling Project
Term: 1. August 2022 - 31. July 2024
Funding source: DFG / Schwerpunktprogramm (SPP)The increasing demand of critical and energy critical elements in the high-tech industry requires a secure and steady supply of these rare commodities. Many of these metal(loid)s cannot be substituted due to their very specific application and economic grades in ore deposits exist only in a few countries, which may cause bottlenecks in the supply-chain in the near future. Hence, to secure the future supply of these strategic elements alternative sources must be explored, including those in the deep sea. Hydrothermal systems associated with subduction zone volcanism host some of the world’s most important volcanogenic massive sulphide (VMS) deposits. Many of them formed in back-arc rifts, where seafloor massive sulphides (SMS) occur as their modern analogues, some of which are characterized by high metal(loid) grades (e.g., Cu, As, Se, Ag, Sb, Au, Hg, Tl and Pb) exceeding those of deposits currently mined on land. Many of these elements have a strong affinity to volatiles derived from magmas, but it is still poorly understood how magma degassing contributes to the trace metal(loid) budget of SMS and VMS mineralizations. This project aims to quantify the geochemical fluxes in submarine back-arc hydrothermal systems from a new 3-dimensional perspective by constraining the effect (1) of magmatic volatile influx, (2) variable host rock compositions and (3) metal(loid) fractionation in the hydrothermal upflow zone on the composition of VMS and SMS mineralizations. In order to address these objectives a continuous sample spectrum from the reaction zone to the seafloor is required, which can only be fulfilled by drill cores, such as those recovered during ODP and IODP expeditions. We have identified suitable cores, which together with samples from the modern seafloor and from ancient VMS-related hydrothermal systems from the Troodos ophiolite provide a unique sample set. This approach is beyond the state of the art and requires an innovative analytical set-up combing (ultra-)trace element with Se and multiple S isotope analyses, which will allow to track the hydrothermal metal(loid) cycle through the oceanic crust, providing a new window into metal(loid) sourcing, fractionation and precipitation. This will ultimately help to develop new fundamental concepts for the economic enrichment of metal(loid)s in submarine back-arc hydrothermal systems.Beprobung der Basis des Bushveld Komplexes: Bohrung durch die tiefen Bereiche der Intrusion
(Third Party Funds Single)Term: 1. August 2022 - 31. July 2024
Funding source: DFG / Schwerpunktprogramm (SPP)Wechselwirkungsmechanismen von medizinischen Wirkstoffen mit Calciumphosphatzementen für die Anwendung als pharmakologisch aktiver Knochenersatzstoff
(Third Party Funds Single)Term: since 1. July 2022
Funding source: DFG-Einzelförderung / Sachbeihilfe (EIN-SBH)3D-Druck von Li-Brushit/Seidenfibroin-Nanokompositen zur Knochenregeneration
(Third Party Funds Single)Term: 1. April 2022 - 31. March 2024
Funding source: Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (DAAD)Verbundvorhaben: EnEff:Wärme: MultiSource - Nutzung multipler Wärmequellensysteme im urbanen Quartierskontext am Beispiel des Lagarde Campus in Bamberg. Teilvorhaben FAU: Geologische und bodenkundliche Begleitung
(Third Party Funds Single)Term: 1. April 2022 - 31. March 2026
Funding source: Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Technologie (BMWi)3D printing of Li-Brushite/silk fibroin nanocomposites for bone regeneration.
(Third Party Funds Single)Term: 1. April 2022 - 31. March 2024
Funding source: Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (DAAD)Bone defects resulting from trauma, tumor removal or bone infections represent a major social challenge, exacerbated by the increasing proportion of elderly patients due to steadily rising life expectancy. The most effective treatment of such bone defects to improve the quality of life of those affected is therefore of high relevance. Despite the impressive progress in the development of synthetic materials for bone regeneration, some clinical problems still remain unsolved. Therefore, the aim of the proposed research project is the development of 3D-printed nanocomposites consisting of brushite cement and silk fibroin (SF), which show high potential to fulfill the structural and biological requirements of human bone and thus to regenerate bone.
Erstellung repräsentativer Bodenprofile entlang des SuedLink im Bereich des TransnetBW Assests für weiterführende Wärmeimmissions-Gutachten
(Third Party Funds Single)Term: 17. March 2022 - 30. June 2022
Funding source: IndustrieRio Grande Rise: Ein neuer Typ einer extremen Hotspot-Spur, eine propagierende Scherzone, oder beides?
(Third Party Funds Single)Term: 1. March 2022 - 29. February 2024
Funding source: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG)Environmental Signals Propagation in Sediment Routing Systems across the Permian-Triassic Boundary.
(Third Party Funds Single)Term: 1. March 2022 - 28. February 2025
Funding source: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG)Two of the biggest challenges in sedimentary geology are (i) the identification of tectonic and climatic perturbations – particularly in relation to down-system propagation in both modern deep-time sedimentary systems, and (ii) the reconstruction of paleo-sediment fluxes in ancient Sediment Routing Systems (SRS) (Caracciolo, 2020). Tectonic and climatic forcings perturbate the steady state of geological landscapes which in turn adapt to the increase/decrease of erosion rates, water discharge, sediment flux, downstream sedimentfining, and sediment partitioning. Furthermore, lithological controls (e.g. how different lithologies react to weathering and sediment production) are commonly overlooked or oversimplified, hence, the calculation of sediment flux in deep-time is often imprecise. Key information relevant to the reconstruction of ancient SRS can be extracted from mineralogy and compositional signatures of sediments. Detrital provenance signatures are possibly the most reliable tool in deep-time research as they faithfully record the provenance of source lithologies. While post-depositional overprinting can destroy pristine, compositionally diagnostic signatures (e.g. mineral dissolution during weathering and/or diagenesis), complete destruction of the compositional signature is unlikely (Caracciolo, 2020, Caracciolo et al., 2020; Chew et al, 2020).
The Permian-Triassic transition is of general interest since it witnessed the most devastating mass extinction in the Phanerozoic (Erwin, 1994; Hallam and Wignall, 1997). About 95% of marine species and 75% of terrestrial species, both plants and animals went extinct.The general models for continental sedimentation converge towards increasing aridity from the Permian to the Early Triassic, with potential increase of sediment flux being related to (i) increase of precipitations in the catchment area, or (ii) increased runoff due to the lack of vegetation (Ward et al., 2000; Newell et al., 2011; Bourquin et al., 2011; Wilson et al., 2019; Zhu et al., 2020). However, several studies suggested that global warming across the P-T transition (Joachimski et al. 2012, 2020) greatly enhanced continental weathering thus providing more nutrients to the ocean. Excessive nutrients are assumed to have stimulated primary productivity, leading to widely observed anoxia-euxinia in Early Triassic oceans (Algeo et al., 2010; Algeo et al., 2011).The implications from proving and especially quantifying an increase in sediment flux are important. Firstly, because the PTB is one of the most critical time intervals in Earth history, and the interplay of tectonics, climate, and changes in the sediment flux are currently poorly understood. Secondly, enhanced silicate weathering could have effectively contributed to the sequestration of atmospheric CO2 emitted by Siberian Trap volcanism instead climate regulation by silicate weathering may have failed in case of no major change in weathering and extensive volcanic degassing (see Kump, 2018).
The main aims of the project are to (i) establish a reliable methodology integrating paleodrainage, cosmogenic nuclides, and Quantitative Provenance Analysis to constrain the evolution of SRS in deep-time, (ii) quantify erosion rates and sediment flux and disentangle the role of tectonics, climate, and drainage lithologies on the generation and transfer of sediments across the PTB, (iii) prove/disprove the climate regulation through silicate weathering across the PTB. In this project, a systematic approach to quantify landscape modifications to climatic and tectonic perturbations, and the correspondent variations in sediment flux is proposed.
CO2 incorporation InoJec Systems
(Third Party Funds Single)Term: 1. February 2022 - 31. January 2025
Funding source: IndustrieCO2-incorporation. Optimization of stability and determination of conversion rate of injected calcium aluminate cement mortars.
Sources and enrichment processes of metal(loid)s in submarine back-arc hydrothermal systems: A combined Se and multiple S isotope approach
(Third Party Funds Single)Term: 15. January 2022 - 14. January 2024
Funding source: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG)The increasing demand of critical and energy critical elements in the high-tech industry requires a secure and steady supply of these rare commodities. Many of these metal(loid)s cannot be substituted due to their very specific application and economic grades in ore deposits exist only in a few countries, which may cause bottlenecks in the supply-chain in the near future. Hence, to secure the future supply of these strategic elements alternative sources must be explored, including those in the deep sea.
Hydrothermal systems associated with subduction zone volcanism host some of the world’s most important volcanogenic massive sulphide (VMS) deposits. Many of them formed in back-arc rifts, where seafloor massive sulphides (SMS) occur as their modern analogues, some of which are characterized by high metal(loid) grades (e.g., Cu, As, Se, Ag, Sb, Au, Hg, Tl and Pb) exceeding those of deposits currently mined on land. Many of these elements have a strong affinity to volatiles derived from magmas, but it is still poorly understood how magma degassing contributes to the trace metal(loid) budget of SMS and VMS mineralizations.
This project aims to quantify the geochemical fluxes in submarine back-arc hydrothermal systems from a new 3-dimensional perspective by constraining the effect (1) of magmatic volatile influx, (2) variable host rock compositions and (3) metal(loid) fractionation in the hydrothermal upflow zone on the composition of VMS and SMS mineralizations. In order to address these objectives a continuous sample spectrum from the reaction zone to the seafloor is required, which can only be fulfilled by drill cores, such as those recovered during ODP and IODP expeditions. We have identified suitable cores, which together with samples from the modern seafloor and from ancient VMS-related hydrothermal systems from the Troodos ophiolite provide a unique sample set. This approach is beyond the state of the art and requires an innovative analytical set-up combing (ultra-)trace element with Se and multiple S isotope analyses, which will allow to track the hydrothermal metal(loid) cycle through the oceanic crust, providing a new window into metal(loid) sourcing, fractionation and precipitation. This will ultimately help to develop new fundamental concepts for the economic enrichment of metal(loid)s in submarine back-arc hydrothermal systems.
Felduntersuchungen SuedLink (FUSL) - Aufbau und Betrieb von 3 Erdkabel-Feldversuchen und Wissenschaftliche Begleitung
(Third Party Funds Single)Term: 29. November 2021 - 31. December 2026
Funding source: IndustrieAction for Research and Teaching Mining exploration Inclusive School
(Third Party Funds Group – Sub project)Overall project: Action for Research and Teaching Mining exploration Inclusive School
Term: 1. November 2021 - 31. October 2024
Funding source: Europäische Union (EU)Development of SiO2 – Li2O – P2O5 – ZrO2 dental glass-ceramic systems with extended lifetimes: crystallization mechanisms and resistance to subcritical crack growth
(Third Party Funds Group – Sub project)Overall project: Dental glass-ceramic in the system SiO2 – Li2O – P2O5 – ZrO2
Term: since 1. October 2021
Funding source: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG)Classes of materials that resemble natural teeth, such as polycrystalline ceramics, glass-ceramics and ceramic-methacrylate composites, have been preferred for tooth replacement for some time.
The first commercial product was based on a non-stoichiometric multi-component SiO2-Li2O-Al2O3-K2O-P2O5-ZrO2-ZnO system that was pre-crystallised, then melted and injected into a mould made of refractory material. The resulting glass-ceramics reached a degree of crystallisation of ~70 vol% with elongated Li2Si2O5 crystallites exhibiting very good mechanical properties.
The research approach makes it possible to determine relationships between the mechanical properties, composition and microstructure, either in the glass-ceramic or in the residual glass.
For this purpose, the influence of the SiO2/Li2O molar ratio on the crystallisation behaviour of Li2SiO3 and Li2Si2O5 phases is analysed and the effect of ZrO2 addition at constant SiO2/Li2O ratio on crystallisation kinetics and network structure of the residual glass is investigated.
IVAC – International Virtual Academic Collaboration 2021-2022 DAAD International online course "Ethical Global Partnerships and Sustainable Resources"
(Third Party Funds Single)Term: 1. October 2021 - 30. September 2022
Funding source: Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (DAAD)Nutzung der Wasserressourecen einer Zisterne für die Wärm/Kälte-Versorgung eines Einfamilienhaushalts
(Third Party Funds Single)Term: 1. September 2021 - 31. August 2023
Funding source: Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Technologie (BMWi)Immiscible sulphide liquids: Insights into chalcophile element fractionation processes in the oceanic crust
(Third Party Funds Single)Term: 15. August 2021 - 14. August 2024
Funding source: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG)Immiscible suphide liquids preserved as magmatic sulphide globules in the oceanic crust record the S and chalcophile element evolution of their host magmatic systems. Recent results report systematic variations in the mineralogy and chemistry of magmatic sulphide globules from convergent and divergent plate margins, but the origin of these differences, and the implications for the chalcophile element cycle in the oceanic crust, are unknown. Parameters that control the solubility of S in silicate melts include: (1) temperature, (2) pressure, (3) oxygen fugacity and (4) the degree of fractionation. Although upper mantle melting conditions and magma differentiation in the crust differ between mid-ocean ridges and subduction zones, the effects of these processes on the S saturation limit of a silicate melt and its chalcophile element budget are still poorly understood. Better constraints on the S and chalcophile element evolution of magmatic systems are critical for understanding the chalcophile element cycle in the oceanic lithosphere, the composition of seafloor hydrothermal sulphides, the formation of the continental crust, the composition of volcanic gas and possibly the metal and metalloid budget of some subaerial epithermal-porphyry deposits.
The project aims to address these questions by investigating the magmatic trace metal and metalloid flux (e.g., Co, Ni, Cu, Se, Ag, Te, PGE, Au, Bi) through the oceanic lithosphere at mid-ocean ridges and at oceanic subduction zones. State-of-the-art analytical techniques will be used to present the first global trace element data set of magmatic sulphide globules from all sections of the oceanic lithosphere, with respect to the plate-tectonic setting and the temporal evolution of the magmatic system. Samples reflecting the initiation of ocean spreading during continental break-up and recent on-axis volcanic activity at mid-ocean ridges together with a full succession of the lava pile from the youngest at the seafloor to the oldest at the lava/dyke transition record the evolution of the magmatic chalcophile trace element cycle at high temporal resolution. In order to address these objectives, a continuous sample spectrum from the upper lithospheric mantle to the uppermost crust is required, which can only be provided by drill cores, such as those recovered during DSDP, ODP and IODP expeditions. We have identified suitable cores, which together with samples from the modern seafloor and from ancient oceanic lithosphere (e.g., Troodos ophiolite) provide a comprehensive sample set including upper mantle peridotites, lower crustal gabbros, sheeted dykes and lavas from basaltic to rhyolitic composition. Magmatic sulphide globules have already been identified in many of these samples. The proposed project will allow us to develop the first models of the magmatic chalcophile trace element cycle through the entire oceanic lithosphere at both convergent and divergent plate margins.
Validierung der Ergebnisse innerhalb des GIS-Projekts zur Abfrage pedologischer und thermodynamischer Aspekte innerhalb des SOL-Bereich der 50Hertz
(Third Party Funds Single)Term: 1. August 2021 - 30. November 2021
Funding source: IndustrieCO2 reduction by use of low lime clinkers and carbonation hardening. (K4)Teilprojekt 2: Clarifying carbonation and hydration mechanisms of low lime clinkers.
(Third Party Funds Group – Sub project)Overall project: Kohlendioxidreduktion durch kalkarme Klinker und Karbonisierungshärtung
Term: 1. August 2021 - 31. July 2025
Funding source: Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung (BMBF)Der Klimaschutzplan 2050 der Bundesregierung spiegelt das Pariser Klimaschutzabkommen vom Dezember 2015 als nationale Verpflichtung wider, mit dem Ziel bis ins Jahr 2030 die Treibhausgasemissionen um 55% gegenüber 1990 zu senken. Die weitgehende Treibhaus-gasneutralität für Deutschland wird bis 2050 angestrebt. Einen maßgeblichen Anteil an den entstehenden Emissionen hat mit ca. 20% der Sektor Industrie, wobei ca. 5% der CO2-Emissionen auf die Zementindustrie entfallen. Diese Emissionen haben ihre Ursache zum einen im prozessbedingten Verbrauch von Brennstoffen und Energie, vor allem aber im Einsatz von primärem Kalkstein bei der Herstellung des Zementklinkers. Vor diesem Hintergrund hat die Zementindustrie während der letzten Jahre bereits große Anstrengungen unternommen, die energetisch bedingten CO2-Emissionen zu minimieren und die CO2-Bilanz der Zemente durch eine Verringerung des Klinkeranteils bei gleichzeitiger Erhöhung des Anteils von Zumahlstoffen zu verbessern.
Bei der Herstellung des Portlandzementklinkers selbst ist die Komponente „Kalkstein“ ein bisher unverzichtbarer Bestandteil des Rohmehls, da es derzeit keine andere natürliche Kalziumquelle in vergleichbarer Menge und globaler Verteilung gibt. Dem Rohmehl werden zur Einstellung des gewünschten Mineralphasenbestandes weitere Materialien zur Bereitstellung von Silizium, Aluminium und Eisen zugegeben. Dies sind i.d.R. tonhaltige Gesteine, Quarzsande und industrielle Nebenprodukte wie Aschen sowie Hütten- und Gießereisande. Das Rohmehl wird im anschließenden Klinkerbrennprozess thermisch entsäuert. Aus diesem Schritt resultieren rund 63% der bei der Zementklinkerherstellung freigesetzten CO2-Emissionen. Anders ausgedrückt führt die Kalzinierung von Kalkstein zu ca. 530 kg CO2 pro Tonne Klinker, bei einer Gesamtemission von ca. 840 kg CO2 pro Tonne Klinker.
Ein Material, das bisher als Rohmehlkomponente und potentieller Ersatz für primären Kalkstein kaum Beachtung fand, ist hydratisierter, erhärteter Zementstein in Altbeton, sogenannter RCP (Recycled Concrete Paste). Dieser kann während des Recyclings von Abbruchbeton und selektiver Trennung von Grobzuschlag und Sandfraktion gewonnen werden. Der im Beton vorliegende, hydratisierte Zementstein hat eine dem Klinker ähnliche chemische Zusammensetzung und ist potenziell in großen Mengen verfügbar. Auch wenn sich bereits Technologien für eine verbesserte selektive Trennung abzeichnen, wird die Trennung des Zementsteins von feinstem Sand und Füllstoffen nicht zu 100% möglich sein und die Zusammensetzung des Rezyklats auf einen kalkärmeren Chemismus hinauslaufen. Pro Tonne produziertem Portlandzementklinker besteht ein Bedarf an ca. 1,2 Tonnen primärem Kalkstein als Rohmehlkomponente. Jede Tonne Kalkstein emittiert hierbei ca. 440 Tonnen CO2. Bei der Herstellung von Portlandzementklinker ist ein Ersatz von Kalkstein durch RCP auf ca. 25% limitiert, u.a. aufgrund der Anforderungen an den kalkreichen Chemismus. Dies würde unter Berücksichtigung einer Vorkarbonatisierung von 20% zu einer CO2-Ersparnis von ca. 105 kg pro Tonne Klinker führen.
Geophysikalische Untersuchungen unteres Röthenbachtal, Nürnberger Land
(Third Party Funds Single)Term: 1. August 2021 - 31. August 2022
Funding source: Bayerisches Staatsministerium für Umwelt und Verbraucherschutz (StMUV) (ab 10/2013)Soil2heat- Vibra-Pflug - Vibrations-Anbaupflug zur einfachen Kopplung an Trägermaschinen für die Einbringung von geothermischen Erdkollektoren
(Third Party Funds Single)Term: 1. July 2021 - 30. June 2023
Funding source: Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Technologie (BMWi)Low-Clinker-Cement-3D-Print (LCC3D)
(Third Party Funds Single)Term: 1. June 2021 - 31. May 2024
Funding source: DFG / Schwerpunktprogramm (SPP)Two substantial goals are pursued in this proposal.Initially the highly time resolved (ca. 10 min) evolution of the relevant rheology determining parameters during the early cement hydration will be traced and evaluated. Here the evolution of the specific surface area of the clinker phases, the evolution of the morphology and the amount of the forming hydrate phases as well as the availability and amount of the residual unbound and rheology active water fraction play a significant role. These parameters and others will be traced and quantified by a combination of different physical, chemical and rheological analytic methods. Important to highlight that most of the proposed analytic methods provide overlapping information, allowing a cross validation in order to confirm the consistency of the measured results.In the second part the influence of different rheology active additives on the above mentioned parameters will be evaluated. Thereby important information on the effect of building additives and the fundamental working mechanisms of the superimposition of cement hydration and the development of rheological properties over time are expected. These information are compulsory for further in deep understanding of the rheology in fresh concretes.
Erstellung von geologischen Modellen und thermischen FEM-Simulationen in den Bereichen Emsquerung und Moorfläche Emden
(Third Party Funds Single)Term: 1. March 2021 - 31. August 2021
Funding source: IndustrieExploring the potential of coralline algae as climate proxy and for climate model evaluation: a Southern Hemisphere case study of New Zealand
(Third Party Funds Single)Term: 1. February 2021 - 30. September 2024
Funding source: DFG-Einzelförderung / Sachbeihilfe (EIN-SBH)Coupled atmosphere/ocean general circulation models, or global climate models (GCMs) in short, are our most important tools for projecting climate into the future. In addition, they provide input for regional atmospheric models that translate global climate change to regional and local scales where humans face the impacts. Owing to this importance, GCMs must be evaluated against the observed past climate as thoroughly as possible, where one focus is the so-called historical period from 1850 to present. However, the evaluation task is difficult for the period of World War II and earlier due to a frequent lack of reliable observations. The outlined problem is exacerbated for the Southern Hemisphere, which has been notoriously understudied in comparison to the climate of the Northern Hemisphere. --- The present project proposes to utilize a rather recently discovered proxy archive (crustose coralline algae, CCA) for extending the observational record of the climatic environment of New Zealand back to ~1850, and exploit the new data set for the benefit of GCM evaluation, regional atmospheric modeling, and improved understanding of climate system functioning. CCA has a number of advantages compared to other proxy archives (e.g., easy retrieval, high temporal resolution, worldwide distribution). In the first part we will collect CCA offshore New Zealand and extract geochemical signals that allow us to reconstruct ocean temperatures back to the 19th century (the large-scale signal). Second, this new information will be employed in GCM evaluation to reveal their skill of representing large-scale climate of New Zealand. And third, regional numerical atmospheric modeling will be conducted to test whether the addition of the CCA-based criterion to the GCM evaluation ultimately adds value to regional climate modeling. A focus here will be on high-altitude climate and glacier variability in the Southern Alps (the impact signal). The regional modeling will also allow us to unravel the physical mechanisms that determine the potential of CCA as a climate proxy in New Zealand. --- The proposed project bundles the expertise of three partners across the fields of paleoclimate, Southern Hemisphere climatology and measurements, and climate modeling, which strongly supports the project goals due to the collaboration. The implications of the potential results, however, will go beyond the specific case study. Results will demonstrate how to rigorously combine the GCM and climate proxy worlds in a systematic framework, highlighting the role of CCA, and how the said combination can enhance regional climate modeling down to the local scale. These points are of generic importance for climate modeling and climate impact research.Drivers and consequences of novel marine ecological communities
(Third Party Funds Single)Term: 1. January 2021 - 31. December 2023
Funding source: Ausländische Drittmittelgeber (keine EU-Mittel)Ermittlung der Verteilung von Störungsgesteinen und clay smear auf Störungsflächen in Kalk-Mergel-Wechsellagerungen zur Untersuchung der Abdichtungswirkung von Störungen
(Third Party Funds Group – Sub project)Overall project: Deformationsabhängige Entwicklung von Störungszonen und der Einfluss von Clay Smear auf deren Barriereverhalten.
Term: 1. November 2020 - 31. October 2022
Funding source: Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung (BMBF)Geologische Modellierung des Bodengefüges zur Bereitstellung von thermischen Berechnungen im Regelgraben von A-NORD und Offshore
(Third Party Funds Single)Term: 20. October 2020 - 31. December 2020
Funding source: IndustrieMagmatic and hydrothermal prerequisites for porphyry-epithermal mineralisation in continental volcanic arcs, Thrace, NE Greece
(Third Party Funds Single)Term: 1. September 2020 - 31. August 2023
Funding source: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG)Supplying critical and energy critical elements for the green transition is a growing challenge. Many of these metals and metalloids have a strong by-product dependency and their supply therefore depends on the primary target commodities. The strong impact of these elements on the energy and economy sector of the European Union gives them a strategic importance. Thus, the dependency on mining countries like China must be reduced to secure the future supply of raw materials, since their import from these countries may be at risk because of political tensions leading to bottlenecks in the supply-chain. In this respect, the European continent needs to be re-explored to constrain economic zones enriched in critical and energy critical elements.
The deposits of Thrace, NE Greece, represent such an example, where zones with high metal and metalloid concentrations (e.g., Cu, Ga, Ge, Se, Mo, Sb, Te, Re, Au and Bi) occur at variable crustal depth in a mineralized continental arc setting in Europe. This includes the porphyry environment in the direct vicinity of a magma chamber, as well as shallower epithermal systems with some that may even preserve a surface expression. Regional variations in deposit mineralogy have been observed, but the ore-forming processes of the porphyry-epithermal deposits are still poorly constrained from a trace element perspective. The magmatic and hydrothermal prerequisites that lead to the formation of such a mineralised arc system are also still controversial, but essential to discover positive anomalies of critical and energy critical elements in the continental crust.
The trace metal and metalloid composition of associated plutonic and volcanic/sub-volcanic rocks will provide new results on the magmatic processes in the deeper crust and the potential loss of these elements during magma ascent towards the surface; into regions where they may feed an overlying porphyry-epithermal system. This allows to investigate the effect of magma degassing, as well as sulphide saturation and segregation to form a pre-concentrate in the mid- to lower crust, as possible magmatic prerequisites for arc mineralisation. Pyrite and magnetite occur in most metal-bearing veins in the overlying hydrothermal system. High-resolution trace element analyses on these minerals will provide insights into the processes of ore-formation from a 3D perspective, i.e. in a stratigraphic and regional context. The (in situ) S isotope composition of hydrothermal pyrite will help to better understand the interaction processes between the magmatic and hydrothermal system. Hence, the combined investigation of magmatic and hydrothermal processes makes this approach unique and will help to develop new fundamental concepts with respect to S and metal sourcing, fractionation and precipitation, which ultimately defines the magmatic and hydrothermal prerequisites for continental volcanic arc mineralisation and energy critical element enrichment in Europe.
A contribution to the understanding of the fundamental mechanism leading to the retardation of cement hydration caused by polymer particles.
(Third Party Funds Single)Term: 1. September 2020 - 31. August 2022
Funding source: DFG-Einzelförderung / Sachbeihilfe (EIN-SBH)Polymer particles have an influence on cement hydration. The aim of the suggested project is to evaluate, which of the proposed models in literature, explaining the retarding influence of polymer particles on cement hydration, is valid. Discussed are either the adsorption of polymer particles on cement surfaces or the interaction of the particles with ions on pore solution (especially Ca-ions). In the suggested project a systematic study will be conducted allowing to evaluate which phenomenon is the most thinkable in order to explain the retardation of cement hydration by polymer particles. State-of-the-art methods will be used in order to achieve this aim. Especially calculation of saturation indices using the newest published databased will help getting a deeper understanding of the retardation of cement hydration in the presence of polymer particles.Erstellung eines GIS-Projekts zur Abfrage pedologischer und thermodynamischer Aspekte innerhalb des SOL-Bereich der 50Hertz
(Third Party Funds Single)Term: 24. August 2020 - 8. October 2020
Funding source: IndustrieEntwicklung von Potenzialkarten für flache, oberflächennahe Geothermiesysteme für die Pilotregionen Salzburg und Steiermark auf Basis von Flächendaten mit Boden- und Klimaparametern
(Third Party Funds Group – Sub project)Overall project: GEL-SEP "Spatial Energy Planning for Heat Transition" - Aufbau eines Wärmeatlas für die räumliche Wärmeplanung in den Pilotregionen Österreichs
Term: 18. August 2020 - 19. March 2021
Funding source: Ausländische Drittmittelgeber (keine EU-Mittel)Erarbeitung eines Konzeptes für Testfelder im Zuge der Errichtung des SuedLink; Planung – Schwerpunkt technisches Design und Forschungsdesign
(Third Party Funds Single)Term: 1. August 2020 - 31. May 2021
Funding source: IndustrieErstellung eines geologischen Modells mit anschließender numerischer Simulation zur Ermittlung thermodynamischer Aspekte in Hinblick auf den Leiterquerschnitt innerhalb des Teilprojektes Küstenmeer
(Third Party Funds Single)Term: 15. June 2020 - 31. December 2020
Funding source: IndustrieKalte Nahwärme mit oberflächennahesten Großflächenkollektor in Bad Nauheim - Bodenkundliche und hydrogeologische Begutachtung von KNW und Großkollektor, Erarbeitung von praxistauglichen Auslegungs-Werkzeugen.
(Third Party Funds Single)Term: 1. May 2020 - 30. April 2024
Funding source: Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Technologie (BMWi)Formation and evolution of flood basalt magmas – combining geochemical data with the magnetic stratigraphy of the Deccan large igneous province
(Third Party Funds Single)Term: 1. March 2020 - 28. February 2022
Funding source: DFG-Einzelförderung / Sachbeihilfe (EIN-SBH)The eruption of the Deccan flood basalts represents one of the youngest catastrophic volcanic events on Earth and the potential environmental impact of the Deccan eruptions is debated. Little modern geochemical work has been carried out on the about 4 km thick Main Deccan Volcanic Province and thus no comprehensive geochemical data sets exist for most of the lava units. The paleomagnetic work mainly by French scientists from Paris have established the lava stratigraphy and temporal evolution of the Main Deccan flood basalts. We have obtained 158 rock samples from paleomagnetic drill cores that we want to study geochemically to produce a data set for ten lava formations representing about 3.8 km of the Main Deccan Volcanic Province including major and trace element as well as Sr-Nd-Hf-Pb isotope compositions. Based on this data set we intend to define melting processes and magma sources of the different lava units to define the input of the Réunion mantle plume, the asthenosphere, the subcontinental lithospheric mantle and the continental crust. The new data will provide important insight into mantle melting, crystal fractionation, and assimilation processes during formation of this flood basalt province.Magmatic evolution of an oceanic island arc – The New Hebrides case
(Third Party Funds Single)Term: 1. February 2020 - 31. January 2022
Funding source: DFG-Einzelförderung / Sachbeihilfe (EIN-SBH)Tellurium in natural and synthetic pyrite: Ore-formation and economic implication
(Third Party Funds Single)Term: 15. January 2020 - 14. January 2023
Funding source: DFG-Einzelförderung / Sachbeihilfe (EIN-SBH)Tellurium (Te) is classified by the European Union as an energy critical element of high importance due to its application in the rapidly growing sector of green energy technologies. Currently, most Te is recovered as a by-product from non-ferrous metal mining, principally by refining of Cu providing little opportunity to increase the Te supply based on current extraction methods. Hence, a shortage in Te is likely to be reached in the near future due to its increasing demand.
Tellurium in hydrothermal pyrite reaches 8,000 ppm and is typically enriched together with other trace elements, such as As and Au (up to 4.8 wt. % and 11,000 ppm). Pyrite is stable under a wide range of fluid conditions including low and high temperatures, variable fO2and pH conditions. Thus, the trace element chemistry of pyrite can be used to define the key ore-forming processes of Te, which are poorly constrained to date. Due to its ubiquity and ability to concentrate trace elements, pyrite may be considered as an economically important host for Te. Hence, the future supply of Te may be resolved by the processing of minerals including pyrite. However, the behaviour of Te during the ore-processing is not well understood and if not recovered and sent to tailings it may have an eco-toxicological impact.
This project aims to close these knowledge gaps by providing a detailed understanding about Te ore formation in epithermal and Carlin-type systems; two distinct mineralisation-styles suggested to reach economic Te concentrations. State-of-the-art analytical techniques will be used for a full structural and chemical characterisation of Te in pyrite down to the micro- and nano-scale. This allows to develop a solid tool to define the incorporation mechanisms of Te in pyrite either as a structurally bound element or as micro- to nano-sized inclusions. Phase quantification will be combined with mineral and bulk ore Te chemistry to quantitively demonstrate that pyrite is one of the major Te hosts in these deposits. Trace element mapping will be performed to investigate possible intra-crystalline Te variations (i.e. zoning) in pyrite, which will be used to define key ore-forming processes to finally present a new micro-analytical exploration tool for Te. Hydrothermal experiments under controlled laboratory conditions will help to define fluid parameters (e.g., temperature, pH, fO2) controlling the distribution of Te in pyrite. The composition of experimental pyrite synthesized from a fluid of known Te composition allows to define the first Te Nernst partition coefficients (KD) in the pyrite-fluid system. Consequently, the combined use of natural and synthetic systems will allow, for the first time, to provide a quantitative understanding about the precipitation and incorporation mechanisms of Te in pyrite; a ubiquitous mineral hosting an element of growing economic interest.
Optimierung der Langzeitstabilität und Umsetzungsrate in Zweikomponentensystemen
(Third Party Funds Single)Term: 1. January 2020 - 31. December 2022
Funding source: Bayerisches Staatsministerium für Wissenschaft und Kunst (StMWK) (seit 2018)Allogene Kontrolle der Sedimenterzeugung und der Erosionsraten im höchsten Küstengebiet der Erde: die Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta (Nordost Kolumbien)
(Third Party Funds Single)Term: 1. January 2020 - 31. December 2021
Funding source: DFG-Einzelförderung / Sachbeihilfe (EIN-SBH)TERSANE Coordination funds
(Third Party Funds Single)Term: 1. December 2019 - 30. November 2022
Funding source: DFG-Einzelförderung / Sachbeihilfe (EIN-SBH)
URL: https://cnidaria.nat.uni-erlangen.de/wp/TERSANE is dedicated to elucidatingthe consequences of ancient, non-anthropogenic global change with the aim toproject the consequences of anthropogenic climate change on organisms andecosystems. Our overarching hypothesis is that the impact of climate-relatedstressors (CRS) that were associated with past marine biological crises mayserve as analogues for the future ocean. Success of the still ongoing initialphase of TERSANE and outstanding questions lead us to apply for a renewal:TERSANE 2.0. Our own previous work and independent new developments necessitateemphasizing in phase 2 of TERSANE: Spatialpatterns, biogeochemical cycles, mechanism-based understanding, and modeling.
TERSANE 2 will have nine projects, which are organizedin three tightly connected research pillars each comprising three projects
1. Identifying CRS across thePermian-Triassic boundary
Spatiotemporal patterns of CRSimpacts
3. Bridging spatiotemporal scales
Pillar 1 will use geochemical proxies and earth systemmodeling to reveal the exact environmental changes across the largesthyperthermal event and mass extinction of the Phanerozoic. Projects will targetnutrient and carbon cycles, continental weathering, and the intensity of causesof anoxia. Temperature, CO2 and pH have already been addressed inphase 1.
Pillar 2 explores the spatial pattern of CRS impactsin a time series context. Here paleobiological methods and modeling areapplied. Projects focus on temperature change as a trigger of range shifts andextinction. Each project will also emphasize patterns across thePermian-Triassic boundary linking to pillar 1.
Pillar 3 is dedicated to probing the role ofspatiotemporal scales on CRS impacts. We hypothesize that physiological dataprovide the mechanistic understanding for CRS responses on multiple timescales. Consequently, we link physiological experiments, body size dynamicsacross multiple time scales and organismic-ecosystem fates in this pillar.Projects in this pillar are tightly linked to both pillars 1 and 2.
Size reductions during hyperthermal events: early warnings of environmental deterioration or signs of extinction? (EarlyWarn)
(Third Party Funds Single)Term: since 1. December 2019
Funding source: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG)Size reductions in successive fossil assemblages during times of extinction are major features visible across a variety of temporal and spatial scales. The underlying environmental drivers and mechanisms are however still debated. In various cases, size responses predate the main extinction pulse suggesting that they might signal early environmental disruptions. The project proposed here aims to explicitly model size changes in a sequence stratigraphic framework to disentangle the local paleoenvironmental influences on these patterns from global ones. This approach will focus on within-facies and between-facies comparisons of mollusk and brachiopod assemblages of Permian-Triassic sections in Iran and various European Pliensbachian-Toarcian sections, hence covering a wide range of paleoenvironmental and preservational contexts before and across extinction events. These approaches are necessary to quantitatively disentangle the relative contribution of climate-related stressors and nutrient availability in driving patterns when filtering out potential collection and stratigraphy biases. The final part of the project will compare our newly collected high-resolution data with newly appended large size datasets considering appropriate facies, sequence stratigraphic and geochemical context to understand their relative contribution in the first comprehensive meta-analysis on these aspects of miniaturization (“Lilliput effect”). These datasets will also be used to disentangle the relative contribution of within-species size reductions, size-selective extinction/immigration and origination/immigration in driving size fluctuations during background conditions as well as during events ranging from minor biological crises to mass extinctions associated with hyperthermal events.
Basalte und vulkanische Gläser
(Third Party Funds Group – Sub project)Overall project: SO273 - MARION: ROV-Beprobung und Kartieren des Marion Rise am Südwest-Indischen-Rücken (SWIR)
Term: 1. November 2019 - 30. April 2022
Funding source: Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung (BMBF)Strengthening Paleontology: The German seed for global cooperation
(Third Party Funds Single)Term: 1. October 2019 - 30. September 2026
Funding source: Volkswagen StiftungSpatial patterns of global diversity dynamics in warming scenarios (SPex)
(Third Party Funds Single)Term: 1. October 2019 - 30. September 2022
Funding source: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG)Current climate change is expected to have a definite effect on the global marine biota and will likely lead to not only local, but also global extinctions. Species distributions rearrangeduring global warming; marine species track the isotherms of their thermal niches and studies suggest that low-latitude species will be more affected by local extinctions (extirpations). Predictions on the geographic patternsof complete extinctions are lacking, although past mass extinctions are often invoked as analogues for possible future scenarios. Inference on the causes of mass extinctions is often based on recorded geographic patterns ofspecies extinctions, but the relationship between warming and these patterns is based on assumptions and thought experiments, rather than spatially explicit models that consider Earth’s geometry, stochastic processesand multitudes of species.
Project SPex addresses this issue by simulating extinction scenarios, which I organize around the central hypothesis that extensive warming leads to pronounced geographic patterns of extinctions,preferentially affecting lower latitudes. To assess this and associated hypotheses, I will construct a high-performance modelling framework of species distributions with cellular automata, and simulate spatially explicit bioticresponses to warming with increasing system complexity: in theoretical settings first, and then using data of recorded, warming-related mass extinction scenarios.
With the cellular automaton approach, assigned temperature niches can be used to limit species distributions, while other influencing variables can be modelled as random processes that expandor contract geographic ranges of thousands of virtual species. Both recent (OBIS, Aquamaps) and fossil (Paleobiology Database) biotic data will be used to constrain the models that will also incorporate continent reconstructionsand general circulation modelling results. Abiotic input data will be used to reconstruct possible scenarios of hyperthermals, such as the Permian/Triassic, Triassic/Jurassic and Pliensbachian/Toarcian events, as well as thePaleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum. Patterns of future extinctions will also be assessed using modelled abiotic parameters of simplified scenarios beyond RCP8.5. Simulation patterns will also be contrasted with extirpation andinvasion patterns of gridded fossil data. Thus, the project intends to integrate past mass extinctions and future settings by adding invasions and extirpations to the past and species extinctions to predicted future scenarios.
Rapide Versenkung eines trockenen Sandsteins – die besondere kompaktionsdominierte Diagenese der Twyfelfontein Formation, NW Namibia
(Third Party Funds Single)Term: 1. October 2019 - 30. September 2022
Funding source: DFG-Einzelförderung / Sachbeihilfe (EIN-SBH)Änderungen in den Nährstoffkreisläufen während des Perm-Trias Übergangs (NUC)
(Third Party Funds Single)Term: 1. October 2019 - 30. September 2022
Funding source: DFG-Einzelförderung / Sachbeihilfe (EIN-SBH)Interaktionen des Erdkabelsystems SuedLink mit der Kabelumgebung - Bodenkundlich-Technische Aspekte
(Third Party Funds Single)Term: 1. October 2019 - 15. June 2020
Funding source: IndustrieCoralTrace – A new approach to understanding climate-induced reef crises
(Third Party Funds Group – Sub project)Overall project: FOR 2332: Temperature-related stresses as a unifying principle in ancient extinctions (TERSANE)
Term: 1. October 2019 - 30. September 2022
Funding source: DFG / Forschungsgruppe (FOR)Coral reefs are perhaps the most threatened marine ecosystems from current climate-related stressors (CRS). The modern reef crisis manifests itself in an increased frequency of mass-bleaching, reduced calcification rates of corals, and elevated coral mortalities. Although extinction risk is also high among reef-building corals, reef decline is driven by reduced net calcium carbonate production of existing species, rather than extirpation or extinction. Nevertheless, extinctions are a major concern, because these are irreversible and thus preventing the recovery of reefs from CRS-driven crises.Using the Paleobiology Database and the Erlangen PaleoReefs Database together with a new fossil trait database on extinct reef builders, this project aims to reveal the interplay of individualistic evolutionary fate and whole ecosystem changes in reefs over time. Specifically, we test three main hypotheses: (1) Reefs are more sensitive to CRS than reef building species. A global reef crisis can occur without mass extinction, simply because the net calcium carbonate production is reduced. An important implication of this hypothesis is that reef crisis may be an early warning sign of a forthcoming biodiversity crisis. (2) Both the reef-building capacity and the extinction risk of reef building taxa can be predicted from their traits. Although not all potentially relevant life-history traits can be derived from fossils (e.g., nature of photosymbionts), preservable traits such as growth morphology and habitat breadth have been shown to be correlated with coral extinction risk and reef growth today. (3) Mesophotic and mid-latitude environments are suitable environments for reefal refugia and recovery after climate induced crises.Hypothesis testing will be performed in a multivariate statistical framework and machine learning focussing on preserved reefal volume and extinction as dependent variables. Independent variables such as magnitude and duration of warming, anoxia and acidification will be taken from published sources and accompanying TERSANE projects. Tests will be conducted at the level of specific time slices (end-Permian, end-Triassic, early Jurassic) as well as in a time-series context. To be feasible and relevant to TERSANE’s goals, CoralTrace will focus on Permian to Neogene reef systems.
CoralTrace - Ein neuer Ansatz zum Verständnis klimainduzierter Riffkrisen
(Third Party Funds Single)Term: 1. October 2019 - 30. September 2022
Funding source: DFG-Einzelförderung / Sachbeihilfe (EIN-SBH)Coral reefs are perhaps the most threatenedmarine ecosystems from current climate-related stressors (CRS). The modern reefcrisis manifests itself in an increased frequency of mass-bleaching, reducedcalcification rates of corals, and elevated coral mortalities. Althoughextinction risk is also high among reef-building corals, reef decline is drivenby reduced net calcium carbonate production of existing species, rather than extirpationor extinction. Nevertheless, extinctions are a major concern, because these areirreversible and thus preventing the recovery of reefs from CRS-driven crises.
Using the Paleobiology Database and theErlangen PaleoReefs Database together with a new fossil trait database onextinct reef builders, this project aims to reveal the interplay ofindividualistic evolutionary fate and whole ecosystem changes in reefs overtime. Specifically, we test three main hypotheses: (1) Reefs are more sensitiveto CRS than reef building species. A global reef crisis can occur without massextinction, simply because the net calcium carbonate production is reduced. Animportant implication of this hypothesis is that reef crisis may be an earlywarning sign of a forthcoming biodiversity crisis. (2) Both the reef-buildingcapacity and the extinction risk of reef building taxa can be predicted fromtheir traits. Although not all potentially relevant life-history traits can bederived from fossils (e.g., nature of photosymbionts), preservable traits suchas growth morphology and habitat breadth have been shown to be correlated withcoral extinction risk and reef growth today. (3) Mesophotic and mid-latitudeenvironments are suitable environments for reefal refugia and recovery afterclimate induced crises.
Hypothesistesting will be performed in a multivariate statistical framework and machinelearning focussing on preserved reefal volume and extinction as dependentvariables. Independent variables such as magnitude and duration of warming,anoxia and acidification will be taken from published sources and accompanyingTERSANE projects. Tests will be conducted at the level of specific time slices(end-Permian, end-Triassic, early Jurassic) as well as in a time-seriescontext. To be feasibleand relevant to TERSANE’s goals, CoralTrace will focus on Permian to Neogenereef systems.
Durchführung von petrologischen und isotopengeochemischen Untersuchungen an basaltischen Gesteinen des zentralen und südostindischen Rückens, BGR-Lizenzgebiet (INDEX2019)
(Third Party Funds Single)Term: 13. August 2019 - 30. September 2020
Funding source: andere FörderorganisationVulkanische Gesteine, die im Rahmen der INDEX 2019 Ausfahrt unter der Leitung der Bundesanstalt für Geowissenschaften und Rohstoffe gewonnen werden, sollen in dem Projekt am GeoZentrum Nordbayern (GZN) geochemisch analysiert werden. Die Daten werden von Wissenschaftlern des GZN interpretiert und die vulkanischen Prozesse im Zusammenhang mit den hydrothermalen Austritten am Zentralindischen Rücken und am SE Indischen Rücken bestimmt.
Volcanic construction, seawater circulation, rock bioalteration, and sponge communities at Vesteris Seamount, Greenland Sea
(Third Party Funds Group – Sub project)Overall project: Vulkanischer Aufbau, Meerwasserzirkulation, Gesteins Bioalteration und Schwammvergesellschaftungen am Vesteris Seamount, Grönlandbecken
Term: 1. August 2019 - 1. October 2019
Funding source: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG)We request ship time with RV Maria S. Merian to conduct detailed ROV-based geological and biological investigations of the Vesteris Seamount in the Central Greenland Sea. High-resolution bathymetry mapping with modern multibeam echosounders and comprehenisve sampling of the volcanic substrate are one focus of the cruise. These samples will be investigated geochemically and geochronologically to unravel the petrological/volcanological evolution of the seamount. Hydrographic surveys will be conducted to look for hydrothermal venting. Another emphasis is on geobiological investigations, including an assessment of the colonization of the volcanic substrate by fungi, fungal diversity and activity as well as relations to seawater-rock interactions during weathering. We will also do a detailed appraisal of the sponge communities that densely colonize the seamount and will conduct comprehensive molecular-ecological studies to understand the functioning of the holobiont. Furthermore, we propose to map and sample a prominent seamount south of our main work area as well as several volcanic centers northeast of it. These materials and data will allow us to shed new light on the magmatic- tectonic evolution of the northernmost Atlantic.
Erarbeitung eines Handlungsleitfadens zur Abschätzung der oberflächennahen geothermischen Potentiale in ländlichen Gemeinden
(Third Party Funds Single)Term: 1. August 2019 - 31. December 2020
Funding source: andere Förderorganisationab
More - Morfettenuntersuchungen Investighations of water and CO2 including their isotope ratios in boreholes, springs and mofettes in the Eger Graben Czech republic
(Third Party Funds Single)Term: 1. July 2019 - 30. June 2020
Funding source: DFG-Einzelförderung / Sachbeihilfe (EIN-SBH)
URL: https://gepris.dfg.de/gepris/projekt/419880416More - Morfettenuntersuchungen
Investighations of water and CO2 including their isotope ratios in boreholes, springs and mofettes in the Eger Graben Czech republicThe origin of volcanic flux variations along Pacific hotspot tracks: Plume-lithosphere interaction vs. plume pulsations
(Third Party Funds Single)Term: 1. June 2019 - 31. May 2021
Funding source: DFG-Einzelförderung / Sachbeihilfe (EIN-SBH)The volcanic flux at the Hawaiian hotspot generally increased over the last 30-80 Ma, with second-order variations over 10~15 Ma. This significant increase remains unexplained by classic plume theory, which predicts that a plume-head stage with massive volcanic activity is followed by a plume-tail stage with ever decreasing activity. In particular, 25-30 Ma ago there was a sharp increase in the Hawaiian volcanic flux by a factor ~4 that appears to be associated with an increase in Pacific plate motion from ~60 km/Ma to ~100 km/Ma.At about the same time there was a surge across the South Pacific of young low-volume hotspot tracks. It is unclear from our understanding of the poorly sampled Hawaiian track if these volcanic flux variations are related to speed up of the Pacific plate or to pulsations of the Hawaiian plume. In order to explain the coupled observations of faster plate speed and increased volcanic flux we aim to explore three young, relatively low-volume Pacific hotspot tracks. High–precision geochronological data for multiple hotspot tracks is the only way of extracting fundamental new information from the intraplate record about the poorly-sampled young end of the Hawaiian hotspot track. We propose to determine high-precision ages using the next generation of multi-collector mass spectrometer for 111 samples from the Foundation, Easter and Pukapuka-Rano Rahi volcanic tracks. We will use these new data to (1) pinpoint the timing of Pacific plate-speed increases and variations in hotspot volcanic flux, and (2) understand the underlying mechanisms controlling volcanic flux variations at Pacific hotspots.
Predicting oxygen dynamics in large reservoirs in four dimensions. Investigation of dissolved oxygen and its isotope ratios in drinking water reservoirs
(Third Party Funds Single)Term: 1. June 2019 - 31. May 2022
Funding source: DFG-Einzelförderung / Sachbeihilfe (EIN-SBH)
URL: https://gepris.dfg.de/gepris/projekt/410560381Predicting oxygen dynamics in large reservoirs in four dimensions.
Investigation of dissolved oxygen and its isotope ratios in drinking water reservoirsP13 – Modelling of the development of deformation bands in porous rocks and their influence on the permeability evolution of reservoirs
(Third Party Funds Group – Sub project)Overall project: GRK 2423 FRASCAL: Skalenübergreifende Bruchvorgänge: Integration von Mechanik, Materialwissenschaften, Mathematik, Chemie und Physik (FRASCAL)
Term: 1. April 2019 - 31. December 2027
Funding source: DFG / Graduiertenkolleg (GRK)An extended DEM approach with multi-scale aggregates and healing algorithms will be used to study structures on the grain and single-band scale, whereas the reservoir scale flow properties will be determined with continuum models. Codes will be developed and tested simultaneously and natural examples from our rock collection and field examples can be used in the other projects. We will then develop an algorithm for the healing of fractured grains and will finally approach the large scale and look at the influence of deformation bands on the permeability of aquifers. Here we will vary mechanical content in bands, deformation conditions from shear to compaction, compactional and extensional shear, and finite strain.
The Rio Grande Rise and Jean Charcot Seamount Chain - microcontinents or the trail of the Tristan-Gough hotspot?
(Third Party Funds Single)Term: 1. March 2019 - 30. April 2019
Funding source: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG)The Rio Grande Rise (RGR) is a massive plateau and seamount province in the SW Atlantic that has been assumed to represent a large igneous province formed by voluminous magmatic activity of the Tristan-Gough mantle plume on the South American plate. But new evidence showing that the RGR might be a sliver of continental crust that was captured, and possibly rifted, at the time of continental breakup, is throwing considerable doubt on a hotspot origin. We propose a combined seismic, geochemical, geo- and thermochronological study of the nature of the deep and shallow RGR basement to test our hypothesis that the RGR is a microcontinent that has been modified by a complex tectonic and magmatic history, including 1000 km long rifts, associated with buoyant plume upwelling and formation of the Jean Charcot Seamount Chain. These data will determine the relative amounts of continental and oceanic crust, age and origin of the volcanic rocks, and chemical changes with time. The results will have important implications for the understanding of continental rifting and opening of ocean basins and the role of microcontinents in the formation of hotspot trails.
Planung und Umsetzung der messtechnischen Erfassung Erdeisspeicher, Untersuchung nichttechnischer Hemmnisse
(Third Party Funds Group – Sub project)Overall project: Erdeisspeicher und oberflächennahe Geothermie (Umsetzung)
Term: 1. March 2019 - 28. February 2022
Funding source: Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Technologie (BMWi)Ultrastructural evolution of the first vertebrate skeletal tissues - reconstruction using electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD)
(Third Party Funds Single)Term: since 1. February 2019
Funding source: DFG-Einzelförderung / Sachbeihilfe (EIN-SBH)Fahrt MSM86 mit dem Forschungsschiff MARIA S. MERIAN MER-MET 17-95
(Third Party Funds Single)Term: 31. January 2019 - 30. January 2020
Funding source: andere FörderorganisationMobilitätsbeihilfe Erlangen Strasbourg
(Third Party Funds Single)Term: 1. January 2019 - 31. December 2019
Funding source: andere FörderorganisationGeothermal energy for megacities: phase 1, Bogota
(Third Party Funds Single)Term: 1. January 2019 - 31. December 2021
Funding source: Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (DAAD)Investigation and Modeling of Alite Hydration
(Third Party Funds Single)Term: 1. December 2018 - 30. November 2020
Funding source: DFG-Einzelförderung / Sachbeihilfe (EIN-SBH)More than 4 billion tons of cement are currently produced and consumed each year. The process contributes approximately 8% to the total man-made carbon dioxide emissions and is associated to a high consumption of primary energy. Cement is used for the production of concrete, which is the most important material in construction.Compared to the importance of the material, the knowledge about the chemical reactions during hardening is only poorly developed. Understanding of the mechanisms governing the hydration would enable the reduction of environmental impacts and the development of high performance binders and concretes.The previous project provided highly important contributions to the understanding of the basic mechanisms of tricalcium silicate hydration in the absence of foreign ions. It was proved for the first time that the kinetics in the first hours depends purely on the precipitation rate of C-S-H. Beyond this qualitative demonstration, quantitative data for relevant parameters such as interfacial rates, surface areas, degree of reaction and solution composition were analyzed and fed to a simple and robust kinetic model. This model can quantitatively capture the hydration of tricalcium silicate in the absence of foreign ions and the results of the computations are confirmed by experimental data. The methods used for model validation include quantitative X-ray diffraction based on the Rietveld approach and an application of an external standard (G-factor), calorimetry, analysis of the pore solution composition, thermal analysis, 29Si nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, electron microscopy and surface analysis.The current proposal aims to transfer the model to the hydration of alite in the presence of foreign ions, as a number of ions modify hydration kinetics in different form. It is known that the presence of aluminum from different sources may delay the main hydration period whereas it is accelerated in the presence of dissolved alkalis. The impact of aluminum, sulfate and alkali ions will be analyzed individually and in combination in the present project. This includes also basic research for the analysis of interfacial dissolution and precipitation rates to obtain information on the mechanisms how the foreign ions affect reactivity. These data can be used to extend the current model from pure tricalcium silicate to the hydration of doped alite in the presence of additional ions in the pore solution. The model can be validated using the same experimental methods as in the previous project. Based on findings of the fundamental research, new methods to modify the hydration kinetics will be investigated by modelling and experimental research. The long-term of these efforts goal is understanding and manipulation of cement hydration.
geoPGT (Geothermal Post Grouting Test)-Entwicklung einer innovativen kostengünstigen Systemprüfung von verfüllten (post-grouting) Erdwärmesonden mit hoher lokaler Auflösung; Aufbau eines modularen Labormodells zur Ableitung einer optimalen geoPGT Messkonfiguration und Erstellung eines mathematischen Modells zur Visualisierung
(Third Party Funds Group – Sub project)Overall project: geoPGT (Geothermal Post Grouting Test)-Entwicklung einer innovativen kostengünstigen Systemprüfung von verfüllten (post-grouting) Erdwärmesonden mit hoher lokaler Auflösung; Aufbau eines modularen Labormodells zur Ableitung einer optimalen geoPGT Messkonfiguration und Erstellung eines mathematischen Modells zur Visualisierung
Term: 1. December 2018 - 30. November 2020
Funding source: Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Technologie (BMWi)Fahrt MSM82 mit dem Forschungsschiff MARIA S. MERIAN MER-MET
(Third Party Funds Single)Term: 12. October 2018 - 11. October 2019
Funding source: andere FörderorganisationOberflächennahste Geothermie und Kalte Nahwärme 4.0
(Third Party Funds Group – Sub project)Overall project: Oberflächennahste Geothermie und Kalte Nahwärme 4.0
Term: 1. October 2018 - 30. September 2019
Funding source: Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Technologie (BMWi)
URL: http://soil2heat.net/AquaCliff
(Third Party Funds Group – Overall project)Term: 1. September 2018 - 31. July 2023
Funding source: Bayerisches Staatsministerium der Finanzen, für Landesentwicklung und Heimat (StMF) (ab 10/2013)
URL: https://germany.iah.org/news/hydrogeology-meets-nephrologyDas Verbundprojekt wird im Zeitraum 2018-2023 durch das Bayerische Klimaforschungsnetzwerk (bayklif) gefördert.
Geochemische Untersuchungen an der Kreide/Paläogen Grenze im Lattengebirge (Berchtesgadener Land)
(Third Party Funds Single)Term: 24. August 2018 - 19. July 2019
Funding source: Bayerisches Landesamt für UmweltVorstudie zur Verwendungsmöglichkeit von TRT-Methoden zur Überprüfung der Installationskriterien von Erdkabeln in HDD-Bohrungen
(Third Party Funds Single)Term: 1. August 2018 - 30. June 2019
Funding source: IndustrieQuantifying and tracing marine biogeography over the Phanerozoic
(Third Party Funds Single)Term: 1. August 2018 - 31. July 2019
Funding source: DFG-Einzelförderung / Sachbeihilfe (EIN-SBH)Outlining and understanding the geographic structuring of biodiversity is a major challenge both for modern and past ecosystems. Different approaches to delineate biogeographic unitsare currently applied, which result in vastly different patterns. In order to objectively define biogeographic provinces, I propose a two-year research project to develop quantitative methods that outline biogeographical unitsbased on marine organismic occurrence data. The so-defined units will allow the assessment of between-unit, beta-level diversity patterns over the Phanerozoic as well. This will enable the scrutinization of hypotheses such as that continent configuration drives global marine beta diversity patterns, and that beta diversity drops in post-extinction recovery ecosystems.The project will constitute method development and testing on simulated data to rigorously assess their capacity and increase their accuracy as well. The proposed project is divided into four discreet phases, each built onthe results of the previous one. Research will start with the analysis of biogeographic patterns in modern oceans, which will be followed by the analyses of the fossil record in individual time slices. The project will beconcluded with the outlining of quantitatively defined, traceable biogeographic units over the Phanerozoic. Success in the development of the proposed methodology will allow the analysis of the biogeographic structure in marinesettings based on a reproducible partitioning scheme.
Nano-analytics of natural quartz deformation microstructures at the brittle-viscous transition
(Third Party Funds Single)Term: 1. June 2018 - 31. May 2021
Funding source: DFG-Einzelförderung / Sachbeihilfe (EIN-SBH)Understanding the interplay between brittle and ductile deformation mechanisms at the grain scale in mylonites is essential for understanding shear localization at depth in the continental crust. This interplay also has a strong influence on the length-scale and velocity of fluid transfer below the base of the seismogenic crust, and on the seismic cycle itself. The main goal of the project is to understand the origin of discrete zones of recrystallization (DZR) in quartz as potential indicators of microfracturing during the incipient stages of mylonitization. Such structures are developed in quartz veins from the Schober Group (Hohe Tauern mountains in the Central Eastern Alps), which were deformed at c. 450-500°C, and will be used as a key study. More generally, the project aims to improve the understanding on interaction of different deformation mechanisms (micro-fracturing, subgrain rotation and grain boundary migration, mechanical Dauphiné twinning, dissolution-precipitation, grain boundary sliding) during the initial formation of DZR structures and, how their significance changes with progressive development of the mylonitic and ultramylonitic microstructures. Without an integrated approach, using different up-to-date techniques of high-resolution microstructural and microchemical (trace element) analysis, interpretations of the quartz deformation microstructures detailed above are destined to remain speculative. The project includes integrated micro- and nano-analyses on fine-grained microstructures by means of: electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD), SEM orientation contrast imaging (channeling contrast), SEM cathodoluminescence (CL), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS and NanoSIMS) for Ti-in-Quartz analysis. Additional, new developments in high resolution analysis (down to atomic scale) by atom probe will be applied to obtain information about (sub)grain-scale diffusion processes (especially of Ti) during localized rock deformation. Furthermore this project will test the applicability of a newly developed Near Field Microscope with NanoFTIR capability to detect intragranular water in quartz at nano- to micrometer scales. This test will be accompanied by (OH- molecular ions) analysis in quartz using NanoSIMS technique. If these two independent methods prove successful, it will open up a new era of measuring water in fine-grained minerals (not only quartz) and, further, could specifically address the measurement of water along grain boundaries, subgrain boundaries and even dislocations structures. Combined with the Ti distribution analysed by the atom probe, this would help in recognizing processes such as dislocation pipe diffusion or diffusion along subgrain boundaries and their effects on the resetting of the Ti-in-Quartz system.
Rheology-active additives in OPC based formulations - From nano/micro-scale structures to macro scale properties -
(Third Party Funds Single)Term: 1. April 2018 - 31. March 2021
Funding source: DFG-Einzelförderung / Sachbeihilfe (EIN-SBH)Two substantial goals are pursued in this proposal.Initially the highly time resolved (ca. 10 min) evolution of the relevant rheology determining parameters during the early cement hydration will be traced and evaluated. Here the evolution of the specific surface area of the clinker phases, the evolution of the morphology and the amount of the forming hydrate phases as well as the availability and amount of the residual unbound and rheology active water fraction play a significant role. These parameters and others will be traced and quantified by a combination of different physical, chemical and rheological analytic methods. Important to highlight that most of the proposed analytic methods provide overlapping information, allowing a cross validation in order to confirm the consistency of the measured results.In the second part the influence of different rheology active additives on the above mentioned parameters will be evaluated. Thereby important information on the effect of building additives and the fundamental working mechanisms of the superimposition of cement hydration and the development of rheological properties over time are expected. These information are compulsory for further in deep understanding of the rheology in fresh concretes.
Most Easy, Efficient and Low Cost Geothermal Systems for Retrofitting Civil and Historical Buildings
(Third Party Funds Group – Sub project)Overall project: Most Easy, Efficient and Low Cost Geothermal Systems for Retrofitting Civil and Historical Buildings
Term: 1. April 2018 - 31. March 2022
Funding source: Europäische Union (EU)
URL: https://geo4civhic.eu/Magmatic evolution of island arc and backarc crust and implications for hydrothermal venting in the NE Tonga arc
(Third Party Funds Group – Sub project)Overall project: TONGARIFT
Term: 1. February 2018 - 31. March 2020
Funding source: Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung (BMBF)Oceanic island arcs probably evolve through different tectonic stages that are marked by the formation and eruption of different magmatic rocks. Boninites have a peculiar geochemical composition reflecting partial melting of highly depleted mantle and are believed to be typical for the early stages of island arc evolution. The main objectives of the proposed project are sampling of shallow crustal profiles at the NE Tonga Ridge and Lau backarc basin where boninitic lavas appear to be very abundant in order to establish the stratigraphic situation of these boninites. Lavas from the N Tonga volcanic islands have unique compositions reflecting very strong depletion of the mantle wedge and re-enrichment by fluids from subducted seamount lavas, whereas some backarc lavas indicate influence of mantle plume material, possibly from Samoa. The Niuatahi volcano is surrounded by young lava flows and volcanic ridges that reach to the NE Lau spreading centre and the abundant on- and off-axis lavas allow studying the magma generation and mixing processes from the arc front to the backarc. We propose to study the composition of the NE Tonga volcanoes to better define the different sources and the implications for mantle and melting dynamics in a subduction zone. The recently active volcanoes in the NE Lau backarc and NE Tonga arc show highly variable hydrothermal venting and thus offer a natural laboratory for the study of the effects of magma degassing on hydrothermal fluid and precipitate composition. We suggest sampling of different vents related to different magmatic structures in order to test models of the effects of varying magmatic volatile input and water depth on the fluids.
Störungsflächenanalyse an Bohrkern- und Aufschlussdaten, Gebiet Obernsees, Fränkisches Becken und in situ-Spannungsanalyse (RACOS® Methode)
(Third Party Funds Single)Term: 1. February 2018 - 31. December 2019
Funding source: andere FörderorganisationIm Rahmen von Untersuchungen zur Struktur des Untergrundes im Zielgebiet des GAB-Forschungsprojektes „Petrotherm“ wurden neben den schon bekannten NW-SE verlaufenden Störungen im Fränkischen Becken auch N-S verlaufende Störungen als bedeutende Lineamente beschrieben. Die Kinematik dieser Strukturen im Paläo- und im in situ Spannungsfeld und damit ihr Reaktivierungspotential sind bislang nicht ausreichend untersucht. In diesem Kurzprojekt (12 Monate) soll eine detaillierte Datenerhebung zum Störungs- und Kluftsystem in einem kleinräumigen Gebiet um die Bohrung Obernsees durchgeführt werden, um das strukturelle Inventar zu erfassen. Mittels der RACOS®-Methode soll an einem Bohrkern aus der Bohrung Obernsees eine Bestimmung der herrschenden in situ-Spannungen durchgeführt werden.
Diese Methodenkombination wurde im Projekt „Petrotherm“ bislang nicht angewendet, wären aber für eine Bewertung des Reaktivierungspotentials von Störungsflächen im Fränkischen Becken und seines Untergrundes von Bedeutung. Mit diesem Kurzprojekt soll daher die Machbarkeit und Nützlichkeit für die Thematik „Ermittlung von Spannungszuständen im Zielgebiet und das Bruchverhaltens ausgewählter Gesteinstypen“ des Gesamtprojektes getestet und die Datenbasis zu dieser Thematik verdichtet werden.
Magma formation and evolution in an oceanic island arc - back-arc system: a case study from the Tonga arc and Valu Fa Ridge
(Third Party Funds Single)Term: 1. February 2018 - 31. January 2021
Funding source: DFG-Einzelförderung / Sachbeihilfe (EIN-SBH)Geothermisches Potenzial in Nord-Kolumbien und Süd-Peru, Aufbau einer Kooperation mit Universitäten und Entwicklung eines Studentenaustauschprogramms
(Third Party Funds Single)Term: 1. January 2018 - 31. August 2018
Funding source: Bayerische Forschungsallianz (BayFOR)Enzymatisch aktiviertes Abbinden dotierter Calciumphosphatzemente
(Third Party Funds Single)Term: 1. January 2018 - 31. December 2019
Funding source: Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (DAAD)SuedLink und SuedOst-Link: Thermische Bodenclusterung
(Third Party Funds Single)Term: since 1. October 2017
Funding source: IndustrieProjekt SuedLink / SuedOstLink - Thermische Bodenclusterung; Beschaffung, Darstellung und Bewertung von Boden- und Klimakennwerten im Bereich der Flächen der EKS und TKS des SuedLink und SuedOstLink
(Third Party Funds Single)Term: 1. August 2017 - 1. August 2018
Funding source: IndustrieDie TenneT TSO GmbH und TransnetBW GmbH planen als
Übertragungsnetzbetreiber zur Erfüllung der gesetzlichen Verpflichtungen einer sicheren
Energieversorgung das Übertragungsnetz in ihren Regelzonen auszubauen. Dazu ist die Umsetzung
zweier Leitungsvorhaben, enthalten in Anlage zu §1 Abs. 1 des Bundesbedarfsplangesetzes, vorgesehen:
Die Hochspannungs-Gleichstrom-Übertragungs (HGÜ)-Verbindungen werden von TenneT in
Projektpartnerschaften mit der TransnetBW bzw. der 50Hertz Transmission GmbH realisiert
und sollen vorrangig als Erdkabel verlegt werden.
- SuedLink:
• HGÜ-Verbindung zwischen Brunsbüttel und Großgartach (BBPlG-Vorhaben Nr. 3)
• HGÜ-Verbindung zwischen Wilster und Grafenrheinfeld (BBPlG-Vorhaben Nr. 4)
- SuedOstLink:
• HGÜ-Verbindung zwischen Wolmirstedt und Isar (BBPIG-Vorhaben Nr. 5)
Die Friedrich-Alexander-Universität, Erlangen-Nürnberg wurde 08.2017
damit beauftragt, für das Korridornetz beider Projekte (SOL: nur Abschnitt
Bayern) Bodendaten von den entsprechenden Landesämtern zu beschaffen und in einem
Geoinformationssystem (GIS) für unterschiedliche Fragestellungen aufzubereiten und zur Verfügung
zu stellen.
Bei den abzuleitenden Parametern handelt es sich um Kennwerte zu Bodenart, Bodenklassen nach DIN18300, Festgestein (Tiefenlage der Festgesteinsgrenze, Festgesteinsart und Wärmeleitfähigkeit), klimatische Wasserbilanz (Niederschlag, Evapotranspiration, Grundwasserneubildung, Wasserabfluß), Bodenfeuchteregime, Van Genuchten Parameter, der teilgesättigten Wasserleitfähigkeit, Bodenfrosttage, sowie Wärmeleitfähigkeit des Bodens.Die aus pedologischen, geologischen und klimatologischen Basisdatensätzen abgeleiteten Parameter
wurden für vereinbarte Tiefenstufen berechnet. Die Gesamtheit der Ausgangsdaten,
Zwischenergebnisse und Zielparameter ist in Form von GIS-Projekten thematisch gegliedert
hinterlegt. Dadurch lassen sich die Parameter einzeln aber auch beliebig kombinierbar darstellen und
stehen zusätzlich für weitere Modellierungen und Betrachtungen zur Verfügung.
Für die Validierung der Ergebnisse sind drei Baugrundgutachten als Referenz herangezogen worden.Untersuchungen von Zusammenhängen lokal begrenzter chronischer Nierenerkrankungen und Wasserqualitäten in Sri Lanka
(Third Party Funds Single)Term: 1. August 2017 - 31. July 2019
Funding source: Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung (BMBF)
URL: https://germany.iah.org/news/hydrogeology-meets-nephrologyPalaeoanthropological Research in Kilombe Caldera, Kenya
(Non-FAU Project)Term: 1. August 2017 - 31. July 2022
Funding source: andere FörderorganisationStabile Isotopenuntersuchungen zum Prozessverständnis von Fluidverhalten in und um Salzkavernen
(Third Party Funds Group – Sub project)Overall project: ProSalz: Prozessverständnis, Skalierbarkeit und Übertragbarkeit von reaktivem Mehrphasentransport in Salzlagerstätten
Term: 1. July 2017 - 30. June 2020
Funding source: Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung (BMBF)
URL: https://www.fau.de/2017/07/news/wissenschaft/glueckauf-fuer-das-projekt-prosalz/Mechanische und hydraulische Entwicklung von Bruchzonen – Effekt von Deformationsgeschichte und -bedingungen auf aktuelle Permeabilitätseigenschaften
(Third Party Funds Single)Term: 1. July 2017 - 30. June 2020
Funding source: Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung (BMBF)Bildung, Transport und Entwicklung von Magmen in einem ozeanischen, ultralangsam spreizenden Rift
(Third Party Funds Single)Term: 1. July 2017 - 30. June 2020
Funding source: DFG-Einzelförderung / Sachbeihilfe (EIN-SBH)Vulkanische und tektonische Prozesse im westlichen Teil des Eger Grabens
(Third Party Funds Single)Term: 1. May 2017 - 30. April 2018
Funding source: Bayerische StaatsministerienDurchführung von Spurenelementmessungen und Nd-Pb Isotopenmessungen an Manganknollen und assoziierten Sedimenten
(Third Party Funds Single)Term: 1. May 2017 - 31. December 2017
Funding source: Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Technologie (BMWi)Formation and evolution of magmas due to subduction of sediments: a case study of the submarine Paphsanias Volcano, Aegean Arc
(Third Party Funds Single)Term: 15. April 2017 - 31. March 2018
Funding source: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG)Andesite magmas at active continental margins may form due to assimilation-fractional crystallization processes from basaltic mantle melts or due to direct partial melting of unusual mantle rocks resulting, for example, from mixing of sediment melts with peridotite. Magmas of the Aegean Arc indicate a reaction of the melts with the crust during the ascent as well as a strong input of sediment into the melting zone of the mantle wedge. These different mixing processes are difficult to define in most rocks and require detailed studies of melt (glass) and mineral compositions. Thus, submarine lavas are best suited for a study of andesite formation because melts are quenched and their composition including volatile contents can be determined. The volcanoes of the western Aegean mainly erupted effusive lavas in domes and flows rather than showing explosive activity. We propose a cruise to the westernmost submarine volcano Paphsanias of the Aegean Arc that has not been studied petrologically and geochemically. We suggest studying and sampling this volcano using an ROV that will give us stratigraphic control of the samples. The ROV dives will allow determining the relative abundance of lavas and volcaniclastic rocks and yield insights into the apparently different magma ascent and eruption processes in the western volcanoes. Given the young age of the Paphsanias volcano the crater may also show hydrothermal activity that we will be able to observe and sample using the ROV.Andesite magmas at active continental margins may form due to assimilation-fractional crystallization processes from basaltic mantle melts or due to direct partial melting of unusual mantle rocks resulting, for example, from mixing of sediment melts with peridotite. Magmas of the Aegean Arc indicate a reaction of the melts with the crust during the ascent as well as a strong input of sediment into the melting zone of the mantle wedge. These different mixing processes are difficult to define in most rocks and require detailed studies of melt (glass) and mineral compositions. Thus, submarine lavas are best suited for a study of andesite formation because melts are quenched and their composition including volatile contents can be determined. The volcanoes of the western Aegean mainly erupted effusive lavas in domes and flows rather than showing explosive activity. We propose a cruise to the westernmost submarine volcano Paphsanias of the Aegean Arc that has not been studied petrologically and geochemically. We suggest studying and sampling this volcano using an ROV that will give us stratigraphic control of the samples. The ROV dives will allow determining the relative abundance of lavas and volcaniclastic rocks and yield insights into the apparently different magma ascent and eruption processes in the western volcanoes. Given the young age of the Paphsanias volcano the crater may also show hydrothermal activity that we will be able to observe and sample using the ROV.
Mechanistische Analyse von Mineralisationsvorgängen in modifizierten anorganischen Knochenzementen mit enzymatischer Kontrolle der Abbindereaktion
(Third Party Funds Single)Term: 1. March 2017 - 31. May 2020
Funding source: DFG-Einzelförderung / Sachbeihilfe (EIN-SBH)Bei der medizinischen Anwendung von Calciumphosphatzementen(CPCs) werden zunehmend minimal-invasive Eingriffe angestrebt, beidenen der Zement direkt in den Defekt injiziert wird. Problematisch istdabei oftmals die Phasenseparation von fester und flüssigerZementphase (filter-pressing). Das beantragte Forschungsprojektbefasst sich daher im ersten Teil mit der Modifizierung der Rheologieund damit der Injizierbarkeit von CPCs durch oberflächenladungstransferierende Additive. Ein bruschit- sowie ein apatitbildender CPCwerden jeweils zur Einstellung einer geeigneten Rheologie mitPhytinsäure (IP6) bzw. Na-Phytat modifiziert. Die Chelatreaktion desIP6 mit Ca2+-Ionen aus der Zementlösung lässt zudem eineVerbesserung der mechanischen Eigenschaften der Zementeerwarten. Die Aushärtereaktion der Zemente wird mechanistischmittels Wärmeflusskalorimetrie, zeitaufgelöster XRD, in-situ 1H-NMR,FTIR bzw. RAMAN-Spektroskopie sowie zeitaufgelöstenFestigkeitsprüfungen untersucht, um ein detailliertes Verständnis desAushärtemechanismus mit IP6 als Additiv zu erzielen. In einemzweiten Projektansatz werden wasserbasierte, präfabrizierteZementpasten realisiert, deren Abbindereaktion durch das EnzymPyrophosphatase initiiert wird. Diese sind aufgrund ihrer einfachenklinischen Anwendbarkeit von hoher praktischer Relevanz. AlsModellsystem wird zunächst eine Suspension von alphaTricalciumphosphat in Wasser mit Pyrophosphationen als Inhibitor derHydratation untersucht. Die Hydratation wird dann durch Zugabe vonPyrophosphatase kontrolliert eingeleitet, wobei die inhibierenden Pyrophosphat- zu abbindebeschleunigenden Orthophosphationengespalteten werden. Auf Grundlage der daraus erzielten Ergebnissewird anschließend ein Struvit-bildender Magnesiumphosphat-Zementmit Zusatz von Seidenfibroin zur Zementflüssigkeit untersucht. DasSeidenfibroin sorgt durch seine Gelierung für außergewöhnlicheMaterialeigenschaften, die Injektion solcher Zementformulierungenwird jedoch durch die sehr schnelle Gelierung des Fibroins verhindert.Im vorliegenden Projekt wird daher als alternative Formulierung einewässrige Suspension von Mg3(PO4)2 mit gelöstemAmmoniumpyrophosphat und Seidenfibroin untersucht. Durch Zugabevon Pyrophosphatase soll ebenfalls Orthophosphat produziertwerden, welches die Bildung von Struvit sowie die Gelierung desSeidenfibroins kontrolliert einleiten soll. Abschließend ist diebiologische Charakterisierung der in dieser Studie entwickeltenZementkomposite durch in vitro Versuche mit osteoblastären undosteoklastären Zelllinien vorgesehen, um die Zytokompatibilität derKomposite und deren grundsätzliche Eignung für die medizinischeAnwendung sicherzustellen. Die im Projekt gewonnenen Erkenntnissesollen das Verständnis der Abbindereaktion von mineralischenKnochenzementen derart erweitern, dass zukünftig Eigenschaften wiedie Rheologie der Pasten sowie ein durch den Anwender stimuliertesAbbindeverhalten gezielter einstellbar sind.
Reaction Mechanisms in Ternary Based Building Chemistry Formulations (CSA-OPC-Anhydrite)
(Third Party Funds Single)Term: 1. March 2017 - 29. February 2020
Funding source: IndustrieZur Reduktion der CO2 Emissionen von Baustoffen wird der Ersatz von Calciumaluminatzementen durch CSA-Zemente erwogen. Im Mittelpunkt der Untersuchungen stehen ternäre Mischungen aus Portlandzement, CSA-Zement und Anhydrit. Diese Ettringit-bildenden Systeme werden im Baubereich für Fliesenkleber, Spachtelmassen, und Fugenmörtel eingesetzt. Die Erarbeitung eines grundlegendes Verständnis der Reaktionskinetik ermöglicht die Entwicklung neuer Produkte für hochspezialisierten Anwendungen.
The Evolution and Fossil Record of Parasitism: Identification and Macroevolution of Parasites
(Own Funds)Term: 15. February 2017 - 15. May 2021This two-volume edited book highlights and reviews the potential of the fossil record to calibrate the origin and evolution of parasitism, and the techniques to understand the development of parasite-host associations and their relationships with environmental and ecological changes. The book deploys a broad and comprehensive approach, aimed at understanding the origins and developments of various parasite groups, in order to provide a wider evolutionary picture of parasitism as part of biodiversity. This supplements contributions by parasitologists that mostly focus on extrapolating from current host associations or distributions, to estimate constraints on the timing of the origin and evolution of various parasite groups. This approach allows a wider evolutionary picture of parasitism on, and as part of, biodiversity.
Volume one focuses on identifying parasitism in the fossil record, and sheds light on the distribution and ecological importance of parasite-host interactions over time. In order to better understand the evolutionary history of parasites and their relationship with changes in the environment, emphasis is given to viruses, bacteria, protista and plants as parasites. Particular attention is given to metazoans such as molluscs, cnidarians, crustaceans and insects as parasites. Researchers, specifically parasitologists, interested in the evolutionary history of parasite-host interactions, as well as students studying parasitism will find this book appealing.CO2 LOSS FROM STREAMS IN EUROPEAN KARST SYSTEMS
(Third Party Funds Single)Overall project: CO2 LOSS FROM STREAMS IN EUROPEAN KARST SYSTEMS
Term: 1. February 2017 - 31. January 2019
Funding source: Individual Fellowships (IF)Growth and porosity of C-S-H phases, development of the `Sheet Growth Model` and coupling with experimental data (1H NMR, SEM)
(Third Party Funds Single)Term: 1. January 2017 - 31. March 2020
Funding source: DFG-Einzelförderung / Sachbeihilfe (EIN-SBH)The lack of understanding of the spatial arrangement (meso-structure) of the calcium-silicate-hydrate (C-S-H) phase in hydrated cement hinders innovation in cementitious materials which is needed to reduce their enormous environmental impact. The primary aim of this proposal is to develop an improved model of the C-S-H meso-structure (Sheet Growth Model``, developed by M. Etzold). This will allow us to use the sheet growth model to predict porosity of hydrated cementitious materials. The approach is to parametrise the Sheet Growth Model with data from Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR) relaxometry and from some other methods. This will lead to model structures with properties close to experimental observations. A key aspect is the simultaneous pursuit of the modelling and the experimental approach in a single research team. This approach ensures the realism of the model and enables the modelling in turn to provide guidance to the experiments. The initial project is concerned with fundamental developments. On the modelling side, modifications of the computer model required to model domains with sizes of about 1 µm will be implemented. In parallel, an SEM technique developed for clay materials will be transferred to hydrated cement paste, which will enable its imaging with unprecedented resolution. This is an important result on its own right due to the importance of SEM as a standard tool to characterise porosity in hydrated cement paste. Furthermore, some automatic data analysis tools will be implemented for the 1H NMR. In a second step, the improved experimental tools will be used to generate the results (shape and porosity information) needed to parametrise the model, first as a static model and in a second step as a dynamic model trying to mimic time-resolved hydration data. This combined approach provides the tools to image hydrated cement from the nano- to the millimetre scale and develop a 3D model for the pore space at this length scale. The close interaction between modelling and experimentalists is a key aspect of improving the fundamental understanding of cementitious materials. Thus, this project serves as an important starting point for the development of sustainable and innovative new materials.
Deep origins of marine trophic networks
(FAU Funds)Term: 1. January 2017 - 28. February 2018Constraining the deep origin of metazoan parasitism through integration of Evolutionary Parasitology and Molecular Paleobiology
(FAU Funds)Term: 1. January 2017 - 31. March 2018Behaviour of Igneous Systems and Metal endowment across Arcs
(Third Party Funds Single)Term: 1. January 2017 - 31. December 2019
Funding source: DFG-Einzelförderung / Sachbeihilfe (EIN-SBH)Rifting of arc crust may host large hydrothermal systems with the potential of forming large mineral deposits of economic relevance. The highly variable structural and magmatic conditions across arcs into the backarc environment provide a unique opportunity to investigate a large diversity of magmatic and hydrothermal systems (e.g., Hannington et al., 2005). Here, we aim at quantifying both the changes in the melting regime (physical conditions, melting and mantle sources) in the transition from arc front into backarc and the impact on metal potential. A direct contribution of magmatic volatiles to (ore-forming) hydrothermal fluids is known from island arc volcanoes but the general links between oxidation state, sulphur saturation and magmatic degassing on metal behaviour in silicate melts are still a matter of active debate. Jenner et al. (2010, 2015) pointed at the importance of the onset of magnetite crystallization for sulphur saturation and thus chalcophile element behaviour. However, their magnetite crisis may be restricted to specific physicochemical circumstances (such as closed system behaviour, oxidation state and melt composition etc.) and needs to be investigated in different magmatic systems (e.g., arc to backarc transition) and spatial resolution. Here, we are aiming at disentangling the influence of mantle sources and melting on the metal enrichment in melts and volatiles and the geological framework of pathways for melts and volatiles at a scale that is relevant to resource exploration. This project consists of two sub-projects, one with an emphasis on mantle sources, melting conditions and magmatic differentiation providing the basic framework and the other focused on seafloor geology (ascent paths and geodynamics) and the distinct behaviour of metals (especially Cu, Au and the so-called critical metals) and volatiles (H2O, CO2, Cl, S) in the melts. However, these two projects are closely linked (especially through the aspect of magma evolution), requiring close collaboration and frequent exchange. The focus of this study will be on the Tonga-Kermadec subduction system, where extensive sample material is readily available and two additional research cruises have been recently approved (ARCHIMEDES I and TongaRIFT).
Tectonic origin of the Troodos Ophiolite from three-dimensional geochemical mapping of the lava pile
(Third Party Funds Single)Term: 1. November 2016 - 31. October 2019
Funding source: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG)Ophiolites are often used to infer the internal structure of the oceanic crust and the processes by which it is formed, but most ophiolites were not formed in typical mid-ocean ridge settings. Instead, they appear to have formed close to former subduction zones, but the exact tectonic setting in which they were formed is debated. If ophiolites represent fore-arc crust formed during subduction initiation events, then they provide insights into the initiation of subduction zones, an outstanding unresolved question in plate tectonics. If ophiolites were formed in back-arc or plate edge settings they may represent useful analogues for the internal structure of oceanic crust. If they were formed at a ridge-trench-trench or ridge-trench-transform triple junction then they could be used to infer mantle wedge structure and processes. These tectonic models predict different geochemical variations in ophiolite lavas with space and time. We will map out the 3D gechemical structure of the Troodos Ophiolite of Cyprus, one of the best preserved an exposed ophiolites. We will use major and trace element microanaysis of fresh volcanic glass in order to avoid the effects of alteration. Detailed high resolution sampling of sections through the Troodos volcanic section on both the northern and southern margins of the ophiolite will be used to determine the chemical evolution of magmatism and test hypotheses for the tectonic origin of this ophiolite.
Reconstructing high-resolution paleoenvironmental contexts of hominin evolution through core records at Olduvai Gorge, Tanzania
(Non-FAU Project)Term: 1. September 2016 - 30. November 2019
Funding source: National Science Foundation (NSF)The environmental hypotheses of human evolution postulate that climate-derived environmental
changes and tectonic forcing were the driving factors of the evolution of African fauna, including
early humans. In these models, major evolutionary events were associated with African climate
change at 2.7-2.5 Ma, 1.9-1.6 Ma and 1-0.7 Ma intervals, which appear to coincide with the
timing of key evolutionary milestones in human history. Recent scientific drilling in various
paleolakes of the East African Rift has produced multiple high-resolution records of climate
variability, which can be used to reconstruct the regional climate history. However, previous
attempts to test the environmental hypotheses by applying this record directly to human evolution
have been limited by the difficulty of linking core records directly to time-equivalent outcrops
containing the fossil and archaeological record. We will therefore apply a novel approach
in archaeology - a combination of tephrostratigraphic and sequence stratigraphic concepts.Environmental and biotic controls on conodont body size and teeth morphology as proxies for their feeding ecology
(Third Party Funds Single)Term: 1. September 2016 - 31. August 2019
Funding source: DFG-Einzelförderung / Sachbeihilfe (EIN-SBH)Before the advent of jawed vertebrates, conodonts were the most abundant and diverse predators of early Palaeozoic oceans. Their phosphatic teeth abound in upper Cambrian through Triassic marine rocks. Thanks to their extraordinarily rapid morphological evolution, conodonts are established as a prime tool in biostratigraphy. Yet the feeding ecology that allowed this rapid diversification of food-processing structures remains unknown.The core question of this project is: How does conodont morphology reflect their trophic position, diet, and environmental conditions? This project will develop quantitative proxies to study conodont teeth and provide models of their variability in function of the abiotic environment (lithofacies) and biotic interactions (community structure). Teeth size will be quantified as a proxy for prey size, and thickness of the biomineralized tissue will be used as an indicator of durophagy. These parameters will be examined across well-documented environmental gradients in the middle Silurian carbonate succession of Gotland, Sweden. The project will allow distinguishing ecophenotypic variability from microevolutionary patterns. It will also identify the key controls on this variability by testing ecological models derived from other faunal groups, e.g. the relationship between body size structure in a community and the length of the trophic chain. These models will be independently tested by applying geochemical proxies for the trophic level of individual organisms. The project will provide a framework within which conodont morphological diversity across geological successions can be interpreted by partitioning it into ecophenotypic and evolutionary trends.
Late Permian to Early Triassic palaeo-pCO2 and high latitude palaeotemperature
(Third Party Funds Group – Sub project)Overall project: Temperature-related stresses as a unifying principle in ancient extinctions (TERSANE)
Term: 1. August 2016 - 31. October 2019
Funding source: DFG / Forschungsgruppe (FOR)Recent studies documented an 8° C temperature rise in low latitudes in the latest Permian. Temperatures continued to increase in the Early Triassic and potentially became inimical to life in low latitudes. High atmospheric CO2 levels in conjunction with high temperatures and anoxic conditions in large parts of the Worlds Early Triassic oceans may have been responsible for the protracted recovery in the aftermath of end-Permian mass extinction. However, to date, neither the atmospheric CO2 evolution nor temperature records from higher latitudes are available that could further constrain a causal link between high atmospheric CO2 levels, high to very high temperatures, the Late Permian mass extinction and the slow recovery in the Early Triassic. This study focuses on the reconstruction of atmospheric pCO2 levels and higher latitude temperatures for the latest Permian to early Middle Triassic in order to get a more comprehensive understanding of the latitudinal temperature evolution during this critical time interval. Carbon isotopes measured on carbonate palaeosols will be used to estimate palaeo-pCO2, higher latitude palaeotemperatures will be reconstructed from oxygen isotopes measured on conodont apatite. The temperature as well as pCO2 records will then be compared to palaeobiological patterns from lower and higher latitudes in order to assess the ecological selectivity of faunal responses to these two components of the deadly trio (temperature, CO2, and anoxia)
Body size dynamics of cephalopods across the Pliensbachian-Toarcian crisis
(Third Party Funds Group – Sub project)Overall project: Temperature-related stresses as a unifying principle in ancient extinctions (TERSANE)
Term: 1. August 2016 - 31. July 2019
Funding source: DFG / Forschungsgruppe (FOR)The reduction of body size within individual lineages is suggested to be one of the most important responses in the face of temperature-related stressors. Despite common suggestions of similar size changes around mass extinction events, the global significance as well as the mechanisms of this Lilliput effect are still controversial. This project aims at understanding the role of warming and associated stressors (anoxia) in driving body size changes of marine organisms in the Early Jurassic (Toarcian) crisis. We focus on cephalopods along a N/S-gradient of western Europe and northwestern Africa to explore patterns of body sizes from individual taxa to entire assemblages. Patterns will be explicitly analysed in the context of sedimentary facies, physico-chemical proxies and physiological predictions to test the correlation of body size with environmental parameters such as temperature, oxygenation and productivity/burial of organic carbon.
Temperature-induced stresses as a unifying principle in ancient extinctions (TERSANE)
(Third Party Funds Group – Sub project)Overall project: Temperature-induced stresses as a unifying principle in ancient extinctions (TISANE)
Term: 1. July 2016 - 31. July 2019
Funding source: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG)Temperature-related stresses as a unifying principle in ancient extinctions
(Third Party Funds Group – Sub project)Overall project: FOR 2332: Temperature-related stresses as a unifying principle in ancient extinctions (TERSANE)
Term: 1. July 2016 - 30. June 2019
Funding source: DFG / Forschungsgruppe (FOR)
URL: https://www.gzn.fau.de/palaeoumwelt/projects/tersane/index.htmlCombined with local and regional anthropogenic factors, current human-induced climate warming is thought to be a major threat to biodiversity. The ecological imprint of climate change is already visible on land and in the oceans. The imprint is largely manifested in demographic/abundance changes and phenological and distribution shifts, whereas only local extinctions are yet attributable to climate change with some confidence. This is expected to change in the near future owing to direct heat stress, shortage of food, mismatches in the timing of seasonal activities, geographic barriers to migration, and new biological interactions. Additional stressors are associated with climate warming in marine systems, namely acidification and deoxygenation. Ocean acidification is caused by the ocean's absorption of CO2 and deoxygenation is a result of warmer water, increased ocean stratification and upwelling of hypoxic waters. The combination of warming, acidification and deoxygenation is known as the "deadly trio". Temperature is the most pervasive environmental factor shaping the functional characteristics and limits to life and is also central to the generation and biological effects of hypoxic waters and to modulating the effects of ocean acidification, with and without concomitant hypoxia. Due to the key role of temperature in the interaction of the three drivers we termed these temperature-related stressors (TRS).
OLAPP Field Season for June 2016
(Third Party Funds Single)Term: 16. June 2016 - 7. July 2016
Funding source: andere FörderorganisationStabile Isotope von gelöstem Sauerstoff (DO) als dynamische Tracer für aerobische Umsätze in Grund- und Oberflächengewässern (IsoDO)
(Third Party Funds Single)Term: 1. June 2016 - 31. May 2019
Funding source: DFG-Einzelförderung / Sachbeihilfe (EIN-SBH)Ermittlung hydrogeologischer Eigenschaften inkl. des dezentralen Speicherpotentials für das Untersuchungsgebiet Weiden West IV
(Third Party Funds Single)Term: 1. January 2016 - 31. December 2016
Funding source: IndustrieWater and carbon stable isotopes in rivers as climate proxies in the Mediterranean
(Third Party Funds Single)Term: 1. January 2016 - 31. December 2017
Funding source: Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (DAAD)The Mediterranean Basin is located in the transition zone between west wind drift and the subtropical high-pressure belt. As reported by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and others, the western Mediterranean is one of the most prominent climate change hotspots in Europe and also worldwide. Located within this area, Corsica in the western Mediterranean is a site that will be potentially affected largely by any climatic variations in the future. This makes it extremely important to improve our understating of the dynamics of the hydrologic cycle and water recharge at the island of Corsica. Ideal tools to study such processes are environmental tracers. This joint project will ideally combine analytical capabilities and scientific knowledge to receive a better understanding of the aquatic system and the driving processes. This will ultimately lead to a better knowledge about the water resources of the island and its role in the global carbon cycle.
Biotic consequences of temperature-related stresses across temporal scales
(Third Party Funds Group – Sub project)Overall project: Temperature-related stresses as a unifying principle in ancient extinctions (TERSANE)
Term: since 1. January 2016
Funding source: DFG / Forschungsgruppe (FOR)Understanding the physiological constraints of extant species is of critical importance to interpret ancient responses to temperature-related stresses (TRS). Likewise, anticipating the biotic responses to current climate change will benefit from an analysis of biotic responses observed in the geological past. Embedded in the Research Unit TERSANE we propose a project, which explicitly combines neontological and paleontological approaches to assess the consequences of warming, ocean acidification, and various degrees of hypoxia for marine life. The project focuses on the compilation and analysis of large datasets and has three main components: (1) A meta-analysis of (a) extant organisms will summarize experimental and observational data on responses and critical limits of marine organisms to quantify the sensitivities of higher, fossilizable taxa to warming, ocean acidification, and hypoxia and their synergies, and (b) a meta-analysis of fossil observations will focus on assessing the veracity of the Lilliput effect, the reduction of body sizes in the aftermath of mass extinctions, which is sometimes thought to be related to TRS. (2) The analysis of primary occurrence data from the fossil record will evaluate the physiological and biogeographic selectivity of the end-Permian and Early Jurassic extinction events to test if the physiological principles derived from modern observations scale up to selective extinction risk in the face of extreme climate change. (3) The assessment of ancient rates of climate and environmental changes from local sections is critical to test if these rates were genuinely lower than over the last 50 years, or if the apparently lower rates observed in the past are just statistical artifacts due to the different time scales. A scaling-adjusted rate estimate will help making our findings relevant for modern climate change ecology. These three components will finally be integrated to evaluate the commonality of patterns and eco-physiological selectivity of extinctions as visible in paleo- and extant data.
"SondEX“ Entwicklung eines kleinkalibrigen Verfahrens zum Rückbau von Erdwärmesonden
(Third Party Funds Group – Overall project)Term: 1. January 2016 - 31. December 2017
Funding source: Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Technologie (BMWi)Innovative Building Materials with Low Carbon Footprint Based on Rapid Setting Sulphoaluminate Cement
(Third Party Funds Single)Term: 1. January 2016 - 31. December 2017
Funding source: Industrie, andere Förderorganisation
URL: http://www.bacatec.de/de/gefoerderte_projekte.htmlInfluences of high reliefs on isotope hydrology and coupled climate proxies
(Third Party Funds Single)Term: since 1. January 2016
Funding source: DFG-Einzelförderung / Sachbeihilfe (EIN-SBH)
URL: http://www.corsicarchive.deClimate proxies such as tree rings rely on stable isotope ratios for the reconstruction of palaeoclimatic conditions. Such information then allow the calibration of models that evaluate and predict ongoing and future effects of global climate change. According to model predictions, the western Mediterranean is a region that will face severe climatic changes. Therefore, the island of Corsica in that region has been the target for palaeoclimate reconstructions by means of dendrochronology and stable isotopes. However, the oxygen stable isotope results from Corsican pines could not yet be interpreted satisfactorily. The oxygen stable isotope values (delta18O) of tree rings mainly depend on the oxygen isotope ratio of local precipitation and soil water. The precipitation delta18O values vary according to temperature, altitude and the moisture source area. Such parameters are determined nowadays rather precise but need to be assumed for the past. An important isotope effect is the so-called altitude effect that describes the relation of the delta18O value of precipitation and altitude. The large global network of isotopes in precipitation (GNIP) database of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) allows for a good regional estimate of isotope effects. However, things become more difficult in regions with high and steep mountain reliefs. Some latest publications suggest that the altitude gradient is absent in such regions during specific seasons. The reason for that observation could be seasonal height variations of the atmospheric planetary boundary layer (PBL). This isotope hydrology proposal is part of the project package CorsicArchive that also consists of interlinking proposals for climate, dendroisotopes and dendroecology. It is planned to install and regularly sample nine isotope precipitation samplers along an east-west altitudinal transect. This proposal will specifically explore the dynamics of the PBL and the isotope altitude effect. Additional questions relate to moisture source of air masses and the local moisture recycling within the islands hydrologic cycle. Furthermore, soil water and surface water analyses are planned to trace and quantify changes of the delta18O values along the pathway of water to the tree rings. The approach of this proposal aims to fill the gaps in the current knowledge of isotope hydrology of high reliefs and will finally lead to a more robust interpretation of related climate proxies in a climate change sensitive region. With respect to the current climate change, it is essential to understand climatic variations and its triggers in the past to better predict future changes.
Charakterisierung, Langzeitverhalten und Engineering des Reservoirs zur Minimierung des Fündigkeitsrisikos
(Third Party Funds Group – Sub project)Overall project: Geothermie-Allianz Bayern (GAB)
Term: 1. January 2016 - 31. December 2020
Funding source: Bayerisches Staatsministerium für Bildung und Kultus, Wissenschaft und Kunst (ab 10/2013)Das bayerische Molassebecken ist bislang das einzige Vorlandbecken weltweit aus dem erfolgreich geothermisch Strom und Wärme produziert wird. Die Machbarkeit der geothermischen Energiegewinnung aus niederen Temperaturen von etwa 150°C ist damit bewiesen und die Geothermie hat damit das Potenzial, einen wesentlichen Anteil des Energiebedarfs in Bayern regenerativ abzudecken.
Die Erfahrungen aus den bisherigen installierten oder in der Entwicklung befindlichen Geothermiefeldern zeigen aber auch, dass wesentliche Fragen in der geothermischen Technologienentwicklung bislang nicht geklärt werden konnten. So sind für die Planung und Durchführung von Geothermie-Projekte hohe Investitionen notwendig, die insbesondere am Beginn des Projekts durch die Niederbringung der Bohrungen erforderlich sind. Ob und in welchem Maße ein Geothermie-Projekt wirtschaftlich erfolgreich ist hängt unmittelbar mit Risiken bei der geologischen Erschließung und deren Fündigkeit zusammen. So entstanden
in der Vergangenheit durch nicht erfolgreiche Bohrungen bzw. dem Verfehlen von wirtschaftlich
gesetzten Zielen bei Geothermie-Projekten Unsicherheiten für Investoren, Versicherer
und Betreiber. Eine optimierte Explorationsstrategie und ein verbessertes Verständnis der hydrogeologischen und thermischen Ausprägung des Reservoirs sollen das Bohr- und Fündigkeitsrisiken senken, die Planungssicherheit erhöhen und damit die Attraktivität der Geothermie für Investoren steigern. Die Kenntnis des langfristigen dynamischen Verhaltens des Reservoirs bezüglich der nutzbaren Volumenströme und thermischen Entwicklung bietet zudem eine höhere Sicherheit für die Planung der Wirtschaftlichkeit geothermischer Anlagen und Optimierungsmöglichkeiten ihrer Betriebsweise.Eine systematische wissenschaftliche Begleitung von Geothermieprojekten und die daraus zu gewinnenden Rückschlüsse auf das Reservoir und deren Fündigkeit bis hin zu einem Testfeld für
geothermische Technologienentwicklung, die von der Erkundung und Bohrung bis zur Reservoir-
Evaluierung und dem Reservoir-Engineering reicht, fehlen bislang. Das vorliegende Forschungsprojekt soll diese relevanten Fragestellungen aufgreifen und beantworten.Die übergeordneten Ziele des vorliegenden Projektes sind das Risiko für eine geothermische Fündigkeit im süddeutschen Molassebecken zu reduzieren und Unsicherheiten des Reservoir-Engineering und des geothermischen Langzeitbetriebs einzuschränken und somit den Betrieb zu optimieren.Masterstudiengang "GeoThermie/GeoEnergie"
(Third Party Funds Group – Sub project)Overall project: Geothermie-Allianz Bayern (GAB)
Term: 1. January 2016 - 31. December 2021
Funding source: Bayerisches Staatsministerium für Bildung und Kultus, Wissenschaft und Kunst (ab 10/2013)
URL: https://www.geoenergy.nat.fau.de/studium/In Bayern gibt es bisher keinen Studiengang, der auf Geothermie/Geoenergieressourcen fokussiert ist und relevante Lehrinhalte ganzheitlich - von der Aufsuchung und Erschließung bis zur energetischen Nutzung und Speicherung der Ressource - an Studierende vermittelt. Die an den beiden Standorten TU München und FAU Erlangen vorhandenen Lehr- und Forschungskompetenzen sollen durch die Einrichtung eines in der Verantwortung der FAU liegenden interdisziplinären Master-Studiengangs "GeoThermie/GeoEnergie" zusammengeführt und und inhaltlich ergänzt werden. Dies erfordert einen personellen Ausbau der Fachrichtungen I) Seismische Interpretation & Untergrund-Modellierung und II) Reservoirgeologie & Geohydraulik.
Für den Master-Studiengang "GeoThermie/GeoEnergie" wird ein interdisziplinärer Ansatz angestrebt:
Neben der geowissenschaftlichen Komponente soll auch die technische Erschließung
und energietechnische Nutzung von geothermischen Reservoiren, ergänzt durch energiewirtschaftliche
und berg-/umweltrechtliche Aspekte behandelt werden. Somit kann den Studierenden
sowohl das angestrebte ganzheitliche Systemverständnis als auch das einem modernen
Anforderungsprofil der Energiewirtschaft entsprechende Methodenspektrum vermittelt werden.
Die den Studierenden vermittelten Methoden sind jedoch keinesfalls nur auf Anwendungen in
der Geothermie beschränkt, sondern auch auf sehr viele andere, das Verständnis des tieferen
geologischen Untergrunds betreffende Fragestellungen (z.B. Gas-, Fluid- und
Wärmespeicherung) direkt übertragbar.FOR 2332: Temperature-related stresses as a unifying principle in ancient extinctions (TERSANE)
(Third Party Funds Group – Overall project)Term: since 1. January 2016
Funding source: DFG / Forschungsgruppe (FOR)Anthropogenic global warming is regarded as a major threat to species and ecosystems worldwide. Predicting the biological impacts of future warming is thus of critical importance. The geological record provides several examples of mass extinctions and global ecosystem pertubations in which temperature-related stresses are thought to have played a substantial role. These catastrophic natural events are potential analogues for the consequences of anthropogenic warming but the Earth system processes during these times are still unexplored, especially in terms of their ultimate trigger and the extinction mechanisms. The Research Unit TERSANE aims at assessing the relative importance of warming-related stresses in ancient mass extinctions and at evaluating how these stresses emerged under non-anthropogenic conditions. An interdisciplinary set of projects will combine high-resolution geological field studies with meta-analyses and sophisticated analysis of fossil occurrence data on ancient (suspect) hyperthermal events to reveal the rate and magnitude of warming, their potential causes, their impact on marine life, and the mechanisms which led to ecologic change and extinction. Geochemistry, analytical paleobiology and physiology comprise our main toolkit, supplemented by biostratigraphy, sedimentology, and modelling.
Cheap and efficient application of reliable Ground Source Heat Exchangers and Pumps
(Third Party Funds Group – Sub project)Overall project: LCE-03-2014 - Demonstration of renewable electricity and heating/cooling technologies
Term: 1. June 2015 - 31. May 2019
Funding source: EU - 8. Rahmenprogramm - Horizon 2020
URL: http://cheap-gshp.eu/To reduce the total cost of low enthalpy geothermal systems by 20-30 % the project will improve actual drilling/installation technologies and designs of Ground Source Heat Exchangers (GSHE’s). This will be combined with an holistic approach for optimum selection, design and implementation of complete systems across different underground and climate conditions. The proposal will focus on one hand on the development of more efficient and safe shallow geothermal systems and the reduction of the installation costs. This will be realized by improving drastically an existing, innovative vertical borehole installation technology of coaxial steel GSHE and by developing a helix type GSHE with a new, innovative installation methodology. These GSHE’s will be installed to a depth of 40 – 50 meters ensuring improved safety and faster permitting.
Entwicklung neuartiger Porenbetonsteine - Analytik und Beratung
(Third Party Funds Single)Term: 1. May 2015 - 30. April 2016
Funding source: IndustrieExploring biodiversity evolution in tropical seas based on comparisons of the Triassic fauna of the Cassian Formation with modern faunas
(Third Party Funds Single)Term: since 1. May 2015
Funding source: DFG-Einzelförderung / Sachbeihilfe (EIN-SBH)The Triassic Cassian Formation yields an exceptionally diverse marine tropical invertebrate fauna offering a largely unbiased assessment of the complexity and biodiversity of early Mesozoic ecosystems. The fauna consist of various assemblages from different localities and paleoenvironments, which vary strongly in terms of diversity and composition. Fossil preservation is usually exceptional including primary aragonite and a rich fauna of small species. Based on standardized large-scale bulk-sampling, we want to assess the true within and between community biodiversity, ecological complexity, taxonomic structure, and size distribution of Triassic tropical shallow water assemblages. Comparisons with assemblages of Recent and Quaternary tropical settings will be used to assess biological changes in diversity and complexity over more than 200 million years of evolution. By comparison with modern samples and existing datasets representing diagenetically more strongly altered (`normal´) fossil assemblages, the effect of taphonomy on preserved diversity, size distribution and ecological structure can be tested. Many of the groups, which are highly diverse in recent tropical faunas (e.g., heterodont bivalves and neogastropods) radiated not before the Cretaceous. We aim at testing if similarly diverse and ecologically dominant clades were present in the Triassic or if diversity was more evenly spread among higher taxa.Improving Thermal Efficiency of horizontal ground heat exchangers (Marie Sklodowska-Curie Individual Fellowship)
(Third Party Funds Single)Term: since 1. April 2015
Funding source: Marie-Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)Understanding the Neoproterozoic geodynamics of NW India: clues from tectonomagmatic studies of the Cryogenian Sindreth Basin at the eastern Malani Igneous Province
(Third Party Funds Single)Term: 1. January 2015 - 1. August 2017
Funding source: DFG-Einzelförderung / Sachbeihilfe (EIN-SBH)The 770 to 750 Ma Malani Igneous Suite (MIS) in NW India is regarded as one of the largest (>50.000 km2) felsic igneous provinces in the world. Its geodynamics in the context of break-up history of Rodinia and subsequent amalgamation of continental blocks to form Gondwana has been attempted in a number of recent studies but not resolved yet and contrasting models (plume-, rift-, subduction-, mantle delamination- related) have been proposed. Coeval (765 to 767 Ma) small basins (Sindreth, Punargath) situated along the eastern margin of the MIS show overlap in ages, therefore, the order of geological events cannot be established in these basins. Existing models of basin formation propose active subduction setting (either back-arc basin or accretionary sediments over a subduction zone) and implications have been discussed in the context of global crustal dynamics. Reconnaissance studies by our German-Indian research group have noted field geological evidence and collected data that clearly contradict such interpretations. Instead of an inferred ocean floor setting for the Sindreth Basin we have observed conglomerate, fanglomerate, debris flow and lake deposits derived from the nearby continental provenance, intercalated with mafic and felsic lava flows. The sequence is unmetamorphosed but shows tilting (inversion) and faulting. Our reconnaissance findings indicate a fault-related basin formation. Preliminary magnetic fabric studies point to intrusion of felsic dykes (MIS sensu stricto) into this inverted basin. These findings need to be substantiated through a detailed field and laboratory work that would allow establishing a model of basin formation and basin inversion. Magnetic fabric studies combined with measurements of natural remanent magnetization will provide constraints for deciphering the geometric interrelationship of basin inversion and the MIS. Satellite pictures will be evaluated to resolve the relationship between faulting and ascent of magma on a larger areal scale. The Sindreth Basin and its surrounding area represent a transition zone between the undeformed MIS sensu stricto in the west and corridor of coeval Cryogenian ductile deformation, anatexis and granite intrusion in the east, main target of our research in the last years. The latter region has been linked to Neoproterozoic age magmatic belts and shear zones in Madagascar and south India, thus underlining the global significance of this region.The role of mixing processes in andesite genesis - deep sediment recycling versus shallow crustal contamination
(Third Party Funds Single)Term: since 1. January 2015
Funding source: DFG-Einzelförderung / Sachbeihilfe (EIN-SBH)Andesites are the typical volcanic rocks at active continental margins and the average continental crust has an andesitic composition. Many andesitic magmas form by complex mixing processes involving sedimentary material that is either subducted into the mantle wedge or may be assimilated in the crust by the ascending magma. The Aegean arc represents the subduction zone with one of the highest sediment recycling rates on Earth and the magmas show whole-rock geochemical evidence of a significant sediment contribution. In order to define the depths of the magma sources and the mixing processes we suggest to study the major and trace element as well as Sr-Nd-Hf-Pb-O isotope composition of minerals like olivine, amphibole, clinopyroxene, and plagioclase and potential glass inclusions in lavas from the Methana/Aegina volcanoes in the Aegean arc. The mineral phases allow insights into the mixing processes of different end-members at different depths that can be determined by thermo-barometry. The Methana/Aegina lavas are well-suited for such a case study because they are geochemically well-described and variable with extreme compositions of the mixing end-members and they contain abundant mineral phases.Quantification of the strength forming-phase in cementitious materials (C-S-H)
(Third Party Funds Single)Term: 1. January 2015 - 31. March 2019
Funding source: DFG-Einzelförderung / Sachbeihilfe (EIN-SBH)Aim of the research project is the development of an analysis method to quantitatively determine the concentration of the calcium-silicate-hydrate-phase (C-S-H-phase) of mineral building materials. The C-S-H-phase is the strength-forming phase of cementitious materials as concrete and many mortars. Due to the importance of these materials one can say that our built environment to a large extent is based on C-S-H. The quantitative analysis of this phase is up to now restricted to strongly simplified model systems. The possibility to quantitatively analyze this phase in real materials is of great importance for the optimization of building materials, as well as for the assessments of damage processes. Within the project an analysis method based on ATR-FT infrared spectroscopy is supposed to be developed. The preliminary investigations lead to the hypothesis that with the planned methodology any cement paste, as well as concrete and mortar with quartz as aggregate, can be analyzed without extensive pretreatment. In this way real concrete and mortar whose C-S-H-phase can be analyzed quantitatively are producible in the laboratory. In the construction practice concrete contains also many other mineral in the aggregate. This makes it necessarily to separate aggregate and binder as an additional preparation step before the analysis. Methodology and limiting conditions of the analysis procedure are supposed to be examined within the project in detail.Programm zur Förderung von Institutspartnerschaften
(Third Party Funds Single)Term: 1. January 2015 - 30. June 2017
Funding source: Alexander von Humboldt-Stiftung“GeoSurf” – Neuentwicklung eines Messsystems zur Ermittlung geothermischer Bodenkenngrößen zur effizienteren Planung von oberflächennahen geothermischen Anlagen
(Third Party Funds Group – Sub project)Overall project: “GeoSurf” – Neuentwicklung eines Messsystems zur Ermittlung geothermischer Bodenkenngrößen zur effizienteren Planung von oberflächennahen geothermischen Anlagen
Term: 1. January 2015 - 31. December 2016
Funding source: Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Technologie (BMWi)Untersuchung und Modellierung der Hydratation von Tricalciumsilikat
(Third Party Funds Single)Term: 1. December 2014 - 30. June 2018
Funding source: DFG-Einzelförderung / Sachbeihilfe (EIN-SBH)Die Herstellung von Zement ist einer der wichtigsten anthropogenen Massenströme. Seit 2010 werden mehr als 3 Milliarden Tonnen jährlich hergestellt und verbraucht. Der Herstellungsprozess trägt mit ca. 7 % zur gesamten vom Menschen verursachten Kohlendioxidemission bei und ist darüber hinaus mit einem hohen Primärenergieverbrauch verbunden. Das Material Beton - dessen Basis der Zement ist - ist der wichtigste Werkstoff für die Erstellung von Bauwerken.Trotz der großen Bedeutung des Materials sind die Kenntnisse über die Reaktionen beim Abbinden des Zementes unzureichend. Ein Verständnis der Zusammenhänge würde eine Senkung von herstellungsbedingten Umweltbelastungen und die Entwicklung von hochleistungsfähigen Bindemitteln und Betonen ermöglichen. Im Bereich der Grundlagenforschung wird besonders kontrovers diskutiert, ob am Anfang der Hydratation eine Hülle aus einem metastabilen Reaktionsprodukt um die Zement- bzw. Tricalciumsilikatpartikel gebildet wird, welche die Kinetik der weiteren Reaktionsstadien entscheidend beeinflusst. Wenn die genannte Theorie zutreffend ist, lassen sich direkt Maßnahmen ableiten, die eine deutliche Reduktion von Kohlendioxidemissionen und Primärenergieverbrauch bei der Zementherstellung ermöglichen.Die Untersuchung der Hüllenbildung auf der Oberfläche soll mit einem neuartigen Verfahren der Instrumentellen Analytik erfolgen, der sogenannten Atomsonde. Damit kann die chemische Zusammensetzung von amorphen und kristallinen Substanzen untersucht werden, wobei auch die Lage der einzelnen Atome und somit die Struktur der untersuchten Probe auf der Nanoebene erfasst wird. Der Zugang zu dieser Methode erfolgt im Rahmen einer Kooperation mit Prof. Derk Joester von der Northwestern University in Chicago (USA).Parallel dazu werden weitere hochspezialisierte Methoden der Zementchemie verwendet, um das Reaktionsverhalten von Tricalciumsilikat zu untersuchen. Dies sind quantitative Röntgenbeugungsanalyse mit Rietveld-gestützter G-Faktorauswertung, Wärmeleitungskalorimetrie, Messung der Ionenkonzentrationen in der Porenlösung, Thermoanalyse, 29Si- Kernresonanzspektroskopie, Elektronenmikroskopie und Oberflächenmessungen. Mit Hilfe der gewonnen Daten kann der zeitliche Verlauf der Konzentration aller beteiligten Phasen (Tricalciumsilikat, intermediäre Phase, geordnete C-S-H Phase, Portlandit, Porenlösung) bestimmt werden und es liegen Informationen über die chemische und strukturelle Zusammensetzung und spezifische Oberfläche dieser Phasen zu definierten Zeitpunkten vor. Diese Ergebnisse erlauben eine quantitative Modellierung der Hydratation. Unter Verwendung von Modellen aus der Physikalischen Chemie sollen alle Teilprozesse (Auflösung, Keimbildung, Wachstum) und Stadien (Initialreaktion, Induktionsperiode, Haupthydratation) berechnet werden. Aufbauend auf diese Ergebnisse werden mit Hilfe von Berechnungen und experimentellen Arbeiten neue Möglichkeiten zur Beeinflussung der Hydratationskinetik untersucht.Long-term Hydration of Calcium-Aluminate-Cement
(Third Party Funds Single)Term: 1. December 2014 - 30. August 2019
Funding source: IndustrieBiogeographic and community response of reef corals to Pleistocene interglacial warming
(Third Party Funds Single)Term: since 1. September 2014
Funding source: DFG-Einzelförderung / Sachbeihilfe (EIN-SBH)How does preferential flow influence carbon transport and changes between DIC, DOC and POC? Advances with combined modeling and stable isotope approaches (Pref-Carb-Flow)
(Third Party Funds Single)Term: since 1. July 2014
Funding source: DFG-Einzelförderung / Sachbeihilfe (EIN-SBH)In a joint effort between the Department of Hydraulics and Hydrology (DHH), at the Faculty of Civil Engineering (FCE) at the Czech Technical University in Prague (CTU) and the chair of Applied Geology at the University of Erlangen, the role of CO2, dissolved inorganic and organic as well as particulate organic carbon (DIC, DOC and POC) turnover and transport will be investigated with particular focus on preferential flow and its modeling. The study area is the Uhlirska Catchment in the Jizera Mountains of the Czech Republic that lies in a granitic bedrock environment and thus covers an acid-sensitive terrain that has strongly variable --and so far poorly constrained -- carbon dynamics. The latter are caused by active acid weathering, partial cover by peats and other carbon-rich soils. The work proposed here is highly complementary to a parallel submission by partners from CTU to the Czech Science Foundation (GACR) (Subsurface transport of water, carbon and heat - combined hydrological, geochemical and isotopic approach). This is because newly developed models for this test area can quantify flow paths and were calibrated with stable isotopes of water. They are thus an ideal foundation for expansion to carbon cycle investigations with associated isotope distributions, residence times and the most important compartments of storage and turnover in the catchment. Furthermore historic and new data as well infrastructure, field- and laboratory efforts will be shared between the involved research groups via this approach.Paleobiodiversity and community structures of Lagerstätten during the Late Paleozoic Ice Age and the response of the marine benthic invertebrate fauna to global cooling
(Third Party Funds Single)Term: since 1. July 2014
Funding source: DFG-Einzelförderung / Sachbeihilfe (EIN-SBH)Paleo-biodiversity studies have become of increasing interest and numerous manuscripts have been published dealing with global diversity trends throughout the Phanerozoic. However, data used in these studies mostly derive from databases that may contain various biases and therefore distort statistical analysis. Moreover, Fossil Lagerstätten are commonly excluded although the quality of preservation and information is much better than in other deposits - fossil assemblages from Lagerstätten reflect the composition of former living communities to a much higher degree.The Phanerozoic is marked by two long-term cooling events. One of these is the Late Paleozoic Ice Age (LPIA) with its major onset in the middle to late Mississippian (Lower Carboniferous) and ending in the mid-Sakmarian (Permian). This project focuses on the paleo-biodiversity during the Upper Carboniferous (Pennsylvanian), i.e. during a large part of the LPIA. Instead of purely using information from databases three fossil Lagerstätten (here Lagerstätten is used in terms of exceptionally preserved fauna; e.g. original shell material, color patterns, delicate ornamentation, minute larval shells) are sampled. These localities were influenced by the glacio-eustatic regime during the LPIA and are, from the American Midcontinent, the Finis Shale (Virgilian) and the Buckhorn Asphalt Quarry (Desmoinesian) and, from the Appalachian Basin, the Kendrick Shale (Morrowan).One objective of this project is to study true biodiversities and ecological structures within deposits of exceptionally preserved fossils based on the fact that such deposits depict a more complete image of the original fossil assemblage than other localities. Stanley & Powell (2003) found that during the Pennsylvanian the rates of origination and extinction were depressed and that the global biodiversity remained relatively stable, whereas Alroy et al. (2008) found a general decrease in this period. Therefore, as the second objective, it will be tested if these previous results are visible in Lagerstätten from the Pennsylvanian as well: Do we also see depressed origination and extinction rates or decreasing biodiversity or are the results presented by Stanley & Powell (2003) and Alroy et al. (2008) caused by biases in their data, as for example by faunas of less quality of preservation? Furthermore, diversity dynamics will be studied by analyzing the Carboniferous-Permian faunal turnover. Which taxa control the diversities? The local marine paleo-temperatures within each profile will be investigated. Isotope-analyses will be carried out for the Finis Shale, the Buckhorn Asphalt Quarry, and the Kendrick Shale. Temperature and diversity will be cross correlated to shed light on the relation of temperature and biodiversity during the LPIA to answer the question 'How does the living environment react to global cooling?'.
Bayerisches Landesamt für Umwelt: „Georisiken im Klimawandel - Gefahrenhinweiskarte Alpenvorland Phase II“
(Third Party Funds Single)Term: 1. June 2014 - 31. December 2016
Funding source: Bayerisches Landesamt für UmweltRekonstruktion der mittel-und obertriassischen Paleotemperaturgeschichte mittels Sauerstoffisotopenanalysen an Conodontenapatit
(Third Party Funds Single)Term: since 1. March 2014
Funding source: DFG-Einzelförderung / Sachbeihilfe (EIN-SBH)Nach dem größten Aussterbeereignis der Erdgeschichte an der Perm-Trias Grenze, kam es in der Triaszeit wird zu einer ökologischen Reorganisation. Während die Biodiversität in der frühen Trias noch sehr gering war, zudem weder Kohlen noch Cherts und so gut wie keine Metazoenriffe aus der frühen Trias bekannt sind, erfolgte in der Mittel- bis Obertrias eine deutliche Zunahme in der Biodiversität. So wurden z.B. zooxanthellate Steinkorallen (Scleractinia) in der Obertrias zu den wichtigsten riffbildenden Organismen. In einer kürzlich abgeschlossenen und in Science publizierten Studie konnten wir zeigen, dass die Paläotemperaturen in den niedrigen Breiten während der Untertrias sehr hoch waren, in einzelnen Zeitabschnitten (Smithian/Spathian) sogar 40° C überschritten haben. In dem beantragten Projekt soll die Temperaturentwicklung in der mittleren und späten Trias dokumentiert und mit den bereits für die Untertrias vorliegenden Daten eine Temperaturkurve für die gesamte Trias erstellt werden. Die Paläotemperaturen sollen anhand von Sauerstoffisotopenanalysen an Conodontenapatit ermittelt werden. Geländearbeiten sind in Italien (Sizilien, Lombardei) und China (Yunnan, Guizhou) vorgesehen. Um potentielle Änderungen im Kohlenstoffkreislauf aufzeigen zu können, sollen begleitend Kohlenstoffisotopenanalysen an Karbonaten bzw. am sedimentären organischen Kohlenstoff durchgeführt werden. Anhand der hochauflösenden Temperaturkurve sollen folgende zentrale Fragestellungen beantwortet bzw. folgende Hypothesen getestet werden: (i) Waren die Temperaturen in der Mittel- bzw. Obertrias vergleichbar zu den sehr hohen Temperaturen in der Untertrias oder kam es in der Mitteltrias zu einer deutlichen klimatischen Abkühlung? Falls es zu einer Abkühlung kam, wie war der Temperaturverlauf und damit die klimatische Entwicklung in der Mittel- bzw. Obertrias? (ii) Ist die Diversifikation in der Mittel- bis Obertrias die Folge einer klimatischen Abkühlung? (iii) War das Carnian Pluvial Event ein globales Event und ist es mit einer Klimaänderung zu erklären? Wir gehen davon aus, dass der zu erstellende Temperaturrekord zu einem wesentlich besseren Verständnis der Entwicklung in der Trias wie z.B. der verzögerten Recovery nach dem Perm-Trias Massensterben beitragen wird.Interpretation der Reflexionsseismik
(Third Party Funds Group – Sub project)Overall project: SO231 - PAGE FOUR Leg1: Der passive und der gescherte Kontinentrand vor Mosambik
Term: 1. January 2014 - 28. August 2016
Funding source: BMBF / VerbundprojektThe magmatic and geochemical evolution of oceanic intraplate volcanoes: constraints from the Louisville Seamounts (IODP Leg 330) and other Pacific hotspots
(Third Party Funds Group – Sub project)Overall project: SPP 527: Bereich Infrastruktur - Integrated Ocean Drilling Program/Ocean Drilling Program
Term: since 1. October 2013
Funding source: DFG / Schwerpunktprogramm (SPP)The volcanoes of long-lived, age-progressive seamount chains are likely the result of mantle plumes rising from the upper and possibly even lower mantle underneath moving lithosphere plates. The volcanoes evolve through distinct stages from a shield-building to a post-shield or even post-erosional stages over a period of several millions of years. Typically, the major element compositions range from tholeiitic to SiO2-undersaturated magmas with decreasing age of the lava. The geochemical variability observed is influenced by changes of depth and degree of partial melting but may also be influenced by the mineralogical and geochemical composition of the mantle source. These parameters likely depend on the positioning of the mantle plume relative to the lithospheric plate. The impact of mantle plume temperature, dynamics and composition on these geochemical changes is only poorly understood. This project aims at analysing volcanic glasses and olivines from seamounts of the Louisville Seamount Chain (IODP Leg 330) and other Pacific Hotspots ((Macdonald, Society, Pitcairn, Juan Fernandez) to investigate the compositional variability of primitive melts erupted on old, fast moving lithosphere. The samples are readily available in Erlangen and Kiel. The composition of the glasses allows to better constrain the composition of the primary melt compared to whole rock analyses. In addition, the O isotope composition of glasses and olivines from different hotspots will be measured to determine the O isotope variability in mantle plumes. Combined with published ages and geochemical data this is the first systematic study on the variability of mantle melts in different hotspot settings and its relationship with the mantle plume positioning relative to the lithospheric plate.OPC-CAC Investigations
(Third Party Funds Single)Term: 1. July 2013 - 31. December 2016
Funding source: IndustrieVolcanism and hydrothermal venting in the Coriolis Basins, New Hebrides Island Arc
(Third Party Funds Single)Term: 1. June 2013 - 31. May 2015
Funding source: Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung (BMBF)Junges Rifting (< 3 Ma) im südlichen Neue Hebriden Inselbogen erzeugte drei vulkanische und hydrothermal aktive Becken im Coriolis Becken, in denen z.T. alkaline Magmen mit Anreicherungen an Nb und Ta auftreten. Weiterhin zeigt der Vanuatu Inselbogen eine starke Dynamik mit einem Umspringen der vulkanischen Aktivität weiter nach Osten. Durch das Rifting wurden tiefe Bereiche des Inselbogens freigelegt, die offenbar bis 7 Ma alt sind. Eine detaillierte stratigraphische Beprobung dieser Riftflanken und der jungen Vulkane im südlichen Inselbogen und im Backarc ermöglichen daher einmalige Möglichkeiten zur Entwicklung der Magmen, ihres Aufstiegs und ihrer Quellen in den letzten 7 Ma. Drei Vorkommen von hydrothermalen Quellen bzw. Präzipitaten wurden in den Coriolis Troughs bisher beschrieben aber nicht detailliert untersucht. Mit einem ROV sollen die zeitliche und chemische Variabilität zwischen Magmengenese, Vulkanismus und Hydrothermalismus im Gebiet der Coriolis Becken untersucht werden. Von Bedeutung sind Fragen der lithologischen Kontrolle durch volatilreiche, alkaline Magmen und Einflüsse vulkanischer Entwicklung auf metallogenetische Prozesse sowie der Fluiddynamik und –entwicklung. Die Auswirkung unterschiedlicher Wassertiefen auf die Entgasungsprozesse und Zusammensetzung hydrothermaler Fluide steht dabei im Vordergrund. Ein weiterer Schwerpunkt liegt in der Untersuchung der kleinräumigen Variabilität magmatischer Differenziation im Inselbogen und deren Rückkopplung auf Metallfraktionierung und hydrothermale Aktivität. Von biologischer Seite steht das Verständnis der Kontrolle der Habitate sowie der Faunenverteilung und -zusammensetzung an hydrothermalen Austritten im Vordergrund.
Starkregen-Überflutungs-Schutz in Kommunen (SÜS-Kom)
(Third Party Funds Group – Sub project)Overall project: Starkregen-Überflutungs-Schutz in Kommunen (SÜS-Kom)
Term: since 1. March 2013
Funding source: AIF Arbeitsgemeinschaft industrieller ForschungsvereinigungenDie Bedrohung durch Starkniederschlag und Hochwasser ist regelmäßig an deren Präsenz in den Medien zu erkennen. Bilder verheerender Verwüstungsszenarien, verursacht durch Überschwemmungsereignisse, verdeutlichen die Notwendigkeit eines effektiven Hochwasserschutzprogramms. Der Hochwasserschutz ist eine dauerhafte Verantwortung, auch wenn es sich um zeitlich begrenzte Ereignisse mit eventuell langen Ruheintervallen handelt. Des Weiteren ist in Hinblick auf den Klimawandel von einer zukünftig zunehmenden Frequenz der Starkregenereignisse auszugehen. Katastrophenvorsorge und Katastrophenmanagement werden daher an Relevanz gewinnen und in ihrer alltäglichen Präsenz zunehmen. Die Analyse der bei Hochwasserereignissen wirkenden Faktoren und die Entwicklung von Ansätzen zur Prävention bzw. Eindämmung sind eine zentrale Verantwortung der Forschung, insbesondere in den Geo- und Ingenieurswissenschaften.
Das Projekt „Starkregen-Überflutungs-Schutz in Kommunen (SÜS-Kom)“ beschäftigt sich mit der Lokalisierung und Prognose der durch Starkregen ausgelösten, oberflächigen Abflussströme in kleinen kommunalen Einzugsgebieten. Dabei sollen bereits vorliegende Datensätze zur Topologie und Hydrodynamik in Kombination mit neuen Datensätzen zu Bewuchs, Bodenbeschaffenheit und Versickerungsverhalten sowie Liegenschaftsdaten und aktuellen Wetterdaten für die Prognose zum Einsatz kommen. Im Anschluss soll eine Gefahrenreduzierung durch kostengünstige, nachhaltige und dezentrale Maßnahmen stattfinden.
Ziel des Projektes ist die Entwicklung einer Systemsoftware zur Identifizierung der von Starkregen gefährdeten Liegenschaften, für ein computergestütztes Anwendungs- und Kommunikationssystem auf kommunaler Ebene. Die Software soll an ein individuelles Warnsystem gekoppelt werden, welches betroffene Grundeigentümer und Gewerbebetriebe per Onlinedienst (SMS, Email, Mobile App) über mögliche Risiken informiert.Study of early CAC hydration
(Third Party Funds Single)Term: 31. January 2013 - 31. January 2019
Funding source: IndustrieHotspot Rücken Südatlantik
(Third Party Funds Single)Term: 1. December 2012 - 30. November 2015
Funding source: IndustrieTrace element analysis in pyrite
(Third Party Funds Single)Term: 1. September 2012 - 30. September 2013
Funding source: Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Technologie (BMWi)Erkennung, Modellierung und Frühwarnung von Massenbewegungen.
(Third Party Funds Group – Sub project)Overall project: BMBF - Yangtze-Projekt: Verbundvorhaben „Nachhaltige Bewirtschaftung des Gefährdungspotentials durch Landnutzung, Bodenerosion und Massenbewegungen"
Term: 1. June 2012 - 31. December 2015
Funding source: Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung (BMBF)Preliminary biogeochemical investigations of small rivers in the Franconian Alb to lay foundations for detailed investigations of turnover and origin of high carbon in the Main River system
(Third Party Funds Single)Term: since 1. February 2012
Funding source: DFG-Einzelförderung / Sachbeihilfe (EIN-SBH)Investigations of the carbon cycle in river systems are important to outline interactions between the terrestrial biosphere and the atmosphere. They also allow quantification of carbon fluxes to larger river systems and ultimately the ocean. This helps to constrain terrestrial carbon cycles that in turn have strong influences on the atmospheric CO2 through providing sources and sinks. Flux rates of carbon by rivers can also help to provide boundary parameters for climate models. In this context, rivers act as important integral information sources because they are key links between terrestrial systems and oceans. On the other hand, most rivers actively release considerable amounts of carbon to the atmosphere in the form of CO2. Nonetheless, its sources from soils, groundwater or river internal turnover are poorly defined. These aspects are planned to be investigated in small river systems of less than 12 m3 s-1 discharge in the Franconian Alb. Such small stream investigations holds promise to better quantify processes and mechanisms including geological, agricultural and urban influences on riverine carbon cycles. This work opens the opportunity to start biogeochemical investigations on the Main River System that is one of the major tributairies of the Rhine, one of the major waterways in Europe. It is placed in international context by allowing comparison to work on other river systems in various countries.
Origin and length scale of compositional anomalies in the convecting Earth: constraints from the Azores
(Third Party Funds Single)Term: 1. September 2011 - 30. March 2013
Funding source: DFG-Einzelförderung / Sachbeihilfe (EIN-SBH)Lavas from the Azores islands show some of the most extreme variation in trace element and isotope compositions known from oceanic intraplate volcanoes. This extreme variation has partly been explained by the presence of recycled crustal rocks in the mantle sources. Stable isotopes provide the prospect to increase our understanding of the generation of such mantle sources. While the 18O/16O of upper mantle olivines shows a small variability (~δ18O of 5.0-5.2 ‰) the incorporation of sedimentary and continental material into the mantle will significantly increase the δ18O. Contrastingly, the high temperature alteration of the oceanic crust will result in lower δ18O. The Azores archipelago displays an ideal site to study the O isotope variation of highly variable mantle sources on a small scale in order to determine their origin. We propose a systematic study of olivine and clinopyroxene phenocrysts from primitive lavas and plagioclase phenocrysts from evolved lavas as well as glass analyses from all lavas of the Azores volcanoes both east and west of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge in order to better understand the variability of mantle sources and their origin. Chlorine and F concentrations in glasses from different islands will help to define crustal assimilation of the Azores magmas and can also be used to define recycled crustal material in pristine mafic rocks. This study will complement the large geochemical data set on the Azores magmas and provide important new insight into the origin of mantle sources.
DFG: Paketantrag; „Hochaufgelöste Messungen der Geomorphodynamik in sich schnell verändernden proglazialen Systemen der Alpen (PROSA) (PAK 736)“ Teilprojekt: "Bilanzierung von gravitativen Massenbewegungen in proglazialen Systemen"
(Third Party Funds Single)Term: 1. August 2011 - 31. December 2017
Funding source: DFG-Einzelförderung / Sachbeihilfe (EIN-SBH)Im Rahmen des Paketantrages sollen alle Prozesse der Reliefveränderung in Gletschervorfeldern von den unterschiedlichen Teildisziplinen untersucht werden. Gletschervorfelder weisen seit dem Ende der „Kleinen Eiszeit“ und dem damit verbundenen starken Abschmelzen der Gletscher eine besondere Dynamik auf. Hauptziel dieses Forschungsantrages wird es sein, belastbare quantitative Angaben zu den momentan ablaufenden geotechnischen Prozessen an Massenbewegungen in Locker- und Festgesteinen im aktuellen Rückzugsbereich der Gletscher am Fallbeispiel Gepatsch im Alpenraum zu erarbeiten, um so Grundlagen für zukünftige Szenarien zu schaffen. Grundvoraussetzung einer Bilanzierung ist eine geotechnische Bestandsaufnahme. Ausgehend davon werden quantitative Aussagen zur Bilanz der Verlagerung durch Massenbewegungen in den Lockerund Festgesteinen erarbeitet. Untersucht werden soll sowohl das Langzeitverhalten, als auch das durch intensive meteorologische Ereignisse gesteuerte Kurzzeitverhalten. Im Rahmen des ersten Projektabschnitts wird ein Hauptaugenmerk auf spontane Massenbewegungen im Fels (Steinschlag und Felssturz), Lockergesteinsrutschungen und Kriechbewegungen in Talzuschüben zu legen sein. Eine flächendeckende Bilanzierung mit Hilfe des Airborne Laserscanning (ALS), ergänzt durch Terrestrisches Laserscanning (TLS) wird von den Projektpartnern beigetragen. Diese flächendeckenden Untersuchungen werden durch wiederholte stichprobenartige Bilanzierungen an repräsentativen Hangbewegungen geprüft und gegebenenfalls verifiziert.
Controls on global biodiversity patterns and skeletal mineralizsation during the Cambrian radiation
(Third Party Funds Group – Sub project)Overall project: FOR 736: The Precambrian-Cambrian Biosphere Revolution: Insights from Chinese Microcontinents
Term: 1. March 2011 - 31. October 2014
Funding source: DFG / Forschungsgruppe (FOR)Dieses Projekt zielt darauf ab, die globale Diversitätsdynamik um die Ediacarium-Kambrium- Grenze zuverlässig zu dokumentieren und die Daten für rigoroses Testen von Hypothesen zu verwenden. Eigene Geländestudien in Kasachstan und Südchina werden durch Daten aus der Forschergruppe und publizierte Daten in der Paleobiology Database ergänzt, um einen möglichst repräsentativen Datensatz zu erhalten. Muster der Alpha-, Beta- und Gamma- Diversität werden untersucht, um die relative Rolle von Diversitätsänderungen innerhalb und zwischen Fossilgemeinschaften sowie die Bedeutung biogeographischer Muster zu verstehen. Diese Muster werden verwendet, um Hypothesen zur Ursache der kambrischen Radiation zu testen. Besonders der mögliche Zusammenhang zwischen evolutionärer Innovation auf der einen Seite und Lebensräumen auf der anderen Seite wird in dieser Hinsicht neue Erkenntnisse zur Rolle von Sauerstoff, Nährstoffen und Klimaveränderungen in der kambrischen Radiation liefern. Die Geländearbeit wird sich auf Riffstrukturen im untersten Kambrium und Makroinvertebraten konzentrieren, um Muster der Biomineralisation zu erfassen.
Ordovician climate change, sea level history and bioevents: the Baltoscandic record
(Third Party Funds Group – Sub project)Overall project: SPP 527: Bereich Infrastruktur - Integrated Ocean Drilling Program/Ocean Drilling Program (IODP/ODP)
Term: 1. February 2011 - 28. February 2013
Funding source: DFG / Schwerpunktprogramm (SPP)The Ordovician sedimentary cover of Baltoscandia will be investigated in detail for facies, stable isotope and sea-level changes in the frame of the project “Concentric Impact Structures in the Palaeozoic“ (CISP), an integral of the Swedish Deep Drilling Program (SDDP). The proposed project will provide precise stratigraphic control for intrabasinal and global correlations and studied sections will function as climate archives demonstrating drastic environmental and faunal changes during icehouse – greenhouse transitions. They will cover the interval of one of the biggest faunal diversification events in earth history (“Great Ordovician Biodiversification Event”). It is expected that detailed micro- and biofacies analysis, studies on oxygen isotopes from conodont apatite and the carbon isotope record will lead to a better understanding of the driving forces for the tremendous radiations during this dramatic interval in the evolution of life. This time includes the establishment of complex food webs and ecosystems such as the first highly diverse metazoan reefs. The project represents the opportunity to study metazoan reef growth versus changes in palaeoclimate and to proof or disproof the hypothesis that major peaks in Upper Ordovician biodiversity and reef development are connected to cooling and glacial periods.
Evolutionary rates of zooxanthellate and azooxanthellate corals and their controlling factors
(Third Party Funds Single)Term: since 1. February 2011
Funding source: DFG-Einzelförderung / Sachbeihilfe (EIN-SBH)Our goal is to identify the underlying causes of evolutionary rates within scleractinian corals. Scleractinians have two fundamentally different ecologies: Those that retrieve a substantial proportion of their nutrition from symbiotic algae in their tissue (zooxanthellate corals) and those that entirely depend on zooplankton for feeding Proposal Kiessling 2 (azooxanthellate corals). We will be analyzing the evolutionary consequences of these different ecological modes and correlated traits such as coloniality and environmental affinity. While photosymbiosis is clearly beneficial at the organismic level, there is a trade-off in terms of evolutionary benefit because zooxanthellate reef corals seem to be more sensitive to environmental change and tended to be affected more strongly by extinction events than other corals. Evolutionary rates are measured by a novel combination of samplingstandardized biodiversity dynamics and molecular methods. The changes in diversification, speciation, and extinction patterns will be compared with global changes in the marine environment and evolutionary changes in ecology to learn more about the circumstances favoring the spread and demise of these different corals. Thereby, we expect to improve estimates of extinction risk of modern corals.
Determination of ambient conditions during coseismic formation of pseudotachylyte by means of Ti-in-quartz geothermometry and Ar-Ar dating
(Third Party Funds Single)Term: 1. February 2011 - 31. January 2012
Funding source: DFG-Einzelförderung / Sachbeihilfe (EIN-SBH)Despite a wealth of data about seismic fault zones there is an ongoing discussion about the possibility of frictional melting of quartzitic rocks. In the present study we analysed fault vein bearing fault zones within quartzitic rocks within the Schneeberg Normal Fault Zone (SNFZ), Southern Tirol, Italy. Electron microscopy (scanning electron microscopy, SEM, including electron back scatter diffraction, EBSD, and cathodoluminescence, CL, analysis in combination with transmission electron microscopy, TEM) analyses revealed that the fault veins (0.5-2 mm thick) are not ultracataclastic zones as presumed initially (see original title of the project WA 1010/11-1). Instead an extensive melting and subsequent quenching of quartz is evident. These quenched friction-induced melts along a fault during seismic slips are so-called tectonic pseudotachylytes and record paleo-earthquakes. Pseudotachylytes are typically considered to be representative for the brittle upper crust and in association with cataclasites. However the Schneeberg NFZ quartzites show clear evidence of crystal plasticity and dynamic recrystallization resulting in ultrafine-grained (1-2 µm) aggregates along microshear zones (50-150 µm thick) in the host rock adjacent to pseudotachylyte veins. Ar-Ar dating of the Schneeberg NFZ pseudotachylyte reveal an age of 60-66 Ma and indicates that the coseismic event is younger than the greenschist facies metamorphism of the Schneeberg NFZ (76 Ma, exiting data from the literature). Thus pseudotachylyte formation should has occurred after exhumation of the Schneeberg NFZ into the brittle crust under far field ambient temperatures conditions <250-300 °C. The occurrence of such fine recrystallized quartz was also reported in other pseudotachylytes-bearing faults, but these microstructures have been overlooked in most works on pseudotachylytes (also considering that they are hardly visible with standard optical methods) and a detailed electron microscopy study including crystallographic preferred orientation analysis of the microstructure was missing. In this project we carried out a direct comparison between the deformation microfabrics of quartz in two different pseudotachylyte-bearing faults both showing the development of ultrafine-grained recrystallization aggregates: the Schneeberg NFZ quartzite and the Adamello Gole Larghe Fault Zone(GLFZ) tonalite (Southern Alps). The observations of this study suggest that the association of ultrafine recrystallization and frictional melting is a systematic feature of most pseudotachylyte-bearing faults and could yield a more complete information on the mechanics of coseismic slip. Based on thermal models we suggest that crystal plastic deformation of quartz accompanied by dramatic grain size refinement by dynamic recrystallization occurs during seismic faulting at the base of the brittle crust as a result of the high temperature transients (> 800°C) related to frictional heating in the host rock selvages of the slip surface. These localised high deformation temperatures made possible that the process of dynamic recrystallization, including recovery processes, could occur in a time lapse of a few tens of seconds.
In order to verify these modeled quartz deformation temperatures we applied the Ti-in-quartz geothermometer by measuring the Ti content in quartz by nanoSIMS. The geochemical analysis for both pseudotachylyte-bearing samples (Schneeberg NFZ and Adamello GFZL) showed that during the seismic-related development of ultrafine-grained dynamic recrystallized quartz aggregates the pre-seismic host Ti signal is inherited. Therefore no temperature related resetting of the Ti content occurs during seismically-induced quartz recrystallization. However the steep increase of Ti in quartz in the direct vicinity (1-2 µm) of melt-related submicron-sized Ti-bearing particles gives evidence of Ti diffusion and points to short-timed high temperature transient, which is consistent with the thermal modelling of pseudotachylyte vein and its host rock margin.
Bayerisches Landesamt für Umwelt: „Georisiken im Klimawandel - Gefahrenhinweiskarte Jura“
(Third Party Funds Single)Term: 1. February 2011 - 30. April 2014
Funding source: Bayerisches Landesamt für UmweltArea mapping of superficial geothermic resources by soil and groundwater data
(Third Party Funds Group – Sub project)Overall project: Area mapping of superficial geothermic resources by soil and groundwater data
Term: 1. September 2010 - 31. August 2013
Funding source: Sonstige EU-Programme (z. B. RFCS, DG Health, IMI, Artemis)Gewährung eines Promotionsstipendiums für Herrn Jin Luo, China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), Faculty of Engineering, Wuhan, China
(Third Party Funds Single)Term: 1. August 2010 - 31. July 2013
Funding source: Bayerische ForschungsstiftungPlio-Pleistocene volcanism of Lower Bed I, Olduvai Gorge, Tanzania: transportation mechanisms, volcaniclastic sedimentation and ecological significance
(Third Party Funds Single)Term: 1. July 2010 - 31. July 2016
Funding source: DFG-Einzelförderung / Sachbeihilfe (EIN-SBH)The Plio-Pleistocene Bed I succession at Olduvai Gorge, Tanzania is renowned for hominin remains, rich artefacts and fossil assemblages. Tuff beds provide the basis for the stratigraphic framework and for the correlation and dating of archaeological finds. The Tuff IA to Tuff IB interval (c. 1.98-1.84 Ma), choosen for this study, is especially important from a multidisciplinary perspective: (a) It provides the earliest record of Homo habilis in the Gorge, (b) it records the earliest antiquity of Human technology, known as Oldowan culture, (c) it is associated with several important occupation floors , and (d) it includes dated Palaeo-lake Olduvai sequences that have records of orbital forcing across the Plio-Pleistocene boundary. The tuff beds themselves provide important archives of (e) the correlation between the eastern and the yet poorly studied western Olduvai Basin, (f) a change from bimodal basaltic-rhyolitic to trachytic-phonolitic compositons, (g) the occurrence of flow-stripping/decoupling effects when pyroclastic flows crossed synsedimentary active faults, (h) the interaction of volcanic systems with the ecologically attractive eastern lake margin zone, and (i) the relative importance of volcanic effects versus regional climate influences on flora and fauna.A detailed dataset is to be developed using high resolution sedimentological logging, facies, petrographic and geochemical analysis. Lateral correlations and process-oriented facies analyses across palaeo-Lake Olduvai will be the critical aim of this research, allowing a thorough understanding of the complex interactions between the volcanics and the ecology of the lake. The project integrates data on palaeoenvironments, palaeoclimate, synsedimentary tectonism and volcanism with hominin land use models contributed by palaeoanthropologists and archaeologists of the multidisciplinary OLAPP research group. OLAPP trenches excavated over the next few years will provide an exceptional opportunity for combined sedimentological, volcanological and palaeoecological studies at an extremely high resolution (mm to cm scale).
Identifying time constraints and mechanisms of crust-mantle coupling in Central European continental lithosphere
(Third Party Funds Single)Term: 1. May 2010 - 30. May 2013
Funding source: DFG-Einzelförderung / Sachbeihilfe (EIN-SBH)The buoyant continental mantle root plays an important role in stabilizing of the lithosphere but its composition and age as well as its relationship to the crust are poorly understood. The crust is believed to be largely generated in subduction zones while several other geodynamic settings have been proposed to facilitate lithospheric mantle generation. In this project we suggest to study the lower crust and subcontinental lithospheric mantle along the Eger Rift with highly precise and accurate trace element and isotope methodologies. The Eger region is particularly interesting because it transverses the boundary of two major lithospheric blocks (the Saxothuringian and the Moldanubian) and has been amalgamated during the Variscan orogeny. We propose to study the geochemical and isotopic composition of crustal and mantle xenoliths in order to compare the petrogenesis of the different parts of the lithosphere and define possible relationships. The lithosphere beneath the Eger Rift is also believed to contribute to the alkaline magmatism and thus another part of the project is concerned with the better definition of magma sources and their regional variation.
The generation of felsic magmas in the oceanic crust: assimilation-fractional crystallization processes versus re-melting of the crust
(Third Party Funds Single)Term: 1. February 2010 - 29. February 2012
Funding source: DFG-Einzelförderung / Sachbeihilfe (EIN-SBH)In dem beantragten Projekt soll eine kombinierte geochemische und experimentell petrologische Untersuchung der Bildung von SiO2-reichen Magmen in der ozeanischen Kruste durchgeführt werden. Diese Studie soll das Verständnis 1) der Fraktionierungsprozesse, die zur Bildung von felsischen Magmen führen, 2) der Magmendynamik während des Aufstiegs in der ozeanischen Kruste und 3) die Interaktion von Shcmelzen mit der alterierten ozeanischen Kruste verbessern. Hauptbestandteil des vorgeschlagenen Projektes soll die Untersuchung von Gesteinen des Oman Ophiolits darstellen, wobei einerseits die felsischen Gesteine und andererseits die damit auftretenden mafischen und hydrothermal alterierten Nebengesteinen untersucht werden sollen. Damit soll festgestellt werden, durch welche Prozesse (Assimilation, partielle Aufschmelzung oder fraktionierende Kristallisation) die felsischen Magemn entstanden. Ausserdem sollen basaltische, andesitische und dazitische Laven des Pazifisch-Antarktischen Rückens untersucht werden, da an dieser schnell-spreizenden Achse felsische Laven verbreitet sind, aber noch keine detaillierte Studie ihrer Entstehung durchgeführt wurde. Wir planen im Rahmen einer Dissertation geochemische und isotopengeochemische Untersuchungen an Gesamtgesteinen, vulkanischen Gläsern, Phäno- und Xenokristallen zur Entwicklung eines umfassenden Verständnisses der Transformation von mafischem zu felsischem Material. Gleichzeitig sollen in einer anderen Dissertation die Mineral-Schmelzgleichgewichte, Verteilungskoeffizienten von Spurenelementen und mögliche Aufschmelz oder Kristallisationsprozesse mit experimentellen Methoden an den gleichen Proben untersucht werden.
Magmatische und sedimentologische Entwicklung eines ozeanischen Plateaus am Beispiel der Azoren
(Third Party Funds Single)Term: 1. September 2009 - 30. September 2011
Funding source: DFG-Einzelförderung / Sachbeihilfe (EIN-SBH)Die Azoren liegen auf einem ozeanischen Plateau mit etwa 10-12 km mächtiger Kruste basaltischer Zusammensetzung. Das Plateau mit der verdickten Kruste entwickelte sich offenbar durch verstärkten Vulkanismus vor etwa 6-4 Ma. Seit 4 Ma entsteht am Mittelatlantischen Rücken dünnere Kruste, da die Schmelzanomalie abgeschwächt ist und so das Azoren Plateau geteilt wird. Der magmatische Puls vor 6-4 Ma wurde möglicherweise durch einen Mantelplume-Kopf ausgelöst, der zur Bildung des Plateaus aus ozeanischen (Flut)basalten führte. Die Insel Santa Maria am östlichen Rande des Plateaus reflektiert eine Schlüsselrolle in der Bildung des Plateaus. Das Projekt hat drei Ziele: (1) die zeitliche und chemische Entwicklung des Vulkanismus auf dem Plateau zu klären (z.B. der Übergang von tholeiitischen Flutbasalten zu alkalinen Magmen der Inseln), (2) die Wechselwirkung zwischen der Azoren Schmelzanomalie und dem Mittelatlantischen Rücken zu bestimmen, (3) den Magmentransport und die Eruptionsmechanismen in der frühen Plateaubildungsphase zu bestimmen und (4) den zeitlichen Rahmen und biogeographischen Kontext sowie Diagenesepfade der eingeschalteten Karbonate zu bestimmen.
Oxygen isotope variations in oceanic magmatic rock suites: assimilation-fractional crystallization processes versus mantle source variations
(Third Party Funds Single)Term: 1. January 2009 - 31. December 2010
Funding source: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG)Oxygen isotopes are an important tool to study reactions between ascending mantle-derived magmas and material in the oceanic lithosphere that has been altered by surface processes like for example, sediments or hydrothermally altered rocks. Furthermore, crystal fractionation processes can also affect the O isotope composition especially of evolved magmas because different mineral phases fractionate O isotopes. Both assimilation and crystal fractionation thus impede the study of O isotope compositions of the magma sources in the mantle which could give important insights into recycling processes at subduction zones and in deep mantle plume-derived intraplate magmas. Here we suggest a study of the O isotope variation of five well-characterized lava series from different oceanic magmatic settings (mid-ocean ridge, oceanic intraplate, back-arc, and island arc settings) in order to define the variations between basaltic and silicic lavas and the processes affecting the O isotope ratios. Based on the understanding of lithospheric processes we will be able to distinguish the O isotope composition of the mantle sources of the magmas and draw conclusions on crustal recycling into the deep mantle and into the mantle wedge beneath subduction zones.
Tree-ring based high-resolution temporal climate and environmental change in Corsica in the Late Holocene
(Third Party Funds Single)Term: 1. December 2008 - 30. July 2012
Funding source: DFG-Einzelförderung / Sachbeihilfe (EIN-SBH)A dendroclimatological and dendrochemical study on living Pinus nigra laricio trees in Corsica shall reveal the specie’s ecological response to climate change and climate differentiation at the timberline at annual resolution. The study will be based on ring width and latewood density measurements of a spatially dense sampling network. The oldest living trees sampled so far show up to 850 tree rings and are among the oldest in the western Mediterranean region. Due to the alignment along climatic gradients, the selected sites show different climatic sensitivity to cold, wet, warm and dry recent conditions and can thus represent regional climatic trends of different climatic variables. Stable oxygen and carbon isotope variability in wood cellulose will be measured at annual resolution at sites with time series of more than 520 years, spanning the major part of the Little Ice Age. Image analysis of variations of the tracheid properties will provide information about growth-controlling climate variations at an intra-annual scale and will supplement the interpretation of the density measurements. The spatial data achieved by tree material shall be compared with other climate proxies such as montane vegetation distribution, potential treeline position, temporary snowline (remote sensing data), and will be calibrated against data of modern isotopic composition of surface waters and maximum snowline depression. Corsica is located in a climatic key position in the track of Mediterranean cyclones. The study is dedicated to late Holocene mountain climatic change and will contribute new data of the Mediterranean area, which will be strongly affected by warming and drying in the next decades.
Late Cretaceous to Recent post-breakup evolution of the African S-Atlantic margin: integrating onshore field studies; sequence development, offshore seismic data, numerical dating and modelling
(Third Party Funds Group – Sub project)Overall project: SPP 1375: SAMPLE: South Atlantic Margin Processes and Links with onshore Evolution
Term: 1. November 2008 - 31. July 2017
Funding source: DFG / Schwerpunktprogramm (SPP)Multiple phases of volcanism, uplift and subsidence are recorded after the breakup of the Namibian South Atlantic margin segment – features which are regarded as atypical when compared to published examples of other post-breakup continental margin successions. It is currently not understood whether these geodynamic processes are only of regional or a broader, South Atlantic intercontinental importance. Existing low T thermochronometric analyses, cosmogenic isotope measurements on bedrock surfaces and tectonic and stratigraphic analysis of the post-breakup succession could be advantageously completed and calibrated by (A) the interpretation of offshore industrial seismic and well log data (uppermost 2s TWT) and (B) the analysis of onshore sedimentary archives such as post-breakup fluvial depositional sequences, marine terraces, aeolianites, palaeo-seacliffs, incised valleys and syntectonic strata in the hanging-walls of normal faults. Both, onshore and offshore strata provide a high-resolution archive of processes accompanying the breakup and post-breakup evolution of the South Atlantic margin. Many of the coastal marine terraces contain dateable material suitable for biostratigraphic analysis combined with ESR and OSL dating. Offshore seismic structural and stratigraphic analysis and well data will be integrated with a detailed 3D stratigraphic and structural analysis as well as dynamic retro- and forward modelling which forms the basis for a combined 3D onshore-offshore surface-subsurface model.
Sauerstoffisotopie von Conodontenapatit zur Rekonstruktion des Klimas im Perm
(Third Party Funds Single)Term: 1. August 2008 - 30. August 2011
Funding source: DFG-Einzelförderung / Sachbeihilfe (EIN-SBH)Sauerstoffisotopenanalysen an Conodontenapatit sollen zur Rekonstruktion der Vereisungsgeschichte sowie der Temperaturentwicklung des Perm durchgeführt werden. Conodonten sind aufgrund des häufigen Auftretens in paläozoischen Sedimenten sowie aufgrund ihrer mineralogischen Struktur deutlich besser zur Rekonstruktion von hochauflösenden Paläotemperaturkurven geeignet als kalzitische Brachiopodenschalen. Die bisher für das Perm vorliegenden Sauerstoffisotopenkurven, welche ausschließlich auf der Analyse von Brachiopodenkalzit basieren, zeigen weder ein einheitliches Muster in der Temperaturentwicklung, noch liegen hochauflösende Kurven vor. Im Rahmen des Projekts sollen Conodonten aus stratigraphisch gut datierten Profilen in China und den Vereinigten Staaten untersucht werden. Mit Hilfe der Isotopendaten werden Erkenntnisse zu folgenden Themenkomplexen erwartet: (i) Datierung des Endes der permokarbonen Vereisung, (ii) Klimaänderungen in Zusammenhang mit den beiden wichtigen Aussterbeereignissen im Oberperm (Kamura-Event und Perm-Trias Grenze), (iii) Erarbeitung einer hochauflösendem Paläotemperatur-/Paläoklimakurve für das gesamte Perm, und (iv) Integration des zu erarbeitenden Datensatzes in eine δ18OApatit Kurve für das Paläozoikum.
Gefährdungsanalyse von Hangrutschungen im Einzugsgebiet des Xiangxi-Flusssystems (Drei Schluchten Reservoir)
(Third Party Funds Group – Sub project)Overall project: BMBF - Yangtze-Projekt: Verbundvorhaben „Nachhaltige Bewirtschaftung des Gefährdungspotentials durch Landnutzung, Bodenerosion und Massenbewegungen"
Term: 1. April 2008 - 30. June 2011
Funding source: Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung (BMBF)BMBF - Yangtze-Projekt: Verbundvorhaben „Nachhaltige Bewirtschaftung des Gefährdungspotentials durch Landnutzung, Bodenerosion und Massenbewegungen"
(Third Party Funds Group – Overall project)Term: 1. April 2008 - 31. December 2015
Funding source: Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung (BMBF)Microstructural characterisation of ultracataclastic zones in quartzites by electron microscopy
(Third Party Funds Single)Term: 1. June 2006 - 31. July 2009
Funding source: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG)SFB 461 Starkbeben: Von geowissenschaftlichen Grundlagen zu Ingenieurmaßnahmen.Teilprojekt B 07 - Hydrologie und Standorteffekte bei Erdbeben in Bukarest.
(Non-FAU Project)Term: 1. June 2002 - 31. December 2007
Funding source: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG)SFB 461 Starkbeben: Von geowissenschaftlichen Grundlagen zu Ingenieurmaßnahmen.Teilprojekt B 06: Geotechnische Mikrozonierung von Bukarest.
(Non-FAU Project)Term: 1. June 1999 - 31. December 2007
Funding source: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG)