Development of novel molecular-isotopic tracers for the hydrologic cycle

• Applicant: Dr. Enno Schefuß
• Subject Area: Mineralogy, Petrology and Geochemistry
• Term: from 2008 to 2010
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 67212578

Novel molecular-isotopic proxy parameters for past continental hydrologic conditions, river discharge and ocean salinity changes will be investigated to provide a basis for applications to sedimentary archives. Therefore, hydrogen isotope compositions of terrestrial plant lipids will be evaluated in soils, marine surface sediments and sediment cores as indicators of continental hydrologic conditions. Hydrogen isotope compositions of algal lipids will be investigated in suspended particulate matter samples, marine surface sediments and sediment cores as new (paleo-) discharge and salinity proxies.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants