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Research
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Research projects within Environmental Microbiology usually comprise studies in the field as well as in the laboratory. The routinely employed research tools include DNA and RNA based methods, chemical analysis, stable isotope fractionation and mathematical modeling. Our studies focus on biological structures and functions, however, chemical and physical factors are equally considered, with a strong emphasis on the quantification of the processes. Our research is focused within four main clusters: Pioneer sites, Wetlands, Aquifers and Soil vadose zones.
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Pioneer sites: Ecosystems such as forefields of retreating glaciers or microbial crusts in arid zones can be considered as natural chrono-sequences. In these habitats, we study microbial successions, nutrient cycles and interactions of microorganisms with mineral surfaces. |
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Wetlands: Alpine and arctic wetlands as well as rice fields are major sources of atmospheric methane. Our research is focused on quantifying key-processes involved in methane turnover. We study microbial activities and interactions, measure physical-chemical parameters, assess the role of plants in regard to the methane cycle and quantify the emission of methane to the atmosphere. |
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Aquifers: Microorganisms are ubiquitous in aquifers, where they mediate numerous biogeochemical processes. We study the structure and function of microbial communities in pristine and contaminated aquifers to gain insight into their natural attenuation capacity and bioremediation potential, but also into general aspects of aquifer microbiology |
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Soil vadose zones: The soil vadose zone is a hotspot of terrestrial microbial activity. It resembles a biofilter, located between the atmosphere and underlying aquifers or geologic formations. We study structure and function of microbial communities involved in turnover of greenhouse gases such as CH4, CO2 and N2O in different vadose-zone environments. |
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