Ecological Chemistry

Our team elucidates the structure, origin, transformation, aggregation, ecological function and distribution of organic compounds in the changing polar ocean.

We aim to understand the function of marine organic compounds, both, as diagnostic markers to decode biogeochemical processes and as drivers of chemical interactions between species.

Organic molecules

render or result from important physiological processes of polar organisms, e. g. during photosynthesis, nutrient acquisition and storage of energy.
orchestrate species interactions affecting organismal abundance, physiology, performance, resilience and adaptation.
represent fingerprints of organic matter transformations and can thus serve as biogeochemical proxies.

Head:

Dr. Scarlett Trimborn

Deputy:
Prof. Dr. Boris Koch
Prof. Dr. Tilmann Harder

Assistance:
Gesa Duhme

Note for unsolicited applications

In order for us to consider your application, we need to receive a complete set of documents.
You can find more information at:

How to apply

Out of university into AWI

From school directly to AWI

News & Facts

Winners and Losers of Atlantification: The Degree of Ocean Warming Affects the Structure of Arctic Microbial Communities

The concurrent effects of atlantification warming show a clear thermal limit for many Arctic microbes between 6°C and 9°C with differential functional implications for the ecosystem.

Publication: Ahme et al. 2023, Genes

Ahme et al. 2023: Protist community composition at the start and end of a 10 day temperature incubation (Graphic: © 2023 MDPI)

Expedition to Svalbard in summer 2023

Investigation of changes in oceanographic properties as well as plankton diversity and activities and their effects on primary production and biogeochemical fluxes along a gradient of atlantification.

R/V Heincke: 12.08 - 03.09.2023

Further information

MIDIDARC & MarineBasis-Nuuk

AWI scientists Sylke Wohlrab and Jakob Giesler participated in this year's MarineBasis-Nuuk Monitoring Expedition to collect samples for their MIDIDARC project (Microbial Diversity of Arctic Diatom Microbiomes).

R/V Sanna, Nuuk, Greenland
23.04.2023-01.05.2023

Further Information