Organic Sedimentology

Our research focuses on the processes determining deposition and preservation of organic matter in marine sediments and how these influence global carbon cycling. We study both terrigenous and marine compounds. In particular we are interested in the timescales of transport and intermediate storage of organic matter prior to final burial in marine sediments, as well as the alteration processes affecting organic matter during transport and intermediate storage, and how these are influenced by climate change. We use radiocarbon (¹⁴C)-dating for the determination of these timescales as well as for age dating of marine sediments (stratigraphy). Furthermore we study paleoclimate using organic-geochemical proxy parameters.

Working Area

Arctic, permafrost regions, river-dominated margins and river-mouths, marine high productivity systems

Methods

Organic geochemical analysis of sediments, suspended material, and soils; compound-specific ¹⁴C-dating; biomarker analysis and proxy indices