EESS talk on "Impact on organic carbon mobilization and greenhouse gas emissions"
Event details
| Date | 04.11.2025 |
| Hour | 12:15 › 13:15 |
| Speaker | Prof. Dr. Andreas Kappler, University of Tuebingen |
| Location | Online |
| Category | Conferences - Seminars |
| Event Language | English |
Abstract:
Permafrost peatlands hold enormous amounts of organic carbon, equivalent to over one-third of the carbon currently in the atmosphere (∼800 Pg). Up to 20% of the total organic carbon is bound to reactive iron (Fe) minerals in the active layer overlying intact permafrost, potentially protecting the organic carbon from microbial degradation and transformation into greenhouse gases (GHG) such as CO2 and CH4. In this project we use geochemical data and microbial community analyses from field samples (from a permafrost peatland in Abisko, Sweden) and laboratory microcosm incubations to determine how mineral iron stability and microbial processes influence mineral dissolution during permafrost thaw, including the implications for carbon cycling and GHG emissions. Furthermore, we evaluate the role of anaerobic methane oxidation (coupled to the reduction of Fe(III) minerals and redox-active natural organic matter) for greenhouse gas emissions.
Biography:
After studying chemistry, Andreas Kappler did a PhD in Environmental Microbiology (University of Konstanz, Germany) and two postdocs, one in Environmental Chemistry (EAWAG/ETH Zürich, Switzerland) and one in Geomicrobiology (Caltech, Pasadena, USA). Since 2004 he is the head of the Geomicrobiology group at University of Tübingen (Germany).
His research interests are interactions between microbes and minerals and the consequences for pollutants, nutrients and greenhouse gases in environmental systems including soils and sediments. In particular, the Tübingen Geomicrobiology Group is interested in the mechanisms and the thermodynamics of microbial reduction and oxidation of iron minerals and redox-active natural organic matter and the consequences of these transformations for the fate of greenhouse gases (N2O, CH4, CO2), toxic metall(oid)s such as arsenic, cadmium and chromium and nutrients (such as phosphate and ammonium). They are also studying biomineralization and the potential role of phototrophic Fe(II)-oxidizing and Fe(III)-reducing bacteria as well as cyanobacteria in the deposition of ancient rocks (e.g. Banded Iron Formations).
Permafrost peatlands hold enormous amounts of organic carbon, equivalent to over one-third of the carbon currently in the atmosphere (∼800 Pg). Up to 20% of the total organic carbon is bound to reactive iron (Fe) minerals in the active layer overlying intact permafrost, potentially protecting the organic carbon from microbial degradation and transformation into greenhouse gases (GHG) such as CO2 and CH4. In this project we use geochemical data and microbial community analyses from field samples (from a permafrost peatland in Abisko, Sweden) and laboratory microcosm incubations to determine how mineral iron stability and microbial processes influence mineral dissolution during permafrost thaw, including the implications for carbon cycling and GHG emissions. Furthermore, we evaluate the role of anaerobic methane oxidation (coupled to the reduction of Fe(III) minerals and redox-active natural organic matter) for greenhouse gas emissions.
Biography:
After studying chemistry, Andreas Kappler did a PhD in Environmental Microbiology (University of Konstanz, Germany) and two postdocs, one in Environmental Chemistry (EAWAG/ETH Zürich, Switzerland) and one in Geomicrobiology (Caltech, Pasadena, USA). Since 2004 he is the head of the Geomicrobiology group at University of Tübingen (Germany).
His research interests are interactions between microbes and minerals and the consequences for pollutants, nutrients and greenhouse gases in environmental systems including soils and sediments. In particular, the Tübingen Geomicrobiology Group is interested in the mechanisms and the thermodynamics of microbial reduction and oxidation of iron minerals and redox-active natural organic matter and the consequences of these transformations for the fate of greenhouse gases (N2O, CH4, CO2), toxic metall(oid)s such as arsenic, cadmium and chromium and nutrients (such as phosphate and ammonium). They are also studying biomineralization and the potential role of phototrophic Fe(II)-oxidizing and Fe(III)-reducing bacteria as well as cyanobacteria in the deposition of ancient rocks (e.g. Banded Iron Formations).
Practical information
- General public
- Free
- This event is internal
Organizer
- EESS - IIE
Contact
- Prof. Meret Aeppli, SOIL