C07

Retroaction of Geochemical Perturbations and Critical Zone Media Reactivity on Trace Element Speciation and Transport Parameters

Fieldwork Hainich CZE

Image: Robert Lehmann

Underground transport paths in the Hainich CZE are complex and determined by the heterogeneity and reactivity of the aquifer material. The transport of clay minerals out of the soil zone is investigated using synthetic clay mineral nanoparticles with the multi-method nanoparticle / mass spectrometric platform available. The special focus of project C07 is on the dynamics, control, and feedback of the trace element transport on the subterranean microbiome of the Critical Zone investigated from the laboratory-scale to the cross-project field experiment.

Impressions from project C07

The X-ray Microscope (Zeiss Xradia Versa 620) produces non-destructively high-resolution 3D/4D images of biological and geological materials like the visible Hainich-core with spatial resolution down to 500 nm.