Project description
Current studies (Lange et al., 2025) reveal fundamentally different organic nutrient dynamics in white-sand and terra firme forests, which will affect their respective capacities to respond to climate change. Ecosystems can accommodate increasing nutrient requirements through two primary strategies, (a) more efficient nutrient recycling that minimizes losses, and (b) increased mobilization of soil nutrient resources from SOM and mineral pools. Higher recycling efficiency may be coupled with faster decomposition rates, allowing rapid nutrient access. Plants may develop further strategies for maximizing the residence time of nutrients in their biomass. Next to a reduction in DOC concentrations, the drought-induced changes in ecosystem functions also altered DOM quality. The contribution of aromatic, oxidized, and oxygen-rich litter-derived compounds that are characteristic of white-sand forests and blackwater rivers was substantially reduced, while aliphatic components increased (Lange et al., 2024). Looking on metal complexation this lower aromaticity of exported DOM is likely to affect metal export from white-sand soils. Metal mobility consequently may be reduced, reducing inputs into blackwater rivers that typically contain high concentrations of dissolved organic-bound iron, which may ultimately feed back to the marine CO2 uptake. The candidate will perform analyses of natural organic/inorganic (bio)colloid/nanoparticles (DOM) in surface and porewater/groundwaters and their metal association including bioavailability.
Working group
The candidate will be part of the Applied Geology Group of the Institute of Geosciences at the Friedrich Schiller University, Jena in close collaboration with the Department of Biogeochemical Processes at the Max Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry and the Microbial Communication group of the Institute of Microbiology at the Friedrich Schiller University.
Requirements
Applications to the IMPRS-gBGC are open to highly motivated and qualified students from all countries. Prerequisites for this PhD project are:
- a Master’s degree in Biogeosciences, Geosciences, Analytical Chemistry, or similar subjects
- Experience in (hydro)geology, molecular biology and/or microbiology
- Interest in metal distribution in the environment
- Good oral and written communication skills in English
The Max Planck Society (MPS) strives for gender equality and diversity. The MPS aims to increase the proportion of women in areas where they are underrepresented. Women are therefore explicitly encouraged to apply. We welcome applications from all fields. The Max Planck Society has set itself the goal of employing more severely disabled people. Applications from severely disabled persons are expressly encouraged.
