Biogeochemistry of Soils and Sediments

The group focuses on biogeochemical cycling and stability of organic matter in soils and sediments by the implementation of inorganic and organic geochemical methods, including also molecular and isotope proxies. Diverse recent and past terrestrial ecosystems are under investigation and manipulative experiments improve our understanding of the influence of environmental changes on these systems.

More information on running research and projects

ResearchGate

Deciphering incorporation and decomposition of plant-derived organic matter in forest soils in a warmer future (SNF 10004088, 2025-2029)

The significance of aerosols and volatile organic substances for the incorporation of plant biomass into soil (STWF 25-023, 2025-2028)

Shedding light on Lower Danube Black Sea region paleoclimate since the Mid-Brunhes Event (MBE) by novel loess-paleosol records - LOEs-CLIMBE (SNF MAPS 230102, 2025-2029)

Understanding the influence of daylight on plant functioning from leaf level to forest stands - A stable isotope approach (Velux 1733, 2022-2025)

Improved source assessment of organic matter in soils and sediments using molecular proxies and inverse modeling (SNF 188684, 2019-2024)

Former research projects

DEEP C (SNSF 172744, 2017-2023)

Key drivers for alkane d²H composition of boreal tree needles (SNSF 204051, 2021)

   The consequence of future soil warming on carbon cycling at a molecular level (SATW Germaine de Staël 2019-08, 2020-2022)

Biogeochemcial validation of remotely sensed plant traits (UZH URPP GCB, 2017-2022)

Next-Iso: Next generation compound-specific isotope analysis of stable and radioactive isotopes of organic components in terrestrial ecosystems (SNF R'Equip 157778, 2015-2016)

Root-derived organic matter in the deep subsoil > 2 m depth - what are the consequences for terrestrial carbon cycling and paleoenvironmental records? (SNF 153631, 2014-2017)

Effect of drought on C cycling in the plant-soil system - which roles play lignin and lipids? (SNF 146473, 2013-2017)

Der Effekt lang anhaltender Trockenheit auf die CO₂-Aufnahme durch Pflanzen und die Kohlenstoffdynamik im System Pflanze-Boden (DFG 230374803, 2012-2015)

Lifestyle assessment of GDGT source organisms via root systems (DAAD 54366179, 2012-2013)

Quantifizierung von postsedimentärem wurzelbürtigen Kohlenstoff in Löss mit molekularen Proxies zur Präzisierung von Paläoumweltrekonstruktionen (DFG 184773399, 2011-2015)

Rhizodeposition is the main source of carbon and energy for nutrient mobilization in subsoil (RhizoCNP) (DFG 135946177, FOR1320, 2010-2015)

Linking nutrient cycles, land use and biodiversity along an elevation gradient on Mt. Kilimanjaro (DFG Ku1184/20, FOR 1246, 2010-2014)

Lipid and PAH composition as indicators for conditions of thermal degradation (DFG 165706565, 2010-2013)

Einfluss von Wasser auf die Erhaltung von Lipiden in Böden (DAAD 50022145, 2009-2011)

Veränderungen der Lipidzusammensetzung und der Isotopie von Lipiden in Pflanzen und Böden unter erhöhter atmosphärischer CO₂-Konzentration (FACE) (DFG 61682712, 2007-2011)

Group leader

PD Dr. Guido Wiesenberg

Group members

Yves Brügger (Lab technician)

Erica Ceresa (PhD candidate)

Thomas Keller (Lab technician)

Dario Püntener (PhD candidate)

Barbara Siegfried (Lab technician)

Binyan Sun (PhD candidate)

Dmitry Tikhomirov, Dr. (Scientific collaborator)

Andrew Trott (PhD candidate)

Christène Vouillamoz (PhD candidate)

Former group members

Dr. Martina Gocke (Postdoc)

Marco Griepentrog (PhD candidate)

Silke Hafner (external PhD candidate)

Nicholas E. Ofiti (PhD candidate)

Fanny Petibon (PhD candidate)

Tatjana C. Speckert (PhD candidate)

Kavita Srivastava (PhD candidate)

Carrie L. Thomas (PhD candidate)

Daniel B. Wiedemeier (PhD candidate)

Cyrill U. Zosso (PhD candidate)

Long-term visiting researchers

Mina Mazaheri-Johari (University of Kiel, Germany, Postdoc, 2024)

Tim Marten (University of Kiel, Germany, PhD candidate, 2023)

Charlotte Angove (Luke Helsinki, Finland, Research Scientist, 2021-2022)

Pranav Hirave (University of Basel, Switzerland, PhD candidate, 2018-2019)

Marlène Lavrieux (University of Basel, Switzerland, Postdoc, 2017-2018)

Paul Mathijssen (University of Münster, Germany, Postdoc, 2021)

Philipp Schuler (WSL Birmensdorf, Switzerland, PhD candidate, 2021)

MSc students

Julia van Leeuwen (ongoing)

Ladina Reich (ongoing)

Grittje Hoppe (2025)

Philipp Zürcher (2024)

Jonathan Frei (2023)

Nils M. Güntert (2023)

Celina Steffani(2022)

Manuela Altermatt (2021)

Daniela Baumann (2020)

Nicole Krüsi (2020)

Tatjana Speckert (2019)

Silvana Bernasconi (2017)

Corina Achermann (2016)

Rahel Widmer (2016)

Fabia Kessler (2015)

Angela Maurer (2013)

Belongs to the organizational unit

Soil Science and Biogeochemistry