We, Section 3.1, study the distribution of elements and their isotopes in the Earth system in order to understand how they are cycled through the geological reservoirs of the Earth, from the surface to the crust and mantle, and back again, and on what time scales. We combine field, experimental and modelling studies with advanced laboratory techniques for rock, fluid and mineral analyses.

Our research addresses fundamental questions of Earth evolution as well as the societal challenges of sustainable (natural) resources and clean energy. Our main research topics (Geofluids, material transport and element cycling, Timing, rates and mechanisms of Earth processes, Mineral and gas hydrate resources)  contribute substantially to the GFZ programme oriented research topics: topic 8 "Georesources" and topic 3 "Restless Earth", as well as to topic 5 "Landscapes of the Future".

The research programme 2021-2027 "Changing Earth - Sustaining our Future" is organised into nine themes and numerous cross-cutting activities and alliances.

All of our research, including modelling studies, is data-driven and we understand that delivering first-class science in geochemistry depends on first-class laboratories. Therefore we are committed to maintaining state-of-the-art infrastructure and to methods improvement and innovation.