Inorganic and Isotope Geochemistry

Out of the vast field of open questions in geochemistry, we concentrate on seven distinct topics. One example of our work is the dating of metamorphic minerals with the goal of characterizing the geologic development of mountain ranges like the Alps. The ore-rich Erzgebirge in south-eastern Germany, part of the Variscic Orogen in Central Europe, lends itself as a prime example to investigate material flows and cycles. Magma was intruded into these mountains, which we later leached to generate massive ore bodies. We also work on gas hydrate and investigate how these substances – ice-like compounds made from water and gas - are generated and how they decay. We also do research on processes inside the Earth's crust and near its surface, in which fluids and gases play a major role. Such fluids transport material and energy, induce mineral reactions and control diagenetic and metamorphic proceses as well as the formation of ore bodies. We also investigate which role degassing plays as potential precursors to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Finally we concern ourselves with the geochemical behaviour of noble gases. We use them as tracers through which we can follow the movement for melts and fluids and determine their respective origins.

To perform our work we have at our disposal a vast array of major tools for chemical analysis, which we operate in conventional and clean room laboratories. This is supplemented by sophisticated devices for sample preparation. We open up this unique infrastructure not only to various working groups within the GFZ but also to outside researchers. Most of our projects in fundamental and applied Earth sciences are a part of national and international research initiatives.