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Chemical & Biological Analyses
Chemical and biological analyses are essential tools for our research work. We use a wide range of analytical tools and expertise to qualitatively and quantitatively determine substances that reflect living organisms and/or biogeochemical processes in the marine environment over diverse space and time scales. At MARUM, several research groups and specialists work in designated laboratories on chemical and biological analyses of environmental samples and (micro)biological cultures. We are constantly developing new methods and driving forward the implementation of the necessary equipment such as in-situ sensors or sampling devices. We work on an interdisciplinary basis in the natural sciences to ensure the highest level of accuracy and the best quality for our research.
In chemical analyses, we distinguish between organic (carbon-containing) and inorganic (non-organic) substances. Our biological analyses focus on microorganisms and their activities in the environment.
We analyze different types of environmental samples:
- 🌊 Water samples – from oceans, lakes, rivers or pore water from sediments
- 🎈 Gas samples – from the atmosphere or from pore spaces in sediments
- 🪨 Solid matter – of marine and lake sediments, seawater filtrates, rocks or soils
- 🧫 Biological material – organisms such as corals, microorganisms, and organic aggregates (fecal pellets, detritus)
In addition, we conduct laboratory experiments under defined conditions in order to specifically record turnover of substances, biological activities and possible reactions to changing environmental factors.
Our most important methodological procedures are based on:
- ✾ Spectrometry
– for the precise determination of elements and molecules (e.g. mass spectrometry, infrared spectrometry, spectrophotometry) - 🧪 Chromatography
– for separating complex mixtures of substances (e.g. gas- or liquid chromatography) - 💡 Spectroscopy
– for the investigation of chemical bonds and structures (z. B. UV/VIS, IR, NMR) - ☢ X-ray analysis
– to investigate element distributions and mineralogical compositions (e.g. X-ray fluorescence analysis and X-ray diffraction) - ⚙️ Combinations of these methods
– state-of-the-art devices combining several techniques to deliver particularly precise results (e.g. HPLC-MS, LDI-FTMS) - 🔬 Microscopy
– for the precise detection of individual organisms such as micro-/macroalgae, foraminifera, bacteria and archaea - 🥓 Molecular genetic methods
– for genetic identification (e.g. DNA, RNA)
What we detect with our methods:
- Total content of chemical elements (C, N, S, metals) and compounds (carbonates, organic matter)
- dissolved substances in water samples (anions, cations, DOM)
- Quantities and composition of organic substance groups (e.g. lipids, fatty acids, pigments)
- Isotopy of carbon and hydrogen in different bonds
- Composition and activity of microbial communities
- Conversion processes, how substances change in the environment
Analytics list
An analytics list is available after registration with MARUM-account.