My main focus is the optical properties of dissolved organic matter (DOM), i.e. chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM), especially in the subterranean estuary and coastal ocean. Contrasting to relatively expensive and time consuming molecular analysis of DOM, CDOM analysis can be considered as a ‘shortcut’ for future in situ monitoring of DOM. For this reason, I apply spectra analysis of CDOM using spectrofluorometer combined with dissolved organic carbon (DOC) analysis using DOC analyzer, BPCA or ‘black carbon’ analysis using UPLC, molecular analysis of DOM using FTICR-MS, and multivariate analysis for post processing.

Current Project

I am currently investigating choromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM) in the semi-enclosed system of the Wadden Sea at 3 different sites, i.e. Janssand Tidal Flat, Spiekeroog Island, and Jade Bay. Sampling will be done for every season to reveal system variability.