Gypsum desert & atmospheric deposition (C04)

• Subject Area: Mineralogy, Petrology and Geochemistry
• Term: since 2016
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 268236062

Despite much effort, an exclusive mineralogical mechanism by which the water-free calcium sulfate anhydrite can be formed or being transformed from gypsum could not be established experimentally suggesting that microbial life plays a critical role in initiating and/or catalyzing this mineralization process. We plan to investigate both the exact nature and connection of non-classical or biologically driven nucleation processes and the impact on geochemical archives by comparative analysis and controlled lab experiments. Experiments involving biogeochemical processes include precipitation of natural Ca-sulfates and trace-element fractionation processes mediated by organic substances, microorganisms and plants.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 1211: Earth - Evolution at the Dry Limit
• Applicant Institution: Universität zu Köln
• Project Heads: Professorin Dr. Petra Becker-Bohatý, until 6/2020; Professor Dr. Tibor J. Dunai, until 6/2020; Professorin Dr. Christine Heim, since 7/2024; Professor Dr. Sandro Jahn; Dr. Christoph Lenting, since 7/2020; Professor Dr. Carsten Münker, since 7/2020; Dr. Benedikt Ritter, until 6/2024; Professor Dr. Michael Staubwasser, until 6/2024