Solid Earth Climate Interaction

Prof. Stephen Foley (FB 09 Geosciences)
Prof. Meinrat O. Andreae (MPIC)
Dr. Mikhail Eremets (MPIC)
Prof. Peter Hoor (FB 08 Meteorology)

Element cycles in the Earth System are regularly discussed as short timescale processes involving atmosphere, biosphere and cryosphere, whereas processes in the solid earth tend to be neglected because of the long timescales involved. Over millions to hundreds of millions of years, changes in climate and atmospheric composition will be influenced by changes in solid earth reservoirs due to volcanic activity, tectonic movements, and the presence or absence of subduction, so that integration of solid earth sciences is essential. By means of trace element and isotopic analysis combined with petrological assessments of long-term changes in reservoir sizes and exchanges, we aim to shed light on the deep, whole-earth cycles of elements such as carbon and nitrogen, and assess their residence in reservoirs in the olid earth, ocean, atmosphere and biosphere as a function of time throughout earth history. The interdisciplinary input will be strengthened by the appointment of a new volcanology professor in 2010. Synergetic exchanges with the "biosphere-atmosphere interactions" and "multiscale modelling" themes are expected.