Belowground diversity

As part of the Collaborative Research Centre AquaDiva, we use non-targeted and targeted mass spectrometry-based metabolomic approaches to detect, identify, and quantify the chemical diversity in the Earth's Critical Zone (CZ). The study site is located in the Hainich national park in Germany, where sampling wells access an aquifer system at different locations and depths. Our main goal is to establish chemical markers to elucidate biogeochemical processes by comparing the metabolic dynamics in the CZ under different surface conditions, in the presence of microbial communities, and under variable local geology. Those biomarkers will allow us to identify the key players responsible for distinctive metabolic transformations, understand their benefits, and get insight into how growing human activities impact this zone.