Organic Geochemistry
Organic geochemists use a molecular approach to investigate the origin and fate of organic matter in the bio- and geosphere. In Utrecht, the focus is on land-ocean organic carbon transport, paleoclimate reconstructions, proxy development, and ecosystem processes. We study the relationships between the occurrence, distribution, and/or isotopic composition of specific molecules, so-called biomarkers, and environmental parameters in modern systems. These relationships are subsequently used as proxies to reconstruct environmental changes in the past.