Institute of Geography

Research

Paleolimnology

Sedimententnahme Bachalpsee oberhalb von Grindelwald mit Blick auf die Berner Alpen (2023) — Sediment sampling at Bachalpsee near Grindelwald, with the Bernese Alps in the background © S. Schouten, 2023

The Paleolimnology Unit uses a range of sedimentological and biogeochemical proxies in lake sediments and statistical tools to investigate short- and long-term climate and environmental variability and change ranging from the Anthropocene to Glacial-Interglacial cycles. The spotlight of investigation is currently on the responses of lakes to rapid climate change, on the nexus between climate-productivity-anoxia and on organic micro-pollutants including plant protection products and related eco-toxicological impacts. We investigate lakes in Switzerland, Central Europe, Africa and NE China. Research is typically highly interdisciplinary. The group is a member of the Oeschger Centre for Climate Change Research, University of Bern.
Fieldwork impression: https://youtu.be/4BjyFH7UV_k

Contact

University of Bern | Institute of Geography | Paleolimnology | Hallerstrasse 12 | CH-3012 Bern

Prof. Martin Grosjean: martin.grosjean@unibe.ch

News

Online-Workshop on Hyperspectral Imaging as Python and R workflow

Get to know our Python workflow for processing hyperspectral data in a 2-day workshop (November 4-5, 2024). No previous coding knowledge needed. Register here

Kick-Off Field Campaign at Moossee

We have successfully launched the year-round measurement campaign at Lake Moossee to investigate pesticides in lakes!

Open-source solution for hyperspectral image data processing

We have presented a new, open-source workflow for the analysis of hyperspectral image analysis at the Data4Sciences Conference in Bern.

EGU24 photo competition - cast your vote!

Stan Schouten, PhD in the Paleolimnology group, made it to the final selection with his photo "Permafrost melt and glacial retreat outpacing human expectations." in the final selection of the European Geosciences Union (EGU) photo competition. Vote until April 18th!

Program Environmental Pollution Seminar

5.3.2024, 16:15: Dr. Elisabeth Janssen, EAWAG
Title: Natural Toxins from Cyanobacteria: Who is abundant, persistent and toxic?
Venue: Institute of Geography, Hallerstrasse 12, Room 302, 3rd floor

23.4.2024, 16:15: Dr. Olena Melnyk, ETH Zurich
Title: Environmental Impact of the War in Ukraine: A Focus on Ukraine's Soil and Land Management
Venue: Institute of Geography, Hallerstrasse 12, Room 302, 3rd floor

The silicon biogeochemistry of Yellowstone Lake, USA, in the Holocene

Our recent limnological studies at Yellowstone Lake addressed the critical role of silicon in the lake's biogeochemistry, focusing on dissolved silicon concentrations, silicon isotopic composition, and Ge/Si ratios.

Lake sediments provide insight into rapid speciation

Lake Victoria in East Africa is a hotspot of young and massive biodiversity. In less than 16,000 years, more than 500 species of cichlids have evolved. Fossil fish teeth preserved in lake sediments provide detailed insights into the process and timing of adaptive radiation.

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