Selected publications

The spatial and temporal variability of stable water isotopes were investigated in the Schlei and in the Baltic Sea boddens. The data improve the understanding of hydrological processes behind those dynamics. Further they will be a helpful contribution to multiple IGB projects, e.g. in context of migration studies of pike and analysis of biochemical processes in macrophytes

The authors studied, with an individual-based phytoplankton model, how toxins can evolve and how intraspecific variation of toxicity can be maintained in toxic phytoplankton blooms. They found that small-scale spatial heterogeneity generated by binary division of phytoplankton cells can explain the evolution of toxins as a public good and the coexistence of toxic and non-toxic genotypes.

The authors studied the dissolved organic matter (DOM) composition from streams, rivers, ponds and lakes within Berlin. They found DOM from lakes and ponds to differ greatly from that of streams and rivers in composition and temporal turnover. Urban land use, nutrient supply and point source pollution were the main drivers of DOM. This suggests including DOM composition in regular monitoring.

In course of measuring campaigns, the spatial and temporal dynamics of water isotopes in northeastern German lakes were evaluated. The data will serve as basis for further studies, for example with respect to connectivity of lakes and biochemical processes in macrophytes.

The authors studied the role of host genetics in host-associated microbiome community structure. Gut and body microbiome composition still varied between Daphnia host genotypes, even though these Daphnia were kept under identical lab conditions for five years. This highlights the importance of host genetic component in microbiome structure.

The theoretical study evaluated the microbial dynamics of particle-associated vs free-living bacteria. Bacterial generalists have the ability to utilize both habitats and increase stability and energy transport through the 'microbial loop'. Adaptive response strategies of bacteria are important to assess the consequences of increasing particle loads, e.g., sediment and microplastics.

The authors investigated antiparasitic potential of 3 agrochemical fungicides on a non-target aquatic model (Daphnia × parasitic yeast system). The results suggest that azole fungicides may disrupt host-parasite interactions in natural systems. There might be broader consequences of this parasite-clearance effect, especially in face of increasing evidence that parasites are ecologically important.

From the distribution of manganese, iron and phosphorus within sediment cores from 11 water depths of Lake Arendsee, changes in the trophic state and oxygen conditions could be reconstructed. The redox-controlled geochemical focussing induced authigenic vivianite formation under oligo-mesotrophic conditions about 100 years ago, resulting locally in strongly increased burial phosphorus deposition.