- Programme area:Dimensions of Complexity of Aquatic Systems
Towards the outwelling hypothesis in a Patagonian estuary: first support from lipid markers and bacterial communities
Fatty acid markers, stable isotopes of C and N, and bacterial communities were investigated in a mesotidal estuary of the Patagonia to assess the Odum’s outwelling hypothesis. Rhodobacterales were likely early colonizers of the outwelled organic matter and the exportation of nutrients and organisms and their essential fatty acids from the wetland was inferred, supporting the findings of Odum.
The role of boundary mixing for diapycnal oxygen fluxes in a stratified marine system
The research team investigated the vertical oxygen flux through the halocline in the Baltic Sea using high-resolution temperature and oxygen profiles during different seasons. Oxygen transport showed a strong seasonality and was higher in autumn compared to summer and winter. The shoreline regions were responsible for >80% of the total oxygen transport through the halocline.

Spatial and temporal dynamics of water isotopes in the riverine-marine mixing zone along the German Baltic Sea coast
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 LOTUS initiative for open knowledge management in natural products research
Scientists integrated data about natural chemical compounds and the organisms they have been documented in, provided literature references and exposed the information both as a stand-alone database and via Wikidata.The database enables queries that relate natural chemical compounds to the taxa they have been found in and the literature documenting the evidence.
Fate of trace organic compounds in the hyporheic zone: influence of microbial metabolism
The authors investigated the influence of microbial processes on the fate of trace organic compounds in stream sediments. The study demonstrates the usefulness of the fluorescent tracer system resazurin-resorufin for determining microbial metabolism and disentangling specific reactive properties and ultimately their influence on the fate of contaminants in natural hyporheic zones.

Performance of biochars for the elimination of trace organic contaminants and metals from urban stormwater
This study combines laboratory batch and column experiments with transport modeling to assess the efficacy and longevity of biochar filters for urban stormwater treatment. Biochar can serve as cost-effective adsorbent for the removal of polar organic contaminants in urban stormwater runoff.

Spatial and seasonal patterns of water isotopes in northeastern German lakes
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.
Spatial variability of radon production rates in an alluvial aquifer affects travel time estimates of groundwater originating from a losing stream
Radon in surface water is mostly used to localise and quantify groundwater discharge. The study presents the opposite approach and use radon to estimate travel times of infiltrated surface water in the aquifer. The spatial heterogeneity of radon production rates complicates this approach, but the problems can be overcome by additionally considering temperature and hydraulic heads.

Wood ash as an additive in biomass pyrolysis: effects on biochar yield, properties, and agricultural performance
Simultaneous attenuation of trace organics and change in organic matter composition in the hyporheic zone of urban streams
Wastewater still contains high amounts of trace organic compounds and organic matter after the wastewater treatment plant. These compounds are usually discharged to rivers with the treated water. The study shows that in the hyporheic zone of the river, i.e. the river sediment, degradation of trace organic compounds takes place simultaneously with a change in the composition of organic matter.