Research Interest(s)
My research focuses on trace metal biogeochemistry, with a strong emphasis on interactions between trace metals, organic matter, and biota. Trained as a biogeochemist with a highly interdisciplinary background, I work at the interface of (bio-)geochemistry, aquatic ecology, and microbiology, and enjoy actively bridging geochemical and ecological perspectives.
I am passionate about investigating how biological processes regulate the mobility, speciation, and bioavailability of trace metals in coastal and open ocean systems – including elements traditionally considered non-/insignificantly bio-associated or even toxic and potentially harmful, such as thallium (Tl) and rare earth elements (REE) of both natural and anthropogenic origin. A key interest of my work lies in understanding how changes in organic matter composition, microbial and planktonic community structure and environmental conditions shape trace metal patterns, and conversely how shifts in metal cycling feed back on aquatic biota. My research combines field observations with controlled micro- and mesocosm experiments and advanced trace metal and dissolved organic matter analytics to unravel metal-organic matter coupling in both living and non-living organic matter pools.
Beyond fundamental research, I care strongly about transparent and inclusive science and enjoy communicating our research to students and to audiences beyond academia, with a focus on stakeholder engagement and public outreach.
Current Projects
- SO313 – Louisville Ridge: The development and composition of ferromanganese crusts and biological communities in association with hydrographic features on the Louisville Ridge (SW Pacific)
- Biogeochemical cycling of selected potentially harmful (ultra-)trace metals (Tl, REE) in coastal environments [DFG grant: 506141804]
Key aspects:
- The fate of naturally and anthropogenically derived Tl and REE in coastal ocean compartments
- The impact of organic matter cycling, with respect to the living and non-living fraction of the organic matter pool, on the Tl and REE concentration patterns and vice versa.
Education & Academic career
| Since 2026 | PostDoc / Projectmanager, Marine Geochemistry (AG Prof. Koschinksy) Constructor University Bremen |
| 2021 – 2025 | PostDoc, Marine Isotope Geochemistry (AG Prof. Pahnke), ICBM, Carl von Ossietzky University Oldenburg |
| 2017 – 2020 | PhD student (Dr. rer. nat.), Marine Environmental Science, in the collaborative project ‘The Ecology of Molecules (EcoMol)’, Microbiogeochemistry (AG Prof. Brumsack), ICBM, Carl von Ossietzky University Oldenburg. Thesis: ‘The fate of selected trace metals (Mn, Fe, Mo, Tl) in coastal ocean compartments’. |
| 2014 – 2017 | Marine Environmental Sciences (M.Sc.), Carl von Ossietzky University Oldenburg, including research stay/semester at the National Marine Science Centre in Coffs Harbour, AUS (AG Isaac Santos) |
| 2011 – 2014 | Geoscience (B.Sc.), Eberhard-Karls-University Tübingen |
Publications
- Mori, C., Dellwig, O., Wollschläger, J., Seidel, M., (2025). Process zone specific alteration of rare earth element (REE) patterns across the land–ocean transition of the southern North Sea. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 402, 32-48. doi: 10.1016/j.gca.2025.06.017.
- Dlugosch, L., Bunse, C., Bunk, B., Böttcher, L., Tran, D.Q., Dittmar, T., Hartmann, M., Heinrichs, M., Hintz, N.H., Milke, F., Mori, C., Niggemann, J., Spröer, C., Striebel, M. and Simon, M. (2023) Naturally induced biphasic phytoplankton spring bloom reveals rapid and distinct substrate and bacterial community dynamics. FEMS Microbiology Ecology 99. doi: 10.1093/femsec/fiad078
- Sutorius, M., Mori, C., Greskowiak, J., Boettcher, L., Bunse, C., Dittmar, T., Dlugosch, L., Hintz, N.H., Simon, M., Striebel, M. and Pahnke, K. (2022) Rare earth element behaviour in seawater under the influence of organic matter cycling during a phytoplankton spring bloom – A mesocosm study. Frontiers in Marine Science 9. doi: 10.3389/fmars.2022.895723
- Mori, C., Beck, M., Hintz, N.H., Merder, J., Bunse, C., Dittmar, T., Dlugosch, L., Böttcher, L., Pahnke, K., Striebel, M., Schnetger, B., Simon, M. and Brumsack, H.-J. (2021) Biogeochemical thallium cycling during a mesocosm phytoplankton spring bloom: biotic versus abiotic drivers. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 313, 257-276. doi: 10.1016/j.gca.2021.08.002
- Mori, C., Beck, M., Striebel, M., Merder, J., Schnetger, B., Dittmar, T., Pahnke, K. and Brumsack, H.-J. (2021) Biogeochemical cycling of molybdenum and thallium during a phytoplankton summer bloom: A mesocosm study. Marine Chemistry 229, 103910. doi: 10.1016/j.marchem.2020.103910
- Gerhard, M., Mori, C. and Striebel, M. (2020) Nonrandom species loss in phytoplankton communities and its effect on ecosystem functioning. Limnology and Oceanography 9999, 1-14. doi: 10.1002/lno.11642
- Heinrichs, M.E., Mori, C. and Dlugosch, L. (2020) Complex Interactions Between Aquatic Organisms and Their Chemical Environment Elucidated from Different Perspectives, in: Jungblut, S., Liebich, V., Bode-Dalby, M. (Eds.), YOUMARES 9 – The Oceans: Our Research, Our Future: Proceedings of the 2018 conference for YOUng MArine RESearcher in Oldenburg, Germany. Springer International Publishing, Cham, pp. 279-297. doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-20389-4_15
- Oehler, T., Tamborski, J., Rahman, S., Moosdorf, N., Ahrens, J., Mori, C., Neuholz, R., Schnetger, B. and Beck, M. (2019) DSi as a Tracer for Submarine Groundwater Discharge. Frontiers in Marine Science 6:563. doi: 10.3389/fmars.2019.00563
- Mori, C., Santos, I.R., Brumsack, H.-J., Schnetger, B., Dittmar, T. and Seidel, M. (2019) Non-conservative Behavior of Dissolved Organic Matter and Trace Metals (Mn, Fe, Ba) Driven by Porewater Exchange in a Subtropical Mangrove-Estuary. Frontiers in Marine Science 6:461. doi: 10.3389/fmars.2019.00481
Further information on my research see: