Christian Hensen

Christian Hensen is a Senior Scientist at GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, affiliated with the Research Area 2: Marine Biogeochemistry and the Benthic Biogeochemistry, Fluid modelling department. He has held this tenured position since 2006 and is actively leading the DFG-funded OFFING project (2024–2026) on offshore freshened groundwater systems.

• PhD in Marine Geochemistry, University of Bremen (1996)
• Diploma in Geology-Paleontology, Christian-Albrechts-University, Kiel (1992)

His research centers on marine biogeochemical processes, particularly diagenetic reactions in marine sediments, fluid flow in sub-seafloor systems, gas hydrates, cold seeps, mud volcanoes, and geochemical modeling of fluid sources. His work integrates field data, geochemical analysis, and numerical modeling to understand fluid dynamics at continental margins and tectonic settings.

His recent publications (2019–2024) highlight a strong focus on fluid systems in convergent margins (e.g., Gulf of Cadiz, Central America), hydrothermal and cold seep environments (e.g., Guaymas Basin), gas hydrate systems, and offshore freshened groundwater. The articles span disciplines including geochemistry, tectonics, marine geology, and biogeochemistry, with recurring subfields such as pore fluid chemistry, isotope geochemistry, fluid-rock interaction, and microbial processes in sediments.

Christian Hensen has no listed scientific awards in the provided text.

He has supervised or collaborated with numerous researchers and students, though specific advisees are not listed. He has been involved in multiple international projects, including SFB 574 and IODP-related initiatives, and has contributed to major collaborative efforts on fluid flow and seismogenesis. He leads modeling efforts and participates in oceanographic cruises and workshops globally.

He is a key member of the Marine Geosystems research unit at GEOMAR, contributing to fluid geochemistry and modeling within the Benthic Biogeochemistry group.