Martin Frank

Prof. Dr. Martin Frank is a leading scientist at GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, where he serves as Spokesperson for Research Area 1: Ocean Circulation and Climate Dynamics since 2020. He works in the Department of Paleo-Oceanography, operating a modern trace-metal-clean laboratory and an MC-ICP mass spectrometer. His research focuses on reconstructing past ocean circulation and its relationship with climate using geochemical and isotopic proxy indicators.

Dr. Frank's research interests span multiple interconnected fields of marine science:

• Paleoceanography: Reconstructing ocean circulation patterns and their relationships with past climate on different timescales
• Geochemical Proxies: Developing and applying radiogenic (Nd, Pb, Hf, Sr), stable (Si, Fe, Ba, Mo), and cosmogenic (10Be) isotope systems
• Continental Weathering: Investigating relationships between weathering inputs from continents, nutrient utilization, biological productivity, and climate
• Marine Archives: Extracting proxy signals from marine sediments, manganese/iron crusts, and nodules
• Modern Ocean Processes: Understanding processes controlling proxy indicators in the present-day water column through participation in the GEOTRACES program

His recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on isotope geochemistry applied to understanding ocean circulation, continental weathering inputs, and biogeochemical cycling. Major trends in his work include the use of multiple isotope systems (particularly neodymium, hafnium, and barium) to trace water masses and continental inputs, investigations of river-ocean interfaces (particularly the Amazon and Congo systems), and studies of hydrothermal inputs to the ocean. His work bridges modern process studies with paleoceanographic reconstructions, providing critical insights into how the ocean system operates across different timescales.

Dr. Frank actively participates in the internationally coordinated GEOTRACES program, which aims to improve the understanding of biogeochemical cycles and large-scale distribution of trace elements and their isotopes in the marine environment. His laboratory at GEOMAR operates advanced analytical facilities including a trace-metal-clean laboratory and MC-ICP mass spectrometer, enabling high-precision isotope measurements critical for his research.