Florian Scholz

Prof. Dr. Florian Scholz is a Professor of Geology and Biogeochemistry at the University of Hamburg, affiliated with the Institute of Geology within the Department of Earth System Sciences. He joined the university in 2024, following leadership of an Emmy-Noether research group at GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel. His academic training includes a doctorate (summa cum laude) and habilitation from Kiel University, and a Marie Curie postdoctoral fellowship at Oregon State University.

• Ph.D., Geomar Helmholtz-Zentrum & University of Kiel (2010)
• Habilitation, University of Kiel (2019)
• Diploma in Geoecology, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology & University of Bordeaux (2007)

His research lies at the intersection of marine geochemistry, biogeochemistry, and paleoceanography, with a focus on sediment-water interactions, early diagenesis, and the impact of environmental change on biogeochemical cycles. He investigates trace metal cycling (e.g., Fe, Mo, W, Ni), redox processes, and authigenic mineral formation in marine sediments, using field data, laboratory analyses, and geochemical modeling.

His recent publications (2024–2025) reveal a strong trend in paleo-redox proxy development (Mo, W, Ni isotopes), trace metal flux quantification in oxygen minimum zones, carbon cycle impacts of sediment disturbance, and ocean-based carbon dioxide removal via seafloor alkalinity enhancement. His work frequently appears in high-impact journals such as Earth and Planetary Science Letters, Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, and Communications Earth & Environment.

• Emmy-Noether-Gruppenleiter, GEOMAR (2016–2023)
• Marie Curie Fellow, Oregon State University & GEOMAR (2012–2015)
• Postdoctoral Researcher, SFB 574 & 754 (2010–2012)

Prof. Scholz teaches courses including Marine Biogeochemistry, Environmental Geochemistry, and Field Geology at both undergraduate and graduate levels. He leads an active research group focused on marine sediment geochemistry and collaborates widely across international oceanographic projects. His work contributes significantly to understanding past and present ocean chemistry and developing strategies for climate change mitigation.