Gesa Schulz

Dr. Gesa Schulz is a Researcher at the Institute of Geology, University of Hamburg, focusing on estuarine biogeochemistry and coastal carbon/nitrogen cycling. Her work addresses metabolic alkalinity generation in the Elbe Estuary, particularly in the Hamburg port area, and its implications for North Sea CO₂ uptake and carbon storage.

Research Interests:

• Biogeochemical cycling in estuaries
• Alkalinity and dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) dynamics
• Nitrogen retention and hypoxia
• Impact of port facilities on coastal systems
• Stable isotope analysis (δ¹⁵N, δ¹⁸O) of nitrate
• 3D biogeochemical modeling (ECOHAM)

Scientific Contributions:

• Quantified metabolic alkalinity generation in the Elbe Estuary (2022), showing up to 90% of TA stems from calcium carbonate dissolution, with the remaining 10% from anaerobic processes
• Linked low river discharge to enhanced nitrogen retention (2023)
• Demonstrated how port-induced stratification creates hypoxic zones and alters benthic-pelagic coupling
• Modeled how TA fluxes from estuaries strengthen coastal CO₂ sinks

Honors: Recipient of the MOPGA-GRI fellowship (BMBF grant no. 57429828).