Robert van Geldern

PD Dr. Robert van Geldern is a Privatdozent and Scientific Assistant at the Chair of Applied Geology within the GeoCenter Northern Bavaria at Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg. He has been with the university since 2009 and completed his Habilitation in 2015, qualifying him as an independent university lecturer in Germany. His research focuses on isotope applications in hydrological systems across diverse geographical contexts.

Dr. van Geldern earned his Diploma in Geology from FAU Erlangen-Nuremberg (1992-1998), followed by PhD research at the same institution (1998-2004). Prior to his current position, he worked as a research associate and deputy section head at the Leibniz-Institute for Applied Geophysics in Hannover (2004-2008).

His primary research interests center on isotope hydrology and hydrogeology, with expertise in light stable isotope geochemistry of water and sediments. Dr. van Geldern's work encompasses method development in analytical chemistry and investigations into water chemistry and biogeochemical cycles. His research often applies isotope techniques to address environmental challenges, particularly in Mediterranean regions where climate change impacts water resources.

Analysis of Dr. van Geldern's recent publications reveals a strong focus on using stable isotopes as tracers in hydrological systems. His work spans diverse geographical contexts including Corsica, Sri Lanka, Egypt, and Germany, with applications to groundwater quality assessment, carbon cycling in aquatic systems, and climate change impacts on water resources. The interdisciplinary nature of his research connects geology, environmental science, and climate studies through innovative methodological approaches.

Dr. van Geldern has led significant research projects including:

• "Stable Isotopes in Rivers as Indicators of Climate Change in the Mediterranean Region" (2016-2017, funded by DAAD)
• "The Influence of High Mountain Relief on Isotope Hydrology and Associated Climate Proxies" (ongoing since 2016, funded by DFG)

He maintains active international collaborations, particularly with researchers in Corsica, and has contributed to methodological advancements in stable isotope analysis for environmental applications. His work often involves field studies combined with laboratory analysis to address practical water resource management challenges in regions facing climate change pressures.