Sonal Khanolkar

Sonal Khanolkar is a researcher at GEOMAR Helmholtz Center for Ocean Research Kiel, Germany, specializing in paleoceanography and marine biogeochemistry. Her work focuses on reconstructing past climate conditions using geochemical proxies and microfossil analysis from ocean sediment cores.

Her research interests encompass:

• Paleoceanography
• Marine Biogeochemistry
• Climate Reconstruction
• Foraminifera
• Geochemistry
• Paleoclimatology

Dr. Khanolkar employs advanced techniques including stable isotope analysis (carbon, oxygen, boron), trace element geochemistry, and biomarker studies to investigate climate dynamics during the Paleogene period. Her recent publications reveal a strong emphasis on using foraminiferal proxies to reconstruct atmospheric CO₂, sea surface temperatures, and ocean chemistry across critical climate transitions such as the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum and Middle Eocene Climatic Optimum. Her research spans multiple ocean basins, with significant contributions to International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP) Expedition 378 in the South Pacific, where she analyzed sediment cores to understand Paleogene climate-ocean interactions.

She actively develops and refines paleoproxy methodologies, including high-precision femtosecond laser ablation ICP-MS for trace element analysis in foraminifera and boron isotope applications for pH reconstruction. Her work integrates field data from ocean drilling expeditions with laboratory analyses to address fundamental questions about Earth's climate system evolution.

Contact: skhanolkar@geomar.de