Sven Petersen

Sven Petersen is a Senior Scientist at the GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research in Kiel, specializing in marine mineral resources, hydrothermal systems, and deep-sea mining sustainability. He holds a PhD in mineralogy from TU Bergakademie Freiberg and has been with GEOMAR since 2004.

• Education: Doctorate in Mineralogy (TU Bergakademie Freiberg), Diploma in Mineralogy (RWTH Aachen University), Intermediate Diploma in Mineralogy (University of Kiel)

His research focuses on the formation, evolution, and distribution of marine mineral resources, with emphasis on hydrothermal processes, toxic metals in marine environments, and the role of seafloor geology in sustainable resource extraction. He leads projects like KIMERA (AI for seabed mapping) and INDEX (Central Indian Ocean geological mapping), funded by institutions such as the DFG, BGR, and EU FP7.

The trends in his publications highlight interdisciplinary work bridging marine geology, economic geology, and environmental science, with significant contributions to understanding hydrothermal vent systems and sulfide deposits. Awards include the DAAD scholarship for research in Canada.

• Scientific Awards: DAAD Scholarship

Petersen co-teaches courses such as 'Introduction to Ocean Sustainability' at the Master's level and has supervised 3 PhD theses, 14 Master's, and numerous other academic works. He has participated in over 40 research cruises as a chief scientist, deploying advanced technologies like ROVs and AUVs to study mid-ocean ridges and island arc regions.