20 April 2026

Environmental Background:

Iron and manganese are two of the most abundant redox-active elements in natural aquatic environments. Their coupled biogeochemical cycling frequently leads to the formation of mixed Fe–Mn minerals with highly reactive surfaces and strong oxidative properties. Recent studies suggest that these compounds may undergo transformation processes including adsorption, oxidative cleavage, and partial degradation when interacting with reactive metal oxides. However, the relative contributions of adsorption by iron oxides and oxidation by manganese oxides within Fe–Mn mixed minerals are still unclear.

Goals:

• Synthesize Fe–Mn binary oxides containing different Fe oxi/hydroxide phases.

• Investigate the transformation of APPs in Fe–Mn mineral systems.

• Distinguish adsorption and oxidation processes controlling APP transformation.

• Assess the environmental relevance using real groundwater, river water, and sediment samples.

• One master student will work on this project and focus on Chemical Mineral Synthesis and Reaction Mechanisms.

• Responsibilities include: Chemical synthesis of Fe–Mn binary oxides, Characterization of minerals, Batch experiments with APP, Data analysis.
   

Methods and Analytical Techniques:

You will gain experience in: Mineral synthesis and characterization, laboratory batch experiments, Environmental chemistry and redox processes, Analysis of Fe, Mn, and APP transformation products, Desorption and mechanistic experiments
 

Application:
Students who are interested in participating in this project are encouraged to contact us for further information. Please send a short motivation statement and your CV to:
Email:  mehrnoosh.gol-soltani@uni-tuebingen.de, stefan.haderlein@uni-tuebingen.de