The Geo-/ Cosmochemistry working group focuses on development and application of novel analytical techniques in the fields of isotope and trace element geochemistry. Our research focus is placed on high temperature processes related to crust-mantle evolution on Earth, magmatic processes, and the origin of the solar system and early Earth evolution. We are especially equipped for handling of extraterrestrial samples (meteorites and sample return missions). An additional research focus is geochronology. Over the past years, low temperature processes (hyperarid environments and marine geochemistry through time) have additionally become a research topic of our group.

In the past decade, our group has co-ordinated a nation-wide DFG priority research program on early Earth evolution (SPP 1833 “Building a Habitable Earth”) and has hosted an ERC Advanced Grant program (AdG 669666 “Infant Earth”) that has investigated the history of Earth’s early evolution from the combined record of meteorites and Earth’s oldest rocks. We also host numerous international research fellows funded by Alexander von Humboldt foundation and DAAD.

Since early 2017, we operate a newly furnished clean lab facility at Cologne with distinct facilities for both terrestrial and extraterrestrial samples. The facility is located in our new institute building (Zülpicherstr. 49b Cologne). It is equipped with two Multi-Collector ICP-mass spectrometers for radiogenic and stable isotope measurements (Neoma MC-ICPMS/MS and Neptune Plus MC-ICPMS), as well as one iCAP-TQ triple quadrupole ICPMS and one conventional iCAP-Q quadrupole ICPMS for trace element analysis. For in situ isotope and trace element analyses, we are equipped with an ESI NWRimageGEO Laser ablation system that can be coupled to both the MC-ICPMS/MS and the triple quad ICPMS. These facilities are complemented by an electron microprobe (JEOL JXA-8900RL Superprobe).