Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Frank Keppler
Professor of Biogeochemistry at the Institute of Earth Sciences at Heidelberg University, HCE member since 2014.
As a biogeochemist, my research focuses on:
- Investigating the formation, degradation, and recycling of climate-relevant gases within the soil-plant-atmosphere continuum
- Analyzing tree rings and sediment records to reconstruct past climate changes
- Developing and applying analytical techniques to determine the isotopic composition of climate gases, enabling the tracing of their origin and fate in the environment
- Applying isotope analysis of methane and carbon dioxide in biogas reactors
- Designing methods for tracing the origin and authenticity of food products
- Geochemical and microbiological processes controlling arsenic mobilisation in groundwater
Why I joined the HCE
My primary motivation for joining the HCE was the opportunity to engage in truly interdisciplinary research. Environmental challenges - ranging from climate change to ecosystem resilience - require perspectives that go beyond traditional scientific boundaries. HCE provides a unique platform where experts from both the natural and social sciences collaborate, fostering a holistic approach to addressing pressing environmental issues.
My highlights so far
One of the most rewarding, yet also challenging, experiences I have had with HCE was serving as an editor for the interdisciplinary book Umwelt interdisziplinär. Grundlagen – Konzepte – Handlungsfelder, which will be published in 2025. Initiated in the early days of HCE, this project brought together researchers from diverse disciplines – including the natural, social, and humanities sciences – to explore fundamental concepts and approaches in environmental research. The book embodies HCE’s mission of fostering inter- and transdisciplinary collaboration, encouraging scholars to step beyond their disciplinary boundaries and engage with new perspectives. Through years of editorial work, I have experienced the power of interdisciplinary exchange in deepening our understanding of environmental challenges and shaping innovative ways of thinking. Contributing to this ambitious project has been an enriching journey, underscoring the importance of collaboration in addressing complex environmental issues.
My key partners
I closely collaborate with several HCE members across Geosciences, Environmental Physics, Geography, and the Centre for Organismal Studies (COS). Additionally, I maintain national and international research partnerships focused on various aspects of climate research, particularly in understanding the cycling of climate-relevant gases in the environment.