The reconstruction of ancient environments is one of the major goals of palaeontology. One of the most important factors in shaping the environment is the atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide (CO₂). A commonly used praxis to assess Deep Time CO₂-concentrations is via a dependent proxy. The aim of this study was to estimate concentrations in the late Pliocene using the ratio between stomata and epidermis cells (Stomatal Index, SI) on the surface of Ginkgo adiantoides leaves as a proxy. In order to establish a reliable reference for the quantitative relationship between CO₂ concentration and this SI, measurements ideally should be done with specimen grown across a wide range of known CO₂ concentrations. Additionally the reference taxon has to be as closely related to the fossil taxon as possible since the SI at a given CO₂ concentration and its reaction to changing concentrations varies greatly between different species. Due to these constraints the baseline for the present analysis was calculated using Ginkgo biloba, the closest living relative to the now extinct Ginkgo adiantoides. For this purpose leaves were taken from herbarium archives collected across the last 150 years, as well as leaves freshly collected in 2023 and 2024, together with abundant data from the literature. In order to visualize the epidermal cells and stomata a number of microscopic techniques were used. Utilizing this modern calibration dataset CO₂ concentrations were estimated based on Ginkgo leaves from the Late Pliocene floras of Frankfurt am Main and Ruppach-Goldhausen (both Germany).

The study of natural climate archives is a significant method to understand past environmental conditions and depositional processes. Investigating Central German lignite is particularly suitable, as it serves as an environmental and climate archive, formed from Tertiary mires and their ecological and climatic conditions.

The petrographic composition of lignite is greatly influenced by the plant communities that formed the paleo-mires, serving as direct indicators of the climate and environmental conditions of that era. These plant communities developed in cyclic sequences, progressing from coniferous swamp forests and angiosperm-dominated peatlands to reed marshes and pine woodlands, culminating in raised bogs.

In this contribution, detailed petrographic and facies analyses of lignite seams are provided to show insights into the physicochemical and ecological conditions of these ancient marsh sequences. Field mapping and core logging at the open-pit mines Profen and Vereinigtes Schleenhain in Central Germany were conducted. Taken samples were analysed macropetrographically, as well as microscopically in terms of maceral analysis and moor facies analysis.

The resulting depositional model reconstructs the development and disturbances of the paleo-mires, revealing external environmental influences. It demonstrates the sequence of moor facies cycles and identifies areas with peat fires or the drying out of the marsh. This includes information on plant communities, groundwater levels, oxygen and nutrient availability, and climatic conditions during deposition. By correlating this information throughout different parts of the Central German lignite basin, new insights into its depositional model are provided.

Geophysical data from the Liguro-Provençal Basin shows prominent margin asymmetry but the nature of the crust, especially in the northeastern part of the basin, remains unclear. The basin formed at the junction of the northern Apennines and the western Alps due to the rollback of the Calabrian-Apennines subduction zone in the Oligo-Miocene. The opening of the basin was accompanied by counter-clockwise rotation of the Corsica-Sardinia block relative to Europe with the basin widening southwestwards. Recent weak compressional earthquakes offshore within the basin suggest possible basin inversion due to the ongoing Africa-Eurasia convergence. An insight into the crustal structure of the basin is therefore the key to understanding these recent processes. To this end, we compiled existing geological and geophysical data, including new data from the German project “Mountain Building Processes in Four Dimensions” (4DMB), to constrain the crustal and sedimentary thicknesses throughout the basin. Moreover, we derived kinematic parameters of extension using regional tectonic reconstructions and used the coupled ASPECT and FastScape geodynamic code to model the opening of the basin in its northeastern (Corsica – Provence) and southwestern (Sardinia – Gulf of Lion) parts. The comparison of the geodynamic models and geophysical data suggests: 1) the extent of oceanic crust in the Liguro-Provençal Basin did not reach as far north as previously presumed; 2) rift-related structures are possibly being reactivated offshore to the northwest of Corsica. We also present new constraints on the lateral extent of rifted continental crust and exhumed mantle and evolution of the basin through time.

The Rodada Formation is one of the Ordovician sequences that crops out in the eastern domain of the Iberian Central System (Central Iberian Zone, CIZ). This formation is mainly composed of Middle Ordovician (Darriwillian) fine-grained shales. An isotopic study (Sr and Nd) in 15 shale samples of this formation reveals negative εNd₍₄₆₀₎ values, which indicate a high cortical affinity and relatively older isotopic signatures (T_DM= 1.6-1.8 Ga). These Nd model ages prove to be older than those associated with Ediacaran and Cambrian sequences in southern CIZ. Altogether, T_DM values represent an inverse chronological evolution compared to the ages of the stratigraphic sequences. The causes for this evolution are yet unclear, however it should be considered that, during the Middle Ordovician, the North African margin of Gondwana shares the characteristics of a passive margin affected by a pronounced extension. In this margin, the location of the CIZ is subject to an extensive debate. Even so, it is commonly accepted that its sedimentary sequences were deposited in an elongated section of the continental shelf adjacent to the Sahara Metacraton and Trans-Saharan Orogen. The evolution followed by the T_DM record may be compatible with a progressive variation in the source areas and their shifting towards regions closer to the West African Craton. In addition, it may be also explained by an increased exposure or progressive exhumation of the cratonic domains of northern African continent. An extended post-glacial period may have contributed to both processes, either by the retreat of the ice sheet or by the subsequent isostatic compensation.

Several trace metals have gained societal and economic importance due to their limited and uncertain supply as well as their crucial role in high-tech applications, including various enabling technologies. These Technology-Critical Elements (TCE) are now recognized in the critical raw materials lists that are regularly published by entities such as the European Union and the United States Geological Survey. Notable examples are the rare earth elements, the platinum group elements, antimony, gallium, germanium and scandium.

In natural waters and soil solutions, many of these metals are found, due to their strong particle-reactivity, only in extremely minute concentrations, ranging from ng kg^-1 to pg kg^-1. However, their booming application in diverse technologies leads to a strongly increasing input from anthropogenic sources into the environment. At the same time, we face considerable knowledge gaps in their mobility, reactivity and bioavailability. The various chemical forms in which these metals are employed further complicate sound predictions on the mobility and bioavailability of these emerging contaminants in the environment. In this contribution, I will summarize the state of the art and challenges in constraining natural background concentrations as well as anthropogenic contaminations and will showcase research on their mobility, reactivity and bioavailability, with a special emphasis on the potential relevance of natural biomolecules (metallophores) for TCE mobilization and a potential rehabilitation. Such ligands are naturally produced by a range of microorganisms, plants and fungi to cope with the scarcity of nutrient metals, but may also actively promote the mobilization of TCE in the environment.

The ever-increasing application of rare earth elements and yttrium (REY) in diverse sectors has led to their emergence as environmental contaminants. In this study of the Oder and Vistula rivers in Poland, total concentrations of REY (ƩREY) in the dissolved phase (0.2 µm-filtered water samples) decrease from the river’s upper reaches (98.1 and 139 ng/kg) to mid-sections (52.4 and 48.4 ng/kg) but rise again near the estuaries (65.1 and 61.4 ng/kg). The upper reaches exhibit high levels of REY due to the impacts of high population density, strong industrial activity, and the input of acid mine drainage. The rise at their lower reaches indicates input from additional sources, possibly from phosphogypsum tailings. The Gd anomalies (Gd_SN/Gd_SN^*: 4.92 - 44.6) found at the studied sites reveal various Polish regions as hotspots of anthropogenic Gd microcontamination (where >95% of Gd is of anthropogenic origin), resulting in a significant flux into the Baltic Sea. Ultrafiltrates show HREY enrichment over LREY in the truly dissolved REY pool (<1 kDa), enhancing the trend seen in the dissolved phase as LREY preferentially associate with nanoparticles and colloids (NPCs: 0.2 µm - 1 kDa). The anthropogenic Gd is related to MRI contrast agents released with the effluents of wastewater treatment plants, displays negligible particle-reactivity, and resides almost exclusively in the truly dissolved REY fraction. Our results underscore the urgency of monitoring and understanding the anthropogenic impacts causing elevated REY levels and positive Gd anomalies in the Oder and Vistula rivers to protect the environment.

The reactivity and fate of Technology Critical Elements (TCEs) in rivers are still widely unknown. We present yearly monitoring results for Rare Earth Elements (REEs) and less known TCEs such as tellurium (Te) and Thallium (Tl), for three contrasting German watersheds: the Rhine, the Neckar and the Danube rivers. Monthly samples of water (0.45 vs 0.02 µm) and suspended particulate matter were analysed directly and after digestions via ICP-MS (iCAP series, Thermo®). Results show contrasting behavior between watersheds. For instance, only the Neckar River shows increased downstream transport of REEYs in the dissolved phase, reflecting the impact of dams along its course. In contrast, only the Danube River shows a mixed signal between geogenic and anthropogenic Gd, the latter disappearing completely during flood conditions. In any case, flood conditions enhance an overall transport of REEs in the truly dissolved phase for all rivers, increasing the amount released into the system, decreasing the log Kd values and causing a characteristic Tm negative anomaly. The opposite occurs for Tl and anthropogenic Gd, suggesting for Tl an anthropogenically dominated regime, especially at the Neckar and Danube rivers. All this information provides insights for developing scenarios for potential risk assessment of current and future anthropogenic releases of TCEs in aquatic environments.

Acknowledgements: This work was funded as part of the Excellence Strategy of the German Federal and State Governments. The authors also acknowledge the extensive contribution of LUBW (Germany) and AUE (Switzerland) for the collection of water and suspended sediment samples.

Rare Earth Elements and Yttrium (REY) are considered Technology-Critical Elements and contaminants of emerging concern due to their wide application but limited supply. The growing use of REY poses an environmental threat due to increasing entry into natural surface waters and the food web. Therefore, it is crucial to better understand speciation and complexation of REY under a wide variety of natural surface water conditions. Saline-alkaline lakes are present on all continents, cover up to 20 % of the area of all lakes worldwide¹ and up to 75 % in the East African Rift². Here we report REY from (saline) alkaline lakes and hotsprings from the Kenyan part of the East African Rift. The samples are characterized by alkaline pH values ranging between 7.24 and 9.91, which increases with increasing electrical conductivity as well as high DOC in lake waters (up to ~98 mg/L). Shale-normalized REY patterns show typical features of alkaline lake waters such as strong HREY enrichment over LREY. Preliminary inorganic speciation modelling suggests that carbonate is the dominant inorganic ligand. However, the alkaline rift valley lakes do not show the positive Ce anomaly that was previously reported for other alkaline lakes. The high DOC content of the lake waters (i.e. low molecular weight organic matter) might suppress typical Ce redox behavior. In marked contrast, alkaline hotsprings show similarly strong HREY over LREY enrichments, but positive Ce anomalies.

¹Wurtsbaugh et al. (2017) Nat. Geosci. 10 (11), 816.

²Butturini et al. (2020) Water Research, 173

The potential mobility and availability of trace elements in sediments/soils is commonly assessed via selective extractions. In this work, three contrasting sediments, i.e., Rhine riverbank sediment, alkaline volcanic heavy mineral sand, and mine tailings from a Mississippi-valley type ore deposit, are extracted with an oxalate-based solution and compared in terms of trace element mobility from both amorphous and crystalline Fe-Mn-carrier phases. Major and trace elements are characterized in the supernatants via ICP-OES and (HG-)ICP-MS, whereas the residual material is characterized via XRD. The obtained Fe/Si and Mn/As ratios highlight distinct sediment behavior over time. Overall, our results show a significant kinetic component, increasing concentrations for some elements like Fe, Mn, Ti, Si, Al, Mg, Sr, Na, Ge, Sc, and HREE (for the black sand), and decreasing for Ca, K, Y, REE after reaching supersaturation, e.g., formation of a characteristic whitish precipitate. Even though the protocol was successful at destroying most of the Fe-Mn(-Ti) minerals, the crystallization and sedimentation of oxalate salts may be due to the absence of stabilizing agents in solution. A similar situation occurs in the case of urolithiasis, where supersaturation of calcium oxalate in the kidneys, if not inhibited, promotes precipitation. Thus, the findings of this study not only highlight the environmental mobility of technologically critical elements in aquatic systems, but also their potential retention/accumulation in kidney stones.

Acknowledgements:

This work was funded as part of the Excellence Strategy of the German Federal and State Governments.

Rare earth elements (REEs), a group of elements with similar physical properties and coherent geochemical behaviour, are widely used as proxies for many biogeochemical processes. Interpretation of REE data is primarily based on distribution patterns in normalised graphs. Therefore, missing REEs can alter the appearance of the REE patterns and, consequently, the interpretation. Data for certain REEs may be missing for various reasons, e.g., they could not be measured (neutron activation analysis, isotope dilution techniques), the measurement was near to or below the limits of quantification or certain REEs were used as spikes. To address this, we introduce a novel method that leverages REEs' characteristically smooth distribution patterns to reconstruct missing REE data. Our approach provides accurate and precise REE data (<10% deviation) well within common analytical uncertainties of modern analytical techniques (e.g., ICP-MS). The accuracy and precision were determined using a method verification dataset of >13,000 mafic and ultramafic rock samples. The re-modelled REE data can be used to interpret the overall pattern and to quantitatively determine anomalies, one of the most important tools in REE research. Furthermore, our method offers new opportunities for REE data handling and processing, enabling researchers to assess the usability and reliability of REE data, whether self-produced or data from journal publications and data repositories. We implemented our method into our software tool GeoArmadillo, which facilitates geochemical data processing, evaluation and assessment.

Often, geological models are generated based on information obtained from exploration data, e.g. borehole records. These borehole records contain descriptions and interpretations about petrography (lithology) and stratigraphy, respectively. The information is crucial for modeling the spatial distribution of lithostratigraphic layers. However, the interpretation of the drilling profiles is error-prone as it depends on several factors, including date of recording, exploration target, quality of digitalization of the borehole record and the human interpretation bias of the responsible expert, among others. Due to the large number of boreholes drilled during explorations, separating adequate from insufficient drilling profiles is of great importance, yet rather difficult. While visual inspection of the inferred geological model is a viable approach it results in numerous iterations to filter inadequate drilling profiles which is time-consuming and expensive.

We present a Python-based software package that predicts the quality of lithostratrigraphic data from borehole records based on several criteria. Using pre-checked reference drilling profiles, we train a random forest model to predict the quality of non-checked drilling profiles for geologically comparable regions. The aforementioned selection criteria as well as the predictors are individually definable by the software user.

As a study area, we selected a former lignite mining area of Lusatia bordering the Federal State of Brandenburg and the Free State of Sachsen (Saxony). Here, 71 pre-checked and classified drilling profiles exist which are combined with erroneous synthetic profiles and used to train the random forest model to predict the quality of the >3000 remaining profiles.

Until now, the BGR’s geological general map series of different scales were not connected to each other in terms of data technology. Accordingly, the GK1000 (Geological Map of the Federal Republic of Germany 1:1,000,000) was previously generated manually from the GÜK250 / GÜK200 (The General Geological Map of the Federal Republic of Germany 1:250,000 / 1:200,000). Within the framework of the AGNES (Automated generalisation/derivation of geological spatial data) project, the generalisation tool “AutoGen” of the State Office for Geology, Raw Materials and Mining in Baden-Württemberg (LGRB) has been adapted using the above-mentioned two general maps, so that a largely automated derivation of small-scale spatial data from large-scale spatial data is possible. The talk will give an overview of the results of the AGNES project and the tool “AutoGen” as well as an outlook on further work in the future.

3D information systems are becoming increasingly important in Hesse (Lehné et al. 2017). The pilot study “Darmstadt_3D”, which delivers urban subsurface data, including technical infrastructure, is highly utilizes by the user community of the city of Darmstadt, the HLNUG and the TUDa. Based on these project experiences, a further project was initiated in 2020 for a small working area in northern Hesse, southeast of Kassel (Lewin et al. 2021). Meanwhile, the working area, geologically located in the Hessian depression, has been expanded to cover the entire city area, spanning approximately 240km².

The database of the structural geological 3D model consists of 9535 quality-checked drillings, several of which have also been used to construct 50 cross sections that help to better elaborate the fault network and layer dip. Additionally, four geological maps (GK25) were harmonized, and nine already existing cross sections were incorporated. The 3D modelling is performed using SKUA-GOCAD and includes the base of the stratigraphic horizons Quaternary, Tertiary, as well as the lower Triassic formations Röt, Solling and Hardegsen. Difficulties arise from varying data densities and conflicting input data.

Initial results reveal a complex tectonic situation, primarily characterized by the WNW-ESE trending graben system of Kassel. Displacement rates of stratigraphic horizons can exceed 100m.

To archive a fully integrated urban 3D-information system for Kassel, the structural geological 3D model will be parameterized (e.g. hydraulic conductivities, radon potentials) and published via GST.

Started as a project at a geoscientific hackathon in 2018 and released to the public in 2020, GST[AR] is an app-based attempt of utilizing Augmented Reality (AR) to bring 3D geological data to almost everyone with a smartphone or tablet. In this way, multiple european-based geological surveys already offer some of their models to experts and interested users alike today. 3D subsurface models especially are great for public engagement and education as they are easier to grasp and fun to interact with. GST[AR] joined the growing list of tools that allow users to visualize geological data without the need for expensive and proprietary software, but chose to do it with the rather novel technology of AR.

AR holds great potential since it is a fun and intuitive way to interact with 3D data and is readily available on most portable devices. Enabling users to directly manipulate a 3D scene is essential for user engagement, but also for gaining a deeper understanding of the spatial relations and dimensions. Simpler methods like creating an animation, or still image, of a 3D model fall short in that regard because they lack the interactive component. In this presentation we will look into the capabilities of the app, ways for everyone to utilize their own models, and the potential this holds for conferences and education.

Clay-rich formations are internationally considered as ideal seals for underground disposal of radioactive waste [1, 2]. In the context of site exploration programs transport characteristics must - among other information – be locally quantified [3].

Here we present noble gas profiles from Hondingen, southern Germany [4], an area already disqualified as a siting region due to the shallow depth of the Opalinus Clay formation and an active fault zone. The sampling procedure generally followed guidelines for drill core sampling of the recent Nagra drilling campaign [5], refining procedures originally developed elsewhere [6 - 10].

We compare our data with analytical solutions [11] and numerical simulation results [12]. The ⁴He concentration profile has reached steady state. Within the clay barrier, the transport is diffusion dominated with the minimum porewater residence time calculating to some million years.

[1] M. J. Hendry et al. (2015) Geofluids 15(3) [2] Clay Club Catalogue (2022) NEA, OECD [3] A. Bath, et al. (2023) Appl. Geochem. 159 [4] K. Leu et al. (2023) J. Appl. Region. Geol. [5] D. Rufer and M. Stockhecke (2021) NAB 19-13(1) NAGRA [6] J. Lippmann et al., (1997) IAEA-SM-349/36; [7] K. Osenbrueck, et al. (1998) GCA 62(18) [8] A. P. Ruebel et al. (2002) GCA 66(8) [9] M. Mazurek et al. (2011) Appl. Geochem. 26(7) [10] D. Rufer, et al. (2017) Proc. Earth Planet. Sci., 17, [11] J. N. Andrews (1985) Chem. Geol., 49 [12] D. L. Parkhurst and C. A. J. Appelo (2013) Techniques and Methods, 6(A43), USGS, USA

The Opalinuston-Formation in Southern Germany comprises a thick (>100 m) sequence of Middle Jurassic claystones. In parts of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg, the formation has been designated as a sub-area by the Federal company for radioactive waste disposal (BGE), indicating that favorable geological conditions for the final disposal of high-level radioactive waste can be expected there. However, coherent geological data for the complete formation is often lacking. Here we present new data on the geological variability of the Opalinuston-Formation based on four drill cores, each of which penetrated through the entire formation, and parts of the over- and underlying rock strata outside the sub-area. After completion of the drilling work, the cores were examined in high resolution for their petrophysical properties and element distribution using non-destructive analytical tools such as XRF core scanner and multi-sensor core logger. Furthermore, one sample per core meter was taken for a precise stratigraphic classification of the rocks and a geochemical-mineralogical and sedimentological characterization. Results exhibit notable geological variability at the investigated localities, particularly with respect to the Si/Al ratio. This is interpreted as changes in grain size due to relative sea-level fluctuations during deposition, and is thus useful to reconstruct stacking patterns of parasequences. In summary, this contribution highlights the geological variability of the Opalinuston-Formation in Southern Germany and discusses the possibilities of a sequence stratigraphic approach to identify the most suitable parts of sub-areas in claystone formations for the final disposal of high-level radioactive waste.

Ensuring the long-term safety of underground repositories for high-level radioactive waste requires a comprehensive understanding of overburden stability. In this BGE-funded project, we investigate past landscape evolution and erosion dynamics in the South German Scarplands utilizing a multidisciplinary approach. Through geomorphic analysis, stratigraphic reconstruction, thermochronology, cosmogenic nuclides, and landscape evolution modelling, we aim to quantify the intricate interplay of geological processes shaping overburden topography over a million to a thousand year timescales.

Our findings reveal that long-wavelength uplift pulses and graben formation control long-term erosion within the region. Notably, the latest post-15 Ma uplift pulse has led to a southeastward shift of the drainage divide between the Main/Neckar and the Danube rivers, accompanied by substantial river captures and localized pulses of erosion. Associated peak erosion rates can be up to several tens of meters per thousand years and create a cascading effect of erosion away from the original capture sites along the antecedent river valleys. The magnitude of these events is constrained by the accumulated differential uplift between the base-level of the Rhine to the west and the uplifted area to the east (i.e., the Swabian Alb).

Furthermore, we highlight the profound influence of the exposure of 'weak' rocks and associated drainage system reorganization on both the past and future evolution of the South German Scarplands. Our comprehensive quantitative analysis contributes valuable insights into the complex interplay of geological processes governing landscape evolution and surface erosion, which are crucial for assessing the long-term safety of underground repositories for radioactive waste.

To assess the present and future conditions of potential deep geological repository sites, understanding their evolution in the past is mandatory. Here, glaciation cycles strongly affected the long-term thermo-hydro-mechanical (THM) evolution of the geosystem.

The AREHS project studies the effects of time-dependent boundary conditions (BCs) on the long-term evolution of large-scale hydrogeological systems. The focus is on numerical modeling using the open-source multi-field finite element code OpenGeoSys with THM couplings. The impact of the glacial THM loading is taken into account using complex time-dependent THM BCs. A generic geological model for a clay host rock formation including predominantly sedimentary rock layers is applied. Assuming the plastic flow behavior of the sedimentary rocks to share qualitative features, the same generic material model is used for all layers: The elasto-plastic modified Cam clay model can describe qualitatively a range of relevant effects (dilatancy, contractancy, consolidation etc.) with few material parameters. Special emphasis is put on the specification of a suitable initial state: To this end, an initial simulation is carried out, where a reasonable plastic pre-consolidation is adjusted. Then, the thermodynamic state is transferred in full to the subsequent simulation of two glacial cycles. As a main result, the glacial cycles lead to persistent deviations in the subsurface, e. g. long-term pressure anomalies due to THM coupling. However, under the chosen assumptions, only the first glacial cycle leads to pronounced (contractant) plastic flow whereas the second cycle merely shows elastic rock behavior.

Funding: BASE Grant No. 4719F10402 (AREHS project)

The lowlands of northern Germany and neighbouring countries have been subject to glaciation several times in the pleistocene. These glacial periods have left behind several erosional features, of which tunnel valleys are the deepest and most remarkable. The current consensus of the respective field of science is that those valleys are formed by the flow of melt water below the melting glacier.

Within the site selection procedure in Germany for a high-level nuclear waste (HLW) repository, a safety assessment for 1 million years has to be conducted. During this time span repeated glaciations are likely to occur in northern Europe, and therefore repeated glacial erosion is to be expected.

However, beyond the safe inclusion in the selected host rock of a HLW repository, a sufficient stability of the overlaying overburden horizons must be ensured.

To address the numerous uncertainties regarding the glacier melting process and the conditions of the sedimentary layers eroded by melt water transport, we have developed a combined modelling approach. This method comprises a three-dimensional deterministic numerical modelling of the tunnel valley genesis with FLAC3D and a multivariate probabilistic modelling with GoldSim to account for the remarkable uncertainties over 1 Ma. The approach allows to evaluate the resistance of different overburden stratigraphies against deep glacial erosion processes and therefore can be a valuable contribution to the site selection process.

The research project presented here is funded by BASE under the grant number FKZ 4721F10401.

Aim of the project is the collection of data sets of solid material and groundwater physical and chemical properties for suitable host rocks such as claystone and various crystalline rocks. The data sets are stored in a database that compiles measured and already established and technically substantiated reference values from different data sources (databases, scientific publications) worldwide. Statistical variance, localisation and assignment to a certain geological unit are included. However, the main focus is on host rocks that have been investigated in Germany and surrounding countries like Belgium, Switzerland and the Scandinavian Countries.

The derived reference data sets will be used in Step 2, Phase I of the site selection procedure due to legislation of the StandAG to evaluate the geological units of an area of interest. A lack of measurement data is to be expected for many of the areas to be assessed by the BGE, so that the reference data sets are of great relevance for the representative preliminary safety investigations (rvSU). In the case that for an area-specific evaluation no or too few specific measured values are available parameter models have to be developed in order to approximate the site-specific properties. The aim of the rvSU is to be able to differentiate between subunits within a host rock type and within an investigation area. Thus, it should not only be possible to derive generalised reference data sets for the host rock type but also to provide differentiated value ranges based on the geological context.

The combination of TEM, based on focused ion beam (FIB) sample preparation, and high-resolution SEM allows the investigation of grain and phase boundary networks from nanometer to centimeter scale, i.e., over about 8 orders of magnitude. Recent studies show that the boundaries of various minerals in different metamorphic and magmatic rocks are lastingly open on the nanometer scale, due to the elastic response of crystals to temperature and pressure decrease during exhumation of rocks, and can be partly to totally filled with secondary minerals.

SEM measurements on square centimeter large areas in granite indicate that the boundaries between feldspars, quartz and biotite are nearly continuously and up to several hundred nanometer open and partly filled with secondary minerals. It is most likely that the boundaries form networks in even larger parts of the granite, which allow fluid flow. The occurrence of newly grown biotite indicates that open grain and phase boundaries are not just a phenomenon in rocks at uppermost crustal levels but can occur at depths of at least 10-15 km. Open and partly filled boundaries do not only control various physical properties of crystalline material and govern its behavior during different natural and technical conditions as well as in experiment. Such boundaries potentially affect the migration of materials even over larger distances in rocks, for example of radionuclides released from nuclear waste in deep geological repositories. Alternatively, fillings of boundaries by secondary minerals increase the absorptive capacity and, consequently, the bedrock's retention capability of fluid-carried materials.

Ensuring the safety for deep geological repositories for nuclear waste in crystlline host rock necessitates a comprehensive understanding of the far field and it's potential for radionuclide retention. In case of a repository leakage, radionuclides may get mobile and migrate through pathways in rock and aquifers. To asses the uncertainties in forcasting the migration of radionuclides it is essential to incorporate naturally occurring heterogeneities in rock composition and geological structures into the models, e.g. heterogeneities occurring near intrusion margins, tectonically influenced granitic bodies, or metamorphic formations like gneisses. This complexity significantly impacts the modeled radionuclide retention potential compared to simplistic isotropic granite models.
The SANGUR project (Systematic Sensitivity Analysis for Mechanistic Geochemical Models using Field Data from Crystalline Rock) aims to identify crucial parameters and their uncertainties essential for modeling radionuclide retention in crystalline rock. Our study presents a comprehensive workflow modeling how petrological variations in both granitic and metamorphic crystalline host rocks influence radionuclide retention. Utilizing Multinary Random Fields geostatistics, we simulate crystalline rocks based on analyzed spatial rock data to quantify uncertaintiesand to determine the appropriate model scale. The petrological variance is then considered for the chemical modeling through software such as PHREEQC or Geochemist's Workbench©: Surface Complexation Models (SCM) in chemical modeling software calculate partition coefficients (Kd values) for radionuclides, such as uranium, in diverse mineral environments in combination with varying aqueous phases. To enhance and simplify models, global sensitivity anlsysis is applied to determine critical features for radionuclide retention.

A robust prediction of the recent crustal stress field has a crucial role for forecasting the short- and long-term safety of a high-level radioactive waste repository. However, no reliable and comprehensive prediction of the complete stress tensor for Germany is possible with the amount of stress data records available. The only comprehensive data set is the World Stress Map, which, however, only provides the orientation of the maximum horizontal stress. Stress magnitude data records of sufficiently reliable quality are only available from a few boreholes. However, 3D geomechanical-numerical models, which represent the geometry of the subsurface and its mechanical properties and are calibrated with stress magnitudes, allow a continuum-mechanics based prediction of the complete stress tensor and its lateral and vertical variability.

A new geomechanical-numerical model – developed within the SpannEnD 2.0 (Spannungsmodell Endlagerung Deutschland) project - provides new insights into the recent crustal stress field of Germany. A new model, by combining ~25 existing 3D geological models and a five time higher vertical resolution of ~45 m allow a better mechanical representation of individual units and mechanical inhomogeneities. In addition new stress magnitude data records are compiled and used for calibration.

The results provide a comprehensive prediction of the complete stress tensor for Germany and can be used for a wide range of scientific questions and applications. Examples are the prediction of the fracture potential, the slip tendency of faults or as boundary conditions for small-scale models.

The Site Selection Act (StandAG) for Germany´s nuclear waste repository states that the presence of post-Eocene (< 34 Ma old) faults is an exclusion criterion that makes any potential site unsuitable. Identifying such faults is problematic in the German uplands (Mittelgebirge), where large areas have no Cenozoic deposits and exposure quality is generally low. Radiometric age dates of faults are still very sparse and unlikely to become widely available in the near future. We have used different methods to identify potential post-Eocene faults. These include GIS-based analysis of the spatial relationships of faults with post-Eocene units on existing maps as well as automated lineament extraction and visual interpretation of possibly fault-related topographic features from high-resolution DEMs. Fault and lineament density maps were created. All results based on geological maps are affected by their uneven quality and inconsistency. Much of the variation is caused by different mapping concepts, particularly for the 1:25.000 sheets. The fault networks have been analyzed for fault length distribution and topology to identify interpretation problems. Fault lengths and connectivity are underestimated. A Python code has been developed to automatically extract stratigraphic throws of faults from digital geological maps with an aim being to make better predictions about fault trace lengths. A concept for safety distances around faults has been developed that considers not only wall damage along faults, but also damage at fault tips, bends, steps and interaction zones. Proof of post-Eocene faulting will require additional analyses for each suspected case.

The structural integrity of geological materials are closely tied to their porosity. Accurate knowledge of microspores in potential host rocks such as Opalinus Clay is essential for assessing their physical properties, including permeability and strength. Traditional methods for porosity analysis, such as mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) and gas pycnometry, provide valuable quantitative data on porosity and pore size distribution but do not offer insights into pore morphology or spatial distribution.

A methodological advancement comes with the combination of broad ion beam (BIB) milling and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), which allows for the visualization of pores at the nanoscale and facilitates detailed analysis of pore structures. However, segmenting pores from BIB-SEM images poses challenges due to the complexity of the images and the variability in pore shapes and sizes. This task is further complicated by the limited resolution of SEM and the subjective nature of manual pore identification.

To address these challenges, machine learning (ML) has emerged as a useful tool for automating the segmentation of pores from BIB-SEM images. We explore the use of conditional random fields (CRFs) as an ensemble method that improves segmentation by utilizing spatial and contextual information within the images. CRFs enhance segmentation accuracy and offer a robust framework for integrating results from multiple ML-classifiers. This probabilistic approach not only refines the segmentation accuracy but also enables the assessment of uncertainty levels in segmented pores, which is beneficial for accurately interpreting the microstructural properties.

In the past years numerous machine learning based applications have been introduced to the field of seismology. These applications for example address issues such as earthquake detection, event classification, feature extraction and waveform data analysis.

In this study we focus on the denoising of waveform data by separating the seismic signal from different noise sources. Machine learning models are able to recognize noise patterns and can effectively suppress unwanted noise, enhancing the quality of the waveform signals. A deep learning based denoising autoencoder algorithm is tested on regional and teleseismic seismological and hydroacoustic datasets, which are compiled from the International Monitoring System of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organisation. We focus on seismic and hydroacoustic stations which can be relevant to investigate North Korean nuclear tests.

We investigate the performance of different denoising autoencoder models, for short- and long waveform periods, trained on the complete station network as well as on individual stations. We investigate if the denoised waveform signals are useful for seismic source analysis and if the denoised waveforms can reliably be used in further analysis steps, such as the comparison of computed array beams, seismic phase picking and or amplitude estimation.

The declared North Korean nuclear tests are a suitable benchmark test set, as they have been extensively researched and their source type and location can be assumed known. Further the verification of the source type is of particular interest for potential nuclear tests under international law.

Monitoring local seismic events is among the responsibilities of the German Federal Seismic Survey. This entity comprises a seismological subdepartment responsible for overseeing the operations of the German Regional Seismic Network and a data center tasked with collecting, archiving, and distributing continuous seismological and infrasound waveform data. As the amount of recorded seismic data dramatically increases every year, the imperative for an appropriate automatic real-time monitoring system becomes apparent. Leveraging advances in deep-learning methods in seismology, we develop a Python wrapper for the automatic estimation of hypocenter, magnitude and first-motion polarity in real time. To assess the performance of our algorithm, we compare the resulting event locations with catalogs of manually located events, with promising outcomes.

Aleatoric uncertainty, inherent in the variability of data itself, presents a significant challenge in predictive modeling, especially in scenarios with intrinsic randomness and noise. Traditionally viewed as irreducible, this type of uncertainty fundamentally limits the precision of predictions, as it is directly tied to the stochastic nature of the underlying data. However, this research proposes a methodology that combines clustering with subsequent predictive modeling to mitigate the effects of aleatoric uncertainty, thereby enhancing the transparency and reliability of model outputs. Our approach begins with a clustering process, where data points are grouped based on similarity in features to form homogeneous subsets. Following clustering, we employ quantile random forests on each subset rendering the modeling tailored to each cluster's specific characteristics. This strategy allows for the models to not only be more sensitive to the subtle nuances within a group but also more robust against the noise inherent in the dataset. Finally, we estimate heat flow over continental Africa. Through extensive quantitative analysis, this study demonstrates that while aleatoric uncertainty is indeed irreducible from a theoretical standpoint, practical interventions like quality data acquisition combined with clustering can effectively diminish its impact on predictive accuracy.

Geological mapping is essential for understanding the Earth's surface and subsurface structures, aiding resource exploration, environmental monitoring, and hazard assessment. Semantic segmentation, a computer vision technique, has shown promise in automating geological mapping processes by classifying image pixels into meaningful categories. This study explores the integration of semantic segmentation into geological mapping workflows by leveraging an artificially blended texture dataset.

Traditional geological mapping relies on extensive fieldwork in combination with manual aerial or satellite imagery interpretation, which can be time-consuming and subjective. Semantic segmentation can efficiently classify geological features by learning distinctive patterns and textures from data. However, obtaining high-quality datasets for this purpose is challenging due to the heterogeneous nature of geological formations and limited ground truth data.

We address this challenge by employing an artificially blended texture dataset that combines real-world geological textures. This blended dataset aims to enrich the training data with diverse texture and geological feature combinations, potentially enhancing the model's ability to generalize to unseen terrain conditions. Moreover, it reduces the potential for label bias by eliminating the need for manual delineation of label classes in the image, instead relying on generated borders.

Through experimental evaluation, we explore the effectiveness of semantic segmentation with the blended texture dataset in accurately delineating geological units and structures. We also discuss the implications of incorporating semantic segmentation into geological mapping workflows at the Baltic cliff coast, including its potential for improving mapping efficiency, reducing human bias, and facilitating remote sensing data integration with geological interpretations.

Machine learning approaches are increasingly used to predict groundwater levels, with local models for single monitoring wells currently being state of the art. Global models enable training and forecasting at multiple monitoring wells simultaneously, incorporating dynamic (e.g., meteorological) and static (e.g., hydro(geo)logical) features. These models can generalize predictions to wells with similar site characteristics and offer computational scaling benefits by requiring only one model for a larger area.

This study presents two global machine-learning models for short-term groundwater level prediction (up to 12 weeks): the Temporal Fusion Transformer (TFT) and Neural Hierarchical Interpolation for Time Series Forecasting (N-HiTS). The TFT combines recurrent neural networks with an attention mechanism and can determine the significance of individual input variables (feature importance). The N-HiTS model uses a fork architecture with multiple stacks to model different data frequencies, enhancing prediction accuracy.

We used a dataset of approximately 5300 monitoring wells across Germany, with groundwater levels from 1990 to 2016 (around 4.5 million values). Input features included groundwater levels, meteorological parameters, and site-specific environmental features such as hydro(geo)logical, soil, and spatial characteristics.

The TFT model showed a median NSE of 0.34, while the N-HiTS model performed better with a median NSE of 0.5 for the 12-week forecast. Around 25% of the test sites achieved an NSE over 0.68. Key features for forecast quality included historical groundwater levels, precipitation, the standard deviation of groundwater levels, and major hydrogeological districts. The topographical wetness index was the most important static feature, though its impact on model performance was minimal.

Geoscience learning in outdoor, field-based settings can provide students with a deep understanding of the core practices of geoscientists. Although field-based learning has been studied at different educational levels, most research has been at the tertiary level, and few studies have considered field learning progressions across grade levels. This research is a synthesis of our team's decade of research on field experiences of students and preservice teachers. The goal was to identify the characteristics of successful field learning to determine how educators can support learners of different ages as they progress into and through tertiary education. Students ages 10-25 participated in environmental geoscience experiences of varyng types, including geocaching, field photography, citizen science, community-engaged research, and field excursions. The findings support the conclusions of other researchers that observation, data collection, and analysis are appropriate for primary grade levels, but primary level teachers need experience in the field, ideally during their training, to gain confidence taking their own students into the field. For primary education, after a training program with scientists, teachers were comfortable adopting field photography as a method to increase student observational skills. Further, primary and secondary students were able to complete research projects on geoscience hazards that required generating a hypothesis, collecting and analyzing data, and presenting their interpretations to a public audience. This synthesis both confirms the importance of field-based learning in sparking student interest in science and provides insights on how the geoscience community can support teachers to design effective field learning.

Field trips are essential for Earth Systems Education. Students must be given the chance to draw conclusions from their own observations in the field. Nevertheless, the practice of removing students from the conventional educational setting is associated with a number of significant challenges. These include additional costs for the families, students missing out on classes, schools having to substitute the participating teachers and finding suitable and safe locations of educational geological value.

A total of 29 middle school students were taken to the vicinity of the Harz. The topics were related to sedimentary and igneous rocks (e.g. dinosaur tracks, mining history, fossil coral reef, regional geology). We conducted a simple practical pre- and posttest on two typical rock samples in the classroom and asked them - on the way home after the field trip - to rate the field trip as a whole, and their interest in geoscience before and after the field trip. Finally, they had to state with a clear “yes” or “no” whether they would recommend a field trip as part of future geoscience classes and explain their opinion.

A clear majority of 27 students (93%) recommend field trips as an obligatory part of geoscience courses. They stated that they had gained knowledge, enjoyed the practical learning setting and felt it was a unique experience. The fieldwork programme, the designed exercises and evidence on the extent to which middle school students are able to draw conclusions from their own observations will be presented.

The promotion of STEM education, known as MINT in German-speaking countries, is widely acknowledged as essential for addressing future scientific challenges and enhancing quality of life. The current scarcity of skilled professionals and declining student interest in scientific fields underscore the urgent need for sustained investment in STEM education, both within schools and through extracurricular initiatives.

The Thuringia Foundation for Technology, Innovation, and Research (STIFT) has taken a leading role in advancing STEM offerings since 2020 through the "MINT-Thüringen" initiative. This collaborative effort involves schools, universities, research institutes, and companies to foster STEM interest from kindergarten to secondary education. Seven STEM regions across Thuringia offer tailored programs, with extracurricular research centres (Schülerforschungszentren, SFZs) serving as the organizational backbone.

In northern Thuringia, initiatives often overlook geosciences, despite the region being rich in geological heritage. To address this gap, the SFZ Nordhausen, based at the University of Applied Sciences of Nordhausen, has set a new goal, namely to raise awareness of local geology and resources. This includes the following initiatives: a pilot school working group with the Kyffhäuser Geopark, a summer camp in collaboration with the South Harz Nature Park and the Youth Art School Nordhausen, and teacher training sessions on mineral resources during the 9^th Thuringian edition of "School MIT Science".

In this meeting, I report on the evaluation of those initial efforts to expand geoscience outreach and cultivate a deeper understanding of the region's geological significance among students and educators with alternative forms of cooperation in schools and extracurricular contexts.

An important goal of education for sustainable development (ESD) is the ability to analyse conflicting goals in the implementation of various SDGs and, based on this, to formulate judgements and negotiate solutions (UNESCO 2021). The extraction and use of geological resources often leads to such conflicting goals. School and extracurricular educational contexts relating to the extraction of raw materials therefore offer great potential for promoting this ESD goal.

The presentation will provide an overview of the following questions relating to the teaching of such raw material conflicts:

1) What are the prerequisites on the part of the learners?

2) What methodological approaches exist for teaching such conflicts in school and extracurricular educational work? And: how can these approaches be categorized?

3) How are the different didactic approaches to teaching such raw material conflicts justified?

4) What empirical findings are available on the implementation of such approaches?

A special focus is placed on the differentiation and reflection of factual and ethical aspects within such conflicts, as it is laid out in biology and geography educational approaches to "double complexity" (Bögeholz & Barkmann, 2005; Meyer & Felzmann, 2011) and to evaluation competence or as it is considered in the approach of geoethics (Peppoloni & Di Capua, 2015) and its didactic further development (Vasconcelos & Orion, 2021).

The umbrella organization of the geosciences DVGeo has been organizing the German Geoscience Olympiad for school students since 2023. 170 students took part in the Online test and 20 were selected for the second round. This nationwide competition builds on school knowledge from geography as well as chemistry, physics and biology and provides deeper insights into the geosciences. The German Earth Science Olympiad is also the national selection competition for the established International Earth Science Olympiad (IESO).The German Earth Science Olympiad was conceived by representatives of the DVGeo's supporting organizations from the fields of geology, geophysics, palaeontology and mineralogy. The aim is to arouse pupils' interest in the geosciences. Students from 9th grade to Q1 (qualification year 1 for the Abitur) can participate. We will present task formats of the first edition and summarize students‘ results in order to discuss possible guidelines for future editions.

The French sociologist Bruno Latour has repeatedly described humans as “earthlings” (terrestres) and has thus stressed the point that there is no alternative for us to chose from: we are bound to this earth and part of its system. This of course is not at all new. From Gaia to Jörd to Erda humans have felt a sound (and often: spiritual) connection to our planet. Lynn Margulis' and James Lovelock’s Gaia hypothesis – thus being a scientific approach to describing earth as a living system – has also gained some spiritual fame.

There is nonetheless another perspective which has been vocalized by Alfred Wallece for instance: He was convinced that “man's body may have been developed from that of a lower animal (…); but … that we possess intellectual and moral faculties which could not have been so developed, but must have had another origin; and for this origin we can only find an adequate cause in the unseen universe of Spirit.” The German anthropological term "Mängelwesen" ("uncomplete being") goes very much along this line.

These two perspectives on man: pure earthling or moral & intellectual non-earthling can be seen as the gate poles to sociological anthropology. In my talk I would like to discuss in how far adopting the term “anthropocene” into sociological language might add to this very old discussion about the sociological positioning of man in the universe.

Earth scientists analyse the planet and, to a certain degree, the world using discipline-specific methodologies. Discipline-specific notions like 'deep time', 'plate tectonics', 'planetary boundaries', 'tipping points', or 'climate change' have philosophical connotations, as the history of geology shows. Hence, given that geoscientific notions are performative, as the debate 'Anthropocene an epoch or an event' exemplifies, geoscientists should consider geo-philosophical perspectives of discipline-specific notions.

The ICS/IUGS recently settled in favour of an ‘Anthropocene is an event’ concept, emphasising established practices of geological stratigraphy. Neither the foundation of the 'Anthropocene is an epoch’ concept (stemming from Earth System Science), nor the proposed GSSP is challenged scientifically. The primary difference between both concepts of a ‘geological Now’, i.e., of the Anthropocene, is whether a qualitative change of the Earth System dynamics occurs and how it is described in discipline-specific notions.

All concepts (event, episode, epoch) of a geological ‘Anthropocene’, describe a quantitative change of characteristics of the Earth System. The epoch concept recognises (a) a quantitative change (the Great Acceleration) in the Earth System is causing a qualitative change, i.e., the dynamics shift out of the Holocene configuration, and (b) a specific 'Anthropos' (people with affluent lifestyles of a specific historical time). The event concept refers to humans, from people of palaeolithic times to contemporary people, engaged in intensifying sociocultural niche construction.

Hence, concepts of an ‘isochronous planetary stage shift’ or ‘cumulative diachronous regional alterations’ associate different worldviews regarding human agency and prowess. Hence, the IUGS’s choice is geo-philosophical, and not simply geoscientific.

Despite rejection as a formal stratigraphic unit, the Anthropocene refers to a time during which global environmental change developed at unprecedented rate. At the heart of the Anthropocene concept is the dominance of the force of humanity in shaping the geology and biology of the planet. Its stratigraphic beginning was suggested to be based on the signal of the fallout of radionuclides from the 1950s nuclear weapons tests in lacustrine (lake) sediments. In this talk I will present a brief review of the Anthropocene formalization process, and, as a lake researcher, discuss possible future directions and challenges that emerge from using recent lacustrine sediments as Earth archives. We can also discuss other possible onsets and signals of a geological Anthropocene.

Der Beitrag soll am Vergleich von drei verschiedenen Thesauri (Gemeinsame Normdatei, GeoRef vom AGI, BGR-Thesaurus) Gemeinsamkeiten und Unterschiede hinsichtlich der Begriffsbildung, Sacherschließung, der automatisierten Kartendarstellung und der Benutzer-Recherche mit geographischen Namen (Geographika) aufzeigen.

Immer mit Blick auf die genannten Thesauri werden folgende Kernfragen angegangen: Was besagt ein Geographikum in einer inhaltlichen Erschließung? Wie viele und welche Geographika werden für die Erschließung eines Dokumentes verwendet oder sind notwendig, insbesondere bei einem hierarchisch strukturierten Thesaurus? Welche ergänzenden Informationen sind entweder im Normdateneintrag oder im Katalogeintrag wichtig, hier vor allem geographische Koordinaten und ein zeithistorischer Bezug? Wie ist der Unterschied zur generellen bibliothekarischen Handhabe abseits eines geowissenschaftlichen Blickwinkels?

Besonders in den Fokus genommen werden koordinatenungenaue geographische Begriffe, d.h. solche, die mit der Angabe von Himmelsrichtungen oder Zusätzen wie „Region“, „Gebiet“ u.ä. gebildet werden. Hier ist ein Zuwachs zu verzeichnen, der entweder ein Bedürfnis der Nutzenden oder eine Schwäche der Erschließenden abbildet.

Ziel soll sein, einer automatisierten Visualisierung von Treffermengen auf Karten entsprechenden Typs oder anderen Darstellungsformen hinreichende Informationen bereitzustellen. Es soll erörtert werden, was dafür nötig ist und welche Hürden zu bewältigen sind. Eine erste Erkenntnis ist es, dass wegen der bei den drei Thesauri erarbeiteten und erkannten Heterogenität in Begriffsbildung und Sacherschließung mit Geographika ergänzend ableitbare geographische Zuordnungen im Katalogdatensatz (Koordinaten, TK-Nummern usw.) und Methoden künstlicher Intelligenz nötig sind, sowohl für eine treffgenaue Recherche als auch für eine automatische Kartendarstellung.

Die Evolution der Pferde, "Brückentiere" wie Archaeopteryx und das Schnabeltier, die Abstammung des Menschen, Darwin-Finken, die klassischen Evolutionsfaktoren der Synthetischen Theorie, Homologie und Analogie, Lamarckismus und Darwinismus - manchmal hat man den Eindruck Biologie-Schulbücher und Lehrpläne zur Evolution und Geschichte des Lebens auf der Erde sind den immer gleichen Inhalten und Beispielen aus den 1950er Jahren verhaftet. Am Museum für Naturkunde Magdeburg versuchen wir daher seit langem im Rahmen von Ausstellungen, Museumspädagogik-Programmen, Führungen und Vorträgen ein reicheres Bild zu vermitteln. Besonders unsere Sonderausstellungen aus eigener Konzeption mit den Titeln "ColorVision - Evolution der Farbigkeit" (2019/2020), "BioMinerale - Perlmutt, Spirale, Schale" (2021/2022), "Spuren im Stein - aus dem Zeitalter der Ursaurier" (2022/2023) und "Urzeitkrebse - Überlebenskünstler der Natur" (2023/2024) boten zahlreiche oft nur wenig populärwissenschaftlich verbreitete Beispiele zu unterschiedlichen Organismengruppen und aus verschiedenen Teilgebieten der Bio- und Geowissenschaften. Dabei war es uns ein Anliegen, auch komplexe und fachübergreifende Konzepte wie Biomineralisation, plattentektonische Zyklen und Klimawandel im Verlauf der Erdgeschichte, Methoden der Stratigraphie und Altersbestimmung, Massensterben und Recovery-Phasen, Auftreten und Verbreitung von evolutionären Neuerungen (key innovations), Ursprung und Evolution des Farbsehens und stammesgeschichtliches Denken (tree thinking) zu thematisieren. Der Beitrag veranschaulicht verschiedene Aspekte der Magdeburger Museumsarbeit als Anregung und Diskussionsgrundlage.

Museums show treasures. The public admires these and (hopefully) leaves with great respect for the collections. Many times it is not transported how much work, time and effort is behind an exponate.
The Jura-Museum in Eichstätt is one of five paleontological museums in the outcrop region of the Solnhofen Platy Limestone and dedicated to its fossils, including the Eichstätt specimen of Archaeopteryx and the Juravenator. The Museum is within walking distance to the visitor’s quarry at the Blumenberg, a fossil locality of world fame because the Berlin specimen of Archaeopteryx was found there. In the quarry, everybody can dig fossils legally. A similar approach exists in the GeoZentrum Solnhofen. Field trips frequently go to the site near Painten where the fossils on display in a nearby private museum and entertainment park are exposed. It is the combination of field trips to the fossil sites, maybe including digs, and museum pieces which greatly rises the respect for an interest into the fossils on display. This experience is frequently made in the Jura-Museum and increasingly implemented in lectures and field trips. At the same time, earth-science topics and geoscience disciplines can be addressed in multiple ways and like that generate a much better understanding of geosciences. This talk shows inhowfar transfer of knowledge about Archaeopteryx and the Solnhofen Platy limestones in the Jura-Museum is accomplished by the field experiences that can be offered there.

The North German Basin (NGB) is known for its capacity for geological storage applications. However, due to limited data availability, the data first needs to be collected from different sources and further compilation and processing is needed. This study's primary step is to compile and refine public data, fostering transparency for further scientific exploration. The comprehensive database encompasses five key aspects: geological features (e.g., reservoir thickness), litho-mineralogical characteristics, petrophysical properties (e.g., porosity), surface and risk factors (e.g., fault zones), and DAC-related considerations (e.g., geothermal energy availability).

The secondary step involves adapting and validating a holistic ranking methodology for evaluating sites suitable for direct air capture (DAC) technology in the NGB region. This method incorporates ten distinct criteria for initial site screening and selection. The criteria are divided into five classes and assigned scores based on quantitative or qualitative assessments. Then weighting factors were applied to quantify the relative importance of each criterion. They are determined by analytical hierarchy analysis method, which leveraging pair-wise comparisons to minimize inconsistencies and mitigate bias in expert opinions from a broad research background.

The method is tested on the 91 identified potential sites for underground CO₂ storage, with 4 offshore North Sea traps identified for their favorable geological characteristics and 2 other onshore sites, a gas field in the west of Bremen and a saline aquifer in the north-east of Berlin. Future site-specific studies should be carried out on these four traps.

Our study investigates the subsurface storage of CO₂ in saline aquifers, specifically in the Volpriehausen Sandstone beneath the German North Sea. We conduct numerical simulations using the TOUGH3 simulator with the ECO2N module. The reliable estimation of dynamic storage capacity for CO₂ storage is a challenge due to the lack of measurements for process parameters in the model area.

Therefore, we estimate some parameter ranges from literature and OpenData for Volpriehausen Sandstone from Denmark and the Netherlands. Based on these parameter ranges, sensitivity analyses are conducted to identify important rock parameters. A comprehensive dataset of parameters and corresponding simulation results is generated using Latin Hypercube Sampling.

This sample is used to perform sensitivity analyses and to train surrogate models using machine learning approaches. This allows us to identify relevant process parameters. At a constant injection rate, the injection pressure is affected by the permeability and pore compressibility of the reservoir rock, as well as the reservoir and injection temperature. The storage efficiency is affected by the relative permeability of the reservoir rock. The predictions of the surrogate models are illustrated with 3D simulations.

This research has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement “LEILAC2 - Low Emission Intensity Lime and Cement” GA 884170.