Mary A. Zeller

Fellowship Project Abstract

Biogeochemistry of carbonate-associated organic matter

Particulate inorganic carbon (PIC, or calcium carbonate) buried in marine sediments has been a major regulator of atmospheric CO₂ over geologic time scales, as its dissolution consumes CO₂. Additionally, it is estimated that up to 80% of the particulate organic carbon (POC) flux to the open ocean floor is done through association with calcium carbonate as mineral ballast. As POC is a defined term based on the ability of a particle to be collected on a filter, POC directly associated with carbonates could include relatively small molecules and represent a “dissolvable” organic carbon pool. This postdoctoral position will explore the biogeochemical implications of this interaction, in particular in the study of carbonate-associated organic matter, with a focus on its molecular characterization and reactivity. I am interested 1) Characterizing what organic matter associates with carbonates formed in different ways, as, for example, potential differences may exist between foraminifera- or seep carbonate- associated organic matter, 2) Its potential for either alteration or shielding during early diagenesis, and ultimately 3) As buried PIC dissolves in a future with increased atmospheric CO₂, what are the potential consequences of PIC dissolution for carbonate-associated organic matter?

CV

EDUCATION + EXPERIENCE

2023 – POSTDOC / MARUM CENTER FOR MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES – ORGANIC GEOCHEMISTRY
Cluster of Excellence Ocean Floor, Biogeochemistry of carbonate-associated organic matter |Advisors: Kai-Uwe Hinrichs, Matthias Zabel, Jan-Hendrik Heheman
2020 – 2022 POSTDOC / LEIBNIZ INSTITUTE FOR BALTIC SEA RESEARCH – MARINE GEOLOGY
MGF-Ostsee, Impact of trawling on benthic biogeochemistry| Advisor: Michael E. Böttcher
Parental Leave- 100% October 2021 – January 2022, 40% January 2022 – January 2023
2018 – 2019 POSTDOC / FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY – BIOLOGY
Dissolved organic matter in Florida Bay and the Everglades| Advisor: John S. Kominoski
2017 – 2018 RESEARCHER / UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA – MARINE SCIENCE
Sediment contribution to nutrient loads in a eutrophic reservoir| Advisor: Marc Alperin
2011 – 2016 PHD / UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA – ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
Synthetic organic chemistry research into photo-redox catalysis| Advisor: David Nicewicz

PUBLICATIONS

Van Dam, B. R., Lehmann, N., Zeller, M. A., Neumann, A., Pröfrock, D., Lipka, M., Thomas, H., Böttcher, M. (2022), Benthic Alkalinity fluxes from coastal sediments of the Baltic and North Seas: Comparing approaches and identifying knowledge gaps. Biogeosciences. DOI: 10.5194/bg-19-3775-2022
Zeller, M. A., Alperin, M. J. (2021), The efficacy of Phoslock® in reducing internal phosphate loading varies with bottom water oxygenation. Water Research X. DOI: 10.1016/j.wroa.2021.100095
Van Dam, B. R., Zeller, M. A., Lopes, C., Smyth, A., Böttcher, M., Osburn, C., Zimmerman, T., Pröfrock, D., Fourqurean, J., Thomas, H. (2021), Calcification-driven CO₂ emissions exceed “Blue Carbon” sequestration in a carbonate seagrass meadow. Science Advances. DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abj1372
Van Dam, B. R., Lopes, C., Zeller, M. A., Ribas-Ribas, M., Wang, H., Thomas, H. (2021), Overstated Potential for Seagrass Meadows to Mitigate Coastal Ocean Acidification. Frontiers in Marine Science. DOI: 10.3389/fmars.2021.729992
Von Ahn, C. M. E., Scholten, J. C., Malik, C., Feldens, P., Liu, B., Dellwig, O., Jenner, A-K., Papenmeier, S., Schmiedinger, I., Zeller, M. A., Böttcher, M. E. (2021), A Multi-Tracer Study of Fresh Water Sources for a Temparate Urbanized Coastal Bay (Southern Baltic Sea). Frontiers in Environmental Science. DOI: 10.3389/fenvs.2021.642346
Zeller, M. A., Van Dam, B. R., Lopes, C., Kominoski, J. S. (2020), Carbonate-associated organic matter is a putative FDOM source in a subtropical seagrass meadow. Frontiers in Marine Science. DOI: 10.3389/fmars.2020.580284
Griffin, J. D., Zeller, M. A., Nicewicz, D. A. (2015), Hydrodecarboxylation of Carboxylic and Malonic Acid Derivatives via Organic Photoredox Catalysis: Substrate Scope and Mechanistic Insight. Journal of the American Chemical Society. DOI:10.1021/jacs.5b07770
Zeller, M. A., Riener, M., Nicewicz, D. A. (2014), Butyrolactone Synthesis via Polar Radical Crossover Cycloaddition Reactions: Diastereoselective Synthesis of Methylenolactocin and Protolichesterinic Acid. Organic Letters. DOI:10.1021/ol5022993
Anderson, C. A., Taylor, P. G., Zeller, M. A., Zimmerman, S. C. (2010), Room Temperature, Copper-Catalyzed Amination of Bromonaphthyridines with Aqueous Ammonia. Journal of Organic Chemistry. DOI:10.1021/jo.100476x