As part of PhytOakmeter platform (www.phytoakmeter.de), soil chemical parameters were determined in 2016, 2020 and 2022. Soil pH was measured using a glass electrode in a 1:2.5 soil-to-0.01 M CaCl2 suspension after one hour of equilibration. Gravimetric soil moisture was assessed with a fully automated moisture analyzer (DBS60-3, KERN & SOHN GmbH, Balingen, Germany), here defined as soil moisture (MOI). Total nitrogen (TN) and total carbon (TC) contents in the soil were analyzed in triplicate through dry combustion using a Vario elemental analyzer (EL III, Elementar, Hanau, Germany), and the carbon-to-nitrogen ratio (TC/TN) was subsequently calculated from these values. To evaluate the potentially bioavailable soil organic carbon and nitrogen for microbial activity, hot water-extractable carbon and nitrogen (HWC and HWN, respectively) were determined following the methods of Ghani et al. (2003) and Schulz et al. (2011). Additionally, the labile organic carbon and nitrogen easily decomposable by soil microorganisms were measured as cold water-extractable carbon (CWC) and nitrogen (CWN) based on procedures described by Zsolnay (1996), Zakharova et al. (2015), and Schmidt et al. (2017). Ammonium and nitrate (NH4±N and NO3—N, respectively) were quantified, with their sum representing the total mineral nitrogen content (Nmin).
Salt marshes along the Wadden Sea coast are often shaped by anthropogenic alterations to their hydrology and sedimentation. To investigate the effects of hydrological restoration through summer dike openings on soil carbon storage capacities, soil samples were collected from four study sites along the Lower Saxony Wadden Sea coast, Germany. Each site featured restored areas, i.e., former summer polders reconnected to tidal exchange, and reference salt marshes adjacent to the polders. The polders varied in restoration age, i.e., 0 (control, not restored), 8, 14, and 28 years, forming a chronosequence for temporal analysis, while the reference salt marshes remained unchanged. Soil samples were taken along transects that represented different marsh zones, including pioneer, lower salt marsh, and upper salt marsh. The soil samples covered soil layers down to a depth of 100 cm and were collected in five sections of 20 cm using an Edelman corer. Total carbon, organic carbon, and inorganic carbon were analyzed using CN-elementary analysis and calcimeter methods. This dataset provides valuable insights into the potential of hydrological restoration measures to enhance soil carbon sequestration in salt marshes.
The geochemical composition of surface sediments and pore waters from the Fehmarn Belt area, southern Baltic Sea, was analyzed in the context of the establishment of exclusion areas for bottom trawling activity. Samples were taken on cruise EMB238 in May/June 2020 using a multi corer or benthic lander device. Besides on-site measurements, further dissolved major and trace elements, dissolved inorganic carbon, nutrients were analyzed in home laboratory. Results are complemented by the analysis of potential microbial gross sulfate reduction rates and the geochemical composition of CNS and extractable sulfur (AVS, CrS(II), and acid-extractable Fe, Zn, Pb, Fe, Mn contents.
The continuous agricultural soil monitoring program (BDF) by the Saxon State Office for Environment, Agriculture, and Geology (LfULG) is operational since 1995, collecting and analysing samples periodically from 60 monitoring sites across Saxony, Germany. Stepped thermal analysis allows for the fast and cost-effective determination of different carbon fractions of ground soil samples. This dataset reports the analysis of 902 archive samples from the Soil Monitoring Program of the State Office for Environment, Agriculture, and Geology (LfULG) collected between 1995 and 2023, and 462 samples collected during a sampling campaign in September 2023. We report the thermal soil carbon fractions TOC400, ROC (ROC600), and TIC900 measured in air-dried and ground samples according to DIN19539 / DIN EN 17505 using an Elementar soliTOC cube. This dataset is part of a mid-infrared soil spectral library for agricultural soils in Saxony, Germany.
Within the framework of MOSES (Modular Observation Solutions for Earth Systems) and ElbeXtreme, we performed three longitudinal sampling campaigns in the Elbe catchment in 2024. The campaigns covered the German freshwater part, the tidal Elbe river, and the German Bight. Here we present the results of the freshwater river where the sampling was conducted in a Langrangian way according to flow velocity. Physico-chemical and biological parameters were measured along the Elbe from bridges between Bad Schandau (km 12, Czech-German border) and Lauenburg (km 570, close to Hamburg). A particular scientific focus was on (1) nutrients and eutrophication, (2) composition of dissolved organic matter measured by high-resolution mass spectrometry, (3) greenhouse gas measurements, and (4) micropollutants. This was done during a winter flood event in January, a summer drought in July, and a second smaller flood in September 2024.
This dataset provides information on soil chemistry and soil bulk density as part of the Grassworks project, which investigates the restoration of species-rich grasslands in Germany. Grasslands are globally threatened ecosystems, and the project aims to identify factors that contribute to successful restoration, focusing on ecological complexity and stakeholder engagement. Data was collected from 187 grassland sites across three regions in Northern, Central, and Southern Germany, each with distinct socio-economic and ecological characteristics. Sampling occurred between 2022 and 2023 and included 40–41 restored grassland sites and 20–25 reference sites (10–12 positive, 10–13 negative) per region. At each site in March or early April at each vegetation plot per subtransect, we took soil samples (pooled from six soil cores, 20 mm diameter) that were further pooled into one sample per site (24 in total) and analyzed for total soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen content, pH, and soil texture. Additionally, soil bulk density was measured at vegetation plots per site, to enable future assessment of carbon sequestration over time. Soil and bulk density samples were taken at two depths: 0–10 and 10–30 cm.
The Middle Jurassic Opalinus Clay (OPA) in Switzerland and southern Germany is regarded as a potential host rock for the disposal of high-level radioactive waste. This study investigates sediment samples from drill cores taken from the Swabian Alb region (southern Germany) and employs a facies-based approach combined with mineralogical analyses, measurements of cation exchange capacity (CEC), LECO C/S analyses, and Rock-Eval pyrolysis. Results are based on analyses of two fully cored scientific drillings conducted by the Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources (BGR) in the framework of the research project "SEPIA" in the Swabian Alb in Baden-Württemberg, southern Germany. The drill sites are located in the vicinity of the villages Metzingen (48.51149° N, 9.26464° E) and Röttingen (48.89905° N, 10.29520° E). At the drilling sites, the OPA is between approx. 100 m – 150 m thick and overlain by 50 m – 70 m of overburden. In Germany, the OPA can be lithostratigraphically divided into two subunits: the Teufelsloch member and the overlying Zillhausen member. This division is based on a combined lithological and stratigraphic framework (Dietze et al., 2021). Regarding lithofacies, the OPA in Switzerland and southern Germany can be broadly divided into several distinct units ("facies associations" according to Zimmerli et al., 2024). For Germany, the following three lithological facies associations (FA) were identified based on a subfacies approach: (1) a lower part that is rich in clay (FA-1), (2) a middle part that is silty (FA-2) and (3) an upper part that is silty and interbedded with calcareous(-sandy) beds (FA-3). XRD patterns of whole rock material were recorded using a PANalytical X'Pert PRO MPD θ - θ diffractometer (Co-Kα radiation generated at 40 kV and 40 mA). The samples were investigated from 3° to 80° 2 θ with a step size of 0.03° 2 θ and a measuring time of 3 sec per step. Quantitative Rietveld refinements of the experimental XRD data were conducted using the software Profex/BGMN (Döbelin & Kleeberg, 2015; Bergmann et al., 1998). Determination of cation exchange capacity (CEC) was carried out using always two different samples masses (typically 400 and 600 mg) according to the method of Meier and Kahr (1999), based on a Cu(II)triethylentetramine complex ("Cu-trien method") and measurement using VIS spectroscopy. According to Dohrmann et al. (2012), the analytical error as determined for high-CEC bentonites is generally smaller than ±3.9 cmol(+)kg⁻¹. The total carbon (TC), total organic carbon (TOC), and total sulfur (TS) were determined using a LECO CS-230 system (Laboratory Equipment Corporation). Samples were heated up to 2000 °C under an oxygen atmosphere and an infrared detector subsequently measured the amount of produced CO₂ and SO₂. TOC was measured the same way after removing inorganic carbonates using 10 % HCl solution at 80 °C. Rock-Eval Pyrolyses were performed on a Rock-Eval-6 analyser (Vinci Technologies) using up to 180 mg initial sample material and a standard program (Espitalié et al., 1977; Lafargue et al., 1998), starting isothermal with 300°C for 3 min, succeeded by a heating rate of 25°C/min up to 650°C. Standard deviations for hydrogen indices (HI) and Tmax values are ± 5 % and ± 2°C, respectively. The findings of this study underscore the importance of integrating lithofacies studies with mineralogical investigations to effectively assess the variability and comparability of clay-rich host rocks suitable for radioactive waste disposal.
To investigate subsurface features in the Lower Havel River floodplain, we conducted Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) transects and Electromagnetic Induction (EMI) surveys at three different depths in 2023 and 2024. These near surface geophysical methods were complemented by 24 driving core drillings to relate the electrical properties with sedimentological characteristics. Additionally, five selected sediment cores were used for subsequent geochemical lab analyses (grain size, CNS, TOC, TIC). Electromagnetic induction (EMI) was measured with a CMD-Mini Explorer (GF Instruments s.r.o., Brno, Czech Republic) in June 2023 and June 2024. We used the vertical dipole (VDP) at coil spacings of 0.32 m (VDP1), 0.71 m (VDP2) and 1.18 m (VDP3), archieving effective penetration depths of 0.5 m (VDP1), 1.0 m (VDP2) and 1.8 m (VDP3). According to the manufacturer, 70% of the signal originate from above these depths. The EMI sensors measure the apparent electrical conductivity (ECa, in mS/m). Measurements were taken by carrying the instrument about 0.2 m above ground while being directly connected to D-GPS (Leica GPS1200) for positioning. The acquisition rate was five measurements per second. Data quality was checked by measuring a reference line before and after each measurement. The area investigated by EMI in June 2023 is located to the north and northeast of the Gülpe research station. It has a total area of 12.3 ha. The reference line was located in the southern part of the study area. No drift correction had to be applied due to good data quality. Reference lines and single outliers were removed. The area investigated by EMI in June 2024 is located southeast of the research station. The survey area there is 8.1 ha in size. The reference line for the measurements there was located in the north-westernmost area of the site. No drift correction had to be applied due to good data quality. Reference lines and single outliers were removed. The Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) data were acquired by using a PC controlled DC resistivity meter system (RESECS, Geoserve, Kiel, Germany). In total, we measured four ERT transects. Two transects in June 2023, where transect 1 had a total length of 259 m with an electrode spacing of 0.5 m and transect 2 had a total length of 223 m with an electrode spacing of 1 m. The measurements in 2023 were carried out under extreme dry conditions. Two further transects were measured in June 2024 with an electrode spacing of 1m, transect 3 with a total length of 207 m and transect 4 with a total length of 239 m. We applied wenner alpha and dipol-dipol configuration. The coordinates and the height of the electrodes were measured with a D-GPS (2023: TOPCON HiPer II / 2024: Leica GPS1200). Sediment cores were recovered using a hand-held Cobra Pro (Atlas Copco) core drilling system with a 60 mm diameter open corer. One-meter segments were retrieved and assessed in the field for sedimentological features, including estimations of grain size, carbonate content, humus content, and redox features (AG Boden 2005, 2024). Colour descriptions were carried out using the Munsell Soil Color Chart. The exact positions of the drilling points were recorded using a differential GPS device (TOPCON HiPer II). The cores were photographed, documented and sampled at 5–10 cm intervals for subsequent laboratory analyses. Bulk samples from five selected cores (RK1, RK3, RK13, RK15, RK17) were freeze-dried, sieved (2 mm), and weighed. Total carbon (TC), total nitrogen (TN), and total sulfur (TS) contents were measured using a CNS analyzer (Vario EL cube, Elementar). Inorganic carbon (TIC) was determined using calcimeter measurements (Scheibler method, Eijkelkamp). Organic carbon (TOC) was calculated as TOC = TC − TIC. For the grain size analyses, sediment samples were first sieved to <2 mm and subsamples of 10 g were treated with 50 ml of 35% hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and gently heated to remove organic matter. Following this, 10 ml of 0.4 N sodium pyrophosphate solution (Na₄P₂O₇) was added to disperse the particles, and the suspension was subjected to ultrasonic treatment for 45 minutes. The sand fraction was analysed by dry sieving and classified into four size classes: coarse sand (2000–630 µm), medium sand (630–200 µm), fine sand (200–125 µm), and very fine sand (125–63 µm). Finer fractions were determined using X-ray granulometry (XRG) with a SediGraph III 5120 (Micromeritics). These included coarse silt (63–20 µm), medium silt (20–6.3 µm), fine silt (6.3–2.0 µm), coarse clay (2.0–0.6 µm), medium clay (0.6–0.2 µm), and fine clay (<0.2 µm).
The Sternfahrt-10 of the MOSES campaign, from 29th August until the 15th of September 2023, had two objectives. One was to follow the dispersion of pollutants transported by the Elbe water into the North Sea, previously observed during the Elbe-Freshwater and Elbe-Tidal cruises. And second the distribution of the Elbe water within the German Bight. Therefore, drifter groups were deployed to follow individual water parcels. Those drifters were followed subsequently by three ships (RV Ludwig Prandtl, RV Littorina, RV Mya II), to extend the time period of measurements. Along the tracks, water samples were taken close to the drifters, alternatively at stations from previous cruises, resulting in 12 to 24 sampling points per week. In terms to detect the concentration of a variety of nutrients and carbon compounds from the south-eastern North Sea up to the island Amrum. Additionally, basic hydrographic parameters and greenhouse gases were sampled continuously throughout the whole cruise. Those results are not part of the present dataset, but can be found here, https://doi.org/10.1594/PANGAEA.971874. To ensure the comparability of the measured parameters a transportable container laboratory was passed from ship to ship always equipped with the same sensor systems. Just for specific water samples some special equipment was added. A map of the different tracks as well as information about the used sensors and data treatment, you can find in the additional material. For more detailed information about the MOSES Project and the cruise Sternfahrt-10, see the article cited in references.
Sediment cores were recovered using a hand-held Cobra Pro (Atlas Copco) core drilling system with a 60 mm diameter open corer. One-meter segments were retrieved and assessed in the field for sedimentological features, including estimations of grain size, carbonate content, humus content, and redox features (AG Boden 2005, 2024). Colour descriptions were carried out using the Munsell Soil Color Chart. The exact positions of the drilling points were recorded using a differential GPS device (TOPCON HiPer II). The cores were photographed, documented and sampled at 5–10 cm intervals for subsequent laboratory analyses. Bulk samples from five selected cores (RK1, RK3, RK13, RK15, RK17) were freeze-dried, sieved (2 mm), and weighed. Total carbon (TC), total nitrogen (TN), and total sulfur (TS) contents were measured using a CNS analyzer (Vario EL cube, Elementar). Inorganic carbon (TIC) was determined using calcimeter measurements (Scheibler method, Eijkelkamp). Organic carbon (TOC) was calculated as TOC = TC − TIC. For the grain size analyses, sediment samples were first sieved to <2 mm and subsamples of 10 g were treated with 50 ml of 35% hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and gently heated to remove organic matter. Following this, 10 ml of 0.4 N sodium pyrophosphate solution (Na₄P₂O₇) was added to disperse the particles, and the suspension was subjected to ultrasonic treatment for 45 minutes. The sand fraction was analysed by dry sieving and classified into four size classes: coarse sand (2000–630 µm), medium sand (630–200 µm), fine sand (200–125 µm), and very fine sand (125–63 µm). Finer fractions were determined using X-ray granulometry (XRG) with a SediGraph III 5120 (Micromeritics). These included coarse silt (63–20 µm), medium silt (20–6.3 µm), fine silt (6.3–2.0 µm), coarse clay (2.0–0.6 µm), medium clay (0.6–0.2 µm), and fine clay (<0.2 µm).
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