Geochemist & Earth System Scientist
Investigating organic carbon reactivity, thermal stability, and radiocarbon dynamics across Arctic source-to-sink systems.
Online Ramped Oxidation (ORO) System for Radiocarbon Thermal Evolution
Development and implementation of an Online Ramped Oxidation (ORO) system coupled to accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) for temperature-resolved radiocarbon analysis of complex organic matter. The system enables simultaneous quantification of thermal stability and carbon age across defined temperature windows, allowing decomposition processes to be constrained within a unified energetic–isotopic framework.
- Methods: ORO–AMS, dual-trap interface (DTI), thermal fractionation
- Focus: Activation energy, thermal stability, radiocarbon
- Contribution: Temperature-resolved framework beyond bulk radiocarbon measurements
Molecular Characterisation of Organic Carbon
Thermally resolved molecular analysis of organic matter using pyrolysis–GC–MS to identify compound classes released across temperature windows. The approach provides mechanistic links between molecular composition, thermal stability, and radiocarbon age.
- Methods: Thermally sliced Pyrolysis–GC–MS (Ts-Py-GCMS)
- Focus: Molecular fingerprints, degradation pathways
- Contribution: Integration of molecular data with thermal and isotopic proxies
Permafrost Carbon Transformation along the Land–Ocean Continuum
Investigation of organic carbon dynamics from terrestrial sources to marine burial along the Mackenzie River–Beaufort Sea system. The study integrates thermal fractionation, temperature-resolved radiocarbon analysis, and activation-energy distributions to constrain how carbon age and stability evolve during transport.
Results demonstrate that nearshore environments act as dynamic “reactor” systems, where prolonged residence time, hydrodynamic reworking, and mineral association reorganise organic carbon pools. These processes induce strong shifts in radiocarbon age while largely preserving intrinsic thermal stability, indicating redistribution rather than fundamental transformation.
- Methods: ORO–AMS, SoliTOC, activation-energy modelling, Pyrolysis–GC–MS
- Focus: Carbon transport, stability, and burial
- Contribution: Identification of nearshore zones as key control points in Arctic carbon cycling
Publications and Research Output
Peer-reviewed
- 2026 (planned)
Nearshore transformation of permafrost-derived organic carbon constrained by thermal and radiocarbon analyses along the Mackenzie land–ocean continuum
Journal of Geophysical Research – Biogeosciences - 2026
In-depth characterisation of organic matter thermal lability and composition from Arctic Permafrost thaw slumps
Copernicus, Biogeosciences – https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2026-845 - 2025
Towards online ramped oxidation (ORO)-AMS for thermal dissection and serial radiocarbon analysis of complex organic matter
Cambridge Press, Radiocarbon Journal – DOI: 10.1017/RDC.2025.6
Conferences
- 2025 – Thermal stability of ancient organic matter released from Arctic thaw slumps – Poster Presentation – 23rd Swiss Geoscience Meeting, Bern
- 2024 – Organic matter dynamics in thaw slumps: insights from online ramped oxidation-14C analysis – Presentation – RE-IV Conference
- 2024 – Thermal dissection and radiocarbon analysis of organic matter released from permafrost thaw slumps using online ramped oxidation-accelerator mass spectrometry (ORO-AMS) – Poster Presentation – GRS24 & GRC24
- 2024 – Towards an online ramped oxidation approach for thermal dissection and serial radiocarbon measurement of complex organic matter – Poster Presentation – EGU24-7593 – https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu24-7593
- 2022 – A new Online Ramped Oxidation (ORO) system for improved coupled thermal and radiocarbon dissection of complex natural organic matter – Poster Presentation – 24th Radiocarbon Conference – https://doi.org/10.3929/ethz-b-000585283
Reports
- 2026 – Canadian Arctic Bluffs: ORO–14C insights – Persistent radiocarbon age offset despite similar thermal structure – ETH, LIP Report 2025
- 2024 – Canadian thaw slumps: ORO and 14C insights – Permafrost thaw mobilizes old carbon rather than decomposing locally – ETH, LIP Report 2024
- 2023 – ORO: Advancements in serial thermal oxidation couple to 14C gas measurement – Milestone 14C measurements and technical advancements – Report – ETH, LIP Report 2023
- 2022 – Online Ramped Oxidation (ORO) – A novel set up for coupled thermal and 14C dissection of organic matter – Report – ETH, LIP Report 2022
Theses
- 2026
PhD Thesis – Investigating Arctic organic matter using thermal fractionation and radiocarbon analyses: from permafrost thaw slumps and coastal erosion to shelf burial – ETH Zürich, D-EAPS - 2021
Timing of Mesozoic magmatism in the Southern Alps – Master Thesis – ETH, D-EAPS - 2019
Geochronological and geochemical investigation of the Barghe Body (Brescia Province, Italy) – Bachelor Thesis – ETH, D-EAPS
Curriculum Vitae
A detailed overview of my academic background, research experience, and technical skills.