Dr. Moritz Schroll

Scientific Career and Education:

• since 2022: Post-Doc in the research group for Biogeochemistry (Institute of Earth Sciences, Heidelberg University)
• 2018-2022: PhD student in the research group for Biogeochemistry (Institute of Earth Sciences, Heidelberg University); Thesis: Methane cycling in a eutrophic lake characterised by multiple stable isotope and flux measurements
• 2018-2019:  Research associate in the Botany, Limnology and Ecotoxicology group, Bingen University of Applied Sciences
• 2015-2018: Master study in geosciences (Institute of Earth Sciences, Heidelberg University); master thesis: "Emission and consumption of greenhouse gases in soils and plants: investigations via mass spectrometry"
• 2015-2017: Student assistant (research group for Biogeochemistry, Institute for Earth Sciences, Heidelberg University)
• 2012-2015: Bachelor study in geosciences (Institute of Earth Sciences, Heidelberg University); bachelor thesis: “Isotopic composition (δD) of chloromethane in hydrothermal systems in the Taunus”

Projects:

• 2025-2028: DFG-Projekt (Eigene Stelle; SCHR 1860/1-1): „Advancing the understanding of the aquatic methane cycle through cutting-edge isotopic approaches and methane oxidation analysis (AMIOX)“

 

Research focus

• Biogeochemical cycles of climate relevant gases
Measurement and isotopic characterization of trace gases, especially N₂O and CH₄, to identify biogenic sources (plants, fungi, phytoplankton) and to quantify emissions and air–water or land–atmosphere exchange processes in aquatic and terrestrial systems.

• Methane cycling in aquatic systems
Investigation of the methane cycle in lakes, focusing on production, degradation, and transport pathways, including the CH₄ paradox in oxic water layers, based on high resolution gas concentrations, flux measurements, and stable carbon and hydrogen isotope signatures.

• Isotope and oxidation based source identification of CH₄
Identification and differentiation of methane sources through stable isotopes (δ¹³C, δ²H), relative hydrocarbon ratios (CH₄ to C₂H₆, C₃H₈), and novel underexplored parameters such as Δ(2,13). Assessment of how methane oxidation alters these signatures to improve source attribution. This research is embedded in a current DFG funded project (SCHR 1860/1-1).

 

Analytical Experience

• GC-FID
• GC-BID
• GC-MS (including pre-concentration units)
• GC-IRMS (including pre-concentration units)

• Cavity Ring-Down Spectroscopy (Picarro G2201-i and Picarro G5131-i for the measurement of CH₄ and N₂O concentrations and their stable isotope values) in field and laboratory application

   

Fellowships

• 2022: Heinz-Friedrich Schöler - Environmental Science Award
• 04/19-03/20: Zukunftskolleg Fellow at the Heidelberg Center for the Environment (HCE)

 

Researchgate

 

Latest publications

2025

• Shigeta K, Shiraishi K, Schroll M, Lauer R, Keppler F, Sakai Y and Yurimoto H (2025) Methylotrophic yeast Candida boidinii enhances the colonization of plant growth-promoting yeast Papiliotrema laurentii in the phyllosphere. Front. Microbiol. 16:1677102. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2025.1677102

2024

• Schroll, M.; Lenhart, K.; Bender, T.; Hötten, P.; Rudolph, A.; Sörensen, S.; Keppler, F. Fungal Methane Production Controlled by Oxygen Levels and Temperature. Methane 2024, 3, 257-275.

  https://doi.org/10.3390/methane3020015