Sponges, often seen as simple filter feeders inhabiting a wide range of aquatic environments from shallow coastal canals to the abyssal depths, have a surprisingly sophisticated relationship with nitrogen. Nitrogen, an essential element for life, moves through ecosystems in various chemical forms. Understanding how sponges process nitrogen involves tracking stable isotopes of this element, but previous studies have only scratched the surface. Notably, the nitrogen isotope profiles of glass sponges—Hexactinellida—reveal unexpected patterns that challenge earlier assumptions about their feeding ecology and biochemical interactions with their surroundings.

Large sponge biomasses in certain marine regions can profoundly modulate local biogeochemical cycles, particularly nitrogen availability. These ancient animals establish symbiotic communities with diverse microorganisms capable of mediating critical nitrogen transformations, such as nitrification, denitrification, and nitrogen fixation. Dr. Stratmann’s work leverages advanced methodologies, including the deployment of incubation chambers in situ at extreme depths of around 4,000 meters, to quantify these microbial-mediated nitrogen fluxes within sponge microhabitats. Such deep-sea investigations are logistically challenging but essential, as traditional surface-based observations cannot capture the authentic metabolic dynamics of glass sponges.

Prior expeditions off New Zealand and in the Central Pacific have laid the groundwork for such studies, enabling direct measurement of nitrogen cycling in natural deep-sea sponge communities. The incubation chambers isolate individual sponges and their surrounding water, allowing precise monitoring of chemical exchanges over several days. These data elucidate the metabolic rates and pathways by which sponges and their symbionts transform various nitrogen species, offering unprecedented insight into their ecological functions and contributions to marine nitrogen budgets.

Yet, Dr. Stratmann’s research transcends contemporary ecosystems. She pioneers an innovative approach to investigating nitrogen cycling in fossilized sponges, analyzing nitrogen-containing organic compounds preserved in ancient skeletal structures. By extracting these molecular remnants and determining their isotopic signatures, her team can reconstruct nitrogen metabolic pathways from bygone geological epochs. This palaeobiogeochemical perspective holds the key to unravelling historical oceanic nutrient dynamics and environmental conditions that shaped marine ecosystems over hundreds of millions of years.

Decoding nitrogen cycling in fossil sponges not only informs about the organisms themselves but also generates proxies for past marine environmental variables such as oxygenation levels, nutrient availability, and microbial activity. These insights are critical in piecing together Earth’s climatic and biogeochemical evolution. Dr. Stratmann collaborates with natural history museums across Europe, tapping into their extensive sponge collections to extend her temporal reach and establish a robust dataset spanning diverse geological periods.

Returning to her alma mater, the University of Bremen, Dr. Stratmann is supported by MARUM – the Center for Marine Environmental Sciences – which provides cutting-edge facilities indispensable for executing her multidisciplinary research. MARUM’s capabilities in biogeochemical analyses and oceanographic instrumentation uniquely position her group to address complex questions at the intersection of marine biology, chemistry, and earth sciences. Beginning in February 2026, she will lead her project from Bremen, fostering collaborations and continuing deep-sea research missions.

The significance of this work extends beyond academic curiosity. Sponges represent key benthic organisms that shape ecosystem functioning and influence global biogeochemical cycles, including those regulating greenhouse gases and nutrient fluxes. Understanding their nitrogen metabolism is vital, especially as benthic habitats face mounting threats from climate change, ocean acidification, and human exploitation. Insights gained here will contribute to predictive models of marine ecosystem responses under future environmental scenarios.

Dr. Stratmann’s project was recently awarded the prestigious ERC Starting Grant, a highly competitive funding scheme recognizing exceptional early-career researchers. This grant facilitates three to five years of independent research, supporting high-risk, high-reward scientific inquiries that push boundaries. Among nearly 4,000 applicants across Europe, her selection underscores the innovative scope and potential impact of her investigations into ancient and modern marine nitrogen cycling.

The commitment of researchers like Dr. Stratmann reflects a broader scientific effort to decode the complex interplay of biological, chemical, and geological processes that govern life on Earth. By bridging observational studies in contemporary marine environments with palaeontological analyses, this research promises to deepen our understanding of the evolutionary history of nitrogen cycling and its implications for marine ecology throughout time.

Moreover, the collaborative ethos embodied by MARUM and its researchers exemplifies the integration of fundamental research with societal responsibility. The center’s dedication to open data, sustainability, and dialogue bridges the gap between science and public engagement, ensuring that discoveries in marine environmental sciences translate into actionable knowledge for environmental stewardship.

In conclusion, the exploration of nitrogen cycling in both living sponges and their fossil relatives offers a novel window into the intricate biochemical networks underlying Earth’s marine ecosystems. Dr. Stratmann’s multifaceted approach combining deep-sea fieldwork, stable isotope analyses, and palaeobiochemistry heralds a new era of marine biogeochemical research. These studies have the potential to reshape our conception of early animal evolution, terrestrial nutrient cycles, and the resilience of oceanic life through global environmental shifts.

Subject of Research: Nitrogen cycling in modern and fossil sponges and their ecological and paleoenvironmental significance.

Article Title: Ancient Sponges Reveal Secrets of Nitrogen Cycling in Past and Present Oceans

News Publication Date: Information not provided.

Image Credits: Photo: MARUM – Center for Marine Environmental Sciences, University of Bremen

Keywords: Biochemistry, Cell Biology, Ecology, Physical Sciences, Earth Sciences, Earth Systems Science, Oceanography, Ocean Chemistry, Marine Geology, Marine Ecology, Marine Biology

This new journal focuses on the dynamic biogeochemical processes occurring across soils, sediments, and aquatic environments, recognizing their fundamental role in regulating elemental cycles and sustaining biodiversity. The intricate pathways through which nutrients and contaminants flow, transform, and cycle within and between these media are critical to understanding the health and productivity of terrestrial and marine systems. Researchers contributing to the journal will advance knowledge in tracing these pathways, revealing how biogeochemical interactions impact global environmental quality and ecosystem services.

Another core theme of the journal is the exploration of atmosphere-biosphere-geosphere interactions. These overlapping spheres represent a nexus where biological activities intersect with physical and chemical processes, driving the exchange of gases, energy, and materials that regulate climate systems and biotic communities. Investigations into this interface are essential for predicting responses to environmental perturbations such as land-use change, pollution inputs, and natural disasters. The journal endeavors to publish cutting-edge studies that dissect these complex feedback loops through novel monitoring techniques and integrative modeling approaches.

Climate change and anthropogenic pressures impose unprecedented stress on Earth’s ecological and geochemical systems. The journal emphasizes research into Earth system resilience, particularly how natural and human-altered processes influence the capacity of ecosystems to absorb, adapt to, and recover from disturbances. This resilience is a cornerstone to maintaining vital ecosystem functions such as carbon sequestration, nutrient cycling, and habitat provision. Contributions detailing mechanistic insights into resilience factors will be instrumental in informing adaptive management and policy frameworks.

Pollution mitigation strategies grounded in biogeochemical innovation represent a transformative avenue for environmental remediation. The journal actively encourages submissions that detail novel methods to harness natural processes—such as microbial metabolism, mineral transformations, or plant uptake—to detoxify or immobilize contaminants. Such approaches are critically important for addressing persistent pollutants, heavy metals, and emerging contaminants that jeopardize environmental and human health globally. The integration of engineered and nature-based solutions will be a recurring emphasis in published studies.

Human activities have increasingly altered elemental cycles, notably carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur, often leading to ecosystem degradation and climate feedbacks. The journal aims to dissect these human-driven changes by examining the sources, pathways, and fates of altered elemental fluxes within the environment. Researchers equipped with isotopic tracing, geochemical modeling, and field-based experiments will find a welcoming forum to present their findings on how urbanization, agriculture, and industrial activities restructure biogeochemical networks.

Envisioning a holistic approach, Environmental and Biogeochemical Processes advocates for integrative methodologies that combine multi-disciplinary data streams, from molecular biology and geochemistry to remote sensing and computational simulations. By merging scales of observation—from microscopic interactions to global trends—researchers can unravel the multilayered complexity of environmental systems. The journal’s mission underlines the critical need for cross-sector collaboration to design sustainable solutions for environmental challenges of the 21st century.

An exciting aspect heralding the journal’s commitment to open scientific dialogue is its full waiver of article processing charges from 2025 through 2027. This initiative removes financial barriers for authors worldwide, accelerating the dissemination of vital research findings and fostering inclusivity across global scientific communities. By facilitating access without economic constraints, the journal aims to democratize knowledge exchange and amplify the impact of cutting-edge discoveries.

Researchers interested in submitting their work can access the journal’s submission portal, which is now fully operational. The editorial board actively seeks high-caliber manuscripts that align with the journal’s thematic focuses, welcoming experimental studies, theoretical analyses, review articles, and perspectives that push the boundaries of environmental biogeochemistry. Prospective authors are encouraged to contribute to topics ranging from pollution remediation and ecosystem restoration to sustainable resource management and the mitigation of climate change impacts.

Spearheading the journal’s inaugural issue is an editorial that sets the stage for future scientific discourse. This foundational piece synthesizes existing knowledge while laying out the pressing questions and emergent trends that will guide forthcoming research efforts. Readers and contributors alike can benefit from this synthesis, which provides a roadmap for advancing the field through interdisciplinary collaboration and innovative experimental design.

Environmental scientists, policy makers, and the broader public stand to gain immensely from the journal’s content. By offering robust, peer-reviewed research and fostering dialogue around the mechanisms underpinning Earth’s biogeochemical cycles, the journal supports evidence-based decision-making. In doing so, it contributes meaningfully to global efforts aimed at achieving sustainability and mitigating anthropogenic impacts on our planet’s delicate systems.

The launching of Environmental and Biogeochemical Processes arrives at a critical juncture as the world confronts escalating environmental crises. Through fostering cutting-edge research and promoting open access to scientific insights, the journal is poised to influence not only academic discourse but also practical environmental management and policy strategies. It embodies hope for a future where interdisciplinary science drives the restoration and preservation of Earth’s life-support systems.

Finally, the editorial team behind the journal comprises leading experts across multiple disciplines, ensuring that each published work meets rigorous scientific standards while addressing real-world environmental challenges. This dedication to quality and relevance positions the journal as an indispensable resource for scholars and practitioners committed to understanding and protecting our planet’s interconnected systems.

Subject of Research: Not applicable

Article Title: Environmental and Biogeochemical Processes

News Publication Date: 13-Aug-2025

Web References: https://www.maxapress.com/article/doi/10.48130/ebp-0025-0001

Image Credits: Bo Pan, Yandi Hu, Dong Zhu, Patryk Oleszczuk, Alexander E. S. Van Driessche, Tong Zhang, Zulin Zhang, Xueyan Liu, Songhu Yuan, Willie Peijnenburg, Baoshan Xing & Jason C. White

Keywords: Climate change; Human health; Environmental remediation