An integrated approach to the study of biosignatures in mineralizing biofilms and microbial mats [Elektronische Ressource] / vorgelegt von Christine Nora Heim

An integrated approach to the study of biosignatures in mineralizing biofilms and microbial mats Dissertation Zur Erlangung des akademischen Grades Doctor rerum naturalium (Dr. rer. nat.) Geowissenschaftliches Zentrum der Georg-August-Universität Göttingen Abteilung Geobiologie Vorgelegt von: Diplom-Geologin Christine Nora Heim Göttingen 2010 D7 Gutachter: 1. Prof. Dr. Volker Thiel 2. Prof. Dr. Joachim Reitner Tag der mündlichen Prüfung: 09.07.2010 Acknowledgements It’s nearly five years ago since I started this thesis, and with just a rough idea of what was expected of me - but all in all it was a great experience and I am indebted to all my colleagues, friends and family who helped me through this phase. First of all, of course, great thanks to Volker Thiel and Joachim Reitner for giving me the opportunity to join this project, and for the critical but very constructive discussions. I am grateful to my working group, Andrea Hagemann, Cornelia Conrad, Juliane Germer, Tim Leefmann and Martin Blumenberg for nice tea-time chats, assistance in the lab and in the Äspö tunnel. Thank you Martin for the proofreading. Extra hours in the tunnel were brighter with Nadias Quéric’s companionship.