Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland / 08:46 / POSTED 31.03.26

The Ancient Mud

The field of sedimentary ancient DNA, which studies ancient genetic signals preserved in sediments, allows us to reveal ecosystem-wide responses to past environmental changes beyond what has so far been possible with standard environmental proxies.

Such insights are particularly important for the Arctic, where warming is happening at a rate four times faster than the global average and where important climate tipping points are of global societal concern.

Paleo Ecologist at GEUS, Heike Zimmermann, searches to answer how far back in time we can use DNA to uncover interactions between climate, the ocean, and the biosphere. And how arctic marine ecosystems have reacted to past climate changes.