Improving our understanding of the role of metal-binding ligands in natural aqueous systems is extremely important, as these ligands control the bioavailability of trace metals, influencing pivotal global elemental cycles, such as carbon and nitrogen.
To a large extent, we simply do not adequately understand the role or chemical structure of metal-binding ligands in the oceans.
If we don't understand them we can't predict how they, and consequently trace metal cycles, will respond to projected global alteration of continental aridity (dust supply), ocean acidification, and oceanic oxygen minimum zones due to a changing climate.
Sylvia Sander's group is focusing on the speciation of trace metals and the characterisation of organic ligands in marine and estuarine systems.