Cenozoic sand and silt stone at Red Bluff cliff, Sandringham, Australia.

Maximilian Prochnow

Postdoctoral Researcher & Biomarker Lab Manager
Cenozoic sand and silt stone at Red Bluff cliff, Sandringham, Australia.
Foto: Maximilian Prochnow
Maximilian Prochnow
Postdoctoral Researcher & Biomarker Lab Manager
Professur Physische Geographie
Maximilian Prochnow
Foto: Maximilian Prochnow
Raum 206
Löbdergraben 32
07743 Jena Google Maps – LageplanExterner Link
Sprechzeiten:
Dienstag, 10 bis 11 Uhr nach Vereinbarung

I’m a Paleoclimatologist and I’m interested in sediments, biomarkers and stable isotopes. My research mainly deals with the question whether it was wetter or drier during periods of warmer and cooler temperatures in the past. Therefore I use aquatic and terrestrial biomarkers and their compound-specific stable isotopic composition. This methods are summarized as molecular paleohydrology. Paleohydrology is an important topic as it helps us to understand the impact of future hydroclimate on ecosystems. 

Other aspects of my research involve reconstructing human impacts on past environments, for example since the Neolithic (7500 years ago) in Europe. This complements molecular paleohydrology with molecular paleoecology using other chemical compounds stored in lake sediments: Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons as a proxy for past fires and sterols for past live stock and human population. 

My PhD-project was funded through a PhD scholarship (Landesgraduiertenstipendium 2022) by the federal state of Thuringia and by the German Research Foundation (Project Homepage).

I'm the Biomarker Lab Manager in our lab and supervise all biomarker analyses and GC-MS/irMS measurements. I love teaching students about Physical Geography and Quaternary Climate Change, including seminars, lab courses, field trips and lectures.

More Information

  • CV

    since 12.2022
    Research associate at the Chair of Physical Geography

    12.2025
    PhD defense, Advisors: Roland Zech (FSU Jena), Antje Schwalb (TU Braunschweig)
    Thesis title: Warm and wet, cool and dry? Molecular paleohydrology based on biomarker δD and δ18O across Central Europe since the Late Glacial

    04.2025 – 05.2025
    Research visit at the University of Melbourne, Australia (Hosts: Prof. Jan-Hendrik May, Prof. Michael-Shawn Fletcher)

    01.2023 – 12.2025
    PhD student at the Chair of Physical Geography (PhD scholarship: Landesgraduiertenstipendium 2022)

    10.2022
    Graduation "First State Examination Teacher Education" Geography and German at FSU Jena
    Thesis title: Late Quaternary climate history based on biomarker and stable isotope analyses from Lake Bichlersee

    07.2022 – 02.2023
    Participant Honours Program for Future Researchers

    10.2017 – 10.2022
    Studies in Geography and German Language at FSU Jena

  • Research Interests

    Research Interests:

    • Paleohydrology during the Quaternary and dynamics of atmospheric circulaton systems
    • Quaternary Paleoenvironment: Use of fire and livestock and its impacts on landscapes
    • Methods: 'Molecular Paleoecology' using biomarkers and compound-specific stable isotopes

     Research Regions:

    • Central Europe, Australia, Mongolia
  • Publications

    2025

    • Prochnow, M., L. Danius, P. Strobel, F. Rey, L. Rittmeier, M. Zech, W. Tinner, R. Zech: Wetter or drier? Paleohydrological evidence from a 30-year resolution biomarker δD record from Moossee, Switzerland. Quaternary Science Reviews 369, 109602. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quascirev.2025.109602Externer Link

      2024

      • Prochnow, M., J. Hepp, P. Strobel, R. Zech, S. Acharya, S. Szidat, D. Rius, L. Millet, B. Glaser, M. Zech: Late Glacial summer paleohydroloy across Central Europe. Scientific Reports 14(1). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-83189-7Externer Link
      • Prochnow, M., K. Dulias, P. Strobel, M. Bliedtner, G. Daut, S. Szidat, G. Salazar, F. Lechleitner, S. Acharya, R. Abarca, A. Schwarz, A. Schwalb, R. Zech (2024): Paleohydrology and human driven paleoproductivity during the Late Holocene from Schliersee, Bavaria. Quaternary Science Reviews 345, 109012. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quascirev.2024.109012Externer Link
      • Acharya, S., P. Strobel, M. Prochnow, S. Taut, M. Zech, A. Schwalb, R. Zech (2024): Paleoclimate, paleoenvironment, and human impact over the last 400 years based on lipid biomarkers from Lake Höglwörth, Germany. Quaternary Science Advances 15, 100231. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.qsa.2024.100231Externer Link

      2023

        • Prochnow, M., P. Strobel, M. Bliedtner, J. Struck, L. Bittner, S. Szidat, G. Salazar, H. Schneider, S. Acharya, M. Zech, R. Zech (2023): Summer paleohydrology during the Late Glacial and Early Holocene based on δ2H and δ18O from Bichlersee, Bavaria. Scientific Reports 13, 18487. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-45754-4Externer Link
        • Bliedtner, M., P. Strobel, J. Struck, M. Prochnow, E. Bazarradnaa, R. Zech (2023): Mid to Late Holocene moisture evolution of semi-arid Mongolia and its anti-phase relationship with monsoonal Asia. – Quaternary Science Reviews 313, 108201. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quascirev.2023.108201Externer Link
        • Acharya, S., R. Zech, P. Strobel, M. Bliedtner, M. Prochnow, C. De Jonge (2023): Environmental controls on the distribution of GDGT molecules in Lake Höglwörth, Southern Germany. – Organic Geochemistry 186, 104689. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.orggeochem.2023.104689Externer Link
        • Acharya, S., M. Prochnow, T. Kasper, L. Langhans, P. Frenzel, P. Strobel, M. Bliedtner, G. Daut, C. Berndt, S. Szidat, G. Salazar, A. Schwalb, R. Zech (2023): A 1000-year multi-proxy paleoenvironmental record from Lake Höglwörth, Bavaria, Germany. – E&G Quaternary Science Journal 72, https://doi.org/10.5194/egqsj-72-219-2023Externer Link
    • Conferences

      05.2025 – DIG/AK Geoarcheology in Tübingen, Germany:

      • Danius, L., H. v. Suchodoletz, P. Strobel,  M. Prochnow, R. Zech, F. Lechleitner, S. Szidat, M. Bliedtner: Human modification of the fire regime in the Southern European Alps since the Bronze Age. Poster.
      • Suchodoletz, H. v., M. Prochnow, L. Danius, B. Glaser, L. Shumilovskikh, T. Schunke, K. Wiedner, R. Zech: Buried and recent Chernozems document Holocene ecological changes and fire activity in the lowlands of Central Germany. Poster.
      • Prochnow, M., L. Rittmeier, L. Danius, P. Strobel, M. Bliedtner, F. Rey, W. Tinner, R. Zech: Exploring fire history and human impact with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons over the past 15 ka at Moossee, Switzerland. Presentation.

      04.2025 – General Assembly European Geoscience Union (EGU) in Vienna, Austria:

      • Wulf, J., M. Prochnow, T. Kasper, S. Taut, G. Daut, R. Zech: Preliminary Geochemical and Lipid Biomarker Results from Lake Stechlin, Northeastern Germany. Poster. DOI: 10.5194/egusphere-egu25-21508
      • Scholz, S., O. Schmitz, L. Bergmann, M. Prochnow, L. Danius, C. Zielhofer, R. Zech: Late Holocene climate and environmental history based on biomarker analyses from Lake Tislit, Morocco. Poster. DOI: 10.5194/egusphere-egu25-19592

      10.2024 – Invited seminar talk at EAWAG, Dübendorf (host: Prof. N. Dubois):

      • A 7 ka high-resolution lipid biomarker record from Moossee 

      09.2024 – DEUQUA 2024 in Salzburg, Austria:

      • Prochnow, M., P. Strobel, S. Acharya, L. Rittmeier, M. Bliedtner, F. Rey, W. Tinner, R. Zech: A 7500 year long, 30-yr-resolution δ2H record from Moossee, Switzerland, indicates strong influence of solar activity on paleohydrology. Presentation.
      • Wulf, J., M. Prochnow, T. Kasper, G. Daut, R. Zech: Preliminary geochemical results from a gravity core from Stechlinsee in northeastern Germany. Poster.

      04.2024 – General Assambly European Geoscience Union (EGU) in Vienna, Austria:

      • Prochnow, M., K. Dulias, P. Strobel, M. Bliedtner, G. Daut, S. Szidat, G. Salazar, S. Acharya, R. Abarca, A. Schwarz, A. Schwalb, R. Zech: Late Holocene hydroclimate dynamics in the northern Alps based on compound-specific δ2H from Schliersee, Germany. Presentation. DOI: 10.5194/egusphere-egu24-5205
      • Rittmeier, L., M. Prochnow, P. Strobel, M. Bliedtner, F. Rey, W. Tinner, R. Zech: Refining Holocene environmental change and human impacts at Moossee, Switzerland, by exploring polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons as innovative proxies for paleofire. Poster. DOI: 10.5194/egusphere-egu24-16656
      • Acharya, S., D. Rana, M. Prochnow, K. Dulias, B. Dawadi, A. Schwalb, R. Zech: A Paleoenvironmental record from Lake Gosainkunda, Nepal. Poster. DOI: 10.5194/egusphere-egu24-18320

      10.2023 – Arbeitsgemeinschaft Alpen Vorland Quartär (AGAQ) in Altaussee, Austria: 

      • Prochnow, M.: Biomarker and stable isotope analyses based on lake sediments from the Alps: First results from Bichlersee Schliersee. Presentation.

      09.2022 – DEUQUA 2022 at Geoforschungszentrum (GFZ) Potsdam:

      • Prochnow, M., M. Bliedtner, P. Strobel, J. Struck, L. Bittner, H. Schneider, S. Acharya, M. Zech, R. Zech: Paleohydrological evolution during the Late Glacial based on compound-specific δ2H and δ18O analyses from Bichlersee, Bavarian Alps. Poster.

      08.2022 – 36th Congress of the International Society of Limnology in Berlin:

      • Acharya, S., P. Strobel, L. Langhans, P. Frenzel, M. Bliedtner, M. Prochnow, C. Berndt, T. Kasper, A. Schwalb, R. Zech: Human – environment interaction during the last millennium: A multi-proxy sediment record from Lake Höglwörth, Bavaria. Presentation.

      07.2022 – TransTip Summer School 2022 in Waldachtal/Black Forest

      • Acharya, S., L. Langhans, P. Strobel, P. Frenzel, M. Bliedtner, M. Prochnow, C. Berndt, T. Kasper, A. Schwalb, R. Zech: Anthropogenic impacts during the last millennium: A multi-proxy paleoenvironmental study from Lake Höglwörth, Bavaria, Germany. Poster.

      09.2021 – GASIR (German Ass. Stable Isotopes) 2021 at TU Darmstadt (virtual):

      • Prochnow, M., M. Bliedtner, J. Struck, P. Strobel, M. Zech & R. Zech (2021): Ein spätglazialer δ2Hn-alkane-Record vom Bichlersee, Oberbayern. Poster.
    • Teaching

      Taught courses

      Current winter term 2025:

      • GEOG 131: Physical Geography and Soil Science (B. Sc., Lecture)
      • GEOG 232: Physical Geography of Germany (B.Sc., Lecture, Field trip)
      • GEOG 431: Climate and Environmental Change (M. Sc., Lecture)
      • GEOG 531: Research Project II with Biomarker-Labcourse (M. Sc., Labcourse)

      Other courses until summer term 2025:

      • GEOG 437: Regional Climate and Environmental change – Field Trip Central Asia 2025 (M. Sc., Field trip, Seminar)
      • GEOG 542: Preperation Seminar State Examination Physical Geography (Teacher education program, Seminar)
      • GEOG 531: Research Project II with Biomarker-Labcourse (M. Sc., Labcourse)
      • GEOG 437: Regional Climate and Environmental change – Field Trip Alps/Mediterranean  2023 (M. Sc., Field trip, Seminar)
      • GEOG 436: Special Topics in Physical Geography (Teacher education program, Seminar)
      • GEOG 431: Climate and Environmental Change (M. Sc., Lecture)
      • GEOG 333: Research Seminar Physical Geography (B. Sc., Seminar) 
      • GEOG 237: Field Trip Physical Geography of Germany – Southern Germany (B. Sc., Field trip)
      • GEOG 231: Physical Geography of Germany (B. Sc., Tutorial)
      • GEOG 132: Physical Geography and Soil Science: Lithosphere, Geomorphology, Pedosphere (B. Sc., Tutorial)
      • GEOG 131: Physical Geography and Soil Science: Atmosphere, Biosphere, Hydrosphere (B. Sc., Tutorial)

      Supervised students

      Master of Science:

      • Flavio Zago (04.2023): 1.5 ka climate reconstruction at Moossee, Switzerland

      Bachelor of Science:

      • Annemarie Bach (06.2022): Biomarkeranalysen an Seesedimenten vom Moossee, Schweiz 

      Teacher education program:

      • Marvin Hensel (03.2025): Late Glacial and Early Holocene leaf wax pattern from Moossee
      • Florian Buchhorn (03.2025): Fettsäureanalysen an Seesedimenten vom Moossee, Schweiz
      • Konstantin Hofmann (02.2025): Boosting enhanced weathering with organic acids 
      • Richard Uhrich (02.2025): Spätglaziale und frühholozäne Produktivitätsproxies vom Moossee
      • Sarah Walter (02.2025): Late Glacial and Early Holocene PAH analyses from Moossee
      • Max Ziesing (08.2024): Trockenstress und aktuelles Ringbreitenwachstum von Eiche und Buche im Raum Jena
      • Steve Zill (08.2024): Lipidanalysen an Seesedimenten aus Marokko
      • Maxi Brück (08.2024): Schwammstadt Jena - Aspekte der Regenwassernutzung in Jena
      • Line Rittmeier (02.2024): Lipid-Biomarker Analysen an spätquartären Seesedimenten vom Moossee, Schweiz
      • Thomas Barthel (02.2024): Chancen und Risiken von Radiation Management für die Stadt Jena
      • Moritz Mäding (08.2022): Stable isotope analyses on Mid-Holocene lake sediments from Moossee, Switzerland
    • Services for University
      • Elected representative of the scientific staff of the Institute for Geography
      • X-Ray safety instructor (Handheld XRF) (R2.2)
      • Webmaster Homepage Physical Geography