Lecture by Dr Saule Akhmetkaliyeva

We are pleased to invite you to a lecture by Dr Saule Akhmetkaliyeva, Postdoctoral Researcher at the School of Biology and Environmental Science, University College Dublin.

Date: 22 September 2026, 9:00 AM
Venue: Institute of Agrophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences

The seminar is entitled: “Where Does Organic Matter Come from in Irish Saltmarshes?”

Coastal blue carbon ecosystems are highly effective carbon sinks, yet the sources of organic matter stored in Irish saltmarshes remain relatively poorly understood. Identifying these sources is essential for assessing long-term carbon sequestration and supporting effective coastal ecosystem management.

During the seminar, Dr Saule Akhmetkaliyeva will present research combining organic biomarkers and stable isotope approaches (δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N) to investigate organic matter inputs to Irish saltmarsh sediments. The results indicate that sedimentary carbon is predominantly marine in origin, with increasing terrestrial signals in older and upmarsh sediments. These findings highlight the dynamic nature of saltmarsh systems and the importance of tidal connectivity for long-term carbon sequestration.

Stable isotope analyses further show that C3 plants are an important source of organic matter, while δ¹⁵N patterns suggest that nutrient cycling in urban marshes is influenced by human-derived inputs. Together, these complementary approaches provide valuable insight into organic matter sources and biogeochemical processes in Irish saltmarshes.

About the speaker:

Dr Saule Akhmetkaliyeva is a Postdoctoral Researcher at the School of Biology and Environmental Science at University College Dublin. Her research focuses on organic matter dynamics in saltmarsh ecosystems. She uses lipid biomarkers and stable isotopes to trace organic matter sources and better understand carbon storage processes in coastal environments.

Her work contributes to improving blue carbon assessments and supporting the management of coastal ecosystems. Her broader research interests include organic geochemistry and polar environments.

You are warmly invited to attend the lecture!

Join the meeting on Zoom:

https://zoom.us/j/93393034026?pwd=GtNyI9yCnuAvdzby5rXaosuvELhirV.1