About

Wiebke Andrea Ziebis
Assistant Professor of Biological Sciences

Contact Information
Office: AHF 334
Phone: (213) 821-1198
E-mail: wziebis@usc.edu

 

Biographical Sketch
Wiebke Ziebis is a marine biogeochemist / benthic ecologist with a broad background and training in Biological Oceanography, Marine Geology, Benthic Ecology and Marine Microbiology. Her research work focuses on the sea floor and she enjoys interdisciplinary marine research as well as the application of innovative instrumentation for in-situ measurements. She is also an enthusiastic and certified research diver and performed a lot of her research underwater. Her main interests are transport processes (benthic-pelagic coupling, advective transport, bioturbation) at the sea floor as well as biogeochemical processes and microbial communities in marine sediments in the deep-sea as well as in shallow water, with a focus on extreme environments (hydrothermal vents, methane seeps). She has participated in more than 25 sea-going expeditions on 13 different research vessels and studied the sea floor with the use of submersibles (Alvin) and remote operated vehicles ROVs. She is also an enthusiastic and active certified research diver who has performed a number of investigations by SCUBA diving in different areas (Biogeochemical and transport processes in a shallow lagoon in the Mediterrean Sea, hydrothermal venting in the Aegean Sea, Hydrocarbon Seeps in the Santa Barbara Channel). She completed a B.S. (Vordiplom) in Biology (Major: Marine Biology) in 1990 at the University of Kiel, Germany. She then studied Marine Biology and Benthic Ecology at the Institute for Marine Research in Kiel and received her M.S.(Diplom)in Marine Sciences in 1992.For her Master Thesis she investigated the impact of biogenic structures on the particle transport at the sea floor, and performed detailed studies in laboratory flow channels. After completion of her Master Thesis she went to Bremen and performed the research for her Ph.D.thesis at the new Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology in Bremen, in the Department of Biogeochemistry under the supervison of Bo Barker Jørgensen. The focus of her work were transport processes at the sea floor in a shallow-water environment and their impact on the biogeochemsitry of the sediment. She performed in-situ measurements directly at and beneath the sea floor, as well as detailed studies under controlled condition in laboratory flow channels to investigate the effect of bioturbation of a deep burrowing shrimp, as well as the impact of advective transport on the biogeochemistry of a permeable, coastal sea bed. She completed her thesis in 1997 and received her doctorate (DR. rer. nat) from the University in Bremen (Department of Geosciences) with the evaluation: 'summa cum laude'. She is currently (October 2003 - present) an Assistant Professor for Marine Environmental Biology in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles. Other appointments include: Research Fellow (DFG - German Research Foundation)(01/01/2001 – 12/31/2002)at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography in Jolla, in the Marine Life Research Group and Marine Research Division for a collaboration with Drs. Lisa Levin and Joris Gieskes to work on biological and geochemical processes at deep-sea methane seeps. These deep-sea studies and collaborations are still continuing within NSF project awarded in 2004. She was employed as a Research Scientist (01/01/1999 – 12/31/2000)at the Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology in Bremen as a member of the 'Flux' Group in the Department of Biogeochemistry. After comppletion of her Ph.D. work (or actually one year before that) she was awarded a 3-year post-doctoral fellowship by the European Union (01/01/1996 – 12/31/1998) within an international project funded through the MAST III Program (Marine Science and Technology) working at shallow-water hydrothermal vents in the Aegean Sea.
 

Education
B.S. Zoology, Christian-Albrecht-University of Kiel, Germany, 1/1990
M.S. Marine Biology / Benthic Ecology, Christian-Albrecht-University of Kiel, Germany, 1/1992
Ph.D. Marine Biogeochemistry, University Bremen, Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology, Bremen, 7/1997
 

Postdoctoral Training
Research Fellow, Felloship awarded by the German Research Foundation, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, 01/01/2001-12/31/2002  
Research Scientist, Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology, Bremen, 01/01/1999-12/31/2000  
Post doctoral researcher EU-funded project 'Hydrothermal Activity and Biological Productivity in the Aegean', Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology, Bremen, 01/01/1996-12/31/1998  
 

Academic Appointment, Affiliation, and Employment History
Research Fellow, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, 01/01/2001-01/01/2003  
Research Scientist, Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology, 01/01/1999-01/01/2000  
Postdoctoral Fellow, Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology, 01/01/1996-01/01/1999  
Research Scientist, GEOMAR Research Center for Marine Geosciences, 01/01/1992-12/31/1992  
 

Description of Research

Summary Statement of Research Interests
Biogeochemist Wiebke Ziebis works at the boundary of biology and geology, focusing on the biogeochemical processes that take place in marine sediments. Professor Ziebis' research interests include studies of a variety of benthic environments, focusing on interactions between associated microbial and animal communities and geochemical parameters, such as the transport of oxygen from the water into the sediments. The main focus of her research is a multidisciplinary approach to investigate and understand the Biogeochemistry and Benthic Ecology of Marine Sediments. Her greatest interest lies in whole system approaches, combining interdisciplinary studies and novel approaches to investigate benthic ecosystem functioning. She enjoys integrated research that studies for example the relationship between physical regime, small-scale geochemical environment and microbial activity as well as macrofauna community structure in marine sediments. Her combination of in-situ studies and detailed investigations under controlled conditions in the laboratory yielded novel insight into benthic processes. As an active research diver she has spent many hours in the field and developed a variety of in-situ instrumentations to study benthic processes. The field observations were then simulated in the laboratory for detailed investigations in for example flow channels, which she designed. Her expertises also include the use of different microsensors for the analyses of small-scale (µm) geochemical gradients and quantification of material fluxes, which are relevant for understanding microbial community structures, as well as the application of radiotracers to quantify microbial processes. She enjoys close interactions and exchange with researchers and experts from a wide variety of scientific fields (i.e. microbiology, molecular ecology, geochemistry, geology, fluid dynamics, benthic ecology, taxonomy). To her opinion the involvement of excited students is necessary to be successful in advancing science in the field of marine biogeochemistry and benthic ecology. Specific areas of her research interest include: Flux and Transport of Matter across the Sediment-Water Interface: Benthic - Pelagic Coupling, Sediment-Animal-Microbe Interactions, Biogeochemical Processes and Associated Microbial Communities in Sediments with a Focus on Extreme Environments (hydrothermal vents, methane seeps in both deep and shallow water), Processes and Community Structures in Microbial Mats, Development and Application of Innovative Instrumentation for Benthic In-Situ Studies, Her research involves extensive field research. She has taken part in more than 25 sea-going expeditions on 13 different research vessels (international) to locales such as the Greenland Sea, the Baltic Sea, the Mediterranean Sea, the Persian Gulf, the Gulf of Mexico and the Pacific Ocean (including Monterey Bay, Hawaii, Eel River Basin and Hydrate Ridge).To study the ocean floor she frequently has had access to the use of submersibles (Alvin) and remote operated vehicles ROVs.
 

Research Keywords
Marine Biogeochemistry; Benthic Ecology; Sediment Microbiology; Transport Processes; Benthic-Pelagic coupling; Bioturbation; Sediment-Animal-Microbe Interactions; Extreme Environments: Methane Seeps, Hydrothermal Vents; Research Cruises,Scientific Diving
 

Research Specialties
Research specialties include the development of innovative instrumentation for in-situ measurements directly at the sea floor, as well as the application of microsensors and radiotracers to study biogeochemical processes and ecology of marine sediments from coastal to deep-sea environments with a focus on extreme habitats (methane seeps, hydrothermal vents, low oxygen environments.
 

Funded Research

Contracts and Grants Awarded
Biogeochemistry of North Pond Sediments (NSF -IODP), Wiebke Ziebis, $42,504, 09/01/2007-08/31/2009  
Collaborative Research: Metazoan Life At Extreme Sulfide Conditions (National Science Foundation), Ziebis, Wiebke Andrea, $1,200,000, 10/01/2004-09/30/2008  
Artificial Seep Exploration Experiment: Recovery Phase (NOAA Ocean Expl. -subc. Louisiana State University), Ziebis, Wiebke Andrea, $80,000, 2007-2008   
Metabolic Plasticity In Chemolithoautotrophic Thermophilic Aquificales: Models for the Evolution of (NASA subcontract Portland State University), Ziebis, Wiebke Andrea, $120,000, 11/15/2005-11/14/2007  
 

USC Funding
Zumberge Individual Research Grant. ANIMAL-SEDIMENT-MICROBE INTERACTIONS AT PACIFIC METHANE SEEPS:: This project is an interdisciplinary approach to understand ecosystem functioning and sediment-animal-microbe interactions at methane seeps. , $24,000, 07/01/2008-06/30/2009  
 

Affiliations with Research Centers, Labs, and Other Institutions
Wrigley Institute for Environmental Studies,http://wrigley.usc.edu/
 

Conferences and Other Presentations

Conference Presentations
"Bertics V.J, Treude T., Ziebis W. (2007) Vesicomyid Clams Alter Biogeochemical Processes at Pacific Methane Seeps. ", AGU Fall Meeting 2007, American Eos Trans. AGU, 88(52), Fall Meet. Suppl., Abstract B19B- 5527., Refereed , San Francisco, 2007-2008   
"Bertics V.J., Ziebis W. (2007) INVESTIGATING THE IMPACT OF A BURROWING SHRIMP ON BIOGEOCHEMICAL PROCESSES AND MICROBIAL COMMUNITIES IN A SHALLOW LAGOON, CATALINA HARBOR, CALIFORNIA", ASLO AGU Joint Assembly, Eos Trans. AGU, 88(23), Jt. Assem. Suppl., Abstract B41B-03, Refereed , Acapulco, Mexico, 2006-2007   
"Treude T., Ziebis W. (2007) SEDIMENT-MICROBE INTERACTIONS IN PERMEABLE SEDIMENTS AT HYDROCARBON SEEPS IN THE SANTA BARBARA CHANNEL, CALIFORNIA. ", Goldschmidt Conference 2007, Talk/Oral Presentation, Refereed , Köln Germany, 2006-2007   
"Treude T., Ziebis, W. (2007) SEDIMENT-MICROBE INTERACTIONS IN PERMEABLE SEDIMENTS AT HYDROCARBON SEEPS IN THE SANTA BARBARA CHANNEL, CALIFORNIA", AAPG Annual Convention and Exhibition, Talk/Oral Presentation, Refereed , Long Beach, CA, 2006-2007   
"Bertics V. J., Ziebis W. (2006) THE IMPACT OF BIOTURBATION ON BENTHIC MICROBIAL COMMUNITIES IN A CALIFORNIA LAGOON", ASLO Ocean Science Meeting, Eos Trans. AGU, 87(36), Ocean Sci. Meet. Suppl., Abstract OS26E-15, Refereed , Honolulu, Hawaii, 2005-2006   
"Hoffman E. A., Ziebis W., Abboud R.I., Busse L. (2006), RE-VISITING THE RESURGENT POPULATION OF THE BEAN CLAM DONAX GOULDII AT SANDY BEACHES IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.", ASLO Ocean Science Meeting, Eos Trans. AGU, 87(36), Ocean Sci. Meet. Suppl., Abstract OS26C-20, Refereed , Honolulu, Hawaii, 2005-2006   
"Levin L.A., Ziebis W., Mendoza G. F. (2006), COEXISTING AND COPING IN SULFIDIC SEEP SETTINGS: LESSONS FROM THE DORVILLEIDAE (POLYCHAETA)", ASLO Ocean Science Meeting, Eos Trans. AGU, 87(36), Ocean Sci. Meet. Suppl., Abstract OS11E-05, Refereed , Honolulu, Hawaii, 2005-2006   
"Levin L.A., Ziebis, W., Michener R., Lee, R., Harris D. (2005) MACROFAUNA-MICROBE-ENVIRONMENT INTERACTIONS: NEW QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS FROM ANIMAL ISOTOPIC SIGNATURES. ", ASLO, Refereed , Salt Lake City, 2005-2006   
"Treude T., Smith C.R., Ziebis W., Wenzhoefer F., Hannides A., Boetius A. (2006), A COMPARISON OF WHALE-FALL, SEEP AND VENT HABITATS AT THE DEEP-SEA FLOOR: SULFIDE FLUXES, PERSISTENCE TIMES AND GLOBAL DISTRIBUTIONS.", ASLO Ocean Science Meeting, Eos Trans. AGU, 87(36), Ocean Sci. Meet. Suppl., Abstract OS26C-20, Refereed , Honolulu, Hawaii, 2005-2006   
"Ziebis W., Jacobson M., Capone D. G., Fuhrman J. A., Hewson I., Rathburn, A.E. (2005) COMPARISON OF MICROBIAL ACTIVITY AND DIVERSITY IN DEEP-SEA SEDIMENTS AT THE UNIMAK MARGIN, ALASKA. ", ASLO, Refereed , Salt Lake City, 2005-2006   
 

Publications

Book Chapter
Ziebis, W., Haese, R. R. (2005). Ziebis W. and Haese R.R. (2005) INTERACTIONS BETWEEN FLUID FLOW, GEOCHEMISTRY AND BIOGEOCHEMICAL PROCESSES AT METHANE SEEPS. IN: MACRO AND MICROORGANISMS IN MARINE SEDIMENTS. Kristensen, E., Kostka J., Haese, R.R. (Eds.) AGU Coastal and Estuarine Studies 60:267-298. (Vol. Coastal and Estuarine Studies). pp. 267-298. AGU.
 

Cited Research
Linke, P. (1998). Linke, P., Dando, P.R., Köbl, R., Schlesner, H., Ziebis, W. (1999) Hydrothermal Fluxes and Biological Production in the Aegean & Fluxes in the Anoxic Basins of the Mediterranean Ridge (M40/2). In: Hieke, W., C. Hemleben, P. Linke, P. H. Weikert, H. (eds.) MITTELMEER 97/98, Reise Nr. 40, 28. Oktober 1997 - 10. Februar 1998, Meteor-Berichte, Universität Hamburg.
Ziebis, W. (1992). Ziebis W., "The Impact of the Macrofauna on Bottom Near Particle Transport, Experiments in a Flow-Channel. (Diploma Thesis) Ber. aus dem Sonderforschungsbereich 313: Veranderungen der Umwelt - der nordliche Nordatlantik. 37:1-83, 1992.
 

Conference Proceeding
Robinson, C. (1997). Robinson C., Ziebis W., Müller S., Eichstaedt K., Dando P.R., Linke P., Varnavas S., Megalovasilis P., Panagiotaras D. (1997) IN SITU INVESTIGATIONS OF SHALLOW WATER HYDROTHERMAL VENT SYSTEMS, MILOS, AEGEAN SEA. 4th Underwater Science Symposium: pp. 85-100.
 

Journal Article
Fike, D. A., Gammon, C. L., Ziebis, W., Orphan, V. J. Fike, D.A., Gammnon, C.L., Ziebis, W., Orphan, V.J. (2008) MICRON-SCALE MAPPING OF SULFUR CYCLING ACROSS THE OXYCLINE OF A CYANOBACTERIAL MAT: A PAIRED NANOSIMS AND CARD-FISH APPROACH., The ISME Journal 2008; (2): 749–759.
Rathburn, A. E., Levin, L. A., Gieskes, J. M., Tryon, M., Martin, J. B., Pérez, M. E., Fodrie, F. J., Neira, C. E., McMillan, P. A., Academic, J., Kluesner, J., Ziebis, W. Rathburn, A. E., Levin, L. A.,.Gieskes, J.M., Tryon, M., Martin, J. B., Pérez, M.E., Fodrie, F. J., Neira, C.E., , McMillan, P.A., Adamic, J., Kluesner, J. and W. Ziebis (2008) GEOLOGICAL AND BIOLOGICAL HETEROGENEITY OF THE ALEUTIAN MARGIN (2000-4800 M., Progress in Oceanography 2008. GEOLOGICAL AND BIOLOGICAL HETEROGENEITY OF THE ALEUTIAN MARGIN (2000-4800 M). Progress in Oceanography.
Bertics, V. J., Ziebis, W. Bertics, V. J. and Ziebis, W. BIODIVERSITY OF BENTHIC MICROBIAL COMMUNITIES IN BIOTURBATED COASTAL SEDIMENTS IS CONTROLLED BY GEOCHEMICAL MICRONICHES., ISME Journal (npg:nature publishing group) 2008.
Treude, T., Ziebis, W. (2008). Treude, T. and W. Ziebis (invited and submitted to Geo-Marine Letters - special issue) METHANE OXIDATION IN PERMEABLE SEDIMENTS AT HYDROCARBON SEEPS IN THE SANTA BARBARA CHANNEL, CALIFORNIA. Geomarine Letters.
Levin, L. A., Ziebis, W., Mendoza, G. F., Growney, V. A., Walther, S. (2006). Levin L.A., Ziebis W., Mendoza G.F., Growney V.A., Walter, S. (2006) IN-SITU EXPERIMENTS ON THE RECRUITMENT AND RESPONSE OF METHANE-SEEP MACROFAUNA TO SIMULATED SULFIDE CONCENTRATIONS. JEMBE J. Exp. Mar. Biol. and Ecol. 330 (1) 132- 150. JEMBE J. Exp. Mar. Biol. and Ecol.. Vol. 330 (1), pp. 132-150.
Duplessis, M. R., Ziebis, W., Gros, O., Felbeck, H. (2004). Duplessis M.R., Ziebis W., Gros O., Felbeck H. (2004) Respiration and nutritional strategies utilized by the gill endosymbiont and the host lucinid Codakia orbicularis. Appl.Env. Microbiol. 70(7):74144–4150. Appl.Env. Microbiol.. Vol. 70 (7), pp. 4144–4150.
Levin, L. A., Ziebis, W., Mendoza, G. F., Growney, V. A., Tryon, M. D., Brown, K. M., Mahn, C., Gieskes, J. M., Rathburn, A. E. (2003). Levin L.A., Ziebis W., Mendoza G.F., Growney V.A., Tryon M.D., Brown K.M., Mahn, C., Gieskes J.M., Rathburn A.E. (2003) SPATIAL HETEROGENEITY OF MACROFAUNA AT NORTHERN CALIFORNIA METHANE SEEPS: THE INFLUENCE OF SULFIDE CONCENTRATION AND FLUID FLOW. Mar. Ecol. Progr. Ser. 265:123-139. Mar. Ecol. Progr. Ser.. Vol. 265, pp. 123-139.
Ziebis, W. (2003). Rathburn A.E., Pérez E.M., Martin J.B., Day S., Mahn C., Gieskes J., Ziebis W., Williams D., Duncan A. (2003) RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN THE DISTRIBUTION AND STABLE ISOTOPIC SIGNATURES OF LIVING FORAMINIFERA AND COLD SEEP BIOGEOCHEMISTRY IN MONTEREY BAY, CALIFORNIA. G3 4(12):1-28.
Sievert, S., Ziebis, W., Kuever, J., Sahm, K. (2000). Sievert S.M., Ziebis W., Kuever J., Sahm K. (2000) RELATIVE ABUNDANCE OF ARCHAEA AND BACTERIA ALONG A THERMAL GRADIENT OF A SHALLOW-WATER HYDROTHERMAL VENT QUANTIFIED BY RRNA SLOT-BLOT HYBRIDIZATION. Microbiology. 146(Part 6):1287-1293.
Dando, P. (2000). Dando P.R., Aliani S., Arab H., Bianchi C.N., Brehmer M., Cocito S., Fowler S.W., Gundersen J., Hooper L.E., Kölbl R., Kuever J., Linke P., Makropoulos K.C., Meloni R., Miquel J.C., Morri C., Müller S., Robinson C., Schlesner H., Sievert S., Stöhr R., Stüben D., Thomm M., Varnavas S.P., Ziebis W. (2000) HYDROTHERMAL STUDIES IN THE AEGEAN SEA. Physics & Chemistry of the Earth Part B-Hydrology Oceans & Atmosphere. 25(1):1-8.
Dando, P. (1999). Sievert S.M. ,Brinkhoff T., Muyzer G., Ziebis W., Kuever J. (1999) SPATIAL HETEROGENEITY OF BACTERIAL POPULATIONS ALONG AN ENVIRONMENTAL GRADIENT AT A SHALLOW SUBMARINE HYDROTHERMAL VENT NEAR MILOS ISLAND (GREECE). Applied & Environmental Microbiology. 65(9):3834-3842, 1999.
Linke, P. (1998). Ziebis W., Pillen T., Unger B. (1998) A DIVER OBSERVATORY FOR IN-SITU STUDIES IN SUBLITTORAL SEDIMENTS. Underwater Technology 23(2): 63–69.
Linke, P. (1998). Huettel M., Ziebis W., Forster S., Luther G.W. (1998) ADVECTIVE TRANSPORT AFFECTING METAL AND NUTRIENT DISTRIBUTION AND INTERFACIAL FLUXES IN PERMEABLE SEDIMENTS. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta. 62(4):613-631.
Aliani, S. (1998). Aliani S., Bianchi N., Cocito S., Dando P. R., Niemeyer A., Peirano A., Ziebis W. (1998) A MAP OF SEAGRASS MEADOWS IN PALEOCHORI BAY (MILOS ISLAND, AEGEAN SEA), A MARINE AREA WITH HYDROTHERMAL ACTIVITY. Rapp Comm int Mer Médit. 35: 512–513.
Ziebis, W. A. (1996). Ziebis W., Forster S. Huettel M. Jørgensen BB, "Complex Burrows of the Mud Shrimp 'Callianassa Truncata' and their Geochemical Impact in the Seabed." Nature. 382(2592):619-622, 1996.
Huettel, M., Ziebis, W., Forster, S. (1996). Huettel M., Ziebis W., Forster S. "Flow-Induced Uptake of Particulate Matter in Permeable Sediments." Limnology & Oceanography. 41(2):309-322, 1996.
Forster, S., Huettel, M., Ziebis, W. (1996). Forster S. Huettel M. Ziebis W. (1996) IMPACT OF BOUNDARY LAYER FLOW ON OXYGEN UTILIZATION IN COASTAL SEDIMENTS. Marine Ecology-Progress Series. 143(1-3):173-185.
Ziebis, W., Huettel, M., Forster, S. (1996). Ziebis W., Huettel M., Forster S. (1996) Impact of biogenic sediment topography on oxygen fluxes in permeable seabeds. Marine Ecology-Progress Series. 140(1-3):227-237, 1996.
Linke, P., Suess, E., Torres, M., Martens, V., Rugh, W. D., Ziebis, W., Kulm, L. D. (1994). Linke P., Suess E. Torres, M. Martens, V. Rugh WD. Ziebis W., Kulm LD. "In Situ Measurements of Fluid from Cold Seeps at Active Continental Margins." Deep-Sea Research Part I - Oceanographic Research Papers. 41(2):309-322,1996.
 

Honors and Awards
2-year Research Fellowship awarded by the DFG (German Research Foundation), 2001-2002  
Three-year post-doctoral fellowship awarded by the European Union in the MAST III Program (Marine Science and Technology), 1996-1999  
 

Service to the Profession

Committees
Member, UNOLS DESSC Deep Submergence Science Committee, 2008-2009   
 
 
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