Dr. Esther Breuninger

As an analytical and environmental chemist, I advance techniques to investigate health-relevant trace elements and particulate pollutants, with particular focus on bridging source signatures and transformation processes with health effects. My research sits at the intersection of biogeochemistry, pollutant dynamics, and environmental health.

I develop interdisciplinary approaches integrating chemical speciation, isotopic analysis, and molecular organic composition using advanced mass spectrometry techniques. My work establishes innovative frameworks for understanding biogeochemical processes across air-particulate-water interfaces, with applications ranging from atmospheric cycling of essential micronutrients (selenium, sulfur) to toxic trace elements (arsenic, chromium) and particulate pollutants in marine and urban systems.

My research integrates advanced analytical techniques, including single-particle ICP-TOFMS and LC-ICP-MS/MS, with field sampling spanning remote environments (Arctic waters, high-altitude observatories) to urban systems. This combination of laboratory and field expertise, supported by multivariate statistical analysis, enables comprehensive investigation of trace element and particulate pollutant sources, transformation processes, and environmental fate.

• Single-particle analysis for transformation processes, source signatures, and multi-element fingerprinting of particulate pollutants.
• Trace element speciation and fate (essential micronutrients and toxic elements) in atmospheric deposition, marine systems, and at environmental interfaces.
• Mechanistic frameworks linking source signatures to bioavailability and health outcomes.
• Linking particle-scale processes to ecosystem health and human exposure pathways.