Eric Achterberg is a professor in Chemical Oceanography at GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel (Germany). He works on carbon, nutrient and trace element observations in the world’s oceans to elucidate sources, sinks and biogeochemical cycles. The work involves the optimisation and deployment of novel chemical sensors for ocean observations. He contributes to studies of ocean acidification and is an active member of the international GEOTRACES programme.