BioGeoChemistry at Interfaces

The focus of this project is to better predict the behavior of metal and carbon cycling in our environment. We identify and quantify biogeochemical processes

biogeochemical processes

The complex interactions and transformations of chemical elements and compounds that occur throughout Earth's ecosystems, such as nutrient and element cycling between living organisms, the atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, and pedosphere (soil).

Source: Source

that control the movement of metals and carbon in the environment, which supports predictive models and identifies potential impacts of precipitation, sea level rise, etc. We are primarily focused on studying the role of biological and geochemical reduction/oxidation (redox)

geochemical reduction/oxidation (redox)

Redox processes require one chemical species that donates electrons and another chemical species that accepts those electrons. As a chemical species donates electrons it is “oxidized,” and as the other species accepts electrons it is “reduced.”

Source: USGS Source

gradients located in certain stratified

stratification

Stratification refers to layers in rocks, soil, large bodies of water, and the atmosphere.

Source: Study.com Source

bodies of water (e.g., ponds) and sediment-water interfaces (e.g., estuaries

estuaries

A partially enclosed, coastal water body where freshwater from rivers and streams mixes with salt water from the ocean.

Source: EPA Source

and wetlands)

wetland

An area of land that is periodically saturated with water, which influences the types of plants and animals that can live there. Wetlands include swamps, marshes, bogs, and other similar areas.

Source: A student's guide to Global Climate Change Source

, as well as the processes that impact metal and carbon cycling across those redox

redox

A chemical reaction that takes place between an oxidizing substance and a reducing substance. The oxidizing substance loses electrons in the reaction, and the reducing substance gains electrons.

Source: National Cancer Institue Source

gradients.