My major research
focus has been on the cycling of elements in the environment, especially the
biogeochemistry of iron, sulfur, nitrogen, and phosphorus. Much of my work
has been carried out in coastal marine and salt marsh sediments where I have
examined element cycling under different conditions of oxidation and reduction.
I have worked on topics such as the mobility of trace metals in salt marsh
sediments, the controls on the availability of phosphorus, and the controls
on denitrification in marine sediments. Because the cycling of N, P, Fe and
S is strongly affected by the input of carbon, I am also interested in sediment
respiration.
Benthic metabolism in eelgrass
beds, macroalgal canopies, and bare sediments, measured using benthic chambers
in the field and cores in the laboratory.
Organic matter dynamics in sediments
subject to different N loads, measured by examination of chemical changes
in organic matter under a variety of conditions.
Stoichiometry of N, C, S, and
P in bay sediments, examined by biogeochemical profiles and chamber measurements.
Control on denitrification,
examining the importance of salinity and organic matter laoding in the field
and in the laboratory
