Biogeochemistry is the study of mineral cycling and the biotic and abiotic factors that control or influence that cycling. Sometimes, the terms “biogeochemistry” and “ecosystem ecology” are used interchangeably since ecosystem ecology deals with the flows of energy and materials through natural systems, and “biogeochemical” factors control these flows.

Research in the Wetland Biogeochemistry Lab at the Baruch Marine Field Laboratory focuses on the biogeochemical cycling of carbon, nitrogen, and iron in tidal wetlands. These elemental cycles influence the capacity of ecosystems to store soil carbon, mineralize and store/release nutrients, and produce greenhouse gases.Wetland soils and sediments are typically anoxic (no oxygen) and therefore are home to many anaerobic microbes. The delivery of oxygen to wetland soils and sediments is possible at the soil-air and soil-water interfaces. Furthermore, oxygen loss from plant roots can provide a source of oxygen to subsurface soils. Because of the close proximity of aerobic and anaerobic zones, wetlands are biogeochemical hot-spots where many elements cycle between oxidized and reduced forms.

Environmental changes - including sea level rise, global warming, and changes in nutrient/sediment inputs from watersheds - are likely to impact the cycling of elements within wetlands and may impact the exchanges of materials between wetlands and connected riverine and estuarine waters. Given the seriousness of these environmental change issues, a significant portion of our research is devoted to understanding how wetland biogeochemistry will respond to these stressors.

For a description of some current and former research projects, please click on the links below.

Currently funded projects:

Impact of salt water intrusion on C storage in temperate tidal freshwater wetlands: Assessing the amount, age, and fate of mobilized C. (NSF - Ecosystems, 2012-2014)

Long term studies of salt marsh primary production. (NSF - Long Term Research in Environmental Biology, 2011-2015)

Salt-water intrusion into coastal freshwater wetlands: Effects on ecosystem metabolism and soil carbon and nutrient storage. (U.S. Department of Energy, National Institute for Climate Change Research, 2010-2012)

Exploration of the mechanistic basis and biogeochemical implications of differential nutrient limitation among trophic levels (NSF - Ecosystems, 2008-2012)

Former projects:

Saltwater intrusion in Delaware River tidal marshes

Anaerobic metabolism in tidal wetlands

Microbiology of iron cycling

Salt marsh responses to increased flooding and wrack deposition

Tidal freshwater marsh C and N cycling