Welcome to
Shining Light on the Global Carbon Cycle
Advancing Our Understanding of Aquatic Biogeochemistry
Our research lab considers the foundational components of aquatic ecosystems - dissolved and particulate organic matter, microbes, and phytoplankton. By pairing observations of these components in situ with process studies and satellite observations, we are able to expand our fundamental understanding of how aquatic ecosystems function. This knowledge is, in turn, critical for modeling and forecasting change in these systems, from adaptive management activities within our watersheds to large scale climate variability.
About Us
Research Overview
Aquatic systems contain dissolved organic molecules that play key roles in ecosystem function and light regulation. A portion of this material, known as colored dissolved organic matter (CDOM), interacts with light much like tea or coffee varies in appearance based on origin and composition. These molecules, along with elements like phytoplankton and sediment, influence water color—signals that can be detected by the human eye, aircraft, and satellites. By studying these signals, we advance community knowledge and gain insights into how aquatic ecosystems work and what drives their variability across diverse environments, from the Great Lakes to Hawai'i.
Read The Latest!
Here are the latest active projects we are working on!
Impact of Legacy Phosphorus on Lake Erie Blooms
Western Lake Erie water quality is severely degraded by recurring harmful algal blooms every summer, with varying degrees of severity and toxicity.
Validating NASA’s PACE in the Great Lakes
Over 50% of the world’s population lives within 3 km of a surface freshwater body, and nearly 2.4 billion people live within 10 km of the coastal ocean. In the U.S. alone, coastal zone counties account for 48% of the U.S. GDP and 42% of U.S. employment, representing the extensive use and importance of these ecosystems.
