Research

As a low-temperature geochemist, I study processes in the Critical Zone on time scales of minutes to millions of years. I have done research on mineral/rock weathering, atmospheric chemistry, and urban streams. My approaches include isotopic geochemistry, large high-frequency datasets, field work, and modeling.

Currently, much of my research focuses on using weathering and Critical Zone approaches to understanding the sources and movement of solutes through urban watersheds. A major aspect of this work is to understand the direct and indirect effects of deicing salts on stream chemistry and water quality.

My students and I also are working on understanding the effectiveness of new stream restoration approaches for reducing fluxes of sediment, nitrogen, and phosphorus to the Chesapeake Bay.