IN THE SCHOOL OF OCEAN AND EARTH SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGYUNIVERSITY OF HAWAI‘I AT MANOA

Research Themes

3. Earth's Environments: water, sediments, and life

Image of 'Earth's surface: water, sediments, and life.'Geologists, biologists, chemists and physicists work together to improve understanding of the complex web of interactions between water, sediments, and life. This has transformed our perception of Earth's surface from a relatively static backdrop that hosts the living world, to a dynamic system that influences, and is influenced by life. This recognition extends to human impact on the environment, highlighting the critical role that Earth Science plays in quantifying the effects of human activity on the Earth system and distinguishing human-induced changes from natural variability in our environment.

The Marine Environmental Geology (MEG) group's research interests range from understanding the critical role that tiny microbes play in catalyzing important chemical transformations in our environment to long term patterns in the origination and extinction of major fossil groups. We seek to understand the processes responsible for the creation and destruction of important natural resources such as potable water and our coastal environment. We employ a spectrum of innovative analytical methods to place new constraints on the chemical evolution of our oceans and atmosphere, and the underlying physical processes that govern this history. Our interests, techniques, and contributions reflect the remarkable breadth of phenomena that occur at the intersection of water, sediments, and life.

 

Research Themes

  1. Composition and dynamics of Earth’s deep interior
  2. Formation, motion and recycling of Earth’s crust (the rock cycle)
  3. Earth’s Environment: water, sediments, and life
  4. Earth history
  5. Earth hazards, resources and sustainability
  6. The Solar System

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