Research

The natural environment is experiencing ever-increasing pressures from anthropogenic stressors. Understanding how human activities influence physical, chemical and biological cycles is a central component of modern geosciences. Grounded in a mechanistic understanding of geochemical processes which govern the fate, transport and biological interactions of particles in aquatic systems, our research aims to connect this geochemical knowledge with decision making on a larger platform concerning the protection of various ecosystems. Thus, we combine fundamental science within an applied context, with a focus on environmental impacts of the Anthropocene and risk assessment of pollutants. Through development of new analytical techniques and experimental approaches at the laboratory and field scales, we aim to measure particle number and characteristics and elucidate their behavior in environmental systems. To date, our research has centered on engineered nanomaterials and (micro)plastic pollution.