Researchers in environmental geochemistry, biogeochemistry, and hydrochemistry seek to understand the sources, distribution, mobility, and fate of chemical elements, nutrients, and contaminant compounds in near-surface environments. Isotopes, chemical tracers, and biomarkers allow the origin of natural and man-made solutes to be deduced.
At UA, research in these fields has included
- the sources and transformations of anthropogenic and naturally occurring contaminants as groundwater percolates through coastal aquifer systems
- trace elements, contaminant, and nutrient cycling in natural systems, employing fieldwork, analytical work, experimental simulations, and geochemical modeling to better understand these systems
- the source, composition, and fate of organic compounds and pollutants in water and sediments
- physical modeling and remediation techniques to address hydrochemical issues
Faculty
| Name | Title | |
|---|---|---|
| Fred Andrus |
Professor Undergraduate Program Director |
fandrus@ua.edu |
| Natasha T. Dimova | Associate Professor | ntdimova@ua.edu |
| Rona Donahoe | Professor | rdonahoe@ua.edu |
| Yuehan Lu | Professor | yuehan.lu@ua.edu |
| Rebecca L. Totten |
Associate Professor Alabama Water Institute CONSERVE Distinguished Faculty Fellow |
rltotten@ua.edu |
| Yong Zhang |
Professor Department Chair |
yzhang264@ua.edu |