C-RUI Faculty
H.
Whiteman
S.
Hendricks
T. Johnston
G.
Kipphut
B.Loganathan
D. Owen
W.
Spencer
T. Timmons
D. White
C-RUI Students
Jason
Albritton
Suzan
Barton
Amanda
Crook
Kari Foster
Joanna Kind
Thomas
Moore
Terry
Ray
Kosta
Seaford
C-RUI Publications
C-RUI Presentations
C-RUI
Photos
Other Links
College
of S&ET
Biology
Chemistry
Geosciences
Center for
Reservoir Research
|
|
George Kipphut
Professor of Biological Sciences and
Geosciences
B.S.
Providence College
M.Phil., Ph.D., Columbia University
homepage
The overall objective of my research interests in the context of the
C-RUI project is to assess rates of chemical fluxes of nutrients between
seasonally flooded embayment sediments and the overlying reservoir
waters. In coordination with other research components, we seek to
investigate the relationship between these chemical fluxes and the
activities of the microorganisms present in the sediments and to the
distribution of micro- and macro-organisms within the sediments and
overlying waters. During the initial phases of research, experimental
work will focus on:
- Measurement of the vertical distribution of important biochemical
species within the interstitial waters of embayment sediments.
Initially, effort will be focused on dissolved nutrients (ammonia,
nitrate, phosphate); dissolved organic material (carbon, nitrogen
phosphate); major cations (calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium),
major anions (sulfate, chloride); dissolved gases (CO2, CH4),
and important metallic species (iron, manganese). Variability in
measured nutrient concentrations from site to site is a good indicator
of overall rates of sediment diagenesis, and can be used to identify
sites for more intensive efforts in the future.
- Chemical characterization of the solid phases of embayment sediments
with particular attention given to total carbon, total nitrogen, total
phosphorus, iron, and manganese.
- Direct measurement of chemical fluxes between sediments and
overlying waters using sediment chambers. The chemical species
measured will be those mentioned above, with the addition of dissolved
oxygen. Except in the case of dissolved gases, this measurement can be
made only when the sediments are covered with reservoir water.
|