River Nutrients and Ocean Biology (Project ID=ocbgc-2)
Faculty Sponsor Keith Moore

      The flux of nutrients from the continents to the oceans is rapidly increasing due to anthropogenic nutrient loading to rivers from industrial and agricultural sources. These nutrient inputs can lead to large phytoplankton blooms and oxygen depletion in coastal waters, and perhaps to increased blooms of toxic algae that can resulting fish death and harm to humans as well. The riverine source is also key for the marine biogeochemical cycles of carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus and influences ocean productivity and climate over long timescales.
      In this project the student will help develop the framework for a global-scale modeling effort integrating the nutrient flux from rivers to an existing ocean ecosystem and biogeochemical model. The student will help develop parameterizations for nutrient loss within estuaries and coastal regions, between the river mouth and open ocean, and study the impact of riverine nutrients on marine ecology and biogeochemistry. A prior computer programming class is preferable, but not required for this project. (Project time allocations: Computer lab = 100%, Chemistry lab = 0%, Fieldwork = 0%).

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