Abstract

Quantifying local budgets of marine carbon are critical in advancing our understanding of the health and future state of water ecosystems. Integrated, the global carbon cycle plays a key role in controlling the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Important in the fate of both global and local carbon, is quantifying and assessing the factors involved in carbon exchange. During this talk, studies of processes controlling the exchange of carbon at the ocean-atmosphere interface, as well as at ocean-bottom interfaces, will be presented. Specific examples that will be introduced include precipitation (ocean-atmosphere) and coral reefs (ocean-bottom) across ENSO conditions. In particular, the role of physical and biogeochemical processes will be highlighted. Future studies combining ocean surface and bottom exchange measurements and modelling will also be discussed.

Biography

Wade McGillis is a professor and Director of the Center for Rivers and Estuaries at Columbia University, where he and other university scientists conduct research activities using the environment of the Hudson River Estuary to learn more about global biogeochemical processes. His research interests include ocean-atmosphere-land-urban interactions as well as biogeochemical, water, heat, and pollutant cycling in urban and natural environments. Previously, he was an Associate Scientist at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, a non-profit organization dedicated to the study of marine science and engineering. In addition, McGillis has published articles in numerous publications. 

Seminar sponsored by the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences

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McGillis Seminar Flyer