His talk will be held at the Graduate Program in Water Resources Science at the University of Minnesota on the St. Paul campus and broadcast simultaneously online.
Spencer is a Scientist and environmental geochemist who addresses surface-water biochemistry and environmental isotope geochemistry, with a particular focus on mercury cycling. He has conducted research on using mercury stable isotopes to trace biogeochemical pathways within aquatic and natural gas systems, on passive sampling for methylmercury within sediment porewaters, and on understanding the environmental controls on fluvial periphyton composition and effects on aquatic mercury cycling.
Abstract
Mercury has been the subject of extensive study as a toxic trace metal with a complex biogeochemical cycle. Anthropogenic activity has altered the cycling of mercury in the biosphere on a global scale and, locally, at mining and industrial sites where mercury inputs to surface waters often lead to biomagnification in aquatic food webs. There are still significant uncertainties in understanding how anthropogenic mercury sources, both legacy and modern, affect global mercury cycling and environmental health. This presentation will highlight research using novel tools to understand the sources and cycling of mercury within aquatic systems, including mercury stable-isotope ratio measurements in contaminated river systems in Virginia and California and equilibrium passive samplers developed for obtaining accurate measurements of sediment porewater methylmercury concentrations. The speaker will also address how his academic research has supported his career in environmental consulting.
More Information
Learn more about the seminar or join online: Novel Tools for Understanding Mercury Cycling in Aquatic Ecosystems: From Academia to Environmental Consulting
For more information on mercury cycling in aquatic ecosystems, contact Spencer at Spencer.Washburn@Geosyntec.com.
Learn more about Spencer: Spencer Washburn | LinkedIn
