Skip to main content
Skip to main menu Skip to spotlight region Skip to secondary region Skip to UGA region Skip to Tertiary region Skip to Quaternary region Skip to unit footer

Slideshow

Chemical Oceanography

chemical oceanography

Chemical oceanography encompasses the study of the chemical components of the oceans, their reactions, and their pathways of transformation. We study both organic and inorganic compounds, particulate and dissolved material, and the ocean sediments. The pathways that compounds follow affect the global cycling of elements such as carbon and nitrogen, and are often intimately related to biological activity. We undertake our research in environments such as cold seeps and saline lakes, salt marshes, and deep ocean sediments. We combine field observations, laboratory experiments, and computer models to understand factors affecting chemical compositions and how they vary in time and space.

Personnel

Use of Stable isotopes to determine sources and diagenesis of organic compounds and nutrients in ecosystems. Development of high resolution X-ray spectromicroscopic techniques for examining nutrient cycling and sequestration and organic matter diagenesis.

Aspects of environmental chemistry, chemical oceanography, and atmospheric chemistry including:
(1) The transport of biologically important elements to oceans and estuaries via aerosols 
(2) The processes controlling aerosol elemental solubility and metal speciation 
(3) The fate of aerosol derived trace elements and…

Organic geochemistry and biogeochemistry:

1. Sources, transport, alterations and fate of organic compounds in aquatic and atmospheric environments;

2. Molecular characterization of riverine/estuarine/marine dissolved organic matter (DOM); 

3. Microbial- and photochemical-derived changes in DOM…

Reactive-Transport Modeling and Biogeochemical Cycling 

bioturbation, microbial metabolism, in silico microbial models and upscaling, nutrient dynamics and human impacts at the land-ocean interface, salt marsh carbon and groundwater dynamics, iron cycling and redox oscillations, hydrothermal vents, oil spill impacts

Generally, I am a chemical oceanographer with an early marine biology background. My research path has been from clams to metal chemistry to ocean optics to satellites; the result of following interesting interdisciplinary problems. Specific interests include:

Aquatic Photochemistry: It significance to redox chemistry and reactive oxygen…

At sea, our lab collects particles using large-volume, size-fractionated filtration (McLane pumps) and smaller-scale bottle filtrations. We also use optical instrumentation to observe particles in the ocean. Back in the lab, we measure the bulk composition of particles using multi-element mass spectrometry, often through digestion of…

My research group focuses on coastal ecosystem ecology. I seek to develop an integrated understanding of ecological and biogeochemical processes in order to refine the role of estuaries and wetlands in the global carbon cycle and predict the likelihood of recovery from human disturbances. My group uses innovative geochemical tracer approaches,…

Research Emphasis:

Yager's interdisciplinary research approach includes oceanography, marine microbial ecology and biogeochemistry. Her work concentrates on the interactions between climate and marine ecosystems, and includes both fieldwork and modeling. Recent projects include investigating…

Support us

We appreciate your financial support. Your gift is important to us and helps support critical opportunities for students and faculty alike, including lectures, travel support, and any number of educational events that augment the classroom experience. Click here to learn more about giving.

Every dollar given has a direct impact upon our students and faculty.