Land-Ocean Interface

The coastal zone can be considered a filter between the land and the open ocean. Despite the comparatively small areal extent of the coastal ocean, this highly dynamic environment has a major impact on global biogeochemical cycles (MacKenzie et al. 1998).

Salt marsh biogeochemistry
Salt marshes, amongst the most productive ecosystems on Earth, are located at the land-water interface. Due to their large contribution to elemental turnover, they can have a pronounced effect on both quantity and quality of nutrients released to the coastal ocean. Sediment metabolism shows a distinct seasonal pattern, and we are interested in the driving forces determining pathways of organic matter decomposition (Koretsky et al. 2003).

Groundwater & Subterranean Estuary
Subsurface discharge of groundwater to the coastal ocean is a source of nutrients that only recently received significant attention (Moore 1999). The chemical composition of the groundwater differs from the oceanic waters, which promotes chemical reactions. Hence, not only is one to consider density effects on flow patterns, but also the biogeochemistry in the saltwater transition zone. We have developed 3D-FEM codes that incorporate density driven flow and allow for a flexible reaction network description.

References:
Koretsky C. M., Moore C. M., Lowe K. L., Meile C., DiChristina T. J. and Van Capellen P. 2003. Seasonal Oscillation of Microbial Iron and Sulfate Reduction in Saltmarsh Sediments. Biogeochemistry 64, 179-203
MacKenzie F. T., Lerman A. and Ver L. M. 1998. Role of the continental margin in the global carbon balance during the past three centuries. Geology 26(5), 423-426.
Moore, W.S. 1999. The subterranean estuary: a reaction zone of ground water and sea water. Mar. Chem. 65(1-2), 111-125.