Environmental Mineralogy and Geochemistry at Kent State

Welcome to the Environmental Mineralogy and Geochemistry Group in the Department of Earth Sciences of Kent State University. Our overall mission is to help mitigate human impacts on the environment, particularly with respect to metal contamination. Our research integrates a discovery-based mission of basic science with a solution-based applied science approach using modern and cutting-edge laboratory- and field-based techniques. Our goal is to provide rigorous scientific information to relevant stakeholders to support decision making related to remediation and reclamation projects through my research, teaching, public engagement, and professional service.

Our research program integrates mineralogy and (bio)geochemistry to investigate complex, coupled processes within the Earth’s Critical Zone, which is the near surface environment of the Earth that includes rock, soil, water, air, and living organisms. Our work focuses on how humans affect metal transport in the Critical Zone. We aim to understand these impacts across a range of spatial scale – “from atoms to mountains” – in complex systems. Key components of these systems include how mineral-water interfaces associated with plant roots and soil organisms can form porous, aggregated structures which give rise to a patchwork of interconnected microenvironments. Further, despite the extreme heterogeneities within the Critical Zone, patterns are observed across scales.  Our research program aims to link molecular-scale information to mesocosm- and field-scale mineralogical and (bio)geochemical results with hydro(geo)logical information using a variety of laboratory- and field-based approaches to answer basic questions such as “Where do metals go in the environment, how do they get there, and what is the (bio)chemistry that happens along the way?”. In terms of human impact, a key question is “How do things work naturally, and to what extent do humans perturb these systems?”

To develop and test conceptual models that describe the dominant processes that control metal mobility in the environment, we use field-based observations and experiments coupled with laboratory-based characterization studies of natural materials and synthetic analogs.  We frequently collaborate with hydro(geo)logists, education researchers, and state and county natural resource and water managers to conduct interdisciplinary research. Our work is based in Northeast Ohio communities, ranging from rural locations in Appalachia to urban locations such as Akron. Important aspects of these projects involve citizen-scientist collaborations and engaging local shareholders. Our work on understanding metal mobility in the environment across scale is focused on two main projects: (1) metal mobility in Appalachian watersheds impacted by historical coal mining; and (2) lead (Pb) and other metals in urban soils impacted by historical leaded gasoline and paint use.