Photo: sampling for calcic soils research in Nevada, 2006.

Colin R. Robins

Associate Professor of Environmental Science

Department of Natural Sciences, Pitzer and Scripps Colleges

W.M. Keck Science Department, Claremont McKenna College

925 N Mills Ave, Claremont CA 91711


Link to Department Website

Photo: pedogenic barite crystals imaged with a scanning electron microscope, 2011. All rights reserved.

Research Interests: Soil Science (Soil Genesis & Applications), Geology (Geomorphology, Geologic Hazards, Paleosols), Environmental Science, Extinct Soils, GIS (mapping), Geoarchaeology, Geochemistry (ICP-OES, XRF), Micromorphology (SEM-EDS, Optical Microscopy), Mineralogy (XRD), Soil & Mineral Chemistry,  Stable Isotopes, Biogeography, the "Critical Zone", & Earth Systems linkages. 


Primary Expertise (as reviewer): Pedology, Geomorphology, Surficial Geology; arid systems, desert soils, soil-plant interactions, (petro)calcic horizons, clay mineralogy, palygorskite/sepiolite clays, amorphous silica, history of soil science, other topics. 


Analytical Expertise (most frequently used): ICP-OES, (p)XRF, SEM-EDS, XRD, optical microscopy, LiCOR CO2 flux monitor, other instruments.