Search ESS
-
Apr 24, 2013 4:41 GMT
-
Apr 4, 2013 11:57 GMT
Graduate Student Research
Graduate Students in ESS explore the science of the Earth as a system in three main areas:
Atmospheric Chemistry
|
Biogeochemical Cycles
|
Physical Climate
|
The transformation and transportation of chemicals through the atmosphere has a direct affect on air quality, global climate change, and isotope interactions. Research in this area seeks to identify, measure, and understand the implications of these changes. Field work may include analyzing the trace gases present in ice cores, modeling of atmospheric photochemistry and transport, development of instrumentation to measure trace gas fluxes, and measuring/modeling aerosol-climate interactions. 
Interactions of species with the surrounding land, ocean and atmosphere provide the basis for biogeochemical cycle research. These interactions can explain the current state of an ecosystem and provide trends that can be used to predict future conditions. Fieldwork may include remote sensing of marine ecosystems, data collection, modeling and analysis from forest canopies, and observation of the effects of fire on a global scale. 
Energy is regularly transported throughout the Earth's systems in the form of storms, ocean currents, ice levels, flooding, and drought. By observing and measuring changes in the air, land, ocean, and ice, researchers can understand the past, and simulate future climate conditions. Fieldwork may include measuring ocean temperatures, determining and recording paleoclimate conditions, using satellite data to measure hydrologic conditions, and analyzing oceanic and sea-ice variability.