Professional Background:

Dr. Alperin's work involves the use of stable isotopes as natural tracers of sedimentary processes. He is particularly interested in carbon cycling in coastal sediments and its role in the global carbon budget. Recent projects have included studies of:

• the biogeochemistry of organic compounds dissolved in sediment pore waters
• the fate of organic matter deposited on the seafloor
• anaerobic oxidation of methane in marine sediments
• the effects of dissolved organic nitrogen and carbon in atmospheric precipitation on coastal ecosystems

These projects are supported by NSF, DOE, the N.C. Water Resources Research Institute, the Carolina Federation of Environmental Programs and a UNC Faculty Development Grant. Dr. Alperin co-leads the CHAOS Biogeochemistry Laboratories.