UNC-CH MASC Fall 2008 Seminars
Professional Background:
Dr. Paerl studies the nutrient production dynamics of aquatic microbes at the base of the estuarine and coastal food webs, focusing on environmental controls of algal (planktonic and benthic) production, community structure and assesments of the causes and consequences of human-induced eutrophication of rivers, lakes, estuaries and coastal oceans. Major research projects underway include investigations of:- sources of excess nitrogen to the Neuse River basin, estuary and nearshore waters
- the genetic potential and physiological controls of nitrogen fixation in two temporate, N-limited estuaries
- impacts of atmospheric nitrogen deposition on phytoplankton dynamics and eutrophication
- phytoplankton ecophysiological responses to changing N input dynamics in the Neuse River
Labsite link: http://www.unc.edu/ims/paerllab
Other projects include collaborative studies of the sources of "new" N responsible for new production and eutrophication in the Neuse River Estuary; the formation, function and microbiology of modern day stromatolites; the physical-chemical dynamics of cyanobacterial blooms in the Baltic Sea; and Antartic lake ice microbial consortia (See Fall '97 Endeavors cover story, "Life on Ice").
Dr. Paerl's research is funded by NSF, NOAA, Sea Grant, EPA, USDA, DEHNR, the NC Water Resources Research Institute, the NC Clean Water Management Trust Fund and Weyerhauser. He heads the Institute of Marine Sciences' Microbial Ecology/Nutrient Cycling Laboratory and holds a joint appointment in the Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering.
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