Marine Geochemistry Lab

Department of Marine and Earth Sciences

The Marine Geochemistry Lab studies the chemistry of aquatic environments, how aquatic chemistry affects us and how we affect the chemistry of the coastal-marine environments.

The coastal-marine ecosystems play important roles in biogeochemical cycling and long term sequestration of a large amount of natural and human introduced organic compounds and nutrients into the global ocean. These are the most dynamic and exciting environments on the Earth, where the river delivered freshwater, sediments, nutrients and organic compounds/pollutants interact with the seawater.

Coasts are the most populated areas in the Earth that and are highly impacted by human activities. The climate change, seal-level rise and ocean acidification have further increased the vulnerability of the coasts. Our research group uses various analytical tools and techniques to understand source, reactivity, bioavailability, transport and fate of natural organic compounds, organic pollutants, toxins and nutrients in coastal and marine environments, using both direct observations and indirect geochemical proxy based estimations. We also study effects of ocean acidification on marine life, marine microplastics on organisms, and historic reconstruction of past events such as hurricanes and Florida Red-tides.

The Marine Geochemistry Lab has access to various research institutes and research station The Water School at FGCU, where we enjoy working with wonderful colleagues, the waterfront research station, being out in/on spectacular water and enjoy the beautiful Southwest Florida beaches.

Coastal watershed Institute Vester Research Station Everglades Wetland Research FGCU Artificial Reef

Primary Research Initiatives

Nutrients
Florida Red-tides
Brevetoxin (toxin produced by red tide organism) in water and sediments
Removal of brevetoxins via vertical sinking

Distribution, fate and transport of organic contaminants in SWF coastal-marine environments
Marine Microplastics
Using radium and stable isotopes to determine nutrients and pollutants sources and fluxes
Ocean acidification

Featured Projects

Red Tide

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Nutrient Tracing

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Learn about Nutrient Tracing Explore All Featured Research

Microplastics

Faculty/Graduate Researchers

Adhikari, Puspa

Associate Professor

WATER 0343

239-745-4413

padhikari@fgcu.edu

Student Researchers

Jett Barner

Director of Carpeting Donations

Office: BHM - #1236

Phone: 111-333-7777

E-mail: changethisemail@fgcu.edu

Kate Jannet

Telecommunications Specialist

Office: MOD 3

Phone: 000-000-0000

E-mail: kjannet@fgcu.edu

Austin Myers

Library Safety

Office: Mod 2

Phone: 888-999-6666

E-mail: amyers@fgcu.edu

Lesli Days

Fun Careers Advisor

Office: Modular - 1

Phone: 634 -264-6234

E-mail: ldays@fgcu.edu

Prospective Students
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We are always on the lookout for talented and motivated undergraduate and graduate students. We welcome students from diverse educational backgrounds and encourage applications from individuals from groups traditionally underrepresented in STEM fields.
Interested in joining Marine Geochemistry Lab?
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You should email Puspa Adhikari dealing your interest in the group, along with your educational background, relevant skills and a little bit about yourself. Graduate: Is funding available? The Water Schools Fellowships, NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program, NOAA, and sometimes through funded projects to Puspa.
Undergraduate:
Most of the times, we may have paid undergraduate researcher positions available from time to time depending on project funding and personnel needs. There are several funding opportunities at FGCU for undergraduate students (e.g., Seidler, Blair Foundation, Whittaker center……), let us know if you are interested and would like to apply for. In addition, we always have several volunteer positions, internships, service learning, independent studies and senior research opportunities available for completing a research project with the group.

Contact us for more details.
Students should also consider scholarship opportunities from NOAA, Florida Sea Grant, NSF summer research and other opportunities too.
Courses
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- Marine Chemistry (OCC 4002C)
- Environmental Chemistry (CHM 1084C)
- Marine Microplastics (ISC 4930)
- Oil Spills in Marine Environments (EVR 4920)
Publications
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- Adhikari, P.L., Maiti, K., Bam, W. 2019. Fate of particle-bound polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the river-influenced continental margin of the northern Gulf of Mexico. Marine Pollution Bulletin 141, 350-362.
- Bam, W., Hooper-Bui, L.M., Strecker, R.M., Adhikari, P.L, Overton, E.B. 2018. Coupled Effects of Oil Spill and Hurricane on Saltmarsh Terrestrial Arthropods. PLOS ONE 13(4): e0194941.
- Adhikari, P.L., Wong, R.L. and Overton, E.B., 2017. Application of enhanced gas chromatography/triple quadrupole mass spectrometry for monitoring petroleum weathering and forensic source fingerprinting in samples impacted by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Chemosphere 184, 939-950.
- Adhikari, P.L., Maiti, K., Overton, E.B., Brad, E.R., Marx, B.D. 2016. Distribution and Accumulation Rates of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in the Gulf of Mexico Sediments. Environmental Pollution, 212, 413-423.
- Adhikari, P.L., Maiti, K., Somiddho, B. 2016. 238U-234Th disequilibria as a tracer of vertical flux of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon in the Northern Gulf of Mexico. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 107, 179-187.
- Adhikari, P.L., Maiti, K., Overton, E.B. 2015. Vertical Fluxes of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in the Northern Gulf of Mexico. Marine Chemistry, 168, 60-68.
- Adhikari, P.L., White, J.R., Maiti, K., Nguyen, N. 2015. Phosphorous speciation and sedimentary phosphorous release from the Northern Gulf of Mexico sediments: Implication for Hypoxia. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science, 164, 77-85.M

We’re here to answer your questions.

Undergraduate Admissions

Howard Hall (main floor)
10501 FGCU Boulevard South
Fort Myers, Florida 33965

(239) 590-7878

Launch Chat