Research Interests

My research is concerned with the chemistry of soil reactions (soil chemistry). My research group and I study the reaction (kinetics) rates of metals (e.g., chromium, lead, nickel) and organics (industrial chemicals and pesticides) with soils, clay minerals, iron, aluminum, and manganese oxides, and humic substances. Our research is also heavily concerned with the use of surface microscopic and spectroscopic techniques to elucidate mechanisms of metal and organic retention and release on oxide and clay surfaces. We are employing atomic force microscopy (AFM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy (EPR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and extended X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy (XAFS) in these studies.

S. Hallock du Pont Chair
Chairperson Department of Plant and Soil Science
Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Professor of Marine Studies, Marine Biology-Biochemistry Program

Ph.D., Soil Physical Chemistry, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1979

M.S., Soil Science, University of Kentucky, 1976

B.S., Agronomy, University of Kentucky, 1975

Additional Information

Curriculum Vitae HTML

Community of Science America entry

Research Web Page