Research
From particles to ocean basins
Open each research topic to explore its scientific focus, tracers, and applications.
Radioisotope Geochemistry Lab (RGL)’s primary research interests encompass a broad range of topics within marine and environmental sciences. RGL is particularly focused on the biological pump and particle dynamics, investigating how organic and inorganic particles are transported and transformed in the ocean. A key aspect of RGL research involves the use of artificial and natural radioisotopes as tracers to study marine and environmental processes, including carbon export, biogeochemical cycling, and sediment transport.
Additionally, RGL explores sediment geochemistry and the chemical interactions at the sediment-water interface, examining how geochemical processes regulate the exchange of nutrients, metals, and carbon between sediments and overlying waters. RGL’s work also extends to understanding climate change and its impacts on oceanic and coastal systems, with a particular interest in carbon dioxide removal (CDR) and sequestration strategies aimed at mitigating rising atmospheric CO₂ levels.
Under the Research tab, you will find a selection of projects Dr Bam has been involved in, highlighting contributions to these critical areas of environmental and marine science.
Led by Dr. Wokil Bam, the lab combines isotope measurements with CTD sampling, in-situ pumps, UVP imaging, GIS, and numerical approaches.
Open-ocean expeditions
Coastal field programs
Radioisotope analytics
Student training
CBiological Carbon Pump Carbon export and sequestration
We measure particle export and transfer efficiency to determine how effectively the ocean transports and stores carbon below the sunlit layer. Thorium-234 disequilibrium, particulate organic carbon, hydrography, and particle observations are combined to evaluate variability in export.
²³⁴Th · POC · Export efficiency
°Particle Dynamics Size, morphology, composition, and sinking
Particle size, shape, composition, aggregation, and settling velocity regulate the fate of carbon and elements. UVP imagery and size-fractionated samples help link particle properties with scavenging and remineralization.
UVP · In-situ pumps · Particle flux
RaLand–Ocean Exchange Groundwater discharge and coastal mixing
Radium isotopes and radon-222 are used to quantify submarine groundwater discharge, coastal mixing, residence times, and associated inputs of nutrients and dissolved constituents.
²²²Rn · ²²³Ra · ²²⁴Ra · ²²⁶Ra · ²²⁸Ra
O₂Coastal Hypoxia Low oxygen in Mississippi coastal waters
Field observations and geochemical tracers resolve the timing, drivers, and consequences of low-oxygen conditions in Mississippi Sound and the Mississippi Bight, including connections with nutrient delivery and oyster habitat.
Oxygen dynamics · Nutrients · Oyster ecosystems
FeTrace Elements Scavenging, regeneration, and transport
We investigate how particles regulate iron, manganese, cobalt, lead, and other trace elements across contrasting ocean regimes, connecting particle characteristics with adsorption, desorption, export, and regeneration.
GEOTRACES · Fe · Mn · Co · Pb
LiCritical Minerals Element cycling in unusual marine basins
Research in Orca Basin examines lithium, rare earth elements, transition metals, and radionuclides to constrain mineral sources, cycling, accumulation, and preservation in a hypersaline, anoxic marine environment.
Orca Basin · REY · Radionuclides
Current projects
Research in the field and at sea
Collaborative programs connect tracer measurements with particles, ecosystems, and environmental change.
South Pacific · Southern Ocean
GEOTRACES GP17
Integrating full-depth UVP profiles, trace-element measurements, and ²³⁴Th to clarify particle scavenging, transport, and remineralization.
Equatorial Atlantic
TRATLEQ-II Carbon Export
Resolving zonal differences in particle flux, export efficiency, and subsurface remineralization.
Coastal Gulf
Mississippi Sound & Bight
Connecting submarine groundwater discharge, nutrient fluxes, hypoxia, and oyster habitat using radium and radon tracers.
Gulf of Mexico
Orca Basin Geochemistry
Investigating critical minerals, rare earth elements, and radionuclide cycling in a hypersaline, anoxic marine basin.
Methods
Radioisotope Analytics
Developing robust workflows for thorium, radium, radon, polonium, and lead measurements.