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Microbes play an essential role in governing the large geochemical cycles on our planet like the carbon, nitrogen and phosphorous cycles. Marine microbes comprise greater than 95% of all the living biomass in the sea. As Microbial Oceanographers my groups’ research interests are shaped by an interdisciplinary blend of marine microbial ecology, microbiology and ocean biogeochemistry. Specifically our research has focused on the role that marine microbes play in the cycling of elements through oceanic dissolved organic matter (DOM) and the biogeochemical significance of DOM in the marine carbon cycle. We employ a variety of oceanographic, microbiological and molecular approaches to quantify and characterize both DOM composition as well as the microbial lineages that grow on these substrates. The ultimate goal of our research is to gain a better understanding of the role of DOM in ocean biogeochemistry and how microbial community structure responds to and controls DOM quantity and quality in the World’s oceans.

 DOM Analytical Services

We provide analysis of seawater/freshwater samples using the High Temperature Combustion method on Shimadzu TOC systems.

 

 

 

 Lab News

August 17, 2023

In summer 2023 former Carlson Lab REU student Jaden Hansen joined the US GO SHIP program occupation of the I05 line sailing from Perth, Australia to Cape Town, South Africa.

March 5, 2024

As we continue to work our way to the first station of this cruise, I thought I would share a few other things from our last days in Fremantle, that I found especially cool. Before leaving Australia, I visited the Western Australia Shipwrecks Museum. Yes, I can see the humor in visiting a museum about shipwrecks as I was about to set off on a cruise myself – that said, this place is amazing for anyone of maritime inclination.

February 21, 2024

In February of 2024, University of Miami Graduate Vic Dina joined the Global Ocean Ship Based Hydrographic Investigations Program (GO-SHIP) occupation of the IO8S transect sailing from Freemantle, Australia south towards the Antarctic Circle and back towards Freemantle, Australia. Follow along as Vic offers readers a glimpse of life and work at sea as she collects dissolved organic matter samples for the Carlson Lab.

February 13, 2024

Notes from UCSB undergraduate student Max Pacatte, currently at sea in the Atlantic Ocean

April 5, 2023

An interview with research specialist and lab manager Rachel Parsons at the Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences