Andy Kurtz BU Earth Sciences

low temperature geochemistry

BOSTON UNIVERSITY

ANDY KURTZ

ASSISTANT PROFESSOR

WELCOME TO BU LOW-T GEOCHEM

Research in low-temperature geochemistry at BU centers on understanding feedbacks between Earth’s climate and the biogeochemical processes that take place on Earth’s surface. Our research tackles both modern processes and interpreting the geologic record of Earth’s past. A primary focus is on the processes that control chemical weathering of rocks, which liberate nutrients to ecosystems, produce soils, and regulate the carbon dioxide content of the atmosphere on geologic timescales.

WHAT'S HAPPENING

TIMS LAB
We were recenty funded through the NSF MRI program to establish a new Thermal Ionization Mass Spectrometry facility at BU. A Finnigan Triton is on order, expected this spring.

MARGINS FLY RIVER PROJECT
We are beginning a newly-funded project (NSF-MARGINS) to investigate chemical weathering on the floodplain of the Fly River in Papua New Guinea.

RIO ICACOS HYDROLOGY
A new project, funded through the NSF hydrology program, will investigate subsurface hydrologic flowpaths in the Rio Icacos watershed, Puerto Rico.

CZEN SITE PROPOSAL
Kurtz's presentation to the site selection panel for the new Critical Zone Exploration Network was well recieved, and we expect to establish a CZEN node site at Rio Icacos in Puerto Rico.