Dr. Alan M. ShillerDr. Alan M. Shiller

Aquatic biogeochemistry & chemical oceanography; trace elements in natural waters; marine and estuarine chemistry; geochemistry of rivers and weathering

Professor
Department of Marine Science
1020 Balch Blvd.
Stennis Space Center, MS 39529-9904
phone: 228-688-1178
fax: 228-688-1121
alan.shiller@usm.edu
Complete resume and additional course information can be found: http://ocean.otr.usm.edu/~w305860

Education

  • Ph.D. Oceanography, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, 1982
  • B.S. Chemistry, Caltech, 1975

Research Interests

Trace elements in natural waters; marine and estuarine chemistry; chemistry of rivers and weathering; global carbon system; sedimentary fluxes.

At present, most of the work in my lab involves trace element studies, although we are also involved in some sediment studies and have recently completed some basic oceanic hydrographic work. Over the years, I have worked in many different areas of geochemistry ranging from sediment studies to radionuclide studies to studies of the oceanic carbon dioxide system. Thus, I am prepared to help students interested in most any sort of geochemically-oriented project.

My lab has a wide variety of research tools including a clean lab, a high resolution inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (HR-ICP-MS), field flow fractionator, ion chromatograph, and flow injection analysis equipment. We're particularly proud of the HR-ICP-MS (Finnigan Element 2) which is far more sensitive than optical ICP and conventional quadrupole ICP-MS instrumentation.

Current Research

Reactive trace elements in the open ocean: We've been examining the distributions of certain trace elements that have air-borne sources, including manganese, lead, aluminum, and gallium. The work should shed light on input of dust, pollutants, and trace nutrients to the ocean. This work is part of an international program sponsored by the International Oceanographic Commission as well as the National Science Foundation.

Trace element and nutrient behavior in the outflow region of the Mississippi River: This is a dynamic and highly productive coastal region which is subject to seasonal oxygen depletion in the bottom waters. Also, the region is interesting because some of the river water enters the northern Gulf of Mexico near the shelf break while the rest of the water enters the Gulf of Mexico through a shallow bay and broad shelf. Hence, we can study the effect of the physiographic setting on biogeochemical processes. Additionally, it appears that we can link trace element distributions with nutrient distributions to help constrain the shelf nutrient budget.

Trace elements in rivers and streams: Surprisingly little is known about the concentrations of many dissolved trace elements in rivers and what processes control those concentrations. Our work has examined the mechanisms of seasonal concentration variations in the Mississippi River, the effect of weathering processes on dissolved trace element ratios, and the global variability of concentrations. Our work has been supported by the Environmental Protection Agency, the National Science Foundation, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the U.S. Geological Survey. Current work involves studies of controls of Fe and Mn in the Mississippi and other rivers as well as seasonal studies of the Loch Vale watershed (Colorado) and the Yukon River.

Courses

  • Marine Chemistry (MAR 541) Sea water chemistry and cycles and their impact on the marine environment.
  • Estuaries (MAR 655) An introduction to estuary processes and ecology with discussion of the impact of human activities.
  • Aquatic Chemistry (MAR 683) Principles of inorganic and physical chemistry applied to quantitative description of processes in natural waters.
  • Global Carbon System (MAR 641) An examination of the biogeochemical cycling of carbon through global systems with an emphasis on the problem of climate change.
  • Seminar in Marine Science (MAR 689) A course examining the fundamentals of and providing experience in presenting the results of scientific research in scientific meetings.

Selected Publications

(a complete publication list can be found at http://ocean.otr.usm.edu/~w305860)

2007 Duan, S., T.S. Bianchi, A.M. Shiller, K. Dria, P.G. Hatcher and K.R. Carman. Temporal Variability in the Composition and Abundance of Dissolved Organic Matter in the Lower Mississippi and Pearl Rivers (USA): I. The Application of Bulk Carbon and Nitrogen Measurements. J. Geophys. Res.-Biogeosci., 112, G02024, doi:10.1029/2006JG000206.

2006 Shiller, A.M and G.R. Bairamadgi. Dissolved Gallium in the Northwest Pacific and the South and Central Atlantic Oceans: Implications for Aeolian Fe Input and a Reconsideration of Profiles. Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems 7, Q08M09, doi:10.1029/2005GC001118.

2006 Shiller, A.M., S. Duan, P. van Erp, and T.S. Bianchi. Photo-oxidation of dissolved organic matter in river water and its effect on trace element speciation. Limnology and Oceanography 51: 1716-1728.

2005 Yuan, J. and A.M. Shiller. The distribution of hydrogen peroxide in the Northwest Pacific Ocean. Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems 6: doi:10.1029/2004GC000908.

2005 Shiller, A.M. and T.H. Stephens. Microbial manganese oxidation in the lower Mississippi River: methods and evidence. Geomicrobiology Journal 22: 117-125.

2004 Yuan, J., and A.M. Shiller. Hydrogen peroxide in deep water of the North Pacific Ocean, Geophys. Res. Lett., 31, L01310, doi: 10.1029/2003GL018439

2003 Shiller, A.M. Syringe filtration methods for examining dissolved and colloidal trace element distributions in remote field locations. Environmental Science & Technology 37(17): 3953 - 3957. doi:10.1021/es0341182

1997 Shiller, A. M. Dissolved trace elements in the Mississippi River: seasonal,
interannual, and decadal variability. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 61: 4321-
4330.

1997 Shiller, A. M. Manganese in surface waters of the Atlantic Ocean.
Geophysical Research Letters 24: 1495-1498.

1996 Shiller, A. M. The effect of recycling traps and upwelling on estuarine
chemical flux estimates. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 60: 3177-3185.

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