Ellen Lalk, Earth and Planetary Sciences

Name:

Ellen Lark

Title:

Assistant Professor

Department:

Earth and Planetary Sciences

Describe your research in about 200 words.

I am a biogeochemist, meaning I am interested in the ways that microbial life and the physical environment shape (and are shaped) by the chemical make-up of Earth. My research program addresses questions about how the sources, quantities, and composition of carbon-containing compounds impact marine and aquatic environments using molecular ‘fingerprints’ from the fields of isotope and organic geochemistry. This includes investigations of greenhouse gas (methane, CO2) formation and consumption, how organic carbon is stored or released across water-sediment interfaces, and the bioavailability and biodegradability of organic matter in natural systems. Examining the movement and transformation of organic compounds across environmental interfaces enriches our understanding of fundamental Earth system dynamics of our deep oceans and inland waters, enhances predictions of carbon cycle responses to perturbation, and informs environmental management strategies. In this work, we integrate field observations with laboratory analyses, which has brought us to some beautiful and fascinating field sites in the deep ocean, coastal wetlands, and inland rivers and lakes.

What’s the most interesting thing you have learned from a student?

I have worked with students who grew up in environments from the high desert to below-sea-level coast, and I love learning about how those experiences impact how they think about and interact with natural waters. Their different perspectives remind me how our relationship with the environment is shaped by our experiences and constantly evolving.