Ed Nater

Ed Nater
Professor Emeritus
[email protected]
612-625-9734
572 Borlaug Hall

1991 Upper Buford Circle
St Paul, MN 55108
United States

Education
  • BS, Western Illinois University - 1973
  • MS, University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point - 1983
  • PhD, University of California, Davis - 1987

Areas of Interest

Biogeochemistry, Environmental Chemistry, Pedology

Research

I have two main areas of research interest. The first is biogeochemistry, the study of the behavior, movement, and fate of chemicals in the earth's biosphere. Over the past 20 years my laboratory has concentrated mainly on the biogeochemistry of mercury in terrestrial landscapes, with many of the studies conducted in the boreal forest. My second area of interest is Pedology, the study of soils and landscapes and the interactions between them. My students and I have conducted studies on the processes of soil development and landscape evolution. I've recently tied these two interests together in studies on the effects of erosion and sedimentation on the landscape distribution of organic carbon.

Select Publications

  • Fissore, C., J. Espeleta, E.A. Nater, S.E. Hobbie, and P.B. Reich. 2010. Limited potential for terrestrial carbon sequestration to offset fossil-fuel emissions in the upper midwestern US.  Frontiers in Ecology and Environment. 8(8):409-413.
  • Tsui, M.T.K., J.C. Finlay, and E.A. Nater. 2009. Mercury bioaccumulation in a stream network. Environmental Science & Technology 43(18): 7016-7022.
  • Witt, E.L., R.K. Kolka, E.A. Nater, and T. Wickman. 2009. Influence of the forest canopy on total and methyl mercury deposition in the boreal forest. Water, Air, and Soil Pollution 199: 3-11.
  • Witt, E.L., R.K. Kolka, E.A. Nater, and T. Wickman. 2009. Forest fire effects on mercury deposition in the boreal forest. Environmental Science & Technology 43(6)1776-1782.
  • Tsui, M.T.K, J.C. Finlay, and E.A. Nater. (2008) Effects of stream water chemistry and tree species on release and methylation of mercury during litter decomposition. Environmental Science & Technology 42(23): 8692–8697.
  • Jeremiason, J.D., D.R. Engstrom, E.B. Swain, E.A. Nater, B.M. Johnson, J.E. Almendinger, B.A. Monson, R.K. Kolka. 2006. Sulfate addition increases methylmercury export from an experimental wetland. Environmental Science & Technology 40(12):3800-3806.
  • Kelley, D.W., S.A. Brachfield, E.A. Nater, and H.E. Wright, Jr. 2006. Sources of sediment in Lake Pepin on the Upper Mississippi River in response to Holocene climatic changes. Journal of Paleolimnology 35: 193-206.
  • Ewing, H.A., and E.A. Nater. 2002. Holocene soil development on till and outwash inferred from lake sediment geochemistry in Michigan and Wisconsin. Quaternary Research 234-243.
  • Grigal, D.F., R.K. Kolka, J.A. Fleck, and E.A. Nater. 2000. Mercury budget of an upland-peatland watershed. Biogeochemistry 50:95-109.
  • Fitzgerald, W.F., D.R. Engstrom, R.P. Mason, and E.A. Nater. 1998. The case for atmospheric mercury contamination in remote areas. Environmental Science and Technology  32(1): 1-7.