Directory of Experts
Details for Professor Rich Pancost
| Personal details | |
| Name | Professor Rich Pancost |
| Job title | Professor of Biogeochemistry Head of School |
| Department | School of Chemistry University of Bristol School of Earth Sciences University of Bristol |
| Personal web page | http://www.bris.ac.uk/chemistry/research/ogu |
| Contact details | This expert can be contacted via the University of Bristol Public Relations
Office. To help us deal with your request, please mention the Directory of Experts when contacting the Public Relations Office. work+44 (0)117 331 8092 email: public-relations@bristol.ac.uk |
| Qualifications | B.Sc.(Case W.Reserve), Ph.D.(Penn.State) |
| Professional details | |
| Keywords | organic geochemistry molecular proxies isotopic proxies biogeochemical processes sediments geomicrobiology |
| Areas of expertise | I am a member of the Organic Geochemistry Unit (OGU), based in the School of Chemistry. My research interests include molecular and isotopic proxies for biogeochemical processes in modern and ancient sediments, geomicrobiology and the preservation of organic matter. Our research focuses on the development and refinement of proxies for paleoclimate reconstruction by using cultures and field samples to identify diagnostic compounds and the controls on their isotopic compositions. Our work in the area of geomicrobiology includes studies of the microbiology of CO2 and methane cycling in peat deposits and the role of archaea in anaerobic methane oxidation. Research on the preservation of organis matter focuses on both the types of environmental conditions in the past that would have favoured extensive organic matter burial and preservation (e.g. oceanic anoxic events) as well as the chemical transformation of biological organic matter into kerogen. |