Research

        I've been lucky to collaborate with a variety of scientists at Texas Tech and elsewhere.  In addition to the fine faculty at TIEHH that I have worked with, I also work with (among others):
                        Andrew Jackson (Civil and Environmental Engineering)
                        Audra Morse (Civil and Environmental Engineering)
                        Ken Rainwater (Civil and Environmental Engineering)
                        

        I'm interested in the fate and chemistry of contaminants (particularly organic contaminants) in the environment.  The reason we study contaminant fate and environmental chemistry is to better assess potential exposure of contaminants to organisms.  For example, we do research on methods or techniques that could be used to characterize how biologically available contaminants in soil are to terrestrial organisms. 

        We have conducted research on explosives and explosive metabolites.  Basically we tested their potential impact on soil invertebrates (earthworms and crickets).  We also have some ongoing work on the occurrence of pharmaceuticals in the vadose zone of areas where wastewater has been applied.

        Over the years, we have conducted several studies on the potential ecological impact of perchlorate.  These studies have been done in the laboratory and the field.  This work was/is primarily supported by TCEQ, SERDP, and the Brazos River Authority (through the Corps of Engineers).   Some examples of our field work include 2 field sites in Texas where we conducted perchlorate work: the Longhorn Army Ammunition Plant in Karnack, Texas and the Lake Waco and Lake Belton watersheds near McGregor, Texas.  Currently, most of our perchlorate work is on natural occurrence in arid environments such as the Armagosa Desert and Death Valley, California.  Some of the early work on natural occurrence appeared on the cover of ES&T.

        Historically, we have also done research on organochlorine pesticides as part of some work on possible endocrine disruption in Morelet's crocodiles from Belize.  We have also surveyed other wildlife species for organochlorine burdens including snakes and lizards from Arizona, alligators from Florida and Louisiana, and lemurs from Madagascar.