Dr. Barnes has conducted extensive research concerned with the biogeochemical cycling of nitrogen and carbon in watersheds and humanity’s impact on these processes. Rebecca Barnes believes in the importance of interdisciplinary research and is interested in the policy and social issues associated with these biogeochemical processes.  Dr. Barnes utilizes a number of techniques in her research such as numerical models used to process assays and watershed budgets and isotopic mixing models. Brief descriptions and links to some of Dr. Barnes papers are given below. Explore them to learn more!

1.    Inputs of Fossil Carbon from Wastewater Treatment Plants to U.S. Rivers and Oceans.

This paper explores the composition of DOC outputs from wastewater treatment. The study focuses on identifying the carbon isotopes present in wastewater in order to determine which pools of carbon are most prevalent in wastewater and thus which should be monitored the most extensively.  The findings indicate that fossil carbon (carbon derived from petroleum use) may be more abundant in wastewater then once believed.

Griffith, R. D; Barnes, T. R; Raymond A. P. Inputs of Fossil Carbon from Wastewater Treatment Plants to U.S. Rivers and Oceans. Environmental Science and Technology 2009, vol. 43, pp 5647-5651.

http://pubs.acs.org/doi/pdf/10.1021/es9004043

2.    Isotopic Apportionments of Atmospheric and Sewage Nitrogen Sources in Two Connecticut Rivers

This paper identifies nitrate (NO3–) sources entering two watersheds that drain into Long Island Sound. The paper finds that atmospheric deposition contributed little to nitrate levels except during storms. The study was not able to determine the precise nitrate contributions from sewage.

Anisfeld, C. S; Barnes. T. R; Altabet, M. A; Wu, T. Isotopic Apportionment of Atmospheric and Sewage Nitrogen Sources in Two Connecticut Rivers. Environmental Science and Technology 2007, vol. 41 pp 6363-6369.

http://pubs.acs.org/doi/pdfplus/10.1021/es070469v

3.   The Contribution of Agricultural and Urban Activities to Inorganic Carbon Fluxes within Temperate Watersheds

This paper uses stable isotopes to explore the effects of land use on carbon cycling and export. The study compares agricultural, urban and forested areas level of DIC output. The study determines that urban land use may be a larger source of DIC agricultural lands, due to increased chemical weathering, enhanced CO2 production due to high levels of OC loading resulting from sewer line and septic system leakage.

Barnes, T. R; Raymond A. P. The Contribution of Agricultural and Urban Activities to Inorganic Carbon Fluxes within Temperate Watersheds. Chemical Geology 2009 vol. 266 pp. 318-327.

http://climate.yale.edu/sites/default/files/Raymond_2009_

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20activities%20to%20inorganic%20carbon%20fluxes%20within%20temperate%20watersheds.pdf