Christopher G. Smith, Ph.D.
As a coastal geologist, my research focuses on the transport, transformation, and deposition of particulate and dissolved constituents within the coastal realm and how system processes will respond to large-scale environmental forcings (e.g., climate change).
Coastal systems provide a dynamic interface between terrestrial and marine realms; anthropogenic activity and natural processes occurring within terrestrial ecosystems can have a significant impact to the coastal zone and adjacent marine system. Augmentation of coastal systems is inevitable from a human perspective as nearly half of the population of the United States reside within coastal counties. Understanding modern processes (sedimentologic, hydrologic, and geochemical) occurring along this terrestrial-marine continuum is critical in predicting the response associated with natural and anthropogenic perturbations.
My research interests generally fall into two categories: 1) fluid exchange (e.g., surface water – groundwater exchange, submarine and coastal groundwater discharge) and 2) fine-grained sediment dynamics, specifically in marsh and estuarine environments. Linking these two seemingly disparate research topics are naturally-occurring (e.g., U-Th series) and anthropogenically-introduced/spiked (e.g., 137Cs) radionuclides. Particle reactive radionuclides (e.g., 7Be, 234Th, 210Pb, 210Po, and 137Cs) provide excellent tracers to quantify sediment deposition and re-mobilization over time-scales of months to decades. Examining the final sedimentary product in the context of the temporal framework and associated transient changes also provide a breadth of knowledge to environmental conditions that persisted in recent past and the outcome that may be expected if similar conditions persist in the present or future. Alternatively, the more conservative behavior of radon and radium isotopes have proven these as excellent tracers to quantify groundwater discharge in both fresh and marine environments.
Over the last three decades, groundwater discharge to the coastal zone has received increasing recognition as a substantial material vector, influencing water quality and nutrient fluxes. Quantification of fresh and marine groundwater end-members and the processes that drive the exchange (e.g., seasonal recharge cycles, hurricanes and tropical cyclones) are critical to assess the overall importance of coastal groundwater and has been at the forefront of my research.
Professional Experience
2010-Present: Research Geologist, USGS, St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center
2008 - 2010: USGS Mendenhall Fellow, St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center
Education and Certifications
PhD - Oceanography & Coastal Science (Geological conc) (2008) from Louisiana State University (Geaux Tigers!)
MS - Geology (2004) from East Carolina University
BS - Geology (2001) from East Carolina University (NC)
Science and Products
Surface-water radon-222 distribution along the west-central Florida shelf
Nearshore morphology, benthic structure, hydrodynamics, and coastal groundwater discharge near Kahekili Beach Park, Maui, Hawaii
Radioisotopic data of sediment collected in Mobile and Bon Secour Bays, Alabama
An investigation of submarine groundwater—borne nutrient fluxes to the west Florida shelf and recurrent harmful algal blooms
Over 100 years of environmental change recorded by foraminifers and sediments in a large Gulf of Mexico estuary, Mobile Bay, AL, USA
Reactive-transport modeling of iron diagenesis and associated organic carbon remineralization in a Florida (USA) subterranean estuary
Natural radium and radon tracers to quantify water exchange and movement in reservoirs
Influence of sea level rise on iron diagenesis in an east Florida subterranean estuary
Recognizing former flood-tide deltas in the Holocene stratigraphic record from the Outer Banks, North Carolina, USA
Non-USGS Publications**
**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.
Science and Products
Surface-water radon-222 distribution along the west-central Florida shelf
Nearshore morphology, benthic structure, hydrodynamics, and coastal groundwater discharge near Kahekili Beach Park, Maui, Hawaii
Radioisotopic data of sediment collected in Mobile and Bon Secour Bays, Alabama
An investigation of submarine groundwater—borne nutrient fluxes to the west Florida shelf and recurrent harmful algal blooms
Over 100 years of environmental change recorded by foraminifers and sediments in a large Gulf of Mexico estuary, Mobile Bay, AL, USA
Reactive-transport modeling of iron diagenesis and associated organic carbon remineralization in a Florida (USA) subterranean estuary
Natural radium and radon tracers to quantify water exchange and movement in reservoirs
Influence of sea level rise on iron diagenesis in an east Florida subterranean estuary
Recognizing former flood-tide deltas in the Holocene stratigraphic record from the Outer Banks, North Carolina, USA
Non-USGS Publications**
**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.