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Marjorie S Schulz

Marjorie Schulz (Jorie) is a scientist emeritus with the Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center. Since joining the USGS in 1987, Jorie has worked in several USGS programs; Marine Geology, the National Research Program of Water Resources, and now GMEGSC.

Jorie does multidisciplinary work built on a foundation in geology. She now describes herself as a biogeochemist with a bit of soil science. Her work has included research on manganese deposits on the ocean floor, mineral weathering, soil development, and geochemistry. Jorie is currently studying the interaction of organic matter (carbon) with soil minerals to understand the processes that stabilize soil carbon.

 

Professional Experience

  • 2018 - present, Research Physical Scientist, GMEG, USGS Menlo Park, CA

  • 1991 - 2018, Research Hydrologist, WMA NRP, USGS, Menlo Park, CA

  • 1987 - 1991, Geologist, GD Marine Geology, USGS Menlo Park, CA

Education and Certifications

  • M.S., Earth Science (Sedimentology), University of Missouri-Columbia, 1990

  • B.A., Geology, Knox College, Galesburg, Illinois, 1979

Affiliations and Memberships*

  • American Geophysical Union

  • Geological Society of America

  • Association for Women Geoscientists

  • Soil Science Society of America

Science and Products

Scanning electron microscope image of soil biofilm

Biogeochemistry of the Critical Zone: Origin and Fate of Organic Matter

Changing temperature, precipitation, and land use intensification has resulted in global soil degradation. The accompanying loss of soil organic matter (SOM) decreases important soil health services. Soil organic matter is a major global pool of carbon; if SOM can be increased, soils can mitigate elevated atmospheric CO2. However, there are major knowledge gaps in SOM persistence. This project...
By
Ecosystems Land Change Science Program
Biogeochemistry of the Critical Zone: Origin and Fate of Organic Matter

Biogeochemistry of the Critical Zone: Origin and Fate of Organic Matter

Changing temperature, precipitation, and land use intensification has resulted in global soil degradation. The accompanying loss of soil organic matter (SOM) decreases important soil health services. Soil organic matter is a major global pool of carbon; if SOM can be increased, soils can mitigate elevated atmospheric CO2. However, there are major knowledge gaps in SOM persistence. This project...
Learn More

Soil Biogeochemical Data from a Marine Terrace Soil Climo-Chronosequence Comparison Soil Biogeochemical Data from a Marine Terrace Soil Climo-Chronosequence Comparison

The storage and persistence of soil organic matter (SOM) is of critical importance to soil health, and to the terrestrial carbon cycle with implications for long-term climate change. To better understand the spatio-temporal controls on SOM, we have developed a new dataset spanning two previously described marine terrace soil chronosequences from northern, CA, USA: the Santa Cruz and the...
By
Ecosystems Land Change Science Program, Geosciences and Environmental Change Science Center

Batch sorption data, respired CO2, extractable DOC, and Raman spectra collected from an incubation with microbial necromass on feldspar or amorphous aluminum hydroxide Batch sorption data, respired CO2, extractable DOC, and Raman spectra collected from an incubation with microbial necromass on feldspar or amorphous aluminum hydroxide

These datasets are from an incubation experiment with a combination of two minerals (feldspar or amorphous aluminum hydroxide), one living species of bacteria (Escherichia coli), and one added form of C (Arthrobacter crystallopoietes necromass). We characterized the sorptive properties of the minerals with batch sorption experiments using four low molecular weight C substrates (glucose...
By
Ecosystems Land Change Science Program, Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center, Geosciences and Environmental Change Science Center
No results found.
Filter Total Items: 46

The influence of soil development on the depth distribution and structure of soil microbial communities. The influence of soil development on the depth distribution and structure of soil microbial communities.

Although it has been shown that the interaction of climate and time shape the dynamics of soil organic matter (SOM) storage and preservation in soil, the role of soil microbial communities in this dynamic remains unclear. Microbial communities are present throughout soil profiles and likely play critical roles in SOM and nutrient cycling, however the influence of other factors such as...
Authors
Mary-Catherine Leewis, Corey Lawrence, Marjorie S. Schulz, Malak M. Tfaily, Christian Orlando Ayala-Ortiz, Gilberto E. Flores, Rachel Mackelprang, Jack McFarland
By
Ecosystems Land Change Science Program, Geosciences and Environmental Change Science Center

Biofilms in the Critical Zone: Distribution and mediation of processes Biofilms in the Critical Zone: Distribution and mediation of processes

Microbial biofilms occur in all levels of the Critical Zone (CZ); they are on and in the vegetation, throughout the soil-saprolite zone, and along fractures in deep subsurface. Here we discuss biofilms in each level of the CZ with a focus in the soil-saprolite continuum. We show how scanning electron microscope (SEM) images provide an appropriate scale to explore microbe mineral...
Authors
Marjorie S. Schulz, Kristen L. Manies
By
Ecosystems Land Change Science Program, Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center

Mechanisms for retention of low molecular weight organic carbon varies with soil depth at a coastal prairie ecosystem Mechanisms for retention of low molecular weight organic carbon varies with soil depth at a coastal prairie ecosystem

Though primary sources of carbon (C) to soil are plant inputs (e.g., rhizodeposits), the role of microorganisms as mediators of soil organic carbon (SOC) retention is increasingly recognized. Yet, insufficient knowledge of sub-soil processes complicates attempts to describe microbial-driven C cycling at depth as most studies of microbial-mineral-C interactions focus on surface horizons...
Authors
Jack McFarland, Corey Lawrence, Courtney Creamer, Marjorie S. Schulz, Christopher H. Conaway, Sara Peek, Mark Waldrop, Sabrina N. Sevilgen, Monica Haw
By
Ecosystems Land Change Science Program, Volcano Hazards Program, Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center, Geosciences and Environmental Change Science Center, Volcano Science Center

Response to “Connectivity and pore accessibility in models of soil carbon cycling” Response to “Connectivity and pore accessibility in models of soil carbon cycling”

Here we respond to Baveye and colleagues' recent critique of our PROMISE model, describing how this new framework significantly advances our understanding of soil spatial heterogeneity and its influence on organic matter transformations.
Authors
Bonnie G. Waring, Benjamin N. Sulman, Sasha C. Reed, A. Peyton Smith, Colin Averill, Courtney Ann Creamer, Daniela F. Cusack, Steven J. Hall, Julie D. Jastrow, Andrea Jilling, Kenneth M. Kemner, Markus Kleber, Xiao-Jun Allen Liu, Jennifer Pett-Ridge, Marjorie S. Schulz
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center, Southwest Biological Science Center

The trajectory of soil development and its relationship to soil carbon dynamics The trajectory of soil development and its relationship to soil carbon dynamics

It has been postulated that the amount of soil organic carbon (SOC) associated with soil minerals exhibits a threshold relationship in response to effective soil moisture (estimated as precipitation less evapotranspiration). To better characterize the role of moisture in influencing mechanisms of SOC storage during pedogenesis, we compare soils from two different chronosequence sites...
Authors
Corey Lawrence, Marjorie S. Schulz, Caroline Masiello, Oliver A. Chadwick, Jennifer W. Harden
By
Volcano Hazards Program, Volcano Science Center, Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center, Geosciences and Environmental Change Science Center

Response to ‘Stochastic and deterministic interpretation of pool models’ Response to ‘Stochastic and deterministic interpretation of pool models’

We concur with Azizi‐Rad et al. (2021) that it is vital to critically evaluate and compare different soil carbon models, and we welcome the opportunity to further describe the unique contribution of the PROMISE model (Waring et al. 2020) to this literature. The PROMISE framework does share many features with established biogeochemical models, as our original manuscript highlighted in...
Authors
Bonnie G. Waring, Benjamin N. Sulman, Sasha C. Reed, A. Peyton Smith, Colin Averill, Courtney Creamer, Daniela F. Cusack, Steven J. Hall, Julie D. Jastrow, Andrea Jilling, Kenneth M. Kemner, Markus Kleber, Xiao-Jun Allen Liu, Jennifer Pett-Ridge, Marjorie S. Schulz
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Ecosystems Land Change Science Program, Southwest Biological Science Center

Science and Products

Scanning electron microscope image of soil biofilm

Biogeochemistry of the Critical Zone: Origin and Fate of Organic Matter

Changing temperature, precipitation, and land use intensification has resulted in global soil degradation. The accompanying loss of soil organic matter (SOM) decreases important soil health services. Soil organic matter is a major global pool of carbon; if SOM can be increased, soils can mitigate elevated atmospheric CO2. However, there are major knowledge gaps in SOM persistence. This project...
By
Ecosystems Land Change Science Program
Biogeochemistry of the Critical Zone: Origin and Fate of Organic Matter

Biogeochemistry of the Critical Zone: Origin and Fate of Organic Matter

Changing temperature, precipitation, and land use intensification has resulted in global soil degradation. The accompanying loss of soil organic matter (SOM) decreases important soil health services. Soil organic matter is a major global pool of carbon; if SOM can be increased, soils can mitigate elevated atmospheric CO2. However, there are major knowledge gaps in SOM persistence. This project...
Learn More

Soil Biogeochemical Data from a Marine Terrace Soil Climo-Chronosequence Comparison Soil Biogeochemical Data from a Marine Terrace Soil Climo-Chronosequence Comparison

The storage and persistence of soil organic matter (SOM) is of critical importance to soil health, and to the terrestrial carbon cycle with implications for long-term climate change. To better understand the spatio-temporal controls on SOM, we have developed a new dataset spanning two previously described marine terrace soil chronosequences from northern, CA, USA: the Santa Cruz and the...
By
Ecosystems Land Change Science Program, Geosciences and Environmental Change Science Center

Batch sorption data, respired CO2, extractable DOC, and Raman spectra collected from an incubation with microbial necromass on feldspar or amorphous aluminum hydroxide Batch sorption data, respired CO2, extractable DOC, and Raman spectra collected from an incubation with microbial necromass on feldspar or amorphous aluminum hydroxide

These datasets are from an incubation experiment with a combination of two minerals (feldspar or amorphous aluminum hydroxide), one living species of bacteria (Escherichia coli), and one added form of C (Arthrobacter crystallopoietes necromass). We characterized the sorptive properties of the minerals with batch sorption experiments using four low molecular weight C substrates (glucose...
By
Ecosystems Land Change Science Program, Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center, Geosciences and Environmental Change Science Center
No results found.
Filter Total Items: 46

The influence of soil development on the depth distribution and structure of soil microbial communities. The influence of soil development on the depth distribution and structure of soil microbial communities.

Although it has been shown that the interaction of climate and time shape the dynamics of soil organic matter (SOM) storage and preservation in soil, the role of soil microbial communities in this dynamic remains unclear. Microbial communities are present throughout soil profiles and likely play critical roles in SOM and nutrient cycling, however the influence of other factors such as...
Authors
Mary-Catherine Leewis, Corey Lawrence, Marjorie S. Schulz, Malak M. Tfaily, Christian Orlando Ayala-Ortiz, Gilberto E. Flores, Rachel Mackelprang, Jack McFarland
By
Ecosystems Land Change Science Program, Geosciences and Environmental Change Science Center

Biofilms in the Critical Zone: Distribution and mediation of processes Biofilms in the Critical Zone: Distribution and mediation of processes

Microbial biofilms occur in all levels of the Critical Zone (CZ); they are on and in the vegetation, throughout the soil-saprolite zone, and along fractures in deep subsurface. Here we discuss biofilms in each level of the CZ with a focus in the soil-saprolite continuum. We show how scanning electron microscope (SEM) images provide an appropriate scale to explore microbe mineral...
Authors
Marjorie S. Schulz, Kristen L. Manies
By
Ecosystems Land Change Science Program, Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center

Mechanisms for retention of low molecular weight organic carbon varies with soil depth at a coastal prairie ecosystem Mechanisms for retention of low molecular weight organic carbon varies with soil depth at a coastal prairie ecosystem

Though primary sources of carbon (C) to soil are plant inputs (e.g., rhizodeposits), the role of microorganisms as mediators of soil organic carbon (SOC) retention is increasingly recognized. Yet, insufficient knowledge of sub-soil processes complicates attempts to describe microbial-driven C cycling at depth as most studies of microbial-mineral-C interactions focus on surface horizons...
Authors
Jack McFarland, Corey Lawrence, Courtney Creamer, Marjorie S. Schulz, Christopher H. Conaway, Sara Peek, Mark Waldrop, Sabrina N. Sevilgen, Monica Haw
By
Ecosystems Land Change Science Program, Volcano Hazards Program, Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center, Geosciences and Environmental Change Science Center, Volcano Science Center

Response to “Connectivity and pore accessibility in models of soil carbon cycling” Response to “Connectivity and pore accessibility in models of soil carbon cycling”

Here we respond to Baveye and colleagues' recent critique of our PROMISE model, describing how this new framework significantly advances our understanding of soil spatial heterogeneity and its influence on organic matter transformations.
Authors
Bonnie G. Waring, Benjamin N. Sulman, Sasha C. Reed, A. Peyton Smith, Colin Averill, Courtney Ann Creamer, Daniela F. Cusack, Steven J. Hall, Julie D. Jastrow, Andrea Jilling, Kenneth M. Kemner, Markus Kleber, Xiao-Jun Allen Liu, Jennifer Pett-Ridge, Marjorie S. Schulz
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center, Southwest Biological Science Center

The trajectory of soil development and its relationship to soil carbon dynamics The trajectory of soil development and its relationship to soil carbon dynamics

It has been postulated that the amount of soil organic carbon (SOC) associated with soil minerals exhibits a threshold relationship in response to effective soil moisture (estimated as precipitation less evapotranspiration). To better characterize the role of moisture in influencing mechanisms of SOC storage during pedogenesis, we compare soils from two different chronosequence sites...
Authors
Corey Lawrence, Marjorie S. Schulz, Caroline Masiello, Oliver A. Chadwick, Jennifer W. Harden
By
Volcano Hazards Program, Volcano Science Center, Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center, Geosciences and Environmental Change Science Center

Response to ‘Stochastic and deterministic interpretation of pool models’ Response to ‘Stochastic and deterministic interpretation of pool models’

We concur with Azizi‐Rad et al. (2021) that it is vital to critically evaluate and compare different soil carbon models, and we welcome the opportunity to further describe the unique contribution of the PROMISE model (Waring et al. 2020) to this literature. The PROMISE framework does share many features with established biogeochemical models, as our original manuscript highlighted in...
Authors
Bonnie G. Waring, Benjamin N. Sulman, Sasha C. Reed, A. Peyton Smith, Colin Averill, Courtney Creamer, Daniela F. Cusack, Steven J. Hall, Julie D. Jastrow, Andrea Jilling, Kenneth M. Kemner, Markus Kleber, Xiao-Jun Allen Liu, Jennifer Pett-Ridge, Marjorie S. Schulz
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Ecosystems Land Change Science Program, Southwest Biological Science Center

*Disclaimer: Listing outside positions with professional scientific organizations on this Staff Profile are for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement of those professional scientific organizations or their activities by the USGS, Department of the Interior, or U.S. Government

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