Faculty Profiles
Owen Duckworth, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Soil Science Department,
e-mail:
phone: 919-513-1577
Nano Research Area
- Nano-Characterization
- Nano-Materials & Engineering
Research Summary
The soil biogeochemistry group studies the flow of chemicals through the environment as mediated by microbes and mineral surfaces. A major thrust of our work is elucidating the nanoscale drivers that control the fate and transport of nutrients and contaminants in the environment. We approach this topic by utilizing a combination of microscopic and spectroscopic techniques to determine the molecular to nanoscale structure of minerals and mineral-water interfaces. This structural information is then used to interpret macroscale environmental phenomena, such as dissolution of minerals, and the sorption or transformation of contaminants at surfaces.