Compilation of photos from the lab: Marshes, atmospheric deposition, alternative energy, modeled loading, and more.

Our lab works broadly on biogeochemistry and ecosystem science, applied to a wide variety of both theoretical and practical questions. We enjoy trying to understand some of nature's complexity, and we believe strongly in applying objective science to sustaining the biosphere and human society. Our research encompasses a wide range of spatial scales, from microbial to ecosystem, regional, and global. Our research includes a broad range of inter-connected topical areas, illustrated below. Note that much of our research and many of our papers fall into two or more of these categories. Click on a topic to further explore research in the Howarth-Marino lab.

Diagram of our lab research areas. This is a second set of links to our research areas, which are also accessible in the links at the top of the page. Energy Global Change Biogeochem Metabolism Modeling Resources Biogeochemistry

Recent News

08 Dec
2023

EEB Symposium Presentation

Amy Hinesley gave a poster presentation in the EEB symposium about her work looking at atmospheric ammonia deposition in Skaneateles Lake

Amy Hinesley stands with her EEB presentation poster

20 Apr
2023

Connect NY episode on the CLCPA

Dr. Howarth was on the Connect NY show on WCYN TV, discussing the status of implementing the State's CLCPA climate law with State Senator May and others. Click here to watch the episode.

19 Dec
2022

NY Climate Action Council passes final scoping plan

At the Dec 19th meeting of the NY Climate Action Council, the council voted 19-3 to pass the scoping plan they've been working on since March 2020. The Plan was required by the NY Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act to be produced by the end of this month, and is the blueprint which all NY State agencies and authorities must now follow to reduce our State's greenhouse gas emissions by 40% by 2030, to make sure 70% of our electricity is from renewables by 2030, to make sure all of our electricity is zero emissions by 2040, and to lead to zero net emissions from all economic sectors statewide by 2050. Howarth is a member of the council, and you can read his statement about the scoping plan here.

You can watch an interview with Dr. Howarth and Raya Salter on Spectrum TV's Capital Tonight show at this link. Dr. Howarth also testified before a combined hearing of several committees of the NY State Senate about the plan on January 19th, 2023. His testimony starts at 15 minutes. You can watch the hearing on YouTube, view the witness list, and read Dr. Howarth's testimony.

19 Nov
2021

Howarth presents on blue hydrogen in webinar

Bob presents How Green is "Blue Hydrogen?" as part of the webinar by the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility on Nov 17, 2021.

12 Aug
2021

How green is blue hydrogen?

First peer-reviewed analysis of the greenhouse gas footprint of blue hydrogen that includes methane emissions. Blue hydrogen is made from the methane in natural gas with capture and storage of carbon dioxide, and is widely promoted by the oil and gas industry as having low emissions. However, across a wide range of assumptions, Howarth and Jacobson demonstrate large emissions for blue hydrogen. For the base case analysis, which relies on best available information on average methane emissions from natural gas and average capture of carbon dioxide, blue hydrogen has a greenhouse gas footprint that is 20% larger than simply burning natural gas.

Recent Publications

Marino et al 2023. Nitrogen fixation associated with epiphytes on the seagrass Zostera marina in a temperate lagoon with moderate to high nitrogen loads. Biogeochemistry

Howarth 2022. Methane Emissions from the Production and Use of Natural Gas. EM Magazine from the Air & Waste Management Association

Howarth and Jacobson 2022. Reply to comment on "How Green is Blue Hydrogen?". Energy Science & Engineering

Haviland et al. 2022. Variation in sediment and seagrass characteristics reflect multiple stressors along a nitrogen-enrichment gradient in a New England lagoon. Limnology and Oceanography

Howarth 2021. Chapter 6: Methane and Climate Change. In: John F. Stolz, W. Michael Griffin, and Daniel J. Bain (editors), Environmental Impacts from Development of Unconventional Oil and Gas Reserves, Cambridge University Press

Howarth and Jacobson, 2021. How green is blue hydrogen? Energy Science & Engineering

Howarth et al. 2021. Role of external inputs of nutrients to aquatic ecosystems in determining prevalence of nitrogen vs. phosphorus limitation of net primary productivity. Biogeochemistry

Wong et al. 2021. Anthropogenic Perturbations to the Atmospheric Molybdenum Cycle. Global Biogeochemical Cycles