Andrew Graham Awarded $237,317 NSF Grant to Advance Study of Climate Change Impacts on Mercury Cycle
Associate Professor of chemistry, Andrew Graham, has been awarded a prestigious grant of $237,317 from the National Science Foundation's (NSF) Mid-Career Advancement program (EAR-2322048). This significant achievement reflects the NSF's recognition of Andrew Graham's outstanding contributions to the scientific community and his potential to lead groundbreaking research in the field of biogeochemistry.
Graham's collaboration with Iowa State University researchers Dr. Elizabeth Swanner and Dr. Diana Thatcher, is a continuation of a successful partnership that began with a previous NSF grant. Earlier, Andrew received a Major Research Instrumentation award (EAR-1919696) at Grinnell College, which facilitated the acquisition of an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS). This advanced instrument played a crucial role in his collaboration with Thatcher on a pioneering experiment involving the analysis of trace elements in stalagmites found on the Iberian Peninsula. The study aimed to understand climate variations over time, a testament to Graham’s commitment to unraveling the complexities of our changing climate.
The newly awarded NSF grant will enable Graham and his collaborators at Iowa State University to launch an innovative research project exploring the impact of changing regulatory policies and climate change on mercury accumulation in marine ecosystems. The study will focus on analyzing mercury levels in mollusk shells found off the coast of Maine, spanning both contemporary living organisms and historical shell collections. The resulting high-resolution, long-term record will contribute to refining biogeochemical-climate models and provide valuable insights into mercury accumulation responses to natural climatic variability over the last millennium.
The grant's impact will extend beyond Graham's individual accomplishments, as it will allow him to cultivate new skills and expand his professional network in the realm of climate change and global environmental change. Moreover, the research opportunities enabled by this grant will enhance the education and experiences of Grinnell students, as he aligns his teaching and research projects with crucial issues such as climate change.