Welcome to my website. This site is intended to provide information about my research and current ongoing projects. Thank you for your interest. 

Abstract

     From toxic metal pollution to hydrothermal inputs, the geochemistry of an ocean environment shapes the surrounding biological community. Variables include anything from the tolerance/intolerance of a reef organism to withstand a toxin, to geothermal/physicochemical gradients encountered at hydrothermal vents, to sedimentation caused by enhanced runoff. Alteration of surrounding microbial communities can also occur when the influx of trace metals, considered toxins by many organisms, provides energy in the form of electron donors being discharged by hydrothermal systems. On the other end of the spectrum, both microorganisms and macrobenthos can alter chemical species, either as a result of detoxification, or as a consequence of their metabolisms. My research attempts to understand these interactions, focusing on the link between geochemistry and microbiology in marine environments and the feedbacks each has on the other.

     As ideal models, I target marine shallow-water hydrothermal vent systems, also called shallow-sea vents. I believe these systems offer incredible opportunities for many areas of research related to coastal element cycling, as they are often characterized by steep physicochemical gradients in temperature, pH, HCO₃^-, and an array of biologically toxic elements such as As, Sb, Se, Cr, Co, Pb, Cd, Ag, Cu, Tl, Zn, Hg, and S, as well as possible limiting nutrients such as Si and Fe. Unlike deep-water systems found at mid-ocean ridges and back-arc environments, hydrothermal venting in shallower depths allow the possibility of utilizing SCUBA diving for sample collection and in situ measurements, and thus remove the complicated use of manned submersibles or ROVs. SCUBA diving plays a major role in my research, as it provides the opportunity for improved, higher resolution, and time series data not possible by conventional means. With an emphasis on trace metal cycling, which includes speciation, microbial utilization, bioavailability, bioaccumulation, and biological synthesis of organic compounds, I investigate the biological/geological interface in these special environments.

Expertise

In addition to advanced research diving techniques (detailed in my CV), I combine state-of-the-art geochemical analytical methods with molecular- and cultivation-based microbiological techniques to investigate the influence microbes may have on the distribution and ultimate fate of trace elements in the coastal oceans. I embrace a systematic, multidisciplinary approach – emphasizing collaboration with biologists, coastal ecologists, and microbiologists – in order to carry out my research. Thus, while I have the skills and expertise to analyze each geochemical and microbiological aspect of the research, I most often focus on the geochemical analyses while collaborating with microbiologists.

Evaluating geochemical/biological interactions on a detailed level begins in the field, with analysis or preservation of unstable geochemical (e.g., T, pH, HCO₃, H₂S, As species (arsenite, arsenate, organoarsenicals, and thioarsenic species), and intermediate S species) and microbiological (DNA, RNA, culturing) parameters. Geochemical analyses include development and use of custom-built underwater probes, field spectrophotometry (HACH), and filtering/acidification/freezing, depending on the element of interest. Once returning to the laboratory, the geochemical analytical methods I have expertise in using include IC (for analysis of anions and organic acids), ICP-OES (for major salts), ICP-MS (for analysis of major, minor, and trace elements and their isotopes), and GC (for analysis of dissolved gases). Atomic Fluorescence Spectrometry (AFS) allows analysis of hydride forming elements, including arsenic, and hyphenated techniques, such as. HPLC-IC-AFS or HPLC-ICP-MS, allow me to perform trace metal speciation, a critical component of my research for both the geochemical and microbiological aspects.

My expertise in microbiological methods, including extraction of DNA and/or RNA from environmental samples, amplification of 16S rRNA genes for construction of clone libraries and phylogenetic trees, and screening for genes related to trace metal redox (e.g., arsenic, sulfur, and nitrogen functional genes), allows for a deeper understanding of these interactions in the context of genetic functioning. I will incorporate pyrotag sequencing and metagenomics for my upcoming research in New Caledonia.

Education

      • 2008: Ph.D., Biogeochemistry. University of South Florida, Tampa, FL

      • 2003: Master of Science, Hydrogeochemistry. University of South Florida, Tampa, FL

      • 1999: Bachelor of Science, Geology, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR.

 Research Interests

• The link between the ocean chemistry and the biosphere, and how one affects the other
• Discharge of potentially toxic metals from marine shallow-water hydrothermal vents
• Trace metal speciation in high salt matrices using hyphenated techniques
• Microbial metabolism of trace metals in hydrothermal vents

Work Experience

• Feb 2010 to present:Postdoctoral Research Associate, University of Southern California Dept. of Earth Sciences and Dept. of Marine Env. Sci. (Feb through Aug 2010 at Washington University, St. Louis). Advisor: Jan Amend

• May 2008 to Feb 2010:Postdoctoral Fellow, MARUM Center for Marine Environmental Sciences, University of Bremen, Germany Independently funded fellowship.

• Spring 2008: Lecturer, Introduction to Geology, USF, Tampa

• 2003-2008: USF Center for Water Analysis: Advanced training, day-to-day operation and maintenance on Perkin Elmer ICP-OES, Dionex IC, and PSAnalytical AFS

• 2001-2003: Teaching Assistant: Essentials of Geology, The Earth’s Surface (Geomorphology), and The Fluid Earth (Hydrogeology); University of South Florida, Tampa

Notable Grants, Awards and Scholarships

• 2012. Center for Deep Energy Biosphere Interactions (C-DEBI) research grant “A Lost City-type hydrothermal system in readily accessible, shallow water”. $49,469. Written by Price as Co-I, supported by J. Amend as PI.
• 2012. NASA Lewis and Clark Fund for Exploration and Field Research in Astrobiology funded proposal as PI: “Expanding frontiers for origin of life research: Serpentinite-hosted shallow-sea hydrothermal vents. $5000.
• 2011. DFG funded proposal as collaborator. “Microbial carbon fixation and microbial metabolism in shallow-sea systems” ~€4,500,000 over 5 years to S. Buehring, MARUM Center for Marine Environmental Sciences.
• 2008. DFG funded proposal as PI. “Carbon fixation pathways and microbial metabolism based on arsenic in the marine shallow-water hydrothermal system of Palaeochori Bay, Milos Island, Greece” € 21,500.
• 2006. Southwest Florida Water Management District Research Grant to investigate the link between arsenic speciation and DOM in Florida Keys carbonate reef sediments. $4000
• 2006. Tharp Endowed Research Scholarship for Academic Achievement, USF. $1500.
• 2005. Richard A. Davis Endowed Scholarship: Outstanding Ph.D. Student, USF $1000
• 2003. Geological Society of America Alexander Sisson Award for research in Alaska and the Caribbean. “Shallow-sea hydrothermal vents off the coast of the Aleutian Islands”. $3200.

Distinguished Achievements and Community Interactions

• Goldschmidt 2011 Session Convener: “Geochemical and microbiological research in both shallow and deep-sea hydrothermal environments” Session chaired by Roy Price & Paul Craddock.
• CDEBI RCN meeting participant: Microbiology in marine sediments. March 6-9, 2011. University of North Carolina.
• Invited Participant: DFG International Workshop: Research in Shallow Marine and Fresh Water Systems. May 14^th – 16^th, 2009. Freiberg, Germany
• R/V Melville cruise participant, eastern Manus Basin, Papua New Guinea (2006 MGLN06, M. Tivey) to investigate As, Se, and Sb abundance and speciation in hydrothermal fluids and precipitates from the PACManus back-arc hydrothermal system.
• April 2004. Invited Participant: DFG 1st German - American Workshop on Biogeochemical Gradients: Microbes, Methods, and Measurements. University of Tübingen, Germany.
• May 2003. National Science Foundation Workshop on Biocomplexity in Shallow-water Hydrothermal Systems. Tampa, Florida.
• 2002. American Water Resources Association Florida Section Presidents Award: Member of the Year (1st and only Student recipient to date).

Collaborations (active research proposals or manuscripts)

University of Southern California: Jan Amend (current Post-doc advisor), Ken Nealson, Yuri Gorby, Katrina Edwards

University of Bremen, MARUM, and Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology: Thomas Pichler (Ph.D. advisor), Ben Brunner, Solveig Buehring, and Wolfgang Bach

Matt Schrenk - Eastern Carolina University,

Roger Summons - MIT

Everett Shock – Arizona State University

Tori Hoeler - NASA, Li-hung Lin - National Taiwan University

William Gilhooley and Gregory Druschel - IUPUI

David Fike - WUStL

D’Arcy Meyer-Dombard – University of Illinois, Chicago

Dirk Wallschlaeger - Trent University, Canada

Ivan Savov - University of Leeds, UK

List of Publications

 Peer-reviewed (published or accepted)

Price, R.E.; Savov, I.; Planer-Friedrich, B.; Bühring, S.; Amend, J.; and Pichler, T.; (accepted - 2012). Processes influencing extreme As enrichment in shallow-sea hydrothermal fluids of Milos Island, Greece. Special Issue: Geothermal Arsenic in Chemical Geology

Price, R.E.; London, J.; Wallschläger, D.; Ruiz-Chancho, M.J.; and Pichler, T.; (2012). Enhanced bioaccumulation and biotransformation of As in coral reef organisms surrounding a marine shallow-water hydrothermal vent system. Special Issue: Geothermal Arsenic in Chemical Geology.

Ruiz-Chancho, M.J.; Pichler, T.; and Price, R.E.; (2012). Arsenic occurrence and speciation in Cyclope neritea, a gastropod inhabiting the arsenic-rich marine shallow-water hydrothermal system off Milos Island, Greece. Special Issue: Geothermal Arsenic in Chemical Geology.

Meyer-Dombard, D.R., Price, R.E., Pichler, T., and Amend, J.P., (2012). Prokaryotic populations in heated, arsenic-rich sediments of a shallow-sea hydrothermal system, Ambitle Island, Papua New Guinea. Geomicrobiology Journal. 29, 1-17.

Pichler, T.; Price, R.; Lazareva, O.; and Dippold, A. (2011). Determination of arsenic concentration and distribution in the Floridan Aquifer System. Journal of Geochemical Exploration. 111(3), 84-96.

Akerman,N.; Price, R.E.;Pichler,T.; Amend,J.P.; (2011). Energy sources for chemolithotrophs in an arsenic- and iron-rich shallow-sea hydrothermal system. Geobiology. 9(5), 436-445.

Karlen D.J., Price R.E., Pichler T. and Garey, J.R. (2010). Changes in Benthic Macrofauna associated with a Shallow-water Hydrothermal Vent Gradient in Papua New Guinea. Pacific Science. 64(3), 391-404

Kopf, A., R. Apprioual, J. Blandin, J.-P. Brulport, P. Crassous, T. Fleischmann, A. Förster, G. Guyader, S. Hammerschmidt, P. Henry, R. Jacinto Silva, J. Legrand, A. Mayer, S. Pape, P. Pelleau, P. Pichavant, T. Pichler, R. Price, M. Seydel, S. Stegmann, K. Weber, (2009). REPORT AND PRELIMINARY RESULTS OF POSEIDON CRUISE P386: NAIL (Nice Airport Landslide), Berichte aus dem Fachbereich Geowissenschaften der Univ. Bremen, No. 271: 161pp

Price, R.E., (2008). Biogeochemical cycling of arsenic in the shallow marine hydrothermal system of Tutum Bay, Ambitle Island, Papua New Guinea. University of South Florida, Scholar Commons Citations - Theses and Dissertations. Paper 460. http://scholarcommons.usf.edu/edt/460

Price, R.E., Pichler, T., and Amend, J.P., (2007); Enhanced geochemical gradients in a marine shallow-water hydrothermal system: Unusual arsenic speciation in horizontal and vertical pore water profiles. Applied Geochemistry, 22, 2595-2605. Special issue on Gradients: Microbes, Methods, and Measurements.

Pichler, T., Amend, J., Garey, J., Hallock, P., Hsia, N., Karlen, D., McCloskey, B., Meyer-Dombard, D. and Price, R., 2006. A Natural Laboratory to Study Arsenic Geobiocomplexity. EOS, v. 87-23, 221-25.

Price, R. E. and Pichler, T., 2006; Abundance and mineralogical association of arsenic in the Suwannee Limestone (Florida): implications for arsenic release during water-rock interaction. Invited paper for special issue of Chemical Geology, 228 (1-3), pp. 44-56

Price, R. E. and Pichler, T. 2005. Distribution, speciation and bioavailability of arsenic in a shallow-water submarine hydrothermal system, Tutum Bay, Ambitle Island, PNG. Invited paper for special issue of Chemical Geology; 224, pp. 122-135

McCarthy, K.T.; Pichler, T.; and Price, R.E.; 2005. Geochemistry of Champagne Hot Springs Shallow Hydrothermal Vent Field and Associated Sediments, Dominica, Lesser Antilles. Chemical Geology. 224, pp. 55-68

 In prep (manuscript available)

Price, R.E., LaRowe, D.; Huang, C-I.; Meyerdierks, A.; Amann, R.; Bach, W.; Italiano, F.; and Amend, J.P. (in prep). Geochemistry and bioenergetics of the shallow-sea hydrothermal vent system off Panarea Island, Italy. Journal Target: Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta.

Price, R.E.; Planar-Freidricks, B.; Savov, I.; and Pichler, T.; (in prep). Arsenic cycling, thioarsenates and orpiment precipitation at a shallow-sea hydrothermal system, Milos Island, Greece. Journal Target: Environmental Science and Technology.

Gilhooly, W.P.; Fike, D.; Amend, J.P.; Druschel, G.; and Price, R.E.; (in prep). Sulfur cycling in shallow-sea hydrothermal vents, Milos Greece. Target Journal: Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta.

Bayraktarov, E.; Finster, K.; Price, R.E.; and Ferdelman, T.G.; (in prep). The pH-dependence of sulfate reduction in shallow submarine hydrothermal CO2 – venting sediments (Milos Island, Greece). Journal target: Applied and Environmental Microbiology.

Price, R.E., Meyerdierks, A., Nitsche, K, Edwards, K.; Lewsniewski, R.; and Amend, J.P., (in prep). Microbial diversity at an arsenic-rich marine shallow-water hydrothermal vent system, Milos Island, Greece. Journal target: Frontiers in Extreme Microbiology: Special Issue “Hydrothermal Microbial Ecosystems”.

Lin, L-H.; Tsai, W-Y.; Lu, G-H.; Wang, P-L.; Cheng, T-W.; and Price, R.E.; (in prep). Microbial Communities in Shallow-Sea Hydrothermal Environment of the Kueishantao Island, Taiwan. Journal target: ISME.

Huang, C-I; Amann R.; Amend, J.P.; Bach, W.; Brunner, B.; Italiano, F.; Meyerdierks, A.; Price, R.E.; Schubotz, F.; Summons, R.; and Wenzhöfer, F.; (in preparation). Lithosphere-biosphere interaction at a shallow-sea hydrothermal vent site; Hot Lake, Panarea, Italy. Journal Target:Applied and Environmental Microbiology.

McCloskey, B.J., P. Hallock, R.E. Price, and T. Pichler. (in revision). Effects of arsenic on foraminiferal growth rates in laboratory experiments, including growth enhancement at intermediate [As]. Journal Target: Journal of Foraminiferal Research.

Craddock, P.R., Tivey, M.K., Seewald, J.S., Rouxel, O.J., Bach, W., Reeves. E., Price, R.E. Pichler, T. (in prep). Geochemical processes affecting precious metal concentrations in hydrothermal fluids in the Manus Basin. Journal Target: Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta.

McCloskey, B.J.; Hallock, P.; Price, R.E.; and T. Pichler. (in preparation). Taxonomy and community structure of foraminifera near an arsenic-enriched shallow-water hydrothermal vent in Papua New Guinea. Journal Target: Journal of Foraminiferal Research.

Price, R.E.; and Pichler, T.; (in prep). Trace metal distribution along a geothermal gradient of the marine shallow-water vents off Ambitle Island, PNG. Journal Target: Applied Geochemistry.

 Recent conference abstracts

Gilhooly, W.P.; Fike, D.; Amend, J.P.; Druschel, G.; and Price, R.E.; (in prep). Sulfur cycling in shallow-sea hydrothermal vents, Milos Greece. Submitted to Goldschmidt 2012.

Price, R.E.; LaRowe, D.E.; Planer-Friedrich, B.; Gilhooly, W.P.; Fike, D.A.; Druschel, G.; and Amend, J.P.; (2011). The search for arsenotrophs in the arsenic-rich marine shallow-water hydrothermal system off Milos Island, Greece. AGU B51G-0472.

Gilhooly, W.P.; Fike, D.A.; Amend, J.P.; Price, R.E.; and Druschel, G. (2011). Sulfur isotope systematics of microbial mats in shallow-sea hydrothermal vents, Milos Island, Greece. AGU B51G-0478

Price R, Nitzsche K, Meyerdierks A & Amend J. (2011). Subcritical Phase Separation, Extreme Arsenic Enrichment, and the Search for Arsenotrophs in the Marine Shallow-Water Hydrothermal Vents off Milos Island, Greece. Goldschmidt. Prague, Czech Republic.

Huang, C-I.; Schubotz, F.; Price, R.E.; Amend, J.; Hinrichs, K-U.; Bach, W.; Meyerdierks, A.; and Amann, R.; (2011), Free-living microbial communities in sediments of a shallow-sea hydrothermal vent site near Panarea Island, Italy. ISSM, Garmish-Partenkirchen, Sept. 2011.

Schubotz, F.; Huang, C-I.; Wegener, G.; Amend, J.P.; Price, R.E.; Holler, T.; Meyerdierks, A.; Amann, R.; Summons, R.E.; Hinrichs, K-U.; (2011). Microbial community shifts at temperature and geochemical gradients at sulfur-rich shallow hydrothermal vents offshore Panarea Island, Sicily. IMOG 2011. P-437.

Lin L-H, Tsai W-Y, Lu G-H, Wang P-L, Cheng T-W & Price RE.; (2011). Microbial Communities in Shallow-Sea Hydrothermal Environment of the Kueishantao Island, Taiwan. Goldschmidt. Prague, Czech Republic.

Sollich, M.; Yoshinaga, M.; Price, R.E.; Hinrichs, K-U.; and Buehring, S. (2011). Chemotaxonomic composition and carbon fixation of the microbial community in a shallow hydrothermal vent off Milos, Greece. IMOG 2011. P-164.

McCloskey, B.J.; Hallock, P.; Price, R.E.; and Pichler, T.; (2010). Foraminiferal Assemblages in the vicinity of an arsenic-enriched shallow-water hydrothermal system in Papua New Guinea.

Schubotz, F.; Huang, C-I.; Amend, J.; Price, R.E.; Meyerdierks, A.; Amann, R.; Summons, R.E.; and Hinrichs, K-U.; (2010). Intact polar lipids as microbial community markers – membrane adaptations at high temperatures and low pH at a shallow hydrothermal vent, Panarea, Sicily.

Price, R.E., and Pichler, T. (2009). Measuring toxic elements and toxicity in marine shallow-water hydrothermal systems. In: B. Merkel and M. Schipek (Editors), Research in Shallow Marine and Fresh Water Systems. Technische Universitaet Freiberg, Freiberg, Germany, pp. 82-86

Bayraktarov, E.; Finster, K; Price, R.E.; Hubert, C; and Ferdelman, T.G.; (2010). Controls on Sulfate Reduction in Shallow Submarine Hydrothermal CO2 -Venting Sediments (Milos Island, Greece). Submitted to the European Geophysical Union conference; May 2010, Vienna, Austria.

Huang, C-I; Amann R.; Amend, J.P.; Bach, W.; Brunner, B.; Meyerdierks, A.; Price, R.E.; Schubotz, F.; Summons, R.; and Wenzhöfer, F.; (2010). Lithosphere-biosphere interaction at a shallow-sea hydrothermal vent site; Hot Lake, Panarea, Italy. Submitted to the European Geophysical Union conference; May 2010, Vienna, Austria.  

Price, R.E.; Planar-Freidricks, B.; Savov, I.; and Pichler, T.; (2010). Arsenic cycling, thioarsenates and orpiment precipitation on the seafloor at a marine shallow-water hydrothermal system, Milos Island, Greece. Submitted to the 3^rd International Arsenic Conference; May 2010, Taiwan.

Ruiz-Chancho, M.J.; Pichler, T.; Price, R.E.; (2010), Arsenic occurrence and speciation in Cyclope neritea, a gastropod found in the arsenic-rich marine shallow-water hydrothermal system off Milos Island, Greece Submitted to the 3^rd International Arsenic Conference; May 2010, Taiwan.

Price, R.E.; Planar-Freidricks, B.; Savov, I.; and Pichler, T.; (2009). Elevated concentrations of arsenic, predominance of thioarsenates, and orpiment precipitation on the seafloor at the marine shallow-water hydrothermal system off Milos Island, Greece. AGU December 2009, San Francisco

Amend, J.P.; Huang, C-I., Amann, R.; Bach, W.; Meyerdierks, A.; Price, R.E.; Schubotz, F.; Summons, R.E.; Wenzhoefer, F.; (2009). Archaea, Bacteria, and Sulfur-Cycling in a Shallow-Sea Hydrothermal Ecosystem. AGU December 2009, San Francisco

Pichler, T.; Price, R.E., and Wallschlaeger, D., (2009). Bioavailability, Bioaccumulation and Biotransformation of arsenic in coral reef organisms surrounding an arsenic-rich marine shallow-water hydrothermal vent system in the coastal waters of Ambitle Island, Papua New Guinea. AGU December 2009, San Francisco. Abstract #B32B-02.

Price, R.E. and Pichler, T.; (2009). Enhanced bioaccumulation and biotransformation of arsenic in coral reef organisms surrounding an arsenic-rich marine shallow water hydrothermal vent system. Helmholtz Zentrum für Umweltforschung Arsen-Workshop 2009, Sept. 23-24, Leipzig, Germany.

Price, R.E. and Pichler, T.; (2009). Measuring toxic elements and toxicity in marine shallow-water hydrothermal systems. TU Bergakademie International Workshop: Research in shallow marine and fresh water systems. May 14-16, Freiberg, Germany.

Price, R.E.; London, J.; Wallschlaeger, D.; and Pichler, T.; (2009). Enhanced Arsenic Bioaccumulation and Formation of Organoarsenicals in Coral Reef Organisms Near an Arsenic-Rich Marine Shallow-water Hydrothermal Vent. Goldschmidt Geochemistry Conference. June 21-26, Davos, Switzerland

Pichler, T; Price, R.E., and Amend, J., (2009) Pore water profiles in marine shallow-water hydrothermal systems: Natural laboratories to study redox gradients. Goldschmidt Geochemistry Conference. June 21-26, Davos, Switzerland

Price, R.E., Pichler, T.; Oct. 2007. Elevated arsenic concentrations in Hot Springs Creek, Akutan Island, Aleutian Islands: A natural lab to study point-source pollution of the coastal ocean. Presented at Geological Society of America annual conference. Denver, Colorado, USA.

Karlen, D.J., Price, R.E., Pichler, T., Garey, J.R.; 2007. Trends in the Polychaete Community near a Shallow-Water Hydrothermal Vent in Papua New Guinea. International Polychaete Conference. Portland, Maine.

Karlen, D.J.; Campbell, T.G.; Garey, J.R.; Price, R.E.; Pichler, T.; 2007. A molecular analysis of marine meiofaunal diversity along a natural environmental gradient in the vicinity of a shallow-water hydrothermal vent. The Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology Annual Meeting January 3-7, 2007 Phoenix, AZ

Hsia, N.P., Amend, J.P., Price, R.E., Pichler, T., 2006; Mapping Energetic and Microbial Variations Along Geochemical Gradients in Hydrothermal Sediments of Papua New Guinea. Astrobiology, Symposia Poster Presentations, 6 (1), pp 174-221

Price, R.E. and Pichler, T., 2005, Measurement of Geochemical Gradients in Extreme Geographic and Physical Environments. 1^st German American Workshop on Biogeochemical Gradients. University of Tübingen, Germany.

McCloskey, B., Price, R.E., Muller-Hallock, P., and Pichler, T.; 2005. Foraminifera in extreme environments: how benthic populations respond to exposure of high-As, low-pH hydrothermal vent fluids in Papua New Guinea. Geological Society of America, Annual Meeting, Salt Lake City. GSA Abstracts with Programs, Vol. 37, No. 7, p. 189

McCloskey, B.J.; Hallock, P.; Price, R.E.; and Pichler, T. 2005. Initial studies of effects of an arsenic-enriched shallow-water hydrothermal system on benthic foraminiferal communities. Benthic Ecology Meeting; Williamsburg, VA.

Amend, J. P., Meyer-Dombard, D. R., Pichler, T., Price, R.E., Herndon, E., and Hsia, N. 2005. Microbial arsenic oxidation in a shallow marine hydrothermal vent system. Eos Trans. AGU, 86(52), Fall Meeting. San Francisco, CA. Abstract B31A-0955

Savov, I. P.; Green, N. L.; and Price, R. E.; 2005. Behavior of Fluid Mobile Elements Across hot Subduction Zone: Insights from Along-Strike B, As, Sb and Cs Systematics in Mafic Lavas from the Garibaldi Volcanic Belt, Northern Cascadia Subduction System. Eos Trans. AGU, 86(52), Fall Meeting. San Francisco, CA. Abstract V41A-1431

Pichler, T.; Arthur, J.; Price, R.E.; and Jones, G.; 2004. The arsenic problem during Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR). Goldschmidt Geochemistry Conference: Processes in Geochemistry, Forces, Fluxes, and Structure. Copenhagen, Denmark.

Price, R. E.; Pichler, T.; 2004. Arsenic and ASR in Southwest Florida: Source, Abundance, and Mobilization Mechanism from the Suwannee Limestone, Upper Floridan Aquifer. American Ground Water Trust Aquifer Storage Recovery IV conference in Tampa, Florida

Meyer-Dombard, D., Price, R.E., Pichler, T. and Amend, J.P., 2004, Geochemical-microbial processes in hydrothermal sediments, Ambitle Island, Papua New Guinea, Goldschmidt Geochemistry Conference, Copenhagen Denmark.

Price, R.E. and Pichler, T., 2002, Naturally occurring arsenic in the Upper Floridan Aquifer, southwest Florida: Implications for aquifer storage and recovery, American Water Resources Association, Annual Meeting, Keystone, Colorado. in Kenny, J. F. (Ed.) Ground Water/Surface Water Interactions, American Water Resources Association, Middleburg, Virginia, TPS-02-2, p. 387-392.

Price, R. E.; Pichler, T.; 2002. Oxidation of Framboidal Pyrite as a Mobilization Mechanism of Arsenic During Aquifer Storage Recovery Cycle Tests, Upper Floridan Aquifer, Southwest Florida. Eos Trans. AGU, 83(47), Fall Meeting. San Francisco, CA. Abstract H72D-0890

Research Diving Experience

My diving certifications include:

Certification	Date
PADI: Open Water Diver	13.08.2000
SSI: Advanced Open Water Diver	05.05.2005
SSI: Photography	21.05.2005
SSI: Marine Identification	21.05.2005
PADI: Nitrox	12.06.2005
NAUI: Dry Suit Diver	15.06.2006
NAUI: CPR	20.04.2007
NAUI: First Aid Provider	20.04.2007
DAN: Oxygen Provider	21.04.2007
German Forschungstaucher certification	01.04.2008

 

Since 2000, I have participated in several research projects where SCUBA diving was used as the primary sample collection tool. These projects include: 

• Sedimentation measurements in Blind Pass; west central Florida
• Florida aquifer groundwater quality assessment; Gennie Springs, Florida
• Dry suit diving certification/Florida aquifer; Florida Sink hole
• Submarine groundwater discharge; Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
• Marine shallow-water hydrothermal vents, Champagne Hot Springs; Dominica Island, West Indies
• Marine shallow-water hydrothermal vents, Bahia Conception, Baja California Sur, Mexico
• Marine shallow-water hydrothermal vents, Punta Banda, Baja California Norte, Mexico
• Kelp forest ecology project, La Jolla, California
• Marine shallow-water hydrothermal vents, Ambitle Island, Papua New Guinea
• Fiji coral reef assessment; Suva, Fiji
• Florida Keys sediment and pore-water geochemistry; Florida Keys, Florida
• Marine shallow-water hydrothermal vents; Panarea, Italy
• Marine shallow-water hydrothermal vents; Milos and Santorini

Combined, I have conducted more than 300 research dives, with depth range from 1 to 40 meters, under highly variable conditions, all over the world. I am currently a Research Diver under the auspices of the University of Southern California.