New publication in Environmental Science & Technology led by Dr. Anna Hermes
Graphical abstract for the paper showing changes in organic S content, formulas, and stable isotopic signatures across the Napa River Watershed.
about the paper
New publication in ES&T by former EBG student, Dr. Anna Hermes, demonstrates that organic sulfur in agricultural runoff has a unique isotopic and molecular signature.
Anna’s research developed methods for column extractions of organic sulfur, then applied stable isotope analysis, FTICR-MS, and XANES analyses to determine whether organic sulfur in soil water and stream water draining vineyards has a unique chemical fingerprint. Anna found that there is, and it can be detected even in the main stem of Napa River, which drains multiple land covers and land uses. This research follows on her previous investigation of whether sulfate has a unique fingerprint (it, too, does! — see her article in Environmental Research Letters) and has important implications for determining the consequences of agricultural sulfur applications across broad areas.