Here at UCSC’s Paytan Biogeochemistry Lab, we’re dedicated to exploring the intricate web of interactions between living organisms and the chemical elements that shape our planet. We invite you to explore our vibrant community of researchers and the exciting projects we’re actively pursuing.
Our group’s primary research interests lie in the fields of biogeochemistry, chemical oceanography, and paleoceanography. We use both chemical and isotopic tracers in diverse environmental samples such as water, sediments, aerosol, and vegetation in order to study present and past biogeochemical processes on a wide range of temporal and spatial scales. An overarching goal of our research is to link changes observed in the earth and ocean systems to global changes in climate and tectonics with an emphasis on human impacts.
The Paytan Biogeochemistry Lab is a part of the Institute of Marine Science, as well as the Departments of Earth and Planetary Sciences and Ocean Sciences , and our Principal Investigator (PI) is Dr. Adina Paytan. Explore our website to learn more about our ongoing research, publications, and opportunities for collaboration.
Diversity
The Paytan lab is committed to fostering a safe and welcoming culture for all members of our community. We share a focus on equitable mentorship and collaboration within our lab, and we are always interested in sharing our skills with early-career researchers. We celebrate the myriad of backgrounds, cultures, and experiences that our researchers bring to the table, and we are committed to cultivating an environment where everyone can thrive. Members of our group participate in GEODES, a graduate student run organization in the Earth and Planetary Sciences devoted to increasing diversity and inclusion in Earth Science.
International Collaboration
Biogeochemistry issues don’t respect borders; they transcend continents. Together with our global partners, we tackle the most pressing biogeochemical questions, accelerating our progress and achieving meaningful results.We’re committed to nurturing the next generation of biogeochemists, fostering a global perspective in our students. Through international collaboration, they gain exposure to diverse research methodologies, fieldwork experiences, and cultural exchanges that prepare them for a connected, interdependent world.International collaboration amplifies our capacity to access critical resources, data, and expertise from around the world. For more information on our ongoing projects and their wide range of impact, visit our Research page.
UCSC Land Acknowledgement
The land on which we gather is the unceded territory of the Awaswas-speaking Uypi Tribe. The Amah Mutsun Tribal Band, comprised of the descendants of indigenous people taken to missions Santa Cruz and San Juan Bautista during Spanish colonization of the Central Coast, is today working hard to restore traditional stewardship practices on these lands and heal from historical trauma.