Marine Geologist to Give Lecture on Marine Effects of Carbon Dioxide

Marine geologist Justin Ries will give a lecture titled “’Marine calcification in a high-CO2 world” as part of the Schaeffer Family Seminar Series at the College of the Holy Cross on Nov. 12 in Smith Labs 154 at 12:30 p.m.

Ries will present the results of laboratory experiments examining the effects of carbon dioxide-induced ocean acidification on multiple species of marine organisms that reside on the ocean bottom. The research focuses on the concern that human-induced elevation of atmospheric carbon dioxide is making the oceans more acidic, thereby impacting the ability of bottom-dwelling marine organisms to construct their protective shells and skeletons.  These structures are made of calcium carbonate, which is more difficult to produce in acidic seawater.

Ries is a marine geologist in the department of marine and environmental sciences at Northeastern University. His research program investigates a wide range of subjects in the marine and geological sciences, including global climate change, paleoceanography, paleobiology, carbonate sedimentology, sulfur isotope geochemistry, biomineralization, and carbon sequestration.  The common thread throughout Ries' work is oceanic change, which he investigates over broad temporal scales.  By combining field studies with complementary laboratory experiments, Ries is able to directly explore the biogeochemical processes that have changed the state of our oceans throughout the geologic past, as well as those that will drive critical changes in the immediate future.

The Shaeffer Family Seminar Series is a lecture and seminar series made possible by Dr. Anthony Shaeffer '64 and his family. More information can be found on the biology department website.