The main focus of the Watershed Biogeochemistry Group is to investigate major elemental cycles in streams and their watersheds, particularly carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus pools and fluxes. We are especially interested in quantifying and characterizing the rich array of organic molecules that exist in stream ecosystems, and serve as the main food source to microorganisms and consequently to all biological communities. Throughout the watershed, water is found in many places beyond stream channels, including aquifers, soils, and sediments. Our biogeochemistry laboratory has the capabilities to perform a wide range of chemistry analyses in water samples from all these places.
Watershed Biogeochemistry Staff
Watershed Biogeochemistry News
The Most Important Animals May Be the Ones You Never Notice
Researchers are following the path of nitrogen in a tropical stream to uncover relationships that support the entire ecosystem.
Fish assemblage integrity and watershed urbanization across national parks of the National Capital Region, USA
Peipoch, M., D. Myers, M. Daniels, D. Oviedo-Vargas, and J.P. Schmit. 2026. River Research and Applications, early online access.
Freshwater salinization syndrome is degrading streamwater quality in the National Capital Region national parks, USA
Myers, D.T., D. Oviedo-Vargas, S. Ensign, M. Daniels, J.P. Schmit, M. Peipoch, and J. Kan. 2025. Freshwater Science 54(1): 18–30.
Scientists Oviedo and Dow Make Waves in Freshwater Science
We congratulate Diana Oviedo Vargas, Ph.D., and Charles Dow, Ph.D., on recent achievements highlighting their commitment to advancing freshwater science.
Hydroclimate and landscape diversity drive highly variable greenhouse gas emissions from tropical and subtropical inland waters
Duvert, C., Borges, A.V., Calamita, E., et al. 2025. Nature Water 3: 1303–1317.
Reduction in nitrification during the early transition from conventional to organic farming practices
Price, J.R., D. Oviedo-Vargas, M. Peipoch, M.D. Daniels, and J. Kan. 2025. Ecosphere 16(8): e70375.
