Bio - Turbation
Bioturbation is the range of processes that occur when organisms burrow through sediments, flushing their burrows with overlying seawater and mixing sediment particles. It increases mixing across the sediment-water interface, drawing oxygen into the sediment and influencing the redox state of the sediment and the cycling of redox-sensitive elements, especially sulfur and iron. Bioturbating organisms evolved during the late Neoproterozoic and became subsequently more prevalent throughout the Phanerozoic.
In these projects, we are performing microcosm experiments both with live worms and 'robot' worms to determine how bioturbation has affected the sulfur isotope record and coupled iron, sulfur, carbon and nutrient cycles from the Cambrian to the present. We are also creating models to further explore these affects.