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The University of Southampton
Ocean and Earth Science, National Oceanography Centre Southampton

Professor Peter Statham BSc, MSc, PhD, FRSC, CChem

Emeritus Professor of Marine Biogeochemistry

Professor Peter Statham's photo

Peter Statham is Emeritus Professor of Marine Biogeochemistry within Ocean and Earth Science, National Oceanography Centre Southampton at the University of Southampton.

BSc Nottingham (Chemistry) 1971
MSc Southampton (Oceanography) 1972
RA posts at Laboratory of the Government Chemist and Imperial College
PhD Southampton (Oceanography) 1983
Research Fellow University of Liverpool 1984
Appointed lecturer University of Southampton Oceanography 1985

Research interests

Specialism: Marine Biogeochemistry

My research revolves around understanding the role of trace elements as a control on, and as a tracer of, major element cycles in the ocean. Much of this work utilises knowledge of fundamental chemical processes and its application in complex natural marine system. This complexity requires an interdisciplinary approach, including facets of chemistry, physics, geology and biology, that are brought together to provide an holistic and improved understanding of the behaviour of the elemental cycle under study. Ongoing and recent work often involves national and international collaboration and includes: 

Role of iron as a regulating element for primary production around islands in the Southern Ocean (Crozet) 

Importance of the atmosphere (SOLAS) and sediments as a source of iron and other elements to the ocean. 

Geochemistry of hydrothermal plumes, and their role in ocean geochemical cycles 

Importance of bacterial processes in recycling of elements in suspended particles to dissolved forms, and in modifying vertical fluxes of elements in the water column (GEOTRACES) 

Development of in situ sensors for use with autonomous underwater vehicles to for high resolution studies of trace element biogeochemistry.

Research group

Marine Biogeochemistry

Research project(s)

Sediment-water column exchange of nutrients in coastal and shelf-sea waters

The supply of iron from shelf sediments to the ocean

Co-Chair Ocean Biogeochemistry and Ecosystems Research Group
External advisor to Quinquennial review of CEFAS
External Examiner of courses at UHI, Plymouth, Bangor

Over 25 years of experience in teaching at undergraduate and postgraduate level

SOES1005 Introduction to Marine biogeochemistry - module co-ordinator
SOES2027 Coastal and Shelf Sea Oceanography II - module co-ordinator

Co Coordinator of Falmouth Field Course

Teach on 3 other undergraduate and advanced level courses

Postgraduate students

26 PhD students successfully graduated and 7 others solely or in part currently supervised by PJS. 5 students successfully completed their MPhil degrees.

Professor Peter Statham
Ocean and Earth Science
National Oceanography Centre Southampton
University of Southampton Waterfront Campus
European Way
Southampton SO14 3ZH
UK

Room Number : NOCS/564/14

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