Eric M. Pierce

Dr. Eric M. Pierce is the Division Director of the Environmental Sciences Division at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), a U.S. Department of Energy national laboratory. He is also the laboratory research manager and co-principal investigator of the Critical Interfaces Science Focus Area, a major DOE-funded initiative under the Subsurface Biogeochemical Research Program. Since 2013, he has led the Earth Sciences Group within the Environmental Sciences Division, overseeing interdisciplinary research on trace metal cycling and environmental impacts of energy production.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Environmental Science (Low-temperature Geochemistry), Tulane University (2002)

Research Focus: Dr. Pierce’s research lies at the intersection of environmental geochemistry and biogeochemical cycling, with a primary emphasis on low-temperature geochemical processes. His work investigates solid-fluid interactions, particularly the weathering of soil minerals and glass, and the transformation and mobility of metals and radionuclides in terrestrial ecosystems. He is deeply engaged in understanding mercury biogeochemistry, including methylation, adsorption, and detoxification processes across aquatic and soil systems. His research also integrates machine learning and data-driven modeling to enhance predictive capabilities in environmental systems.

His recent publications reflect a dual focus on experimental geochemistry and computational environmental science. Topics span from mercury sorption kinetics and microbial mercury transformation to AI-enhanced climate and hydrologic modeling. The overarching theme is the integration of molecular-scale mechanisms with field-scale environmental processes to inform policy and remediation strategies.

Editorial & Scientific Service:

• Associate Editor, Applied Geochemistry (since 2011)
• Editorial Board Member, Nature Partner Journal Materials Degradation

Laboratory Leadership: Dr. Pierce leads the Earth Sciences Group, which conducts fundamental and applied research on trace metal biogeochemistry and contaminant impacts on water resources. The group operates across molecular to field scales and picoseconds to years, integrating experimental geochemistry, microbial ecology, and advanced modeling.