David Shull

David Shull is a Professor of Environmental Sciences at Western Washington University, specializing in marine biogeochemistry and benthic ecosystems. He holds a Ph.D. in Environmental Science from the University of Massachusetts Boston (2000), with prior degrees from the University of Connecticut (M.S. Oceanography) and the University of Washington (B.S. Oceanography). His research focuses on benthic organisms' roles in coastal ecosystems, particularly bioturbation and nutrient cycling in estuaries and continental shelf sediments. Current projects include studying nitrogen cycling in the Salish Sea and sediment-water interactions in Bellingham Bay.

Teaching includes courses in environmental science (ESCI 321, ESCI 322, ESCI 426) at Western Washington's Shannon Point Marine Center. He has authored over 50 publications on topics such as contaminant fate in coastal sediments, harmful algal bloom triggers, and benthic community impacts. Notable research locations include Puget Sound, Boston Harbor, the Bering Sea, and the North Atlantic.

• Research highlights:
  • Salish Sea nutrient and oxygen flux dynamics
  • PCB and methylmercury cycling in urban estuaries
  • Biogeochemical roles of sediment-dwelling invertebrates
• Grants and collaborations: Active in NOAA-funded coastal studies and interdisciplinary sediment research teams.

Labs and fieldwork emphasize sediment sampling, isotope analysis, and in situ biogeochemical measurements. His work contributes to understanding ecosystem services provided by marine sediments and informing coastal management strategies.