Joseph Tamborski

Joseph Tamborski is an Assistant Professor at Old Dominion University (ODU), affiliated with the Department of Ocean, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, and leads the Coastal Hydrogeology Lab. His research focuses on groundwater-marine environment interactions, using geochemical and geophysical tracers to quantify groundwater-surface water exchanges in coastal zones. He holds a PhD in Geosciences from Stony Brook University (2016) and a BS in Environmental Geosciences from the University at Buffalo (2012). His work addresses nitrogen contamination, blue carbon outwelling, and coastal acidification, with recent projects in Iceland, Canada, and the Gulf of Mexico.

Research Interests: Tamborski explores mechanisms driving coastal groundwater flow, including the role of submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) in nutrient and carbon cycling. He investigates salt marsh lateral carbon export, subterranean estuary dynamics, and the impacts of glacial systems on hydrological processes. His interdisciplinary approach integrates fieldwork, isotopic tracing (e.g., radon, radium isotopes), and geophysical methods.

Current Projects: Tamborski’s lab examines carbon outwelling from mangroves and salt marshes, SGD nutrient loading on the West Florida Shelf, and pro-glacial lake hydrology in Iceland. He collaborates on Mars analog research (DIGMARS) to study sedimentary processes in basaltic terrains.

Advising & Grants: He actively seeks students (geology, environmental science, oceanography) for interdisciplinary projects. Recent grants include NSF-funded studies on salt marsh carbon export and NASA-supported Mars analog research in Iceland.

Labs/Teams: Coastal Hydrogeology Lab (ODU), collaborations with the Ocean Frontier Institute (Woods Hole/Dalhousie), and the DIGMARS international team.