معرفی
Kim Popendorf is an Associate Professor in the Ocean Sciences Department at the Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science, University of Miami. Her research focuses on marine biogeochemistry, nutrient cycling, and microbial ecology.
- Affiliation: University of Miami
- School: Rosenstiel School
- Department: Ocean Sciences
- Email: kxp442@miami.edu
- Phone: (305) 421-4328
- ORCiD: 0000-0002-5581-9043
Popendorf's work investigates vertical nutrient dynamics in marine environments. Her recent studies in the Sargasso Sea revealed depth-dependent variations in carbon:nitrogen ratios of particulate organic matter, driven by carbohydrate accumulation and microbial degradation processes. She has also explored the impact of extreme atmospheric events like the 'Godzilla' dust storm and La Soufrière volcanic eruptions on marine phosphorus cycling.
Her methodological contributions include optimizing high-throughput techniques for measuring microbial adenylate turnover rates using HPLC and radiolabeling, enabling precise quantification of marine microbial metabolic activity. Key findings demonstrate rapid phosphate uptake responses to aerosol deposition and the critical role of nitrogen availability in regulating aerobic anoxygenic phototroph populations.
Current research involves:
- BIOS-SCOPE project (2018-2023) studying Sargasso Sea particle dynamics
- Comparative analysis of nutrient solubility in volcanic ash vs. mineral dust
- Investigating microbial community responses to atmospheric deposition events
