Sarah Aarons

Sarah Aarons is an Assistant Professor in the Geosciences Research Division at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego. Her research focuses on understanding the geochemical evolution of Earth's surface through isotopic analysis of natural materials such as mineral dust, sediments, and rocks.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Geology, University of Michigan (2016)
• M.S. in Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Michigan (2012)
• B.S. in Geological and Environmental Sciences, Stanford University (2009)

Her primary research interests include Isotopic Geochemistry, Low Temperature Geochemistry, Paleoclimatology, Atmospheric Aerosols, and Climate Sciences. She applies radiogenic and non-traditional stable isotope techniques to study dust provenance, weathering processes, and biogeochemical cycling in modern and ancient environments. Field sites span polar regions including Alaska and Antarctica, with a strong emphasis on clean lab methodologies and mass spectrometry.

The recent publication trends reflect a consistent focus on using isotope systems (Sr-Nd, Li, Mg, Ca, K, REEs) to trace dust sources, reconstruct paleoenvironments, and understand nutrient delivery to oceans. Her work bridges marine, atmospheric, and terrestrial geochemistry, with strong implications for climate change and Earth system dynamics.

Scientific Awards:

Sarah Aarons leads the Climate & Earth Surface Geochemistry Group, which conducts field-based and laboratory-intensive research. She advises a team of early-career scientists and graduate students, overseeing projects funded by federal and institutional grants focused on dust-climate interactions, cryospheric geochemistry, and Earth surface processes. Her lab emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration, open data practices, and integration of physical and chemical measurements.

Labs and Research Groups:

• Climate & Earth Surface Geochemistry Group, Scripps Institution of Oceanography