Robert H. Byrne
Distinguished University Professor
Seawater Physical Chemistry
Ph.D. University of Rhode Island
Office Phone: (727) 553-1508
Email: rhbyrne@usf.edu
Research Interests
My current research involves three principal areas of investigation: (1) the speciation and behavior of trace metals in seawater, (2) investigation of marine and riverine CO2 system chemistry and (3) development of in-situ procedures for observation of the marine environment. My work on trace metals gives special emphasis to investigations of the comparative chemistries of a variety of elements including platinum and palladium, and yttrium plus the rare earths. Other enduring interests and current research includes investigation of the aqueous behavior of iron, and the influence of acantharia on the biogeochemistry of strontium and barium. Work on CO2 system chemistry includes the development and oceanic application of novel systems for shipboard and in-situ measurements of pH, total inorganic carbon, alkalinity, and CO2 fugacity. Development of systems for in-situ measurements of metals, nutrients and CO2 system variables involves close work with a variety of colleagues at the Center for Ocean Technology (within the College of Marine Science). Previous cooperative work involving COT engineers and CMS scientists has resulted in successful mass spectrometer deployments/ observations in the upper ocean, and deployments of long pathlength spectrometers for observation of oceanic nutrient distributions to depths of 200 meters.
Selected Publications
Cardenas-Valencia, A.M., R.H. Byrne and E.T. Steimle. 2006. Development of Stripped-Cladding Optical Fiber Sensors for Continuous Monitoring I: Theoretical Study of a Referencing Method for Measuring Refractive Indices of Fluids. Sensors and Actuators B 115: 178-188.
Quinn, K.A., R.H. Byrne and J. Schijf. 2006. Sorption of Yttrium and Rare Earth Elements by Amorphous Ferric Hydroxide. Marine Chemistry 99: 128-150.
Byrne, R.H., W. Yao, K. Klochko, J,A. Tossell and A.J. Kaufmam. 2006. Experimental evaluation of the isotopic exchange equilibrium 10B(OH)3 + 11B(OH)4 = 11B(OH)3 + 10B(OH)4 in aqueous solution. Deep-Sea Research I 53: 684-688.
Quinn, K.A., R.H. Byrne and J. Schijf. 2006. Sorption of yttrium and rare earth elements by amorphous ferric hydroxide: Influence of Solution complexation with carbonate. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 70: 4151-4165.
Liu, X.,Z. Wang, R.H. Byrne, E.A. Kaltenbacher and R.E. Bernstein. 2006. Spectrophotometric Measurements of pH in-Situ: Laboratory and Field Evaluations of Instrumental Performance. Environmental Science and Technology 40: 5036-5044.
Cardenas-Valencia, A.M., R.H. Byrne, M. Calves, L. Langebrake, D. P. Fries and E.T. Steimle. 2006. Development of stripped-cladding optical fiber sensors for continuous monitoring II: Referencing method for spectral sensing of environmental corrosion. Sensors and Actuators B (in-press)
Klochko, K, A.J. Kaufman, W. Yao, R.H. Byrne and J.A. Tossell. 2006. Experimental measurement of boron isotope fractionation in seawater. Earth and Planetry Science Letters (in-press)
Pilsbury, L.A. and R.H. Byrne. 2006. Spatial and Temporal Chemical Varialibility in the Hillsborough River System. Marine Chemistry (in-press)
Short, R.T., S.K. Toler, G.P.G. Kibelka, D.T. Rueda Roa, R.J. Bell and R.H. Byrne. 2006. Detection and quantification of chemical plumes using a portable underwater membrane introduction mass spectrometer. Trends in Analytical Chemistry 25: 637-646
Schijf, J., and R.H. Byrne. 2006. Progressive dolomitization of Florida limestone recorded by alkaline earth element concentrations in saline, geothermal, submarine springs. Journal of Geophysical Research – Oceans (in-press)
Luo Y.R. and R.H. Byrne. 2004. Carbonate complexation of yttrium and the rare earth elements in natural waters. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 68(4), 691-699.
Callahan M.R., E.A. Kaltenbacher and R.H. Byrne. 2004. In-situ measurements of Cu in an estuarine environment using a portable spectrophotometric analysis system. Environmental Science & Technology 38, 587-593.
Bernstein R.E. and R.H. Byrne. 2004. Acantharians and marine barite. Marine Chemistry 86, 45-50.
Schijf J. and R.H. Byrne. 2004. Determination of SO4[beta]1 for yttrium and the rare earth elements at I = 0.66 m and t = 25[deg]C-Implications for YREE solution speciation in sulfate-rich waters. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 68(13), 2825-2837.
Quinn K.A., R.H. Byrne and J. Schijf. 2004. Comparative scavenging of yttrium and the rare earth elements in seawater: Competitive influences of solution and surface chemistry. Aquatic Geochemistry 10(1/2), 59-80.
