Dr. William Hockaday

•Organic Geochemistry (GEO 5V90.21) - lecture/discussion format

•Biogeochemistry(GEO 5V90.20) - lecture/discussion format

•The World Oceans (GEO 1402.02) - lecture/lab format

•Geology Senior Capstone Colloquium (GEO 43C)

Organic Geochemistry Lab

Postdoctoral fellowship, Rice University
Ph. D., Ohio State University
B. S., Muskingum University

My research group uses molecular and isotopic information to answer questions about the Earth system. We are particularly interested in the biogeochemical processes that control carbon and nitrogen cycling in soils, sediments, and natural waters. Some processes of interest, such as fire and microbial activity, transform carbon and nitrogen on a timescale of hours, while processes like organo-mineral reactions affect biogeochemical cycling on geologic timescales. We also tackle contemporary problems related to biofuels, climate change, carbon sequestration, and nanotechnology.

Our insight to problems is guided by advanced analytical spectroscopy that provides a molecular view of organic materials and processes in the environment. The organic geochemistry lab includes a 300 MHz solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometer, and makes use of Baylor's stable isotope ratio and molecular mass spectrometry facilities.

I am looking for students interested in carrying out BSc, MSc, and PhD research in organic geochemistry, biogeochemistry, and environmental chemistry. Students may pursue degrees in geology or ecological, earth, and environmental science (TIEEES).

J. Lehmann, M. Rillig, J. Thies, C.A. Masiello, W.C. Hockaday, Biochar effects on soil biota – a review, Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 43, 1812-1836, 2011.

D. Li, W.C. Hockaday, C.A. Masiello, P.M. Alvarez, Earthworm avoidance of biochar can be mitigated by wetting, Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 43, 1732-1737, 2011.

M. Gallagher, W.C. Hockaday, C. Masiello, S. Snapp, C. McSweeney, J. Baldock, Biochemical suitability of crop residues for cellulosic ethanol: Disincentives to nitrogen fertilization in corn agriculture, Environmental Science & Technology , 45, 2013 - 2020.

F.W. Zeng, C. Masiello, W.C. Hockaday, Controls on the cycling of dissolved inorganic carbon in the Brazos River, Texas, Biogeochemistry, DOI 10.1007/s10533-010-9501-y.

E. Kane, W. Hockaday, C. Masiello, M. Turetsky, Topographic controls on black carbon accumulation in Alaskan black spruce forest soils: implications for organic matter dynamics. Biogeochemistry, 100:39-56, 2010.

B. Nguyen, J. Lehmann, S. Joseph, W. Hockaday, C. Masiello, Temperature sensitivity of black carbon decomposition, Environmental Science & Technology, 44, 3324-3331, 2010.

K. Schreiner, T. Filley, R. Blanchette, B. Bowen, R. Bolskar, W. Hockaday, and C. Masiello, White rot basidomycete-mediated decomposition of C60 fullerol, Environmental Science & Technology, 43, 3162-3168, 2009.

W. Hockaday, C. Masiello, R. Smernik, J. Baldock, O. Chadwick, and J. Harden, The measurement of soil carbon oxidation state by 13C nuclear magnetic resonance, Journal of Geophysical Research-Biogeosciences, 114, G02014, doi.10.1029/2008jg000803, May 2009.

W. Hockaday, J. Purcell, J. Baldock, P. Hatcher, Electrospray and photo-ionization mass spectrometry for the characterization of organic matter in natural waters: A qualitative assessment, Limnology and Oceanography: Methods, 7, 81-95, 2009.

J. Fern ndez, W. Hockaday, C. Plaza, A. Polo, P. Hatcher, Effects of long-term soil amendment with sewage sludges on soil humic acid thermal and molecular properties, Chemosphere, 2008. Doi:10.1016/j.chemosphere.2008208.001.

W. Hockaday, A. Grannas, S. Kim, P. Hatcher, The transformation and mobility of charcoal black carbon in a fire-impacted watershed, Geochimica et. Cosmochimica Acta. 71, 3432-3445, 2007.

A. Grannas, W. Hockaday, P. Hatcher, L. Thompson, E. Mosley-Thompson, New revelations on the nature of water-soluble organic matter preserved in ice cores, Journal of Geophysical Research-Atmospheres, 111, D04304, 2006.

W. Hockaday, S. Kim, A. Grannas, P. Hatcher, Direct molecular-level evidence for the degradation of black carbon in soils from ultrahigh resolution mass spectral analysis of dissolved organic matter from a fire affected forest soil, Organic Geochemistry, 37, 501-510, 2006.

P. Trompowsky, V. Benites, A. Pimenta, B. Madari, W. Hockaday, P. Hatcher, Characterization of humic-like substances obtained by chemical oxidation of eucalyptus charcoal, Organic Geochemistry, 36, 1480-1489, 2005.