Emeritus
Edward S. VanVleet
Emeritus, Professor
Chemical Oceanography
Ph.D., University of Rhode Island, 1978
Email: vanvleet@usf.edu
CV: View PDF
Selected Publications: View PDF
* Please Note: These professors are retired and are no longer accepting new students.
Research Interests
Since coming to the University of South Florida in 1979, my research has focused mainly
on the biogeoChemical cycling of natural and anthropogenic organic compounds in the
marine environment. The fundamental goal of this research is to investigate how we
can use these organic compounds as molecular markers to study other cycles and pathways
occurring in the oceans.
Over the past several years, some specific research projects carried out in my laboratory
have included the following: (1) bioChemical production, storage, and transfer of
metabolic energy reserves in Antarctic mid-water food webs; (2) production and cycling
of archaebacterial phytanyl ether lipids in anoxic and hypersaline oceanic systems;
(3) inputs, fates, and effects of oil pollution in the marine environment; (4) use
of organic biomarkers to trace inputs, dispersal and accumulation of terrestrial and
urban run off; and (5) uptake and accumulation of toxic metals, hydrocarbons and pesticides
by marine organisms. Although I anticipate carrying out more research in tropical-subtropical
systems over the next few years, I also plan to remain involved in global programs
as well. My previous research has been carried out both locally (Florida coastal waters
and Gulf of Mexico) and in such other areas as the Antarctic, Italy, Mexico, Africa,
and South America. In addition, cooperative programs have been carried out in Germany
and China. Analytically, we are equipped with several high resolution gas chromatographs,
a combined gas chromatography-mass spectrometer, an Iatroscan lipid class analyzer,
and a high performance liquid chromatograph. Also available in the Department are
an organic carbon analyzer, elemental (CNH) analyzer, stable isotope ratio mass spectrometer,
and most other equipment necessary for full organic geoChemical work.