UHM Dept. of Earth Sciences banner, sunset over Diamond Head, (c) Ken H Rubin
Kathleen Ruttenberg

Kathleen Ruttenberg
Professor (joint appointment with Dept. of Oceanography)
Marine and Environmental Geology division

Research Fields
  • Marine and sedimentary chemistry
Research Topics
  • Biogeochemistry and cycling of phosphorus (organic and inorganic) and associated bioactive elements (C, N, S) in marine, lacustrine, and riverine systems.
  • Nutrient limitation of biological productivity in the ocean.
  • Sediment diagenesis: organic matter reactivity and mineral authigenesis.
  • Geochemistry of redox sensitive elements: the effect of redox chemistry on element cycling.
  • Use of geochemistry of modern environments to interpret the sedimentary record.
Research Themes
Courses Commonly Taught
Graduate
  • ERTH 644 Sedimentary Geochemistry, infrequently