RESEARCH
My research bridges the fields of
low-temperature stable Isotope geochemistry, palaeoclimatology,
water resources and ecology. I use stable isotopes
of C, O and H as natural tracers to understand
modern environmental processes and to interpret past
environments. My recent projects are focused on use
of stable isotopes in Coal Bed Natural
Gas (CBNG) related research and in understanding
plant responses to the changing environments.
I maintain an active
interest in developing isotopic techniques for novel
applications. Recent projects include:
-
Sharma S. Reddy K.J. and
Frost C. A New Method for
Tracing Seepage from CBNG
Water Holding Ponds in the
Powder River Basin, Wyoming.
US Geological Survey and
Wyoming Water Development
Commission, $167,339
(2008-2010).
-
Sharma, S. and Frost C.
Baseline geochemical
characterization of produced
waters and gases at Moxa
Arch CO2
sequestration site in
Wyoming. Department of
Energy (DOE) $41,369
(2008-2009).
-
Sharma S. Using carbon
isotopes to track microbial
Methanogenesis in Enhance
Coal Bed Methane Recovery
efforts. CBNG Research
Consortium - School of
Energy Resources seed Grant.
$32,800 (2008-2009).
- Reddy, K.J., Sharma S.
and Ogle K.M. Recharge
capacity of reclaimed
aquifers. Department of
Environmental Quality (DEQ)
$45,660
(2008-2009)
- Frost C. and Sharma S. Environmental tracers applied to quantifying impact of CBNG-related
water production on surface
and ground water and soil in
the Powder River Basin,
Wyoming. Funded by: Department of Energy (Award DE-FC26-06NT15568-Task 4), Funding Award: $243,375 (2006-2008).
- Sharma S. and Williams
D.G. Volcanic degassing in Yellowstone National Park: An un-tapped research opportunity for studying effects of elevated CO2
on coniferous forest. Funded by: UWyo Research Office Faculty-Grant-in-Aid, Funding Award: $7,500 (2006-2007).
TEACHING
-
RNEW
5500 Stable Isotope Ecology
Course (3 credits)
-
RNEW 4990/GEOL 4200 Climate Reconstruction (3
credits)
-
REWM 5640 Application of
Stable Isotopes to Water Resources (3 credits)
-
REWM 4540 Stable
Isotope Mass Spectrometry (3 credits)
REPRESENTATIVE PUBLICATIONS
Sharma S. and Williams D.G. (2008) Carbon and oxygen isotope
analysis of leaf biomass reveals contrasting photosynthetic responses to
elevated CO2 near geologic vents in Yellowstone
National Park. Biogeosciences (in press).Sharma S. and Frost C.
(2008) Tracing
Coal Bed Natural Gas Co-Produced
Water Using Stable Isotopes of
Carbon . Ground Water
46:329-334.
Sharma
S., Joachimski M., Sharma M., Tobschall H.J.,
Singh I.B., Sharma C. and Chauhan M.S. (2006)
Correlative Evidences of Monsoon Variability, Vegetation
Change and Human Inhabitation in Sanai lake deposit:
Ganga Plain, India. Current Science 90: 973-978.
Sharma
S., Mora G., Johnston J.W. and Thompson T.A.
(2005) Stable isotope ratios in swale sequences
of Lake Superior as indicators of climate and lake
level fluctuations during the late Holocene.
Quaternary Science Reviews 24: 1941-1951.
Sharma
S., Joachimski M., Sharma M., Tobschall H.J,
Singh, I.B., Sharma C., Chauhan M.S. and Morgenroth
G. (2004) Lateglacial and Holocene environmental
changes in Ganga Plain, Northern India. Quaternary
Science Reviews 23:145-159.
Sharma
S., Joachimski M., Tobschall H.J., Singh I.B.,
Tewari D.P. and Tewari R. (2004) Oxygen Isotopes
of Bovid Teeth: Archives of Palaeoclimatic Variations
in Archaeological Deposits of Ganga Plain, India.
Quaternary Research 62: 19-28. |
Dr.
Shikha Sharma
