Review status: this preprint is currently under review for the journal BG.
Ideas and perspectives: Biogeochemistry – Its Future Role in
Interdisciplinary Frontiers
Thomas S. Bianchi1,Madhur Anand2,Chris T. Bauch3,Donald E. Canfield4,Luc De Meester5,6,7,Katja Fennel8,Peter M. Groffman9,Michael L. Pace10,Mak Saito11,and Myrna J. Simpson12Thomas S. Bianchi et al.Thomas S. Bianchi1,Madhur Anand2,Chris T. Bauch3,Donald E. Canfield4,Luc De Meester5,6,7,Katja Fennel8,Peter M. Groffman9,Michael L. Pace10,Mak Saito11,and Myrna J. Simpson12
1Dept. of Geological Science, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL USA
2School of Environmental Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
3University of Waterloo, Department of Applied Mathematics, Waterloo, Canada
4Nordcee, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
5Dept. of Biology, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
6Leibniz Institut für Gewässerökologie und Binnenfischerei (IGB), Berlin, Germany
7Institute of Biology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
8Dept. of Oceanography, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
9City University of New York Advanced Science Research Center at the Graduate Center, New York, NY USA and Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, Millbrook, NY USA
10Dept. of Environmental Sciences, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA USA
11Marine Chemistry and Geochemistry, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA USA
12Dept. of Physical and Environmental Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
1Dept. of Geological Science, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL USA
2School of Environmental Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
3University of Waterloo, Department of Applied Mathematics, Waterloo, Canada
4Nordcee, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
5Dept. of Biology, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
6Leibniz Institut für Gewässerökologie und Binnenfischerei (IGB), Berlin, Germany
7Institute of Biology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
8Dept. of Oceanography, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
9City University of New York Advanced Science Research Center at the Graduate Center, New York, NY USA and Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, Millbrook, NY USA
10Dept. of Environmental Sciences, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA USA
11Marine Chemistry and Geochemistry, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA USA
12Dept. of Physical and Environmental Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
Received: 24 Oct 2020 – Accepted for review: 30 Oct 2020 – Discussion started: 04 Nov 2020
Abstract. Biogeochemistry has an important role to play in many environmental issues of current concern related to global change and air, water, and soil quality. However, reliable predictions and tangible take-up of solutions offered by biogeochemistry will need further integration of disciplines. Here, we emphasize how further developing ties between biology, geology, and chemistry and social sciences will advance biogeochemistry through: 1) better integration of mechanisms including contemporary evolutionary adaptation to predict changing biogeochemical cycles; 2) better integration of data from long-term monitoring sites in terrestrial, aquatic, and human systems across temporal and spatial scales, including the continental and global scale, for use in modeling efforts; and 3) implementing insights from social sciences to better understand how sustainable and equitable responses by society are achieved. The challenges of 21st century biogeochemists are formidable, and will require both the capacity to respond fast to pressing issues and intense collaboration with government officials, the public, and internationally-funded programs. Keys to its success will be the degree to which biogeochemistry succeeds in making biogeochemical knowledge more available to policy makers and educators, in predicting future changes in the biosphere in response to climate change and other anthropogenic impacts on time scales from seasons to centuries, and in facilitating sustainable and equitable responses by society.
Better development of interdisciplinary linkages ties between biology, geology, and chemistry advance biogeochemistry through: 1) better integration of contemporary (or rapid) evolutionary adaptation to predict changing biogeochemical cycles, 2) universal integration of data from long-term monitoring sites in terrestrial, aquatic, and human systems, that span broad geographical regions for use in modeling.
Better development of interdisciplinary linkages ties between biology, geology, and chemistry ...