Johnston Group

The primary goal within the group is to better understand the relationship between the evolution of the biosphere (namely microorganisms) and that of Earth’s oceans and atmosphere. Our work ranges from geologically rooted questions, where we aim to track the onset or environmental expression of different metabolic processes and follow the inventory of atmospheric/oceanic oxidant budgets, through to modern processes and environments (such as experimental work with extant organisms, purified protein, work in the modern ocean water column and underlying mud, up to and through kilometers of the modern atmosphere). A common theme through these various scientific paths is the use of stable isotopes, and often more novel isotope systems, to unlock Earth’s remarkable history and current climatic state.