School of Geographical and Earth Sciences

Prof Susan Waldron

Susan Waldron
  • Professor of Biogeochemistry (School of Geographical and Earth Sciences)

telephone: 01413302413
email: Susan.Waldron@glasgow.ac.uk


  1. Biogeochemical cycles, especially carbon and within aquatic systems;
  2. Applications of stable isotope analyses to biogeochemical cycling;
  3. Stoichiometry of natural systems;
  4. Continuous data-logging of water chemistry parameters.

    My work is largely interdisciplinary and includes collaboration with scientists in ecology, botany, environmental science and hydrology.

    In October 2007 I completed a NERC Advanced Fellowship: “Under what conditions do rivers acts as a net sink or source of atmospheric CO2 ?” (2002-2007). The focus of my Fellowship research wasto consider carbon cycling of major riverine species (gaseous, dissolved inorganic, dissolved organic and particulate organic) in a discharge-related context, using a relatively pristine catchment as a case study. Isotopic characterisation is a key analytical tool for my research.

    I have maintained an interest in carbon cycling, firstly through environmental controls on biological production in methane, then as an energy flow in ecological studies, and now in budgetary constraints and process recycling in lotic and lentic systems. Previous research on the influence of peatland gas production on peatland hydrology, on field vegetation respiration studies and on freshwater invertebrate functional plasticity reflects the diversity of my interests in the carbon cycle. Past EU funding addressed the importance of fishery discards in seabird diet.

    Current fully funded research includes the following: i) quantifying carbon fluxes from freshwater aquatic systems in the Amazon (as part of the NERC consortium grant, Amazonica). Shortly joining me to work on this project will be Dr. Yoko Ishida; ii) CLAD: Carbon Landascapes and Drainage - this will integrate stakeholders with academics to exchange knowledge on the loss of carbon from terrestrial landscapes to drainage system. Seeking funding for this network arose from my research programme to to consider the impact of the construction of Europe's largest on-shore windfarm, Whitelee, on carbon and nutrient export in the catchment drainage systems. The network facilitator is Dr. Simon Drew. Please contact me if you are interested in finding out more about either of these projects.

    Jump to: 2010 | 2009 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000
    Number of items: 37.

    2010

    Gulliver, P., Waldron, S. , Scott, E.M. , and Bryant, C. (2010) The effect of storage on the radiocarbon, stable carbon and nitrogen isotopic signatures and concentrations of riverine DOM. Radiocarbon, 52 (3). pp. 1113-1122. ISSN 0033-8222

    Bass, A.M., Waldron, S, , Preston, T. , and Adams, C.E. (2010) Net pelagic heterotrophy in mesotrophic and oligotrophic basins of a large, temperate lake. Hydrobiologia, 652 (1). pp. 363-375. ISSN 0018-8158 (doi:10.1007/s10750-010-0369-6)

    Bass, A.M., Waldron, S. , Preston, T. , and Adams, C.E. (2010) Temporal and spatial heterogeneity in lacustrine δ13CDIC and δ18ODO signatures in a large mid-latitude temperate lake. Journal of Limnology . pp. 341-349. ISSN 1723-8633 (doi:10.3274/JL10-69-2-15)

    Zhou, Z., Waldron, S. , and Li, Z. (2010) Integration of PS-InSAR and GPS for monitoring seasonal and long-term peatland surface fluctuations. In: The RSPSoc Remote Sensing and the Carbon Cycle, 5 May 2010, London, UK.

    2009

    Waldron, S., Flowers, H. , Arlaud, C., Bryant, C. , and McFarlane, S. (2009) The significance of organic carbon and nutrient export from peatland-dominated landscapes subject to disturbance, a stoichiometric perspective. Biogeosciences, 6 (3). pp. 363-374. ISSN 1726-4170

    2007

    Sanpera, C, Ruiz, X, Moreno, R, Jover, L, and Waldron, S (2007) Mercury and stable isotopes in feathers of Audouin's Gulls as indicators of feeding habits and migratory connectivity. Condor, 109 . pp. 268-275.

    Tetzlaff, D, Soulsby, C, Waldron, S , Malcolm, IA, Bacon, PJ, Dunn, SM, Lilly, A, and Youngson, AF (2007) Conceptualization of runoff processes using a geographical information system and tracers in a nested mesoscale catchment. Hydrological Processes, 21 . pp. 1289-1307. (doi:10.1002/hyp.6309)

    Tetzlaff, D, Waldron, S , Brewer, MJ, and Soulsby, C (2007) Assessing nested hydrological and hydrochemical behaviour of a mesoscale catchment using continuous tracer data. Journal of Hydrology, 336 . pp. 430-443. (doi:10.1016/j.jhydrol.2007.01.020)

    Waldron, S, Scott, EM, and Soulsby, C (2007) Stable isotope analysis reveals lower-order river dissolved inorganic carbon pools are highly dynamic. Environmental Science and Technology, 41 . pp. 6156-6162. ISSN 0013-936X (doi:10.1021/es0706089)

    2006

    Soulsby, C, Tetzlaff, D, Rodgers, P, Dunn, S, and Waldron, S (2006) Runoff processes, stream water residence times and controlling landscape characteristics in a mesoscale catchment: An initial evaluation. Journal of Hydrology, 325 . pp. 197-221. (doi:10.1016/j.jhydrol.2005.10.024)

    2005

    Valsami-Jones, E, Baltatzis, E, Bailey, EH, Boyce, AJ , Alexander, JL, Magganas, A, Anderson, L, Waldron, S , and Ragnarsdottir, KV (2005) The geochemistry of fluids from an active shallow submarine hydrothermal system: Milos island, Hellenic Volcanic Arc. Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, 148 . pp. 130-151. (doi:10.1016/j.jvolgeores.2005.03.018)

    Waldron, S (2005) Intraguild omnivory in predatory stream insects. Journal of Animal Ecology, 74 (4). pp. 619-629.

    Waldron, S (2005) Stable isotope tracers as diagnostic tools in upscaling flow path understanding and residence time estimates in a mountainous mesoscale catchment. Hydrological Processes, 19 (11). pp. 2291-2307.

    Waldron, S (2005) Using stable isotope tracers to assess hydrological flow paths, residence times and landscape influences in a nested mesoscale catchment. Hydrology and Earth System Sciences, 9 (3). pp. 139-155.

    2004

    Bearhop, S., Adams, C.E., Waldron, S. , Fuller, R.A., and Macleod, H. (2004) Determining trophic niche width: a novel approach using stable isotope analysis. Journal of Animal Ecology, 73 (5). pp. 1007-1012. ISSN 0021-8790 (doi:10.1111/j.0021-8790.2004.00861.x)

    Bearhop, S., Hilton, G.M., Votier, S.C., and Waldron, S. (2004) Stable isotope ratios indicate that body condition in migrating passerines is influenced by winter habitat. Royal Society, Biology Letters, 271 (S4). pp. 215-218. ISSN 0962-8452 (doi:10.1098/rsbl.2003.0129)

    Cresswell, W., Holt, S., Reid, J.M., Whitfield, D.P., Mellanby, R.J., Norton, D., and Waldron, S. (2004) The energetic costs of egg heating constrain incubation attendance but do not determine daily energy expenditure in the pectoral sandpiper. Behavioral Ecology, 15 (3). pp. 498-507. ISSN 1045-2249 (doi:10.1093/beheco/arh042)

    Gillson, L., Waldron, S. , and Willis, K.J. (2004) Interpretation of soil δ13C as an indicator of vegetation change in African savannas. Journal of Vegetation Science, 15 (3). pp. 339-350. ISSN 1100-9233

    Grey, J., Waldron, S. , and Hutchinson, R. (2004) The utility of carbon and nitrogen isotope analyses to trace contributions from fish farms to the receiving communities of freshwater lakes: a pilot study in Esthwaite Water, UK. Hydrobiologia, 524 (1). pp. 253-262. ISSN 0018-8158 (doi:10.1023/B:HYDR.0000036144.49795.dd)

    McCarthy, I.D., Fraser, D., Waldron, S. , and Adams, C.E. (2004) A stable isotope analysis of trophic polymorphism among Arctic charr from Loch Ericht, Scotland. Journal of Fish Biology, 65 (5). pp. 1435-1440. ISSN 0022-1112

    Morrison, D.J., Cooper, K., Waldron, S. , Slater, C., Weaver, L.T., and Preston, T. (2004) A streamlined approach to the analysis of volatile fatty acids and its application to the measurement of whole-body flux. Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry, 18 (21). pp. 2593-2600. ISSN 0951-4198 (doi:10.1002/rcm.1662)

    Waldron, S (2004) Ebullition of methane-containing gas bubbles from near-surface Sphagnum peat. Geophysical Research Letters, 31 (21).

    2003

    Jones, J.I., and Waldron, S. (2003) Combined stable isotope and gut contents analysis of food webs in plant-dominated, shallow lakes. Freshwater Biology, 48 (8). pp. 1396-1407. ISSN 0046-5070 (doi:10.1046/j.1365-2427.2003.01095.x)

    Adams, C., Fraser, D., McCarthy, I., Shields, S., Waldron, S. , and Alexander, G. (2003) Stable isotope analysis reveals ecological segregation in a bimodal size polymorphism in Arctic charr from Loch Tay, Scotland. Journal of Fish Biology, 62 (2). pp. 474-481. ISSN 0022-1112 (doi:10.1046/j.1095-8649.2003.00044.x)

    Baird, A.J., and Waldron, S. (2003) Shallow horizontal groundwater flow in peatlands is reduced by bacteriogenic gas production. Geophysical Research Letters, 30 (20). p. 2043. ISSN 0094-8276

    Evans, K.L., Waldron, S. , and Bradbury, R.B. (2003) Segregation in the African wintering ranges of English and Swiss Swallow Hirundo rustica populations: a stable isotope study. Bird Study, 50 . pp. 294-299. ISSN 0006-3657

    Millett, J., Jones, R.I., and Waldron, S. (2003) The contribution of insect prey to the total nitrogen content of sundews (Drosera spp.) determined in situ by stable isotope analysis. New Phytologist, 158 (3). pp. 527-534. ISSN 0028-646X (doi:10.1046/j.1469-8137.2003.00763.x)

    2002

    Bearhop, S., Waldron, S. , Votier, S.C., and Furness, R.W. (2002) Factors that influence assimilation rates and fractionation of nitrogen and carbon stable isotopes in avian blood and feathers. Physiological and Biochemical Zoology, 75 (5). pp. 451-458. ISSN 1522-2152

    2001

    Waldron, S., Tatner, P., Jack, I., and Arnott, C. (2001) The impact of sewage discharge in a marine embayment: A stable isotope reconnaissance. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science, 52 (1). pp. 111-115. ISSN 0272-7714 (doi:10.1006/ecss.2000.0731)

    Bearhop, S, Thompson, DR, Phillips, RA, Waldron, S , Hamer, KC, Gray, CM, Votier, SC, Ross, BP, and Furness, RW (2001) Annual variation in Great Skua diets: The importance of commercial fisheries and predation on seabirds revealed by combining dietary analyses. Condor, 103 . pp. 802-809. ISSN 0010-5422

    Bearhop, S., Thompson, D.R., Phillips, R.A., Waldron, S. , Hamer, K.C., Gray, C.M., Votier, S.C., Ross, B.P., and Furness, R.W. (2001) Annual variation in Great Skua diets: The importance of commercial fisheries and predation on seabirds revealed by combining dietary analyses. Condor, 103 (4). pp. 802-809. ISSN 0010-5422

    Donnelly, T., Waldron, S. , Tait, A. , Dougans, J. , and Bearhop, S. (2001) Hydrogen isotope analysis of natural abundance and deuterium- enriched waters by reduction over chromium on-line to a dynamic dual inlet isotope-ratio mass spectrometer. Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry, 15 (15). pp. 1297-1303. ISSN 0951-4198 (doi:10.1002/rcm.361)

    Lancaster, J., and Waldron, S. (2001) Stable isotope values of lotic invertebrates: sources of variation, experimental design, and statistical interpretation. Limnology and Oceanography: Methods, 46 (3). pp. 723-730. ISSN 0024-3590

    Nagel, O.W., Waldron, S. , and Jones, H.G. (2001) An off-line implementation of the stable isotope technique for measurements of alternative respiratory pathway activities. Plant Physiology, 127 (3). pp. 1279-1286. ISSN 0032-0889

    2000

    Bearhop, S., Teece, M.A., Waldron, S. , and Furness, R.W. (2000) Influence of lipid and uric acid on delta C-13 and delta N-15 values of avian blood: Implications for trophic studies. Auk, 117 (2). pp. 504-507. ISSN 0004-8038

    McCarthy, I.D., and Waldron, S. (2000) Identifying migratory Salmo trutta using carbon and nitrogen stable isotope ratios. Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry, 14 (15). pp. 1325-1331. ISSN 0951-4198 (doi:10.1002/1097-0231(20000815)14:15<1325::AID-RCM980>3.0.CO;2-A)

    Thompson, D.R., Phillips, R.A., Stewart, F.M., and Waldron, S. (2000) Low delta C-13 signatures in pelagic seabirds: lipid ingestion as a potential source of C-13-depleted carbon in the Procellariiformes. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 208 . pp. 265-271. ISSN 0171-8630

    This list was generated on Sat May 26 18:10:27 2012 BST.

    Waldron S. 20011-2013. PI of WP2 for United Kingdom Lake Ecological Observatory: UKLEON, GU award of £144,730 (FEC: £179,572, NERC). Lead-Investigator: Dr. I. Jones (CEH Lancaster).


    Waldron S. 20011-2015. Studentship award from the NERC/ACTF Programme of Analytical Science and Technology Studentships. ~ £65,000.


    Waldron S. 2010-2013. £50,000 from SSE, £12.5K from ETP, and £37.5k from EPSRC to support a Ph.D. studentship on the resilience and adaptation of a carbon landscape to hosting a windfarm.


    Waldron S. 2010-2014. Lead PI in WP1 Microclimates: Impact of Spatio-Climatic Variability on Environment-Hosted Land-based Renewables , £280,000 (FEC: £480,000).


    Waldron S. 2009-2010. The mangrove carbon cycle influence of below-ground processes and managed cutting, £3,500 (FEC: £4,000, NE/G009589/1). Co-Investigators: Dr. M. Huxham (University of Napier, Lead PI, FEC: £50,663.64) and Dr. M. Mencuccini (University of Edinburgh)


    Waldron S. 2009-2012. Lead PI in CLAD: Carbon Landscapes and Drainage, £182,917 (FEC: £228,647, NERC NE/G008833/1). Co-Investigators: Dr. I.Grieve and Prof. D. Gilvear (University of Stirling. Total NON-FEC award: £394,290


    Waldron S. 2008-2013. AMAZONICA: Amazon Integrated carbon analysis - Riverine carbon fluxes, £429,766 (FEC: £537,208). Co-Investigators: Prof. M. Bird (James Cook University, Cairns, Australia)


    Waldron S. 2007 - 2010 Landscape influences on patterns of water movement in a large river basin, £15,600 from £196,668 (The Leverhulme Trust). With PI Prof. C. Soulsby (Geography, University of Aberdeen) and co-PI's Dr. S. Dunn (Macaulay Institute), Dr. I.A. Malcolm (Fisheries Research Service) and Dr. D. Tetzlaff (Geography, University of Aberdeen).


    Waldron S. 2004 - 2005 Study of Net Primary Productivity and Aquatic Algae Community Structure in Upland ‘Acidic’ Streams. (British Ecological Society £1500)


    Waldron S. 2004-2005. Is sample preservation of water samples necessary for representative measurement of radiocarbon and stable carbon isotopic signatures of dissolved organic matter? £20250 in-kind support from NERC Scientific Services for radiocarbon analyses.

    Waldron S. 2004-2006. When do small order river systems in a carbon-replete catchment act as a sink for atmospheric carbon dioxide ? £3600 in-kind support from NERC Scientific Services for radiocarbon analyses.


    Waldron S. 2002 - 2007. Under what conditions do rivers act as a net sink or source of atmospheric carbon dioxide? £260,700 (NERC NER/J/S/2001/00793


    Waldron S. 2000 - 2004. Functional plasticity and relative interaction strength of invertebrate predators along a productivity gradient. £251,365 (NERC NER/A/S/1999/00085). With PI Dr. J. Lancaster (IERM, Edinburgh University).


    Waldron S. 1999 - 2002 How does biogenic gas accumulation affect water flow through bog peat? £148,444 (NERC GR3/12451). With PI Dr. A. J. Baird (Geography, University of Sheffield)


    Waldron S. 1999 - 2000 Temperature effects on the partitioning between respiratory pathways in plants . £35,087 (NERC GR9/04503). With PI Prof. H. Jones (Biological Sciences, University of Dundee)


    Waldron S. 1998 What controls the deep peat carbon cycle? £8,200 from The Royal Society. With Prof. A.E. Fallick (SUERC).

    I currently co-supervise three Ph.D. students, all of whom are carrying out research relevant to the carbon cycle:

    • Helen Murray (2007-10). The sustainabilty of peatland soils: the impact of disturbances on losses of carbon and nutrient enrichment in the receiving waters. Funded by SAGES.
    • Firdaus Hamzah (2008-11) Long term data records.
    • Mark Speed (2007-10) Landscape influences on patterns of water movement in a large basin. Funded by The Leverhulme Trust, based at Aberdeen University.

    Recently completed students include:

    • Adrian Bass (2004 - 8) The contribution of the microbial loop to carbon cycling in lakes: a case study using Loch Lomond. Funded by NERC.
    • Stephanie Evers (2003 - 7) The role of light in biodiversity in forested catchments. Funded by Bell College, the Forestry Commission and Scottish Natural Heritage.
    • Level 2 Geography: Current, past and future environment change
    • Level 2: Swansea field trip
    • Honours Option: Crustal fluids
    • I am head of the departmental Graduate School.

    I am a member of the American Geophysical Union (Biogeochemistry), the American Society for Limnology and Oceanography, and the British Ecological Society.