Assessing man-made vs. climatic (hurricane) impacts on estuarine and coastal water quality: The North Carolina experience

Hans W. Paerl

UNC-Chapel Hill Institute of Marine Sciences

Morehead City, NC

Hans W. Paerl is Kenan Professor of Marine and Environmental Sciences, at the UNC-Chapel Hill Institute of Marine Sciences, Morehead City, NC. His research includes; nutrient cycling and production dynamics of aquatic ecosystems, environmental controls of algal production, and assessing the causes and consequences of eutrophication. His recent studies have included identifying the importance and ecological impacts of atmospheric nitrogen deposition in estuarine and coastal environments and the development and application of bioindicators used to assess human- and climate-induced ecological change in estuarine and coastal waters. His work plays a central role in coastal water quality and fisheries issues facing North Carolina and the nation.