Ecosystems Research
Richard G. Zepp
My current research focuses on assessing environmental pathogen fate and transport, carbon nanomaterial transformations, and biogeochemical cycles, especially carbon, nitrogen, and trace metal. One emphasis is on photo-chemical and photo-biological processes in aquatic and terrestrial environments, including direct and sensitized photo-reactions (of nanomaterials, pesticides, polycyclic aromatics, halogenated pollutants, metals); light-initiated free radical reactions; and photo-reactions on soil and plant surfaces. Kinetic, mechanistic and photo-product studies relevant to risk assessment are drivers of these studies.
Biographical Information
Name: Richard G. Zepp
Title: Senior Research Scientist
Contact Info:
Ecosystems Research Division
National Exposure Research Laboratory
Office of Research and Development
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
960 College Station Road
Athens, Georgia 30605-2700
Phone: 706-355-8117
Email: zepp.richard@epa.gov
Education
Ph.D., Florida State University, 1969
B.S. Chemistry, Furman University, 1963
Professional Experience
Guest Investigator. Max-Planck Institute for Chemistry, Mainz. 1989
Visiting Scientist, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, (EAWAG), Zuerich, 1985, 1987
Research Chemist. USEPA ORD NERL/ERD, Athens, GA, 1972-present
Research Associate, Michigan State University, 1969-1971
Professional Affiliations
Adjunct faculty: School of Marine And Atmospheric Sciences - University of Miami
Adjunct faculty: College of Environmental Science & Forestry, State University of New York, Syracuse
Associate Editor: Limnology and Oceanography Methods
Lead of Biogeochemical Cycles - Panel on Effects of Ozone Depletion on the Environment, United Nations Environment Programme, Nairobi, Kenya
Co-Chair: Task Group 2 on Polymer-Carbon Nanotube Composites, Ilsi Nano-Release Program
Member: Great Lakes Beach Health Interagency Coordination Team
Selected Awards and Honors
USEPA STAA Awards 1992, 1993, 1995, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006
USEPA Bronze Honor Awards in 2002 (2)
Invited Lectures/Symposia
Zepp, R.G., M.A. Moran, E. Biers and C. Shank. 2007. Effects of Photochemical, Microbial and Sorption Processes on the Optical Properties and Degradation of Dissolved Organic Matter from Coastal Wetlands, 10th International Symposium on Wetland Biogeochemistry, Annapolis, MD
Zepp, R.G. 2007. Color Counts! Interactions of Colored Organic Matter With Light and Contaminants in Aquatic Environments, Clemson Institute of Environmental Toxicology, Clemson University
Zepp, R.G. 2006. Nanoscale biosensors in ecosystem exposure research, EPA-RTP
Zepp, R.G. 2006. Interactions Between Organic Biogeochemistry and Optical Properties in Coastal and Fresh Waters, National Institute of Water and Air (NIWA), Hamilton, New Zealand
Zepp, R.G., D. Erickson, N. Paul and B. Sulzberger. 2006. Interactions of changing climate and photobiogeochemical cycles in aquatic environments, Annual Meeting of American Society of Photobiology, Rio Grande, Puerto Rico
Zepp, R.G. 2003. Shedding light on corals health: interactions of climate change and solar radiation with bleaching. Corals Reefs, Climate, and Coral Bleaching Workshop, Oahu, HI