The Team

Dr Geoffrey Abbott

Background

Dr. Geoff Abbott has more than three decades of research experience applying molecular geochemical, biogeochemical and analytical pyrolysis techniques to address major questions related to the evolution of the Earth’s environment. His research combines detailed laboratory experiments on organic geochemical processes with studies of the carbon cycle in ancient and modern environments (specifically Arctic marine sediments, northern peatlands and soils). This knowledge is then used to illuminate a key period in Earth’s history namely when land plants first appeared on the Earth’s surface. Dr. Abbott has identified molecular components of the earliest plant fossils and is a pioneer of the mechanistic understanding of thermal biomarker transformations.

Research Interests

Dr. Geoff Abbott's major interests are in the areas of organic geochemistry, analytical pyrolysis and biogeochemistry with particular emphasis in these areas:

Carbon cycling and storage in peat, soils, ancient sediments and waters. More recently he has focussed on peatland degradation.

The molecular characterisation of the earliest land plants as well as the development and application of biomarker proxies to reconstruct past environmental and climate change during phytoterrestrialisation (Ordovician-Silurian- Devonian).

The fate of biomarkers in sedimentary rocks, kerogens, asphaltenes and coals.
The structure and function of asphaltenes using ultrasound spectroscopy and biomarker geochemistry.

Memberships

European Association of Organic Geochemists (EAOG);
Founding member of British Organic Geochemical Society (BOGS).

Editorships

2002 - continuing Associate Editor for the journal Organic Geochemistry;
2008 - continuing Associate Editor for the journal Marine and Petroleum Geology.

Grant Panel Membership

2014 - 2018 The Royal Society Research Grants Committee.