Research Interests

Benthic Ecology & Sediment Biogeochemistry: The role of organisms in modifying physical and biogeochemical processes in sediments, Species interactions in sediments, Coastal and estuarine acidification effects on bivalves, The importance of benthic habitats in biogeochemical cycling, Structure and function of sedimentary habitats, Tidal flat ecology.

Current Research

Dissolution mortality of juvenile bivalves in coastal marine deposits (2007-2011), with M.A. Green, St. Joseph’s College of Maine. NSF-OCE #0622999. Co-PI

Macrofaunal community effects on benthic exchange fluxes (2008-2012), with C. Meile, University of Georgia. NSF-OCE # 0751856/1014226. Co-PI

Ocean Acidification Category 1: A mechanistic understanding of the impacts of ocean acidification on the early life stages of marine bivalves. (2010-2014), with B. Hales, C. Langdon, and B. Haley. NSF-CRI/OA #1041267. Lead PI

Developing realistic metrics of acidification stress for commercially important bivalves in variable habitats. (2012-2014), with B. Hales, and C. Langdon. Oregon Sea Grant. Lead PI

Using Spatial Data and Analysis to Understand the Human Impacts of Ocean Acidification. National Socio-Environmental Synthesis Center (SeSync). Participant

Education

2008, Ph.D. University of Maryland (Biological Oceanography)
2002, M.Sc. University of Connecticut (Biological Oceanography)
1999, B.Sc. St. John’s University, NY (Environmental Science)

Courses

OEAS 540 Biogeochemical Earth. Co-instructor with Dr. Fred Prahl (winter term)

OC 333 Oceans, Coasts, and People. Co-instructor with Dr. Flaxen Conway (spring term)

Graduate Students

Elizabeth Brunner, M.S. (2011-current), Ocean Ecology and Biogeochemistry

Iria Gimenez, Fulbright Scholar, Ph.D. (2011-current), Ocean Ecology and Biogeochemistry

Rebecca Mabardy, M.S. (2011-current) Marine Resource Management

Stephanie Smith, M.S. (2012-current) Marine Resource Management

Appointments and Awards

Associate Editor, Limnology and Oceanography: Methods

Member Editorial Board, Journal of Shellfish Research

Excellence in Reviewing, Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology

Publications

Waldbusser, G.G. and J.E. Salisbury (in review) Ocean Acidification in the Coastal Zone: Multiple System Parameters, Frequency Domains, and Habitats. Annual Reviews in Marine Science

Waldbusser, G.G., E. L. Brunner, B.A. Haley, B. Hales, C. J. Langdon, and F. G. Prahl (in press) A developmental and energetic basis linking larval oyster shell formation to ocean acidification. Geophysical Research Letters. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/grl.50449/abstract

Waldbusser, G.G., E.N. Powell, and R. Mann (2013) Ecosystem effects of shell aggregations and cycling in coastal waters: An example of Chesapeake Bay oyster reefs. Ecology. http://dx.doi.org/10.1890/12-1179.1 Invited Contribution

Green, M., G.G. Waldbusser, L. Hubazc, E. Cathcart, and J. Hall. (2013). Carbonate Mineral Saturation State as the Recruitment Cue for Settling Bivalves in Marine Muds. Estuaries Coasts 36: 18-27. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s12237-012-9549-0

Washington State Blue Ribbon Panel on Ocean Acidification, Ocean Acidification: From Knowledge to Action, Washington State’s Strategic Response (2012) https://fortress.wa.gov/ecy/publications/publications/1201015.pdf

Washington State Blue Ribbon Panel on Ocean Acidification, Scientific Summary of Ocean Acidification in Washington State Marine Waters (2012) https://fortress.wa.gov/ecy/publications/publications/1201016.pdf

Barton, A., B. Hales, G.G. Waldbusser, C. Langdon, and R.A. Feely. (2012) The Pacific oyster, Crassostrea gigas, shows negative correlation to naturally elevated carbon dioxide levels: Implications for near-term ocean acidification effects. Limnol. Oceanogr. 57: 698-710. http://dx.doi.org/10.4319/lo.2012.57.3.0698

Dornhoffer T., G.G. Waldbusser, C. Meile (2012) The role of burrow patchiness and sediment reactivity on oxygen dynamics. J. Exp. Mar. Biol. Ecol. 412: 81-86. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jembe.2011.11.004

Waldbusser, G. G., R. A. Steenson, and M. A. Green. (2011). Oyster shell dissolution rates in estuarine waters: Effects of pH and shell legacy. J. Shellfish Res. 30: 659-669. http://dx.doi.org/10.2983/035.030.0308

Kelly, R.P., M.M. Foley, W.S. Fisher, R.A. Feely, B.S. Halpern, G.G. Waldbusser, M.R. Caldwell (2011) Mitigating local causes of ocean acidification with existing laws. Science, 332: 1036-1037 http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/science.1203815

Waldbusser, G.G., E.P. Voigt, H. Bergschneider, M.A. Green, R.I.E. Newell (2011) Long-term trends in Chesapeake Bay pH and effects on biocalcification in the Eastern Oyster Crassostrea virginica. Estuaries and Coasts. 34: 221-231. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s12237-010-9307-0

Waldbusser, G.G., H. Bergschneider, M.A. Green (2010) Size-dependent pH effect on calcification in post-larval hard clam Mercenaria spp. Mar. Ecol. Progr. Ser. 417:171-182. http://dx.doi.org/10.3354/meps08809

Waldbusser, G.G. and R.L. Marinelli (2009) Evidence of infaunal effects on porewater advection and biogeochemistry in permeable sediments: A proposed infaunal functional group framework. J. of Mar. Res. 67: 503-532. http://dx.doi.org/10.1357/002224009790741120

Green, M.A., G.G. Waldbusser, S. Reilly, K. Emerson, S. O’Donnell (2009) Death by dissolution: Sediment saturation state as a mortality factor for juvenile bivalves. Limnol. Oceanogr. 54: 1037-1047. http://dx.doi.org/10.4319/lo.2009.54.4.1037

Waldbusser, G.G. and R.L. Marinelli (2006) Macrofaunal modification of porewater advection: The role of species function, species interaction, and kinetics. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 311: 217-231. Invited Contribution http://dx.doi.org/10.3354/meps311217

Marinelli, R.L. and G.G. Waldbusser (2005) Plant-animal-microbe interactions: Closing the ecological loop. In: Interactions between macro- and microorganisms in marine sediments. Eds. E. Kristensen, R.R. Haese and J. E. Kostka. Coastal and Estuarine Studies, Volume 60. American Geophysical Union. pp 233-249.

Waldbusser, G.G., R.L. Marinelli, R.B. Whitlatch, and P.T. Visscher (2004) The effects of infaunal biodiversity on biogeochemistry of coastal marine sediments. Limnol. Oceanogr. 49: 1482-1492. http://dx.doi.org/10.4319/lo.2004.49.5.1482

Invited Talks (*supervised student presenter):

Waldbusser, G.G. (2012) The Pacific Northwest oyster seed shortage and ocean acidification. Oregon Association of Environmental Professionals. Portland OR.

*E.L. Brunner, J. Vance, B. Hales, B. Haley, F. Prahl, G.G. Waldbusser (2012) A mechanism for the sensitivity of larval oyster calcification to ambient seawater carbonate chemistry. National Shellfisheries Meeting, Seattle, WA.

Waldbusser, G.G. (2011) Multiple causes of acidification stress on larval bivalves in coastal and estuarine ecosystems. California Current Acidification Network meeting, Palo Altos, CA.

Waldbusser, G.G. (2011) Opportunities for mitigating coastal acidification impacts: Lessons from larval oysters and juvenile clams. Bodega Bay Marine Laboratory, Science Seminar Series. Bodega Bay, CA.

Waldbusser, G.G. (2011) Ocean acidification impacts on estuarine bivalves: Linking life history, ecology, and biogeochemistry. Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Seminar Series, Oregon State University.

Waldbusser, G.G. (2011) Shellfish on acid: A story of rock, water, and shell. Oregon Coast Aquatic and Marine Science Partnership Colloquia, Newport, OR.

Waldbusser, G.G. and M.A. Green (2011) Juvenile Marine Bivalves within Corrosive Sediments: How Do (Or Don't) They Do It? American Fisheries Society Meeting, Seattle, WA.

Waldbusser, G.G., B. Hales, C. Langdon, and B. Haley (2011) Determining underlying physiological responses of bivalves to ocean acidification with unique carbonate chemistry manipulations. Pacific Shellfish Growers Association Meeting, Salem, OR.

Waldbusser, G.G. (2011) The Causes of Acidification in Chesapeake Bay and Consequences to Oyster Shell Growth and Dissolution. National Shellfisheries Association Meeting, Baltimore, MD.

Waldbusser, G.G. and M.A. Green (2010) Acidification impacts on the survival, growth, and behavior of the hard clam Mercenaria mercenaria: A case study for other sediment dwelling clams. Pacific Coast Shellfish Growers Association, Tacoma, WA.

Waldbusser, G.G. (2010) Crassostrea spp. response to acidification. Puget Sound Acidification Workshop, Seattle, WA.

Waldbusser, G.G. (2010) Coastal acidification: Causes and consequences to bivalves. Hatfield Marine Science Center seminar series.

Meile, C., T. Dornhoffer and G.G. Waldbusser (2010) Do spatial burrow patterns accentuate benthic exchange fluxes? A combined modeling and laboratory study. Ocean Sciences Meeting, Portland,OR.

Waldbusser, G.G. (2009) Acidification of coastal and estuarine ecosystems and potential effects on bivalves. National Academies of Science for the National Research Council Committee on Ocean Acidification.

Waldbusser, G.G., M.A. Green, and H. Bergschneider (2009) Size dependent susceptibility of juvenile Mercenaria mercenaria mortality and shell growth to ocean acidification. National Shellfisheries Association Meeting, Savannah, GA.

Waldbusser, G.G. (2009) Ecological and biogeochemical interactions in sediment habitats: Mechanisms and dynamics. Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR.

Green, M.A., G.G. Waldbusser, S. Reilly, and K. Emerson (2008) Death by dissolution: Sediment saturation state as a mortality factor for juvenile bivalves. National Shellfisheries Association Meeting, Providence, RI.

Waldbusser, G.G. (2008) Infaunal modification of physical and biogeochemical processes in permeable sediments: The role of species attributes and functional groups. Benthic Ecology Meeting, Providence, RI.

Waldbusser, G.G. (2007) Ecological consequences of animal-sediment interactions on transport and reaction processes in near-shore sediments. UMCES, Horn Point Laboratory, MD.

Waldbusser, G.G. (2007) Animal-Sediment interactions in shallow nearshore habitats: Linking species and ecosystems. University of North Carolina, Institute of Marine Sciences, NC.

Waldbusser, G.G. and K. Mueller (2007) I participated in the Snowbird Charrette and all I got was . . . : Student perspectives. AAAS Annual Meeting, San Francisco, CA.

Waldbusser, G.G. (2006) Bioturbation in nearshore permeable sediments: At the crossroads of oceanography and ecology. Marine and Estuarine Environmental Science Student Colloquium, UMCES Appalachian Laboratory, MD.