Research Interests

Impact Story Profile

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.

Nortwest Matters Podcast on Ocean Acidification

"Just Pearly" by Kathryn Boyd-Batstone

Webinar on Larval Bivalve Responses to Acidification

Straub Mid-Valley Environmental Lecture

Current Research

Funded Research Projects

Electrolysis-driven weathering of basic minerals for long-term ocean buffering and CO2 reduction. NOAA-NOP (2023-2026) with B. Hales, Y, Spitz, K. Stoerzinger, R. Feely, and S. Alin. Co-PI.

Olympia oyster growth and survival with climate change: Space for time field experiments. Oregon Ocean Science Trust (2022-2024). Sole PI

The controls and possible responses to mud blister worms in Oregon's estuaries. Oregon Sea Grant (2022-2024) with Steve Rumrill and Sam Chan. Lead PI

Optimizing alkalization mechanisms of estuarine sediments for calcifying organisms. ClimateWorks (2020-2022) with Iria Gimenez, Mark Green, Gudrun Mahrt, Christof Meile. Lead PI

Determining habitat suitability under climate change and ocean acidification for oysters in Oregon’s estuaries. Oregon Sea Grant (2020-2022) with Jim Lerczak. Lead PI

Vertical migration of Dungeness crab (Cancer magister) and pink shrimp (Pandalus jordani) larvae under current and future ocean acidification scenarios. (2020) State of Oregon with Leif Rassmussen, Scott Groth, Alan Shanks, and Burke Hales. Co-PI

Identifying thresholds in coupled biogeochemical-biological-economic systems under multiple stressors. NOAA-OAP (2018-2021) with J. Testa, WJ Cai, L Wainger, M Ling. Co-PI

Determining the response of Oregon Pink Shrimp Larvae to Ocean Acidification and Warming. OR Sea Grant (2018-2020) Sole PI.

Vulnerability and adaptation to ocean acidification among Pacific Northwest mussel and oyster stakeholders. NOAA-OAP (2017-2019) with D. Wrathall (lead PI), D. Kling, B. Hudson. Co-PI Congratulations from Oregon's Federal Congressional Contingency

Hatchery monitoring and mitigation of ocean acidification (2017-2019) State of Oregon.

Utilizing U/Ca Ratios to Determine Best Management Practices for Shell Planting and Oyster Culture to Mitigate Ocean Acidification Impacts. OR Sea Grant (2016-2018). with A. Shiel (Lead PI), A Kent. Co-PI.

Interactions between ocean acidification and eutrophication in estuaries: Modeling opportunities and limitations for shellfish restoration. NOAA-OAP (2015-2018). with J. Testa (lead PI), M. Kemp, J. Cornwell, M. Li, WJ Cai. Co-PI

Adapting Aquaculture to Changing Water Chemistry in the Pacific Northwest USDA-WRAC (2015-2019), with B. Hales, B. Haley, C. Langdon, A. Barton, B. Eudeline, and B. Warren. Lead PI.

Improving juvenile oyster survival through adaptation and screening of ocean acidification impacts (2014-2016) NOAA-Sea Grant Aquaculture, Lead PI

Sea Grass as Possible Ocean Acidification Refugia for Shellfish in a High CO2 World. (2014-2016), with B. Hales. Oregon Sea Grant, Lead PI

Resistance of Pacific Oyster Larvae and Juveniles to the Effects of Ocean Acidification. (2014-2016), with C.J. Langdon, E. Myer. Oregon Sea Grant, Co-PI.

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

Developing realistic metrics of acidification stress for commercially important bivalves in variable habitats. (2012-2015), with B. Hales, and C. Langdon. Oregon Sea Grant. Lead PI

Ocean Acidification Category 1: A mechanistic understanding of the impacts of ocean acidification on the early life stages of marine bivalves. (2010-2015), with B. Hales, C. Langdon, and B. Haley. NSF-CRI/OA #1041267. Lead PI

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

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

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

Current

OEAS 540 Biogeochemical Earth. Co-instructor with Dr. Fred Prahl (winter term 2010-2014) lead instructor with Laurie Juranek (winter 2015-current)

Check out student Wikipedia work from Winter 2016

Summary of OEAS540 Wikipedia Outcomes

OEAS 500 Cascadia. Co-instructor Dr. Rick Colwell (2017-2019), Contributor (2011-2021)

GEO 484 Introduction to Biogeochemistry (Winter 2023, 2025)

Previous

OC 333 Oceans, Coasts, and People. Co-instructor with Dr. Flaxen Conway (spring term 2013)
OC 505, “Ocean Acidification and Bivalves,” Winter 2010

BIOL 380.01, “Topics in Biology: Biostatistics,” Fall 2008, St. Mary’s College of Maryland

Graduate Students

Rebecca Mabardy, M.S. (2011-2013) Marine Resource Management (Founder, Seas the Day Oyster Bar)
Elizabeth Brunner, M.S. (2011-2013), Ocean Ecology and Biogeochemistry (Conservation Scientist, Round River Conservation Studies)
Stephanie Smith, M.S. (2012-2016), Marine Resource Management (Research Technician, Scripps Institute of Oceanography)
Iria Gimenez, Fulbright Scholar, Ph.D. (2011-2018), Ocean Ecology and Biogeochemistry (Scientist, Hakai Institute)
Steven Pacella, Ph.D. (2014-2018), Ocean Ecology and Biogeochemistry (Ecologist, US EPA)
Jessamyn Johnson, M.S. (2016-2019), Ocean Ecology and Biogeochemistry
Michelle Nguyen, M.S. (2019-2021), Ocean Ecology and Biogeochemistry (Budget Formulation Analyst, NOAA Budget Office)
Tristen Myers, M.S. (2020-2022), Ocean Ecology and Biogeochemistry (Earth Scientist, Pacific Northwest National Labs)
Erin Tully, M.S. (2020-present), Ocean Ecology and Biogeochemistry
Ben Epley. M.S. (2023-present), Ocean Ecology and Biogeochemistry

Appointments and Awards

Graduate Program Director, Ocean, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences (2019-2023)

OSU Outreach and Engagement Vice Provost Award for Excellence, Strategic Impact Award (2016)
Associate Editor, Limnology and Oceanography: Methods (2012-2022)
Member Editorial Board, Journal of Shellfish Research (2012- present)
Pattullo Gradaute Education Award, CEOAS (2014)
MRM Faculty Award, MRM-CEOAS (2014)
Excellence in Reviewing, Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology (2012)

Publications

Google Scholar Profile

*Supervised Undergraduate Student (when work was completed), **Supervised Graduate Student

Waldbusser, G.G., I. Gimenez**, C.P. Allen**, S.R. Pacella**, B.A. Haley, B. Hales, K.J. Kroeker (in revision) What environmental variable is more important in regulating biocalcification, saturation state and substrate-inhibitor ratio? A re-analysis of existing experimental data.

Pacella, S.R.**, C.A. Brown, R.G. Labiosa, B. Hales, T.C. Mochon-Collura, W. Evans, G.G. Waldbusser (2024) Feedbacks Between Estuarine Metabolism and Anthropogenic CO2 Accelerate Local Rates of Ocean Acidification and Hasten Threshold Exceedances. JGR Oceans 129, e2023JC020313. doi.org/10.1029/2023JC020313

Pacella, S.R.**, C.A. Brown, R.G. Labiosa, B. Hales, T.C. Mochon-Collura, G.G. Waldbusser (2024) Quantifying the combined impacts of anthropogenic CO2 emissions and watershed alteration on estuary acidification at biologically-relevant time scales: a case study from Tillamook Bay, OR, USA. Frontiers in Marine Science. DOI 10.3389/fmars.2024.1293955

Santitissadeekorn, N., Meile, C., Bollt, E., & Waldbusser, G. (2023). Parametric approach to promote a divergence-free flow in the image-based motion estimation with application to bioirrigation. European Journal of Applied Mathematics, 34(2), 346-366.

Ward, M., T.L. Kindinger, H.K. Hirsh, T.M. Hill, B.M. Jellison, S. Lummis, E.B. Rivest, G.G. Waldbusser, B. Gaylord, K.J. Kroeker (2022) Review and Syntheses: Spatial and temporal patterns in seagrass metabolic fluxes. Biogeosciences 19: 689-699.

Haugen, B.I., F. L.A. Cramer, G.G. Waldbusser, F.D.L. Conway (2021) Resilience and adaptive capacity of Oregon's fishing community: Cumulative impacts of climate change and graying of the fleet. Marine Policy 126: 104424.

Muething, K.A. F. Thomas, G.G. Waldbusser, B.R. Dumbauld (2020) On the edge: Assessing fish habitat use across the boundary between Pacific oyster aquaculture and ellgrass in Waillapa Bay, WA, USA. Aquaculuture Environment Interactions 12: 541-557.

Su, J., WJ Cai, J. Brodeur, B. Chen, N. Hussain, Y. Yao, C. Ni, J.M. Testa, M. Li, X. Xie, W. Ni, K.M. Scaboo, Y. Xu, J. Cornwell, C. Gurbisz, M.S. Owens, G.G. Waldbusser, M. Dai, W.M. Kemp(2020) Chesapeake Bay acidification buffered by spatially decoupled carbonate mineral cycling. Nature Geoscience 13: 441–447 (2020).

Waldbusser, G.G. (2019) Ocean acidification primer and introduction to special issue. Journal of Shellfish Research 38: 707-710.

Durland E., G.G. Waldbusser, C.J. Langdon (2019) Comparison of larval development in domesticated and naturalized stocks of the Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas exposed to high pCO2 conditions. Marine Ecology Progress Series 621: 107-125

Dumbauld, B.R., J.L. Rusenick, G.G. Waldbusser (2019) Spatial planning for shellfish aquaculture and seagrasses in US West Coast estuaries: considerations for adapting to an uncertain climate. Bull Jap Fish Res Edu

Shen, C, J.M. Testa, M. Li, WJ Cai, G.G. Waldbusser, W. Ni, W. M. Kemp, J. Cornwell, B. Chen, J. Brodeur, J. Su (2019) Controls on Carbonate System Dynamics in a Coastal Plain Estuary: A Modeling Study. JGR Biogeosciences

Gimenez, I.**, G.G. Waldbusser, C.J. Langdon, B.R. Hales (2019) The Dynamic Ocean Acidification Manipulation Experimental System (DOAMES): Separating carbonate variables and simulating natural variability. Limnology and Oceanography: Methods

Gimenez, I**, G.G. Waldbusser, B. Hales (2018) Ocean acidification stress index for shellfish (OASIS): Linking Pacific oyster larval survival and exposure to variable carbonate chemistry regimes. Elem Sci Anth. 6:51 DOI: doi.org/10.1525/elementa.306

Pacella, S.R.**, C.A. Brown, G.G. Waldbusser, R.G. Labiosa, and B. Hales (2018) Seagrass habitat metabolism increases short-term extremes and long-term offset of CO2 under future ocean acidification. Proceedings of the National Academies of Science

Haley, B.A., B. Hales, E.L. Brunner**, K. Kovalchik*, G.G. Waldbusser (2018) Mechanisms to explain elemental composition of the initial agagonite shell of larval oysters. Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems

Cai, W.J., W.J. Huang, G. Luther, III, D. Pierrot, M. Xue, A. Joesoef, R. Mann, M. Li, J. Testa, J. Brodeur, B. Chen, G.G. Waldbusser, J. Cornwell, and W.M. Kemp (2017) Redox reactions and weak buffer capacity lead to acidification in the Chesapeake Bay. Nature Communications 8, 369

Bednarsek, N., R.A. Feely, N. Tolimieri, A.J. Hermann, S.A. Siedlecki, G.G. Waldbusser, P. McElhany, S.R. Alin, T. Klinger, B. Moore-Maley, H.H. Portner (2017) Expsoure history determines pteropod vulnerability to ocean acidification along the US West Coast. Nature Scientific Reports 7: 4526

Gray, M.W.**, C.J. Langdon, G.G. Waldbusser, B. Hales, S. Kramer (2017) Mechanistic understanding of ocean acidification impacts on larval feeding physiology and energy budgets of the mussel Mytilus californianus. Marine Ecology Progress Series 563: 81-94.

Pendleton, L., A. Comte., C. Langdon, J. Ekstrom, S. Cooley, L. Suatoni, M. Beck, L. Brander, L. Burke, J. Cinner, C. Doherty, P. Edwards, D. Gledhill, L. Jiang, R. van Hooidonk, L. Teh, G. G. Waldbusser, and J. Ritter (2016) Coral Reefs and People in a High-CO2 World: Where Can Science Make a Difference to People? PLOSone.

Media Coverage: Science Daily, Washington Post, Science World Report, Yuba Net

Miller, C.A* and G.G. Waldbusser (2016) A post-larval development model of hard clam (Mercenaria mercenaria) response to multi-stressors: temperature and acidification severity. Marine Ecology Progress Series 558:35-49

Hales B., A. Suhrbier, G.G. Waldbusser, R.A. Feely, and J. Newton (2016) The carbonate chemistry of the ‘fattening line’, Willapa Bay, 2011-2014. Estuaries and Coasts doi:10.1007/s12237-016-0136-7

Waldbusser, G.G. (2016) Olympic Resistance to Acidification. Biosphere 18: 32-39.

Brunner, E.L.**, F.G. Prahl, B. Hales, G.G. Waldbusser (2016) Insights from Stable Isotopes into the Sensitivity of Larval Pacific Oysters to Ocean Acidification. Marine Ecology Progress Series 555:109-123.

Waldbusser, G.G., M.W. Gray**, B. Hales, C.J. Langdon, B.A. Haley, I. Gimenez**, S. Smith**, E.L. Brunner**, G. Huthinson (2016) Slow shell building, a trait for resiliency to acute ocean acidification impacts. Limnology and Oceanography DOI: 10.1002/lno.10348.

Media Coverage: Popular Science, CBC Radio, Oregonian, NPR, Science Daily,

Perez, C.A., N.A. Lagos, G.S. Salidas, G.G. Waldbusser, C.A. Vargas (2016) Riverine discharges impact physiological traits and carbon sources for shell carbonate in the marine intertidal mussel Perumytilus purpuratus Limnology and Oceanography 61: 969-983.

Waldbusser, G.G., B. Hales, B.A. Haley (2016) Comment: Calcium carbonate saturation state: on myths and this or that stories. ICES Journal of Marine Science 73: 563-568.

Dornhoffer, T.M.**, G.G. Waldbusser, C. Meile (2015) A modeling study of lugworm irrigation behavior effects on sediment nitrogen cycling. Marine Ecology Progress Series 534: 121–134.

Mabardy, R.A.**, G.G. Waldbusser, F. Conway, C.S. Olsen (2015) The U.S. West Coast Shellfish Industry’s Perception and Response to Ocean Acidification: The Voice of the Canaries in the Coal Mine. Journal of Shellfish Research 34(2):565-572.

Media Coverage: Climate Wire, Register-Guard, Corvallis Advocate, Eurasia Review, Register-Guard Op-Ed

Barton, A., G.G. Waldbusser, R.A. Feely, S.B. Weisberg, J. Newton, B. Hales, S. Cudd, B. Eudeline, C.J. Langdon, I. Jefferds, T. King, K. McLaughlin (2015) Impacts of Coastal Acidification on the Pacific Northwest Shellfish Industry and Adaptation Strategies Implemented in Response. Oceanography 28:146–159.

Waldbusser, G.G., B. Hales, C.J. Langdon, B.A. Haley, P. Schrader, E.L. Brunner**, M.W. Gray**, C.A. Miller*, I. Gimenez**, G.Hutchinson (2015) Ocean acidification has multiple modes of action on bivalve larvae. PLOSOne DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0128376

J. Ekstrom, L. Suatoni, S. Cooley , L. Pendleton, G.G. Waldbusser, J. Cinner, J. Ritter, C. Langdon, R. van Hooidonk, D. Gledhill, K. Wellman, M. Beck, L. Brander, D. Rittschof, C. Doherty, P. Edwards, R. Portela (2015) Vulnerability and adaptation of US shellfisheries to ocean acidification. Nature Climate Change 5: 207–214 Interactive Data Map

Media Coverage: CBSNews, The Guardian, The Weather Channel, Science, Mother Jones, Sydney Morning Herald,NPR, CS Monitor,

Waldbusser, G.G. B. Hales, C.J. Langdon, B.A. Haley, P. Schrader, E.L. Brunner**, M.W. Gray**, C.A. Miller*, I. Gimenez** (2015) Saturation-state sensitivity of marine bivalve larvae to ocean acidification. Nature Climate Change 5: 273–280.

Media Coverage: Skeptical Science, The Oregonian, Discovery News, Phys Org, Press Release in Espanol, Ensia, OPB Think Out Loud, Southern Fried Science

Waldbusser, G.G. and J.E. Salisbury (2014) Ocean Acidification in the Coastal Zone from an Organism’s Perspective: Multiple System Parameters, Frequency Domains, and Habitats. Annual Reviews in Marine Science 6: 221-247.

Waldbusser, G.G., E. L. Brunner**, B.A. Haley, B. Hales, C. J. Langdon, and F. G. Prahl (2013) A developmental and energetic basis linking larval oyster shell formation to ocean acidification. Geophysical Research Letters 40: 2171-2176.

Media Coverage: OPB, NBC News, Phys Org, KVAL, Science News, Groks Radio Show Interview (Featured on Science 360 Radio), Forbes

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 94: 895-903. Invited Contribution

Media Coverage: NY Times, Discovery News, Yahoo News, Take Part

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 and Coasts 36: 18-27.

Washington State Blue Ribbon Panel on Ocean Acidification, Ocean Acidification: From Knowledge to Action, Washington State’s Strategic Response (2012)

Media Coverage: Nature News, LA Times, Seattle Times, Sightline

Washington State Blue Ribbon Panel on Ocean Acidification, Scientific Summary of Ocean Acidification in Washington State Marine Waters (2012)

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. Limnology and Oceanography 57: 698-710.

Media Coverage: C-CAN Summary, KBOO

Dornhoffer T.**, G.G. Waldbusser, C. Meile (2012) The role of burrow patchiness and sediment reactivity on oxygen dynamics. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 412: 81-86.

Waldbusser, G. G., R. A. Steenson*, and M. A. Green. (2011). Oyster shell dissolution rates in estuarine waters: Effects of pH and shell legacy. Journal of Shellfish Research 30: 659-669.

Most Read Article Status in Journal of Shellfish Research (June 2012 to August 2013)

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

Media Coverage: Gazette-Times, Science Daily

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.

Media Coverage: Baltimore Sun, Science Daily, Washington Post, Maryland NPR,

Waldbusser, G.G., H. Bergschneider, M.A. Green (2010) Size-dependent pH effect on calcification in post-larval hard clam Mercenaria spp. Marine Ecology Progress Series 417:171-182.

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. Journal of Marine Research 67: 503-532.

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. Limnology and Oceanography 54: 1037-1047.

Waldbusser, G.G. and R.L. Marinelli (2006) Macrofaunal modification of porewater advection: The role of species function, species interaction, and kinetics. Marine Ecology Progress Series 311: 217-231. Invited Contribution

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. Limnology and Oceanography 49: 1482-1492.