As a Professor in the Department of Geology & Environmental Science, Dr. Elliott’s research group examines the tight coupling between human activities and reactive nitrogen distributions in atmosphere, terrestrial and aquatic systems across spatial scales using stable isotope biogeochemistry. Her research group has advanced knowledge by developing and applying novel stable isotope techniques to challenging questions regarding the impact of human activities on reactive nitrogen distributions and dynamics. Her research approach is multi-faceted and transdisciplinary, pulling from the fields of biogeochemistry, isotope geochemistry, atmospheric chemistry, hydrology, aquatic and terrestrial ecology, and geography.
Dr. Emily Elliott is Director and co-founder of the Pittsburgh Collaboratory for Water Research, Education, and Outreach that bridges efforts in water research, governance, and action at the University of Pittsburgh. She is trained as a Science Ambassador through the National Academies of Sciences “Science & Engineering Ambassador Program” and the 2018 recipient of the American Geophysical Union’s Sulzman Award for Excellence in Education and Mentoring. She is passionate about the importance of interdisciplinary geosciences for addressing sustainability challenges, advancing diversity and inclusion in the geosciences, community-engaged research, and science communication.
Divers MT, Elliott, EM, Bain, DJ. 2014. Quantification of Nitrate Sources to an Urban Stream Using Dual Nitrate Isotopes. Environmental Science & Technology. 48(18): 10,580-10,587. pdf
Rose L, Elliott, EM, Adams, MB. 2015. Triple nitrate isotopes indicate differing nitrate source contributions to streams across a nitrogen saturate gradient. Ecosystems. DOI: 10.1007/s10021-015-9891-8. pdf.
Elliott, EM, *Yu Z, Cole AS, *Coughlin JG. 2019. Isotopic advances in understanding reactive nitrogen deposition and atmospheric processing. Science of the Total Environment. Special Issue on Reactive Nitrogen Deposition. 662:393-403. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.12.177
Coughlin JG, Elliott EM, Rose LA, Pekney N, Reeder M. 2020. Quantifying atmospheric reactive nitrogen concentrations, deposition, and isotope dynamics surrounding a Marcellus Shale well pad. Atmospheric Environment. 223: 117196. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2019.117196. pdf
Yu, Z and Elliott, EM. 2017. A novel method for nitrogen isotopic analysis of soil-emitted nitric oxide (NO). Published online May 3, 2017. Environmental Science & Technology. DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.7b00592. pdf.
Divers MT, Elliott, EM, Bain, DJ. 2013. Constraining nitrogen inputs to urban streams from leaking sewer infrastructure using inverse modeling: Implications for DIN retention in urban environments. Environmental Science & Technology. 47: 1816-1823. DOI: 10.1021/es304331m. pdf
Our Research in the Elliott Laboratory group examines the tight coupling between human activities and reactive nitrogen distributions in atmospheric, terrestrial and hydrologic systems at multiple spatial scales using stable isotope biogeochemistry. These coupled relationships are investigated in agricultural, energy production, transportation, and human-built environments to determine how best to manage inputs of reactive nitrogen to protect water quality, air quality, ecosystem and human health.