Department of Geological Sciences
	Simon C. BRASSELL Molecular Biogeochemistry Professor of Geological Sciences     Department of Geological Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405-1403     ‘Phone (812) 855-3786; Fax (812) 855-7961; Email: simon"at"indiana.edu Degrees:     B.Sc. Chemistry & Geology (Class I), University of Bristol, U.K. (1976)     Ph.D. Organic Geochemistry, University of Bristol, U.K. (1980) Awards:     Royal Society University Research Fellowship     David and Lucile Packard Fellowship for Science & Engineering     Fellow, Hanse-Wissenschaftskolleg     2006 Best Paper Award, Organic Geochemistry Division of the Geochemical Society
	Full Curriculum Vita (as pdf file)	Brassell.pdf
Research Activities: A Summary of Major Areas of Interest: Determination, assessment, and interpretation of molecular and isotopic characteristics of organic matter to identify biogeochemical processes associated with carbon cycling in modern and ancient natural systems. Activities focused on the exploration and application of biomarkers, and their isotopic signatures, as environmental, paleoclimatic, stratigraphic and geochemical tools to better understand: Environmental and climatic signals recorded in the temporal and spatial variations of the molecular and isotopic characteristics of sedimentary organic matter. The capacity of molecular and isotopic signals to reflect controls on primary production and factors that affect the survival of organic matter in sediments, particularly evidence of microbial communities and processes. The evolutionary progression of life through time, especially biosynthetic responses preserved in the biogeochemical carbon cycle that are related to global perturbations of the ocean and atmosphere. Depositional controls on the formation of petroleum source rocks and influences on the generation, composition, and biodegradation of petroleums, and the fate of hydrocarbons in the environment.
Research Projects: Recently Completed, Currently Funded, Exploratory Areas. Projects representative of opportunities for research, including collaborative activities, which are, or have been, supported by NSF, NOAA, JOI/USSSP, PRF/ACS and other funding agencies: Evolution of temperature controls on alkenone biosynthesis linked to global cooling during the Paleogene, development of alkenone unsaturation and the paleotemperature proxy UK37.  Biogeochemistry of Early Aptian oceanic anoxic event (ODP Leg 198; Shatsky Rise): high-resolution stratigraphy of molecular and isotopic (13C, 2H, 15N) characteristics reflecting depositional conditions and global climate, including assessment of ocean temperatures using TEX86. Molecular diversity in the sedimentary record: an assessment of compositional variations in biomarkers as a measure of biocomplexity through geological time. Investigation of the distributions and isotopic signatures of microbial lipids in extreme environments. Occurrence of spheroidal carbon particles in K/T boundary sediments. Projects include collaborative ventures with colleagues at Indiana University and elsewhere: At IU: Lisa Pratt, Arndt Schimmelmann, Peter Sauer, Maria Mastalerz, and others, their students and post-docs. Other collaborators and projects include: David Finkelstein (U. Tennessee, Knoxville): Bacterial wax esters in extreme environments; modeling of 13C isotope excursions and geological records of wildfires . Isabel Montañez (U. California, Davis): Biomarker and isotope records in Chinese loess and paleosols as measures of climate change. Stefan Schouten, Ellen Hopmans & Jaap Sinninghe Damsté (Royal Netherlands Inst. for Ocean Research): Assessment of ocean temperatures in the Mesozoic using the TEX86 proxy. Stuart Robinson (U. College London): Cretaceous oceanic anoxic events. Fabien Kenig (U. Illinois, Chicago); The sedimentary record of quaternary branched alkanes; alkenones in Antarctic sediments.
Research Facilities: Equipment within the Biogeochemical Laboratories: The Biogeochemical Laboratories are well equipped for investigations of the molecular and isotopic compositions of organic matter. The analytical instrumentation includes: Molecular mass spectrometers: Finnigan TSQ700 and Incos XL for biomarker analysis. Isotopic mass spectrometers: Two Finnigan MAT 252 instruments with continuous flow for analysis of 13C and 34S in gases and biomarkers; A Delta Plus XP with multiple periferals including Costech elemental analyzer, for continuous flow analysis of 2H, 13C, 15N and 18O. Gas chromatographs (FID, FID/FPD) for biomarker analyses. Accelerated solvent extractor (ASE-200) for automated extractions of sedimentary biomarkers. Analytical geochemistry laboratories with cold and freezer storage.
Recent Publications: Walker R.. Mastalerz M., Brassell S., Elswick E., Hower J. & Schimmelmann A. (2006) Chemistry of thermally altered high volatile bituminous coals from southern Indiana. International Journal of Coal Geology. doi:10.1016/j.coal.2006.06.009 Finkelstein D.B., Pratt L.M. & Brassell S.C. (2006) Can biomass burning produce a globally significant carbon-isotope excursion in the sedimentary record? Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 250, 501-510. doi:10.1016/j.epsl.2006.08.010 Dumitrescu M., Brassell S.C., Schouten S., Hopmans E. & Sinninghe-Damsté J.S. (2006) Instability in tropical sea surface temperatures during the Early Aptian. Geology 34, 833-836. doi: 10.1130/G22882.1 Dumitrescu M. & Brassell S.C. (2006) Compositional and isotopic characteristics of organic matter for the Early Aptian oceanic anoxic event at Shatsky Rise, ODP Leg 198. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 235, 168-191. doi:10.1016/j.palaeo.2005.09.028 Dumitrescu M. & Brassell S.C. (2005) Biogeochemical assessment of sources of organic matter and paleoproductivity during the Early Aptian oceanic anoxic event at Shatsky Rise, ODP Leg 198. Organic Geochemistry, 36, 1002-1022. doi:10.1016/j.orggeochem.2005.03.001 Finkelstein D.B., Pratt L.M., Brassell S.C., & Curtin, T.M. (2005) Wildfires and seasonal aridity  recorded in Late Cretaceous strata from southeastern Arizona. Sedimentology, 52, 587-599. doi:10.1111/j.1365-3091.2005.00712 Brassell S.C., Dumitrescu M., & ODP Leg 198 Shipboard Science Party. (2004) Recognition of alkenones in a lower Aptian porcellanite from the west-central Pacific. Organic Geochemistry, 35, 181-188. doi:10.1016/j.orggeochem.2003.09.003 Wang R.L., Brassell S.C., Scarpitta S.C., Zheng M.P., Zhang S.C., Hayde P.R. & Muench L.M. (2004) Steroids in sediments from Zabuye Salt Lake, western Tibet: diagenetic, ecological or climatic signals? Organic Geochemistry, 35, 157-168. doi:10.1016/j.orggeochem.2003.10.003 Villinski J.C., Hayes J.M., Villinski J.T. Brassell S.C., & Raff R.A. (2004) Carbon-isotopic shifts associated with heterotrophy and biosynthetic pathways in direct- and indirect-developing sea urchins. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 275, 139-151. Dumitrescu M., Finkelstein D.B., Lazar R.O., Schieber J. & Brassell S.C. (2004) Origin and history of bitumen in geodes of the New Albany shale. In Devonian Black Shales of the Eastern U.S. (eds. Schieber J. & Lazar R.) Indiana Geol. Survey Open-File Report, 04-05, 61-67.
Recent Published Abstracts: (Published Abstracts since 1998) Dumitrescu M., Brassell S.C., Schouten S., Hopmans E., Sinninghe Damsté J.S. (2006) Instability in tropical sea surface temperatures during the Early Aptian. Gordon Conference on Organic Geochemistry, Plymouth, NH, August. Hayes J.M., Villinski J.C. Brassell S.C. & Riggert V.L. (2006) Isotopic biogeochemical signals in sediments from the Ross Sea. Geochimica Cosmochimica Acta, 70 (18) Supplement, 18. doi:10.1016/j.gca.2006.06.481. V.M. Goldschmidt Conference, Melbourne, Australia, September. Finkelstein D.B., Brassell S.C., Pratt L.M. (2006) Molecular characteristics of desiccated microbial mats: 1. Evolution of wax esters as storage lipids. GSA Annual Meeting, Philadelphia, PA, October. Finkelstein D.B., Brassell S.C., Pratt L.M. (2006) Molecular characteristics of desiccated microbial mats: 2. Environmental constraints on lipid compositions. GSA Annual Meeting, Philadelphia, PA, October. Dumitrescu M., Brassell S.C. (2006) Elemental Enrichment in Sediments Corresponding to the Early Aptian Oceanic Anoxic Event at Shatsky Rise (Site 1207) AGU Fall Meeting, San Francisco, CA. December. Finkelstein D.B., Brassell S.C., Pratt L.M. (2006) Can Peat Fires Produce a Globally Significant Carbon-Isotope Excursion in the Sedimentary Record? AGU Fall Meeting, San Francisco, CA. December. Robinson S.A. Clarke, L.J., Nederbragt A., Wood I.G., Brassell S.C. (2006) Oceanic Anoxic Events in the Early Cretaceous Pacific Ocean: Unique Records From the Calera Limestone of Central California AGU Fall Meeting, San Francisco, CA. December. Schouten S., Forster A., Hopmans E.C., Wagner T., Stusser I., Dumitrescu M., Brassell S.C., Sinninghe Damsté J.S. (2005) Reconstruction of sea surface temperatures during Cretaceous oceanic anoxic events using archaeal paleothermometry. AGU Fall Meeting, San Francisco, CA. December. Dumitrescu M., Brassell S.C., Schouten S., Hopmans E., Sinninghe Damsté J.S. (2005) Cooling cycles linked to carbon isotopic shifts during the Early Aptian Oceanic Anoxic Event. AGU Fall Meeting, San Francisco, CA. December. Finkelstein D.B., Pratt L.M. Brassell S.C. Montañez I.P. (2005) Impact of atmosphere-sea exchange on the isotopic expression of carbon excursions: observations and modeling of OAE-1a. AGU Fall Meeting, San Francisco, CA. December. Walker R.. Mastalerz M., Brassell S., Elswick E., Hower J., Schimmelmann A. (2005) Chemistry of thermally altered high volatile bituminous coals from southern Indiana. Society for Organic Petrography, Lexington, KY, September. Kenig F., Brassell S.C., Nelson R.K., Frysinger G.S., Reddy C.S. & Gaines R.B. (2005, accepted) A cornucopia of hopanoids: revisiting the Thornton quarry bitumen (Thorton, Illinois, USA). 22nd International Meeting on Organic Geochemistry, Sevilla, Spain, September. Dumitrescu M. & Brassell S.C. (2005) Elemental and isotopic records of the Early Aptian oceanic anoxic event from Shatsky Rise. 22nd International Meeting on Organic Geochemistry, Sevilla, Spain, September. Bish D.L., Finkelstein D.B. & Brassell S.C. (2005) Naturally occurring organic compounds in Washington and German nontronites, 13th Int. Clay Conf., Tokyo, Japan, August. Bralower T. J. Bralower T.J, Brassell S.C., Dutton A., Frank T.D., Gibbs S.J., Petrizzo M.-R., Premoli Silva I., Röhl U., Thomas D.J., Zachos J.C. (2005) 120 Million Year Record of Oceanography of the Tropical Pacific: A Compilation of Results from Ocean Drilling Program Leg 198. ESP2, Calgary, Canada, August. Dumitrescu M., Finkelstein D., Lazar O.R., Schieber J. & Brassell S. (2005) Origin and history of bitumen in geodes of the New Albany shale. American Association of Petroleum Geologists Annual Meeting, Calgary, Canada, June. Brassell S.C. & Kenig, F (2005) Suites of branched alkanes with quaternary carbon atoms in Miocene and Cretaceous sediments from Shatsky Rise, west-central Pacific, ODP Leg 198. European Union of Geosciences Meeting, Vienna, Austria, April. Brassell S.C. (2005) Developments in Biomarker Geochemistry: the evolution from structural enquiry to paleoclimate proxies. American Chemical Society Meeting, San Diego, CA, March.
Undergraduate and Graduate Courses: Undergraduate classes involving interactive learning, which have been aided by development and assessment grants, and recognized by four teaching awards: G104: "Evolution of the Earth." An investigation of the 5-billion-year history of the Earth based on the rock record (http://www.indiana.edu/~geol104/home.html). G131: “Oceans and Our Global Environment.” An oceanography course for non-science majors with on-line web-based exercises (http://www.indiana.edu/~g131/home.html). G302: “Development of the Global Environment.” An exploration of Earth history focused on its development, its atmosphere, oceans and continents, the evolution of life, catastrophic events and climate change (http://www.indiana.edu/~g302/home.html) Graduate classes in aspects of biogeochemistry, supplemented by training in analytical techniques and seminars in topical areas of interdisciplinary research: G587: “Organic Geochemistry.”  A comprehensive exploration of measurement and applications of molecular and isotopic characteristics of organic matter focused on principles and processes. G690: “Biogeochemistry.”  An interdisciplinary examination of the characteristics of biogeochemical processes involved in the global carbon cycle and affecting Earth’s climate history. <>Graduate seminars in aspects of biogeochemistry: G690: “Organic Geochemical Stratigraphy.” Examination of temporal changes in biogeochemical records and the causes of their variability through exploration and evaluation of records from marine and lacustrine settings, and from modern and ancient systems. G690: “Petroleum Geochemistry.”  Examination of the chemistry of petroleum, with a focus on the origins and fate of molecular constituents, especially controls on their occurrence and abundance and assessment of their applications in petroleum geoscience. G690: "Paleoclimatology." Exploration of the principles and application of tools used to measure, assess, interpret, and explain patterns and processes of climate change throughout Earth history. Teaching  Publications: Newsletters about the IU Bloomington Course Portfolio Initiative within the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SOTL) Program. (Fall01) (Spring03)
Service Roles on major committees within the Department and University, and aspects of professional service: Department: Graduate Studies Committee Chair 1996-2003; Currently Policy Committee Member; Recently Computer Committee Chair; Acting Chair for part of 2000; Member or Chair of seven faculty search committees since 1993. University: Member, College Policy Committee 2006-2009; Member, General Education Committee, 2006-2008; Member, Bloomington Faculty Council, 2003-2005; Member of the Advisory Council for SOTL; Chair of Course Portfolio Initiative, a vehicle enabling peer review of teaching sponsored by the Dean of Faculties; Member of the IU SOTL Academy. Professional: Review panelist for Geology and Paleontology, NSF, 199-; Reviewer for national and international interdisciplinary journals and funding programs; Previously Associate Editor for Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta and Organic Geochemistry. Former member, Council of the European Association of Organic Geochemists.
Student Advisees Advisor or co-advisor of 17 Ph.D. students, 4 M.S. students, 3 postdoctoral assistants, and 3 undegraduates. Recent graduates: Rachel Walker (Ph.D., 2005), Mark Harvey (M.S. 2006) and Mirela Dumitrescu (Ph.D. 2006). Research committee member of a further 27 Ph.D. students and 8 M.S. students. Former advisees hold university academic appointments; positions in industry, education, and government agencies.