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Paul Hill's Research Page

Overview

We study mud. Mud is the term for sediment with a mean grain diameter smaller than 63 micrometres. It is the dominant surface cover on the face of the Earth, yet we know astonishingly little about it. Our lack of knowledge derives from the complexity of mud as a substance. It comprises many small inorganic particles that freely bind with organic matter in the environment. This complex admixture has cohesive properties that fundamentally alter the packaging and transport of sediment grains in the natural world.

We take a multi-faceted approach to the study of mud. We use field studies to explore small-scale, basic processes of erosion, deposition and transport, and we use models to extend those basic findings to larger scale predictions regarding the fate of mud in the ocean.

I am always interested in finding eager students or collaborators to join in our research. As well, we are happy to share our data. Please contact me if you are interested.

Some Current Research Topics

With support from the U. S. Office of Naval Research OASIS project, we are investigating how the size distribution and concentration of fine suspended sediment affects the transmission of optical and acoustical energy through the water column.
With support from NSERC, we are investigating how particle size distributions in sediments can help to reconstruct environmental conditions in Earth's past.
With support from the U. S. Office of Naval Research Tidal Flats DRI, we are investigating how particle size affects the erodibility and trafficability of intertidal mud flats.
With support from NSERC, we are investigating how the interaction of oil droplets and mud is affected by particle size distribution and sediment concentration.