Dr. Stephen K. Hamilton

Ecosystem Ecologist, Biogeochemist | PhD, University of California at Santa Barbara

Expertise
wetlands, streams, rivers and lakes, agricultural ecology, water quality, tropical rivers, floodplains

845 677-7600 x237

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Stephen Hamilton’s principal research interests involve ecosystem ecology and biogeochemistry, with particular emphasis on water. He has studied wetlands, streams, lakes, reservoirs, and watersheds, as well as agricultural cropping systems and their effects on water and climate. His research draws on multiple disciplines to understand and mitigate environmental problems and inform environmental protection and conservation.

Hamilton’s research publications include studies of nutrient cycling, greenhouse gas emissions, invasive species, food webs, remote sensing, conservation planning, and hydrology. He has received awards for his engagement with environmental issues from the Michigan Environmental Council and the Society for Freshwater Science, and is a Fellow of that society.

Hamilton has conducted a variety of studies in tropical floodplain and river ecosystems of South America and Australia, and presently works with several research groups in Brazil on hydropower effects on river systems.

Hamilton also works part-time as a Professor at Michigan State University’s Kellogg Biological Station. Here, Hamilton has recently served as the Lead Principal Investigator of the National Science Foundation’s Long Term Ecological Research site. He is also a Project Leader in the Department of Energy’s Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center.

Inorganic carbon isotope systematics in soil profiles undergoing silicate and carbonate weathering (Southern Michigan, USA)
Jin, Lixin, Nives Ogrinc, Stephen K. Hamilton, Kathryn Szramek, Tjasa Kanduc, and Lynn M. Walter. 2009. “Inorganic Carbon Isotope Systematics in Soil Profiles Undergoing Silicate and Carbonate Weathering (Southern Michigan, USA)”. Chemical Geology 264 (1-4): 139-53. doi:10.1016/j.chemgeo.2009.03.002.
Nitrate removal in stream ecosystems measured by <sup>15</sup>N addition experiments: Denitrification
Mulholland, Patrick J., Robert O. Hall, Daniel J. Sobota, Walter K. Dodds, Stuart E. G. Findlay, Nancy B Grimm, Stephen K. Hamilton, et al. 2009. “Nitrate Removal in Stream Ecosystems Measured by <sup>15< Sup>N Addition Experiments: Denitrification”. Limnology and Oceanography 54 (3): 666-80. doi:10.4319/lo.2009.54.3.0666.
Nitrate removal in stream ecosystems measured by <sup>15</sup>N addition experiments: Total uptake
Hall, Robert O., Jennifer L. Tank, Daniel J. Sobota, Patrick J. Mulholland, Jonathan M. O’Brien, Walter K. Dodds, Jackson R. Webster, et al. 2009. “Nitrate Removal in Stream Ecosystems Measured by <sup>15< Sup>N Addition Experiments: Total Uptake”. Limnology and Oceanography 54 (3): 653-65. doi:10.4319/lo.2009.54.3.0653.
Seasonal effects of zebra mussels on littoral nitrogen transformation rates in Gull Lake, Michigan, USA
Bruesewitz, Denise A., Jennifer L. Tank, and Stephen K. Hamilton. 2009. “Seasonal Effects of Zebra Mussels on Littoral Nitrogen Transformation Rates in Gull Lake, Michigan, USA”. Freshwater Biology 54 (7): 1427-43. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2427.2009.02195.x.
Sediment nitrate manipulation using porewater equilibrators reveals potential for N and S coupling in freshwaters
Payne, E. K., Amy J. Burgin, and Stephen K. Hamilton. 2009. “Sediment Nitrate Manipulation Using Porewater Equilibrators Reveals Potential for N and S Coupling in Freshwaters”. Aquatic Microbial Ecology 54: 233-41. doi:10.3354/ame01272.
Biogenic calcite-phosphorus precipitation as a negative feedback to lake eutrophication
Hamilton, Stephen K., Denise A. Bruesewitz, Geoffrey P. Horst, David B. Weed, and Orlando Sarnelle. 2009. “Biogenic Calcite-Phosphorus Precipitation As a Negative Feedback to Lake Eutrophication”. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 66 (2): 343-50. doi:10.1139/F09-003.
Assimilatory uptake rather than nitrification and denitrification determines nitrogen removal patterns in streams of varying land use
Arango, Clay P., J.L. Tank, L. T. Johnson, and Stephen K. Hamilton. 2008. “Assimilatory Uptake Rather Than Nitrification and Denitrification Determines Nitrogen Removal Patterns in Streams of Varying Land Use”. Limnology and Oceanography 53 (6): 2558-72. doi:10.4319/lo.2008.53.6.2558.
Invasive zebra mussels (<i>Dreissena polymorpha</i>) increase cyanobacterial toxin concentrations in low-nutrient lakes
Knoll, Lesley B., Orlando Sarnelle, Stephen K. Hamilton, Carrie E. H. Kissman, Alan E. Wilson, Joan B. Rose, and Mechelle R. Morgan. 2008. “Invasive Zebra Mussels (<i>Dreissena polymorpha< I>) Increase Cyanobacterial Toxin Concentrations in Low-Nutrient Lakes”. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 65 (3): 448-55. doi:10.1139/F07-181.
Mineral weathering rates in glacial drift soils (SW Michigan, USA): New constraints from seasonal sampling of waters and gases at soil monoliths
Jin, Lixin, Stephen K. Hamilton, and Lynn M. Walter. 2008. “Mineral Weathering Rates in Glacial Drift Soils (SW Michigan, USA): New Constraints from Seasonal Sampling of Waters and Gases at Soil Monoliths”. Chemical Geology 249 (1-2): 129-54. doi:10.1016/j.chemgeo.2007.12.002.
NO<sub>3</sub><sup>-</sup>-driven SO<sub>4</sub><sup>2-</sup> production in freshwater ecosystems: Implications for N and S cycling
Burgin, Amy J., and Stephen K. Hamilton. 2008. “NO<sub>3</sub><sup>-</sup>-Driven/SO<sub>4</sub><sup>2-</sup>/Production/in/Freshwater/Ecosystems:/Implications/for/N/and/S/Cycling”. Ecosystems 11 (6): 908-22. doi:10.1007/s10021-008-9169-5.