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Florida Atlantic University
GIS CENTER | CENTER FOR ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES | ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES PROGRAM | GSA | AAG | FSG
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 Dr. Xavier Comas

Xavier Comas, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor

Email  xcomas@fau.edu
Phone (954) 236-1569
Office SE 460, DW 330
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Education

Ph.D. Rutgers University, 2005
 
B.Sc., Universitat de Barcelona (Spain), 2000

Research Interests

Hydrogeophysics: environmental applications in wetlands and karst environments

Peatland Geophysics: Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR), Resistivity and Induced Polarization (IP) imaging, EM31, with emphasis in carbon cycling

Electrical and hydrological properties of organic sediments: electrical IP properties of peat; hydraulic measurements in organic sediments, methane quantification and genesis in peat soils

Teaching

GLYC6934 Environmental Geophysics
GLYC6934 Ground Penetrating Radar
GLYC6934 Wetlands Geosciences
GLYC4451: Solid Earth Geophysics
GLYC4700 Geomorphology
GLYC4400 Structural Geology


Recent Publications and Presentations

PEER-REVIEWED JOURNAL ARTICLES:

Parsekian, A., Comas, X., Slater, L., and Glaser, P. Geophysical evidence for the lateral distribution of free-phase gas at the peat basin scale in a large northern peatland. Journal of Geophysical Research-Biogeosciences, 2010JG001543, In Press

Comas, X., Slater, L., and Reeve, A. 2011. Pool patterning in a northern peatland: geophysical evidence for the role of postglacial landforms. Journal of Hydrology, 399 (3-4): 173-184

Parsekian, A., Slater, L., Comas, X. and Glaser, P., 2010.  A comparison of biogenic gas accumulation between near-crest bogs and mid-slope lawns in the Glacial Lake Agassiz peatland using ground penetrating radar (GPR): evidence for free-phase gas variation along the peat column, Journal of Geophysical Research-Biogeosciences, 115, G02002, doi:10.1029/2009JG001086.

Kettridge, N., Comas, X., Baird, A., Slater, L., Strack, M., Thompson, D., Jol, H., and Binley A. 2008. Ecohydrologically-important subsurface structures in peatlands are revealed by Ground-Penetrating Radar and resistivity measurements. Journal of Geophysical Research-Biogeosciences, 113, G04030, doi:10.1029/2008JG000787.  

Comas, X., Slater L., and Reeve A. 2008. Seasonal geophysical monitoring of biogenic gases in a northern peatland: Implications for temporal and spatial variability in free phase gas production rates, Journal of Geophysical Research-Biogeosciences, 113, G01012, doi:10.1029/2007JG000575.

Slater, L., Comas, X., Ntarlagiannis, D. and Roy Moulik, M., 2007, Resistivity-based monitoring of biogenic gasses in peat soils. Water Resources Research, In Press. Water Resources Research, 43, W10430, doi:10.1029/2007WR006090.

Comas, X. and Slater, L. 2007. Evolution of biogenic gasses in peat blocks inferred from non-invasive dielectric permittivity measurements. Water Resources Research, 43, W05424, doi: 10.1029/2006WR005562.

Comas, X., Slater, L., and Reeve, A., 2007. In situ monitoring of ebullition from a peatland using ground penetrating radar (GPR). Geophysical Research Letters, 34 (6), L06402, doi: 10.1029/2006GL029014.

Comas, X., Slater, L and Reeve, A., 2005. Geophysical and hydrological evaluation of two bog complexes in a Northern Peatland: Implications for the distribution of biogenic gasses at the basin scale. Global Biogeochemical Cycles, 19, GB4023, doi: 10.1029/2005GB002582.

Comas, X., Slater, L. and Reeve, A., 2005. Stratigraphic controls on pool formation in a domed bog inferred from ground penetrating radar (GPR). Journal of Hydrology, 315 (1-4), 40-51.

Comas, X., Slater, L and Reeve, A., 2005. Spatial variability in biogenic gas accumulations in peat soils is revealed by ground penetrating radar (GPR). Geophysical Research Letters, 32 (8), L08401, doi: 10.1029/2004GL022297.

Comas, X. and Slater, L., 2004. Low-frequency electrical properties of peat. Water Resources Research, 40 (12), W12414, doi: 10.1029/2004WR003534.

Comas, X., Slater, L. and Reeve, A., 2004. Geophysical evidence for peat basin morphology and stratigraphic controls on vegetation observed in a northern peatland. Journal of Hydrology, 295, 173-184.


EDITED BOOKS:

Baird, A., Belyea, L., Comas, X., Reeve, A. and Slater, L., 2009, Carbon Cycling in Northern Peatlands, Geophysical Monograph 184, American Geophysical Union (AGU), Washington DC, 299 pp

BOOK CHAPTERS:

Comas, X. and Slater, L, 2009, Non-Invasive Field-Scale Characterization of Gaseous-Phase Methane Dynamics in Peatlands Using the Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) Method: In, Baird, A., Belyea, L., Comas, X., Reeve, A. and Slater, L., Eds, Carbon Cycling in Northern Peatlands, Geophysical Monograph 184, American Geophysical Union (AGU), 159-172.

 Reeve, A, Comas, X. and Slater, L., 2009, The influence of permeable mineral lenses on peatland hydrology In, Baird, A., Belyea, L., Comas, X., Reeve, A. and Slater, L., Eds, Carbon Cycling in Northern Peatlands, , Geophysical Monograph 184, American Geophysical Union (AGU), 289-298.

Baird, A., Comas, X., Slater, L. Belyea, L. and Reeve, A.S., 2009, Understanding Carbon Cycling in Northern Peatlands: Recent Developments and Future Prospects, In, Baird, A., Belyea, L., Comas, X., Reeve, A. and Slater, L., Eds, Carbon Cycling in Northern Peatlands, Geophysical Monograph 184, American Geophysical Union (AGU), p 1-4.

Slater L., and Comas, X., 2009. The contribution of GPR to water resources research. Chapter 7 of Ground Penetrating Radar: Theory and Applications, Edited by H. Jol, Elsevier, 544 pp.

NEWS PIECES:

Slater, L., Comas, X., Reeve, A., and Jol, H. 2007. Peatlands geophysics workshop. Eos Trans. AGU, In Press. Eos Trans. AGU, In Press.
 

Recent Grants and Contracts

“Collaborative research: investigating hydrology-driven models for methane cycling in northern peatlands”, National Science Foundation (NSF) 1045084, $90,405; 01/01/11-2/28/14.

“Multi-Scale Characterization of Dissolution Structures and Porosity Distribution in the Upper Part of the Biscayne Aquifer Using Non-Invasive Electromagnetic Methods”, Environmental Sciences Everglades Fellowship Award, National Park Service, support for a PhD Fellow, $63,595, 08/01/09-05/06/11.

“Spatial and temporal distribution of biogenic gases in shallow peat soils using dielectric permittivity measurements: a comparative study between subtropical and northern peatlands at the laboratory scale”, Environmental Sciences Everglades Fellowship Intern Award, National Park Service, $10,340; 01/07/10-09/01/10.

“Stratigraphic characterization of groundwater-dependent ecosystems using electromagnetic methods in the Upper Deschutes Basin, Oregon.” Consortium of Universities for the Advancement of Hydrologic Sciences, Inc. (CUAHSI) Hydrogeophysics Travel Grant (NSF funded), $3,188; 02/09/11.

“Pilot study to characterize biogenic gas dynamics in a subtropical peatland using hydrogeophysical methods: implications for biogenic gas distribution and carbon flux in the Everglades”; FAU, Division of Research, Faculty Research Mentoring Program, $3,000; 09/01/10-08/31/11.

Subcontract to “A hydrogeophysical study of northern raised bogs: implications for generic models of peatland formation, vegetation patterning, pool formation and biogenic gas generation”, National Science Foundation 0609534, $50,000, 08/01/06-07/31/08 (PI: L. Slater).

“FAU Climate Change Initiative Priority Theme: Research, engineering, and adaptation to a changing climate”, Research Priority Areas initiative, FAU, Division of Research, $495,891, 05/10-05/13 (co-PI).