Associate Professor and Research Mentor, Department of Chemistry and Fermentation Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences
Dr. Bob Swarthout is an analytical environmental chemist at Appalachian State University. His research applies the techniques of analytical chemistry to study environmental issues of local and global concern. He teaches introductory and capstone courses in environmental chemistry and environmental science.
His research focuses on the environmental impacts of naturally produced organic compounds and organic pollutants derived from fossil fuel production on air quality, water quality and climate. He has extensive experience studying the impact of hydraulic fracturing for oil and natural gas on regional air quality. His research with the Appalachian Atmospheric Interdisciplinary Research (AppalAIR) group involves understanding how organic chemicals produced by trees, like the terpenes you smell after crumpling up a pine needle, affect the amount of climate-cooling aerosols in the atmosphere. His currently funded work focuses on investigating the environmental fate of oil spills. “Oil is a complex mixture of thousands of organic compounds and the composition of spilled oil changes over time in the environment,” he explains. The goal of this research is to understand how these changes affect the toxicity and environmental impact of the chemicals in spilled oil.
Areas of Expertise
Air quality impacts of hydraulic fracking
Air quality in the Appalachian region
Biogenic aerosols
Oil spill chemistry
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About Dr. Bob Swarthout
Dr. Bob Swarthout is an analytical environmental chemist at Appalachian State University. His research applies the techniques of analytical chemistry to study environmental issues of local and global concern. He teaches introductory and capstone courses in environmental chemistry and environmental science.
His research focuses on the environmental impacts of naturally produced organic compounds and organic pollutants derived from fossil fuel production on air quality, water quality and climate. He has extensive experience studying the impact of hydraulic fracturing for oil and natural gas on regional air quality. His research with the Appalachian Atmospheric Interdisciplinary Research (AppalAIR) group involves understanding how organic chemicals produced by trees, like the terpenes you smell after crumpling up a pine needle, affect the amount of climate-cooling aerosols in the atmosphere. His currently funded work focuses on investigating the environmental fate of oil spills. “Oil is a complex mixture of thousands of organic compounds and the composition of spilled oil changes over time in the environment,” he explains. The goal of this research is to understand how these changes affect the toxicity and environmental impact of the chemicals in spilled oil.
Areas of Expertise
Air quality impacts of hydraulic fracking
Air quality in the Appalachian region
Biogenic aerosols
Oil spill chemistry
| Present | Faculty Member, Appalachian State University ‐ College of Arts and Sciences | |
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| Present | Assistant Professor, Appalachian State University ‐ Department of Chemistry and Fermentation Sciences | |
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Disciplines
Research Interests
Honors and Awards
- Board member, Carolina Chapter of the Society for Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (CSETAC), 2016-present
- Science to Achieve Results (STAR) Graduate Fellowship, Environmental Protection Agency, 2010
- Hubbard Atmospheric Sciences Fellowship, University of New Hampshire, 2009
Courses
- CHE 2550 Introduction to Environmental Chemistry
- CHE 1110 Introduction to Chemistry Lab
| Ph.D., University of New Hampshire ‐ Natural Resources and Earth Systems Science | ||
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| M.S., College of Charleston ‐ Environmental Studies | ||
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| B.A., State University of New York College at Cortland ‐ Chemistry and Biology | ||
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Links
Contact Information
swarthoutrf@appstate.edu