Photo of Mae Gustin, Extension

Mae Gustin

Professor

Summary

My primary research interests are the study of the fate and transport and biogeochemical cycles of inorganic contaminants in the environment. My recent work focuses primarily on understanding the chemistry and environmental fate of atmospheric mercury in the environment, the sources of ozone and other air pollutants to the Western United States, the biochemistry of Hg movement in plants, and the use of tree rings as archives of atmospheric Hg concentrations. I am especially interested in regional and long-range transport, and how air pollution moves in complex terrains. Specific research topics in the past included investigation of natural sources of atmospheric mercury, the role of plants in the biogeochemical cycling of mercury, mercury pollution and methyl mercury production in watersheds impacted by legacy mining, and arsenic. I also have done a significant amount of work investigating the potential use of coal combustion by-products as agricultural amendments; and on Hg release from areas of legacy and industrial-scale mining. I have worked with the mining industry to develop best-management practices for reducing Hg releases from non-point sources.  I have also done research on the fate of trifluoroacetic acids and organophosphate pesticides during interaction with vegetation and soils.  I am especially interested in the role that the atmosphere, and vegetation, play as sources, sinks and pathways for cycling of environmental contaminants.

Education

B.S. 1979 Guilford College, Greensboro, NC
M.S. 1983 University of NC, Chapel Hill
Ph.D. 1988 University of Arizona

Courses

  • Undergraduate classes NRES 212, Environmental Ethics (sophomore level),
  • NRES 210 Environmental Pollution (sophomore level),
  • NRES 433/633 (senior/graduate) Fate and Transport of Environmental Chemicals (senior/graduate),
  • NRES 467/667 Regional and Global Issues in Environmental Science (senior capstone/graduate); Graduate classes
  • NRES 765 Biogeochemical cycles,
  • NRES 720 Survivor Skills for Graduate Students, and
  • NRES 790 Atmospheric/Environmental Science Seminar 

Honors and Awards

  • Nevada System of Higher Education Board of Regents Researcher (2018)
  • University of Nevada-Reno Researcher of the Year (2016)
  • Researcher of the Year (2015) College of Agriculture Biotechnology and Natural Resources, University of Nevada-Reno
  • Excellent Reviewer Award for Environmental Science and Technology  2013
  • Nevada Women’s Fund Women of Achievement Award UNR 2010
  • University of Nevada Cooperative Extension UNR Faculty Award of Excellence 2009
  • University of Nevada Foundation Professor University of Nevada (2009)
  • Researcher of the Year (2001) College of Agriculture Biotechnology and Natural Resources, University of Nevada-Reno

Service

  • Associate Editor Science of the Total Environment (2012- present)
  • Guest Editor Atmospheric Environment Invited papers on Atmospheric Hg from the International Conference on Mercury as a Global Pollutant (2019-2020)
  • Editor Special Issue Recent Advances in Mercury Research (2020) Science of the Total  Environment
  • Managing Editor Western North America Mercury Synthesis (2016) Science of the Total  Environment
  • Editor Aerosol and Air Quality Research (2016- 2021)
  • Editorial Board Heliyon (2016-2019)
  • Managing Editor for Jerry Keeler Special Issue of Science of the Total Environment
  • Editorial Board Science of the Total Environment (2003-2011)
  • U. S. Dept of Agriculture National Research Initiative Review Panel 2004
  • National Science Foundation Proposal Review Panel member or Reviewer 2009, 2010, 2012, 2015, 2016, 2019, 2021
  • EPA Graduate Fellowship Review panel 2007, 2020
  • Regular reviewer for Environmental Science and Technology, Environmental Technology Letters, Applied Geochemistry, Biogeochemistry, Chemosphere, Environmental Pollution, Atmospheric Environment, Journal of Geophysical Research, Atmosphere, Atmospheric Chemisty and Physics

News & Journal Articles, Fact Sheets, Reports...

Book Chapter(s)
Exchange of Mercury between the Atmosphere and Terrestrial Ecosystems Gustin, M.S. 2011, Environmental Chemistry and Toxicology of Mercury Guangliang Liu, Prof. Yong Cai and Prof. Nelson O’Driscoll eds. John Wiley and Sons.
Journals
Interaction of reactive mercury with surfaces and implications for atmospheric mercury speciation measurements Allen, N., Gacnik, J., Dunham-Cheatham, S. M., & Gustin, M. S. 2024, Atmospheric Environment, 318, 120240
Comparison and calibration of methods for ambient reactive mercury quantification Dunham-Cheatham, S. M., Lyman, S., & Gustin, M. S. 2023, Science of The Total Environment, 856, 159219
Observations of the chemistry and concentrations of reactive Hg at locations with different ambient air chemistry. Gustin MS, Dunham-Cheatham SM, Allen N, Choma N, Johnson W, Lopez S, Russell A, Mei E, Magand O, Dommergue A, Elgiar T. 2023, Sci Total Environ. 2023 Dec 15;904:166184
Determining sources of reactive mercury compounds in Reno, Nevada, United States. Gustin, M. S., M., S., Choma, N., Shoemaker, K. T., & Allen, N. 2023, Frontiers in Environmental Chemistry, 4, 1202957
Phase partitioning of mercury, arsenic, selenium, and cadmium in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii and Arthrospira maxima microcosms. Lown, L., Vernaz, J. E., Dunham-Cheatham, S. M., Gustin, M. S., & Hiibel, S. R. 2023, Environmental pollution (Barking, Essex : 1987), 329, 121679
The term “heavy metal(s)”: History, current debate, and future use. Gustin, M. S., Hou, D., & Tack, F. 2021, Science of the Total Environment, 789, 147951
Development of an understanding of reactive mercury in ambient air: A review M.S. Gustin, S.M. Dunham-Cheatham, J. Huang, S. Lindberg, S. Lyman 2021, Atmosphere
Use of membranes and detailed HYSPLIT analyses to understand atmospheric particulate, gaseous oxidized, and reactive mercury chemistry M.S. Gustin, S.M. Dunham-Cheatham, L. Zhang, S. Lyman, N. Choma, M. Castro 2021, Environmental Science & Technology
Using a next-generation sequencing approach to DNA metabarcoding for identification of adulteration and potential sources of mercury in commercial cat and dog foods S.M. Dunham-Cheatham, K.B. Klingler, M. Vargas Estrada, M.S. Gustin 2021, Science of the Total Environment
Fate of Springtime Atmospheric Reactive Mercury: Concentrations and Deposition at Zeppelin, Svalbard S.Osterwalder*, S. M. Dunham-Cheatham, B.F. Araujo, O. Magand, J.L. Thomas, F. Baladima, K. Pfaffhuber, T. Berg, L.Zhang, J. Huang, A. Dommergue, J. E. Sonke, and M.S. Gustin 2021, ACS Earth Space Chem. 2021, 5, 11, 3234–3246
Comparison of co-located ice-core and tree-ring mercury records indicates potential radial translocation of mercury in whitebark pine N. Chellman, A. Csank, M.S. Gustin, et.al. 2020, Science of The Total Environment Volume 743, 15
Improvements to the accuracy of atmospheric oxidized mercury measurements Seth Lyman, Lynne Gratz, Sarrah M. Dunham-Cheatham, Mae Gustin, Adriel Luippold 2020, Environmental Science & Technology
What is in commercial cat and dog food? The case for mercury and ingredient testing. Dunham-Cheatham S.M., Klingler K., Peacock M., Teglas M.B., Gustin MS. 2019, Science of The Total Environment, Vol 684, pg. 276-280
Assessment of the Suitability of Tree Rings as Archives of Global and Regional Atmospheric Mercury Pollution M. A. Peckham, M.S.Gustin, P. J. Weisberg 2019, Environmental Science Technology, vol 53(7)
Evaluation of cation exchange membrane performance under exposure to high Hg0 and HgBr2 concentrations. Miller, M., Dunham-Cheatham, S., Gustin, M. S., Edwards, G. 2019, Atmospheric Measurement Techniques 12, 1207-1217, 2019
Assessment of the suitability of tree rings as archives of global and regional atmospheric mercury pollution. Peckham, M. A., Gustin, M. S., Weisberg, P. J. 2019, Environmental Science and Technology, 53, 3663-3671
Results of a controlled field experiment to assess the use of tree tissue concentrations as bioindicators of air Hg. Peckham, M., Gustin, M. S., Weisberg, P. J., Weiss-Penzias, P. 2019, Biogeochemistry (2019) 142: 265
Evidence for nonstomatal uptake of Hg by aspen and translocation of Hg from foliage to tree rings in Austrian pine. Arnold, J., Gustin, M. S., Weisberg, P. J. 2018, Environmental Science and Technology, 52(23), 1174-1182.
Use of multiple tools including lead isotopes to decipher sources of ozone and reactive mercury to urban and rural locations in Nevada, USA Pierce, A., Gustin, M. S., Christensen, J 2018, Science of The Total Environment, Volume 615, 15 February 2018, Pages 1411-1427
An innovative approach to bioremediation of mercury contaminated soils from industrial mining operations. McCarthy, D., Edwards, G., Gustin, M. S., Care, A., Miller, M., Sumna, A. 2017, Chemosphere, 184, 694-699.
Viewpoint: Importance of integration and implementation of emerging and future mercury research into the Minamata Convention. Gustin, M. S., Evers, D., Bank, M., Hammerschmidt, C., Pierce, A., Basu, N., Blum, J., Bustamante, P., Chen, C., Driscoll, C., Horvat, M., Jaffe, D., Pacyna, J., Pirrone, N., Selin, N. 2016, Environmental Science and Technology, 50(6), 2767-2730
Evidence for different reactive Hg sources and chemical compounds at adjacent valley and high elevation locations. Gustin, M. S., Pierce, A., Huang, J., Miller, M., Heather, H., Loria-Salazar, M. 2016, Environmental Science and Technology, 50, 12225-12231
Native non-game fishes in the Truckee River: Are barriers and patterns of genetic structure related? Peacock, M. M., Gustin, M. S., Pizzaro-Barraza, C., Kirchoff, V., Robinson, M. L., Loux, T. 2016, Science of the Total Environment, 563-564, 221-236
Development of a Particulate Mass Measurement System for Quantification of Ambient Reactive Mercury Pierce, A., Gustin, M. S. 2016, Environ. Sci. Technol., 2017, 51 (1), pp 436–445
The Nevada Rural Ozone Initiative (NVROI): Insights to Understanding Air Pollution in Complex Terrain Gustin M.S. , Fine R., Miller M.B., Jaffe D.A., Burley J. 2015, Science of the Total Environment 530-531: 453-454 doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2015,03.046.
Measuring and modeling mercury in the atmosphere: A critical review, Invited paper- Special Issue of Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics. Gustin, M. S. , Amos, H. A, Huang, J., Miller, M.B., Heidecorn 2015, Atmospheric Physics and Chemistry, 15: 5697-2015. doi: 10.5194/acp-15-5697-2015.
Gas-exchange chamber analysis of elemental mercury deposition/emission, Miller, M.B., Gustin, M.S. 2015, Chemosphere, 131: 209-216.
Identification of sources contributing to PM2.5 and ozone at Great Basin National Park, Nevada, US VanCuren R , Gustin M.S. 2015, Science of the Total Environment 530-531: 505-518 doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2015.03.091
A review of Passive sampling systems for ambient air mercury measurements Huang J., Lyman S.N., Stamenkovic Hartman J., Gustin M.S. 2014, Invited paper for Special Issue on Research and Technology Development at the Leading Edge of the Field of Passive Sampling Environmental Science: Processes & Impacts, Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 16, 374-392
Application of tree rings [dendrochemistry] for detecting historical trends in air Hg concentrations across multiple scales Wright, G., Woodward, C., Peri, L., Weisberg, P., Gustin, M. S. 2014, Biogeochemistry120:149-12
Building upon the conceptual model for soil mercury flux: Evidence of a link between moisture evaporation and Hg evasion. Briggs, C., Gustin, M. S. 2013, Water Air Soil Pollution, 224, 1744.
Do We Understand What the Mercury Speciation Instruments Are Actually Measuring? Results of RAMIX. Gustin, M. S., Huang, J., Miller, M., Peterson, C., Jaffe, D., Ambrose, J., Finley, B., Lyman, S., Call, K., Talbot, R., Feddersen, D., Mao, H., Lindberg, S. 2013, Environmental Science and Technology, January 10, 2013 DOI 10.1021/es3039104
Comparison of Reactive Mercury Measurements Made with KCl-coated Denuders, Nylon Membranes, and Cation Exchange Membranes. Huang, J., Miller, M., Weiss-Penzias, P., Gustin, M. S. 2013, Environmental Science and Technology, 47, 7307-7316.
Testing and modeling the influence of reclamation and control methods for reducing non-point mercury emissions associated with industrial open pit gold mines Miller, M., Gustin, M. S. 2013, Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association
Investigation of mercury deposition and potential sources at six sites from the Pacific Coast to the Great Basin, USA. Wright, G., Weiss-Penzias, P., Gustin, M. S 2013, Science of the Total Environment, 470-471C, 1099-1113.
Investigating sources of gaseous oxidized mercury in dry deposition at three sites across Florida, USA. Gustin MS, Weiss-Penzias PS, Peterson C. 2012, Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics 2012; 12: 9201-9219
Evidence for a Free Troposphere Source of Mercury in Wet Deposition in the Western United States. Huang, J., Gustin, M. S. 2012, Environmental Science and Technology, 46, 6621-6629
Measurement of surface mercury fluxes at active industrial gold mines in Nevada (USA) Eckley CS, Gustin M, Miller MB, Marsik F. 2011, The Science of the Total Environment 409 514-522
Nonpoint source Hg emissions from active industrial gold mines-influential variables and annual emission estimates. Eckley CS, Gustin M, Miller MB, Marsik F. 2011, Environmental Science and Technology 45 (2) 392-399
A New Technique for Quantification of Elemental Hg in Mine Wastes and Its Implications for Mercury Evasion Into the Atmosphere Jew, Adam; Kim, Christopher; Rytuba, James; Gustin, Mae; Brown, Gordon 2011, Environmental Science and Technology 45 (2) 412-417.
The influence of dynamic chamber design and operating parameters on calculated surface-to-air mercury fluxes Atmospheric Environment. Eckley, C., Gustin, M. S., Lin, J., Li, X., Miller, M. 2010, Atmospheric Environment, 44, 194-203.
Measurement-Based Models for Estimating Mercury Flux from Soils. Gustin, M. S. 2010, Environmental Science and Technology, 44, 8522-8588.
Reducing the uncertainty in measurement and understanding of mercury in the atmosphere. Gustin, M. S., Jaffe, D. 2010, Environmental Science and Technology-News Feature, 44, 2222-2227.
Laboratory investigation of Hg release from flue gas desulfurization products. Gustin, M. S., Ladwig, K. 2010, Environmental Science and Technology, 44, 4012-4018
Development and use of passive samplers for determining reactive gaseous mercury concentrations. Lyman, S., Gustin, M. S., Prestbo, E. 2010, Atmospheric Environment, 44, 246-252.
Atmospheric mercury concentrations and air speciation measured from 2004 to 2007 in Reno, NV, USA. Peterson, C., Gustin, M. S., Lyman, S. N. 2009, Atmospheric Environment, 43, 4646-4654.
Non-stomatal versus stomatal foliar mercury exchange Stamenkovic, J., Gustin, M. S. 2009, Environmental Science and Technology, 43, 1367-1372..
Determination of the potential for release of mercury from combustion product amended soils –I. Simulations of beneficial use Gustin, M. S., Ericksen, J., Fernandez, G. C 2008, Journal of the Air and Waste Management Association, 58, 673-683.
An update on our understand of the role of natural sources and sinks in the biogeochemical cycle of Hg Gustin, M. S., Weisberg, P. J., Lindberg, S. 2008, Applied Geochemistry, 23, 482-493
Lay or Popular Publications
research
Women in science: a Q&A with CABNR pet food mercury researchers
Professor Gustin and fellow researchers Chichester, Dunham-Cheatham, Luippold and Vargas-Estrada talk about their work and answer related questions
 Gustin, M.S., Chichester, L., Dunham-Cheatham, S., Luippold, A., and Vargas Estrada M. 2019, Nevada Today
Reviews
What is the utility of measuring gaseous HgII dry deposition using Aerohead samplers?: A review Gustin, M. S., Dunham-Cheatham, S. M., Osterwalder, S., Magand, O., & Dommergue, A. 2024, Science of The Total Environment, 907, 167895.