Jonathan Norton

My graduate research focuses on the biogeochemical dynamics of restored wetlands within the US Corn Belt’s agricultural landscapes. I am mainly investigating the interactions between hydrology, nutrient removal processes, and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in water quality wetlands designed to intercept tile-drained agricultural runoff. My work aims to inform the design and management of edge-of-field conservation practices that balance agricultural nitrate removal with potential climate trade-offs. My research centers on quantifying dissolved and atmospheric fluxes of key greenhouse gases, including nitrous oxide (N₂O), methane (CH₄), and carbon dioxide (CO₂), across spatial and temporal gradients in restored wetlands. I do so by employing a combination of high-frequency automated gas sampling, floating chamber methods, and classical grab sampling approaches to characterize patterns in GHG loading and production.