Zafer Top
Research Professor of Marine and Atmospheric
Chemistry
Biography
Dr. Zafer Top
received
his BS (1967) from the University of Istanbul, his MS (1972) and
Ph.D.(1974)
from the University of New Brunswick, all in Physics. At McMaster
University,
he worked on the development of mass-spectrometric measurement of
tritium. In
1981 he moved to Miami and established the helium-isotope
mass-spectrometer
facility. He participated in many international ocean studies, among
which are
FRAM IV, MIZEX 83 and 84, BLACK SEA, and WOCE.
Research Interests
In study the distributions of tritium, helium isotopes and noble gases in the ocean and in ground water. The purpose is to understand, both qualitatively and quantitatively, the formation of deep water and its circulation in the ocean on a global scale. Variations in the distributions of these tracers in the deep ocean at a given location, as a function of time, are used to imply variations in climatic conditions. Climate-ocean relationship is one of the most important research topics (as visible and sensible variations that influence our lives are occurring on decadal time scales). Recent studies include regions such as the North Pacific, Indian Ocean, Indonesian Seas and the Arctic Ocean.
Tritium-helium3 pair is also used for groundwater to estimate flow and recharge rates in shallow aquifers. Helium-4, on the other hand, is used to detect and quantify groundwater seepage into the coastal marine environment.
Publications: list
Contact
Prof. Zafer Top
RSMAS/MAC
University of Miami
4600 Rickenbacker Causeway
Miami, FL 33149-1098
Telephone:
305-421-4110
Fax: 305-421-4112
Last updated: 6 May
2005