Puspa Adhikari Profile

Ph.D. Chemical Oceanography (Minor in Statistics) Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge – 2015
M.S., Aquaculture and Fisheries (Aquatic Chemistry) University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff – 2011
M.S., Environmental Sciences (Environmental Chemistry) Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal – 2005
B.S., Environmental Sciences (Minor in Chemistry and Biology) Tri-Chandra Multiple College, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal – 2003

Marine Chemistry, Environmental chemistry, Petroleum geochemistry and chemical fingerprinting, Organic geochemistry, Sediment biogeochemistry, Radiochemistry.

OCC 4002C - Marine Chemistry
CHM 1084C - Environmental Chemistry
EVR 4911 - Sr Prj Present Envir Studies
EVR 4920 - CT: Oil Spills Marine Environ

Overton, E.B., Adhikari, P.L., Radović, J.R. and Passow, U., 2022. Fates of petroleum during the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill: A chemistry perspective. Frontiers in Marine Science, p.1403.

*Javaruski, J., Adhikari, P.L, Muller, J., Parsons, M., 2022. Preservation of brevetoxins in Southwest Florida coastal sediments. Harmful Algae, 114, p.102222.

Adhikari, P.L., Bam, W., Metian, M., Besson, M., Jacob, H., Swarzenski, P.W., 2022. Evaluating Microplastic Experimental Design and Exposure Studies in Aquatic Organisms. In Microplastic in the Environment: Pattern and Process (pp. 69-85). Springer, Cham.

Bam, W., Swarzenski, P.W., Maiti, K., Vasileva-Veleva, E., Orani, A.M., Blinova, O., McGinnity, P., Haughton, M., Webber, M., Adhikari, P.L., 2022. Scavenging of select radionuclides and trace elements by pelagic Sargassum in the Caribbean Sea. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 179, p.113658.

Bacosa, H.P., Ancla, S.M.B., Arcadio, C.G.L.A., Dalogdog, J.R.A., Ellos, D.M.C., Hayag, H.D.A., Jarabe, J.G.P., Karim, A.J.T., Navarro, C.K.P., Palma, M.P.I., Romarate II, R.A., Similatan, K.M., Tangkion, J.A.B., Yurong, S.N.A., Mabuhay-Omar, J.A., Seeley, M.E., Inoue, C., Adhikari, P.L., 2022. From Surface Water to the Deep Sea: A Review on Factors Affecting the Biodegradation of Spilled Oil in Marine Environment. Journal of Marine Science and Engineering, 10(3), p.426.

Adhikari, P.L., Overton, E.B., Pangeni, D., Regmi, B.P., 2021. Application of individual response factors for accurate quantitation of alkylated PAH homologs in complex environmental samples using gas chromatography/triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS). Microchemical Journal, p.107074.

Regmi, B.P., Adhikari, P.L., Dangi, B.B., 2021. Ionic Liquid-Based Quartz Crystal Microbalance Sensors for Organic Vapors: A Tutorial Review. Chemosensors, 9(8), p.194.

Overton, E.B., Meyer, B.M., Miles, M.S., Turner, R.E., Adhikari, P.L., 2021. Understanding the Fates and Chemical Compositions of Weathered Oil in Coastal Marshes since the 2010 Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill. International Oil Spill Conference Proceedings (2021) 2021 (1): 687183.

*Mbaegbu, M.F., Adhikari, P.L., Gupta, I., Rowe, M., 2021. Mass Spectrometric Calibration Procedure for Real-Time Detection of Lighter Hydrocarbons. Energies, 14(8), p.2123.

Overton, E.B., Wetzel, D.L., Wickliffe, J.K., Adhikari, P.L., 2020. Spilled Oil Composition and the Natural Carbon Cycle: The True Drivers of Environmental Fate and Effects of Oil Spills. In Scenarios and Responses to Future Deep Oil Spills (pp. 33-56). Springer, Cham.

Adhikari, P.L., Maiti, K., *Bam, W. 2019. Fate of particle-bound polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the river-influenced continental margin of the northern Gulf of Mexico. Marine Pollution Bulletin 141, 350-362.

*Bam, W., Hooper-Bui, L.M., Strecker, R.M., Adhikari, P.L, Overton, E.B. 2018. Coupled Effects of Oil Spill and Hurricane on Saltmarsh Terrestrial Arthropods. PLOS ONE 13(4): e0194941.

Meyer, B.M., Adhikari, P.L., Olson, G.M., Overton, E.B., Miles, M.S. 2018. Louisiana coastal marsh environments and MC252 oil biomarker chemistry. Editor(s): Scott A. Stout, Zhendi Wang, In Oil Spill Environmental Forensics Case Studies. Butterworth-Heinemann, Elsevier. Pages 737-756.

Adhikari, P.L., Wong, R.L. and Overton, E.B., 2017. Application of enhanced gas chromatography/triple quadrupole mass spectrometry for monitoring petroleum weathering and forensic source fingerprinting in samples impacted by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Chemosphere 184, 939-950.

Adhikari, P.L., Shrestha, S., *Bam, W., Xie, L., Perschbacher, P. 2017. Evaluation of Spatial-Temporal Variations of Water Quality and Plankton Assemblages and Its Relationship to Water Use in Kulekhani Multipurpose Reservoir, Nepal. Journal of Environmental Protection, 8, 1270-1295.

Adhikari, P.L., Maiti, K., Overton, E.B., Rosenheim, B.E., Marx, B.D. 2016. Distribution and Accumulation Rates of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in the Gulf of Mexico Sediments. Environmental Pollution, 212, 413-423.

Adhikari, P.L., Maiti, K., Somiddho, B. 2016. ²³⁸U-²³⁴Th disequilibria as a tracer of vertical flux of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon in the Northern Gulf of Mexico. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 107, 179-187. Link.

Maiti, K, Bosu, S., D’Sa, E.J, Adhikari, P.L., Sutor, M., K. Longnecker. 2016. Export Fluxes in Northern Gulf of Mexico-Comparative Evaluation of Direct, Indirect and Satellite-based Estimates. Marine Chemistry, 184, 60-77.

Tarr, M.A., Ray, P.Z., Overton, E.B., Olson, G.M., Adhikari, P.L., Reddy, C.M. 2016. Weathering of Oil Spill in the Marine Environment. Oceanography, 29, 126-135.

Shrestha, S., Adhikari, P.L., 2016. Investigating Temporal Variation in Water Quality and Benthic Macroinvertebrates in Taudaha Lake, Kathmandu, Nepal. Journal of Water Resource and Protection, 8, 1283-1296.

Adhikari, P.L., Maiti, K., Overton, E.B. 2015. Vertical Fluxes of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in the Northern Gulf of Mexico. Marine Chemistry, 168, 60-68.

Adhikari, P.L., White, J.R., Maiti, K., *Nguyen, N. 2015. Phosphorous speciation and sedimentary phosphorous release from the Northern Gulf of Mexico sediments: Implication for Hypoxia. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science, 164, 77-85.

Adhikari, P. L., Stone, N., Kelly, A.M., Thomforde, H.K. 2012. Characteristics of effluents from baitfish holding sheds in central Arkansas. North American Journal of Aquaculture, 74:3, 376-384.

Full list of Publications:

• Google Scholar
• ResearchGate

Recent Presentations:

• Overton E.B., Meyer, B.A., Miles, M.S., Adhikari, P.L., Turner, R.E. 2020. Understanding the Fates and Chemical Compositions of Weathered Oil in Coastal Marshes after the 2010 Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill, IOSC 2020, MAY 11-14, 2020, New Orleans, LA.
• Adhikari, P.L., Pangeni, D., Overton, E.B, Wong, R. 2019. Evaluation of relative response factors of alkylated PAH homologs using gas chromatography – triple quadrupole mass spectrometry. Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill & Ecosystem Science Conference, February 4-7, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA.
• Adhikari P.L., Petras, R.M., Gupta, I., Rowe, M., Mbaegbu, M. 2018. Real time measurement of gas composition from live well fluids at drilling site. Goldschmidt Conference, August 12-17, Boston, MA.
• Adhikari, P.L., Maiti, K. 2017. Distribution and transport of particle-bound polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in a river-influenced continental margin: the northern Gulf of Mexico. American Geophysical Union (AGU) Fall Meeting, December 11-15, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA.
• Adhikari, P.L., Overton, E.O., Miles, M.S., Wong, R.L. 2017. How much oil is actually removed by evaporation, photo-oxidation and microbial weathering? The International oil Spill Conference (IOSC), May 15-18, Long Beach, California, USA.
• Adhikari, P.L., Wong, R.L., Overton, E.B. 2017. Application of High Resolution Gas Chromatography/Triple Quadrupole Mass Spectrometry in Multiple Reaction Monitoring Mode (HRGC/MRM) in Petroleum Forensics: Insights from the Sediments Impacted by the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill. The International oil Spill Conference (IOSC), May 15-18, Long Beach, California, USA.

Grants:

Adhikari, P.L., Romero, I., Chen, H., Jose, F., 2023. Collaborative Research: Remineralization effects of enhanced allochthonous dissolved organic matter in the West Florida Shelf impacted by Hurricane Ian. National Science Foundation (NSF). $194,914

May, M., Adhikari, P.L., Douglass, J., Milbrandt, E. 2023-2025. Refining a Habitat Suitability Index model for hard clam and seagrass co-restoration in the Charlotte Harbor and Caloosahatchee River Estuaries. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). $548,219

Douglass, J., Adhikari, P.L., Urakawa, H., Bartleson, R., Parsons, M.L., 2022-2024. Caloosahatchee discharge impacts on SW Florida shelf benthos and eutrophication processes as mediated by the benthic environment. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). $349,678

Adhikari, P.L. 2022-2023. Monitoring Environmental Impacts of Hurricane Ian on the West Florida Shelf. Florida Institute of Oceanography (FIO). 14-days of ship time onboard R/V Hogarth. $95,200

Parsons, M., Adhikari, P.L., Fugate, D. 2020-2023. Persistence of toxins from harmful algal blooms in coastal marine sediments. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Red tide initiative. $345,000

Adhikari, P.L., Parsons, P., 2021-2023. Herbicides (Glyphosate, Atrazine) and other organic contaminants in Southwest Florida waters. Captains for Clean Water. $12,000

Osman Karatum, O., Kim, J., Adhikari, P.L., Elshall, A.S. 2022-2023. A pilot study on the assessment of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances. FGCU, U.A. Whitaker College of Engineering, Head- Start Program. $5,000

Adhikari, P.L., 2022. Vertical Removal of Red Tide Toxins (Brevetoxins) in Coastal Marine Environments: Implications to Southwest Florida Coastal Ecosystems. Sanibel Captiva Shell Club. $4,600.

Adhikari, P.L., 2022. Water Quality and Planktons along the Southwest Florida’s Continental Shelf. Subsidized Ship time to Florida Gulf Coast University. Florida Institute of Oceanography (FIO). $30,000

Adhikari, P.L., Fugate D., 2020-2021. Water Quality and Planktons along the Southwest Florida’s Continental Shelf. Subsidized Ship time to Florida Gulf Coast University. Florida Institute of Oceanography (FIO). $60,000

Parsons, M., Adhikari, P.L. Heil, C. 2020. Examination of the Feasibility of Removing Fish Carcasses to Mitigate Red Tide. Florida Red Tide Mitigation and Technology Development Initiative. $199,887

McManus, G., Adhikari, P.L., 2021-2022. Improving Florida’s Water Quality: removing toxic lead from water sources via porous Metal-Organic Frameworks. The Water School, Affiliate Faculty Collaborative Research Program. $20,000

Adhikari, P.L., 2020-2021. Using isotopes to track nutrient sources for Florida Red Tides. Sanibel Captiva Shell Club. $6,000

Adhikari, P.L. and Allen, T. 2020. The Distribution of Emerging Contaminants in Surface Sediments in Southwest Florida. Seidler Student/Faculty Scholarly Collaboration Fellowship. $4,152

Douglass, J., Adhikari, P.L., Urakawa, H., Bartleson, R., 2019-2021. Enhanced water quality and seagrass monitoring in the Caloosahatchee Estuary. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). $264,735

Thomas, S., Adhikari, P.L., 2020. Sediment characterization, bathymetry and sediment mapping of three Lakes in Naples. The City of Naples via Wood North America. $24,924

Muller, J., Adhikari, P.L., Parsons, M., Savarese, M. 2019-2021. Acquisition of a SAGe Well Detector to Support Geoscience Education and Student and Faculty Research at Florida Gulf Coast University. National Science Foundation (NSF) MRI. $180,166

Adhikari, P.L. 2019. Application of Radium isotopes to tract Submarine Groundwater Discharge. FGCU Foundation. $7,000

Adhikari, P.L. 2019. Analysis of micro-plastics and micro-plastic-derived contaminants in Southwest Florida coastal-marine Sediments. Professional Development Enhancement Award Program, FGCU. $1,000

Adhikari, P.L., Muller, J., Parsons, M. 2019. The history and management of red tide (harmful algal blooms) in Southwest Florida. FGCU Scholarship-Research Venture Fund. $19,912

Gupta, I., Adhikari, P.L. 2018. Mass Spectrometry Calibration of Lighter Hydrocarbons from Live Well Fluids. Halliburton. $101, 462.

Bargu, et al., 2016-2018. Impacts of ocean acidification on natural phytoplankton communities, oyster development and trophic interactions: Transfer of micro plastic derived contaminates to oysters – National Sea grant College Program (NOAA). $ 20,000.

Adhikari, P.L. 2013. Vanadium/Nickel Ratio as a Proxy for Oil Contaminated Sediments in the Northern Gulf of Mexico. AAPG’s Search and Discovery website. Dana Russell Memorial Grant-in-Aid - American Association of Petroleum Geologists Foundation (AAPG). $1,500.