Global Change and Watershed Biogeochemistry Group

Dr. Maria (Masha) Murashkina

email: mashamur@vancouver.wsu.edu

 

Ph.D. in Soils and Biogeochemistry, University of California, Davis, 2006

M.S., B.S. in Soil Science, Moscow State University, Russia, 1996

 

Curriculum Vitae (pdf format)

 

Research Interests

My research focuses on characterizing soil processes and soil genesis, and understanding the role of soils in ecosystem function. Specific areas of my interest include: (i) soil formation and pedogenic processes, (ii) role of soil mineral assemblage in controlling nutrient dynamics, (iii) soil mineralogy and mineral weathering, (iv) soil fertility, (v) soil classification, and (vi) methodology of soil analyses.

At WSU-Vancouver I am studying soil phosphorus (P) bio-availability during primary successions on volcanic substrates of Mount St. Helens, Washington. I am particular interested in understanding the role of soil minerals (poorly-crystalline Al- and Fe-oxides) in controlling P dynamics during an early stage of soil formation, i.e., 27 years since the last eruption of Mount St. Helens.

My doctoral researchexamined potassium fixation by vermiculitic and micaceous minerals in soils derived from different alluvium (granitic and non-granitic) of the San Joaquin Valley, California. The study was related to nutrient management issues in cotton production.

Other research experiences that have molded my interest and contributed to my research activities include:
- research on soil-forming processes, classification and soil-landscape relations in taiga soils along a latitude gradient in northwestern Russia;
- a NATO- funded research project focused on the evaluation of environmental changes caused by acid rains and heavy metal depositions on forest soils along the Norwegian-Russian border;
- field-based research on mine tailing mitigation and soil formation in arctic region of Northern Russia (included soil mapping, description and classification);
- research on impact of rice production on mineralogy and carbon stabilization within clay- and silt-size fractions in soils of southern Russia.

 

Selected Recent Publications

  1. Murashkina, M., Southard, R.J., Pettygrove, G.S. 2007. Potassium fixation in San Joaquin Valley soils derived from granitic and nongranitic alluvium. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 17:125-132. (pdf)
  2. Murashkina, M., Southard, R.J., Pettygrove, G.S. 2007. Silt and fine sand fractions dominate K fixation in San Joaquin Valley granitic alluvium soils. Geoderma. 141: 283-293. (pdf)
  3. Murashkina, M., Southard, R.J., Shiraki, R. Estimation of vermiculite content using Rb-fixation procedures in four California soils. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. (in review).
  4. Murashkina, M., Southard, R.J., Koptsik, G.N. 2005. Soil-landscape relationships in the taiga of northwestern Russia highlight the differences in the U.S. and Russian Soil Classification Systems. Soil Science. V170: 469-480.(pdf)
  5. Murashkina, M., Koptsik, G.N., Southard, R.J., Chizhikova, N.P. 2004. Iron, aluminum, silicon and manganese compounds in soils of forest ecosystems of taiga zone. Eurasian Soil Science. V37: 31-39.
  6. Koptsik, G.N., Koptsik, S.V., Murashkina-Meese, M. 2001. Changes in chemical state of forest litter under the impact of atmospheric pollution. Lesovedenie (Forestry). N6:12-20. (In Russian)
  7. Chizikova, N., Koptsik, G., Murashkina-Meese, M. 2000. Mineralogical composition of fine fractions of soils in the terminal zone of the Valdai glaciation. Eurasian Soil Science. V33: 850-861.