HR job title
- Professor
- Contact Info
- 1 979 845 4092
Thornton, Daniel Professor
Positions
- Professor, Oceanography, College of Arts and Sciences
My research focuses on marine microbial ecology, biogeochemistry, and earth system science; specific topics include: ecology and physiology of microphytobenthos and phytoplankton; production of exopolymers (EPS) by microorganisms; formation and ecology of transparent exopolymer particles (TEP); aggregate formation by phytoplankton (marine snow); diatoms and climate change; microbial biofilms and mats; nitrogen cycling; biogenic marine aerosol and cloud formation; and trace gas biogeochemistry.
Research Areas
- Overview
- Publications
- Research
- Teaching
- Works By Students
- Background
- Contact
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Overview
Publications
selected publications
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academic article
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Alsante, A. N., Thornton, D., & Brooks, S. D.
(2024).
Effect of Aggregation and Molecular Size on the Ice Nucleation Efficiency of Proteins
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Alsante, A. N., Thornton, D., & Brooks, S. D.
(2023).
Ice nucleation catalyzed by the photosynthesis enzyme RuBisCO and other abundant biomolecules. Communications Earth and Environment.
4(1), 51.
-
Chen, J., Guo, K., Thornton, D., & Wu, Y. i.
(2021).
Effect of Temperature on the Release of Transparent Exopolymer Particles (TEP) and Aggregation by Marine Diatoms (Thalassiosira weissflogii and Skeletonema marinoi). 20(1), 56-66.
-
Gold-Bouchot, G., Polis, S., Castaon, L. E., Flores, M. P., Alsante, A. N., & Thornton, D.
(2021).
Chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM) in a subtropical estuary (Galveston Bay, USA) and the impact of Hurricane Harvey. Environmental Science and Pollution Research.
28(38), 53045-53057.
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Hendrickson, B. N., Brooks, S. D., Thornton, D., Moore, R. H., Crosbie, E., Ziemba, L. D., ... Alsante, A. N.
(2021).
Role of Sea Surface Microlayer Properties in Cloud Formation. Frontiers in Marine Science.
7, 596225.
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Alsante, A. N., Thornton, D., & Brooks, S. D.
(2021).
Ocean Aerobiology. 12, 764178.
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Wilbourn, E. K., Thornton, D., Ott, C., Graff, J., Quinn, P. K., Bates, T. S., ... Brooks, S. D.
(2020).
Ice Nucleation by Marine Aerosols Over the North Atlantic Ocean in Late Spring. 125(4),
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Kim, J., Chapman, P., Rowe, G. T., DiMarco, S. F., & Thornton, D.
(2020).
Implications of different nitrogen input sources for potential production and carbon flux estimates in the coastal Gulf of Mexico (GOM) and Korean Peninsula coastal waters. Ocean Science.
16(1), 45-63.
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Brooks, S. D., Jickells, T. D., Liss, P. S., Thornton, D., & Zhang, R.
(2019).
Biogeochemical Coupling between Ocean and Atmosphere-A Tribute to the Lifetime Contribution of Robert A. Duce. 76(11), 3289-3298.
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Thornton, D.
(2018).
Coomassie Stainable Particles (CSP): Protein Containing Exopolymer Particles in the Ocean. Frontiers in Marine Science.
5(JUN), 206.
-
Thornton, D., & Chen, J.
(2017).
Exopolymer production as a function of cell permeability and death in a diatom (Thalassiosira weissflogii) and a cyanobacterium (Synechococcus elongatus). Journal of Phycology: an international journal of algal research.
53(2), 245-260.
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Thornton, D., Brooks, S. D., & Chen, J.
(2016).
Protein and Carbohydrate Exopolymer Particles in the Sea Surface Microlayer (SML). Frontiers in Marine Science.
3(AUG), 135.
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Bianchi, T. S., Thornton, D., Yvon-Lewis, S. A., King, G. M., Eglinton, T. I., Shields, M. R., Ward, N. D., & Curtis, J.
(2015).
Positive priming of terrestrially derived dissolved organic matter in a freshwater microcosm system. Geophysical Research Letters.
42(13), 5460-5467.
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Steiner, A. L., Brooks, S. D., Deng, C., Thornton, D., Pendleton, M. W., & Bryant, V.
(2015).
Pollen as atmospheric cloud condensation nuclei. Geophysical Research Letters.
42(9), 3596-3602.
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Liu, Y., Thornton, D., Bianchi, T. S., Arnold, W. A., Shields, M. R., Chen, J., & Yvon-Lewis, S. A.
(2015).
Dissolved organic matter composition drives the marine production of brominated very short-lived substances. Environmental Science and Technology.
49(6), 3366-3374.
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Deng, C., Brooks, S. D., Vidaurre, G., & Thornton, D.
(2014).
Using Raman Microspectroscopy to Determine Chemical Composition and Mixing State of Airborne Marine Aerosols over the Pacific Ocean. Aerosol Science and Technology.
48(2), 193-206.
-
Thornton, D.
(2014).
Dissolved organic matter (DOM) release by phytoplankton in the contemporary and future ocean. European Journal of Phycology.
49(1), 20-46.
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Liu, Y., Yvon-Lewis, S. A., Thornton, D., Butler, J. H., Bianchi, T. S., Campbell, L., Hu, L., & Smith, R. W.
(2013).
Spatial and temporal distributions of bromoform and dibromomethane in the Atlantic Ocean and their relationship with photosynthetic biomass. 118(8), 3950-3965.
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Liu, Y., Yvon-Lewis, S. A., Thornton, D., Campbell, L., & Bianchi, T. S.
(2013).
Spatial distribution of brominated very short-lived substances in the eastern Pacific. 118(5), 2318-2328.
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Nunnally, C. C., Rowe, G. T., Thornton, D., & Quigg, A.
(2013).
Sedimentary Oxygen Consumption and Nutrient Regeneration in the Northern Gulf of Mexico Hypoxic Zone. Journal of Coastal Research: an international forum for the littoral sciences.
63(sp1), 84-96.
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Rzadkowolski, C. E., & Thornton, D.
(2012).
Using laser scattering to identify diatoms and conduct aggregation experiments. European Journal of Phycology.
47(1), 30-41.
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Tice, M. M., Thornton, D., Pope, M. C., Olszewski, T. D., & Gong, J.
(2011).
Archean Microbial Mat Communities. Annual Review of Earth and Planetary Science.
39(1), 297-319.
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Thornton, D., Kopac, S. M., & Long, R. A.
(2010).
Production and enzymatic hydrolysis of carbohydrates in intertidal sediment. AQUATIC MICROBIAL ECOLOGY.
60(2), 109-125.
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Hiranuma, N., Brooks, S. D., Thornton, D., & Auvermann, B. W.
(2010).
Atmospheric ammonia mixing ratios at an open-air cattle feeding facility. Journal of the Air and Waste Management Association.
60(2), 210-218.
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Thornton, D.
(2009).
Spatiotemporal distribution of dissolved acidic polysaccharides (dAPS) in a tidal estuary. 54(5), 1449-1460.
-
Thornton, D.
(2009).
Effect of Low pH on Carbohydrate Production by a Marine Planktonic Diatom (Chaetoceros muelleri). 2009, 1-4.
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Thornton, D., & Visser, L. A.
(2009).
Measurement of acid polysaccharides (APS) associated with microphytobenthos in salt marsh sediments. AQUATIC MICROBIAL ECOLOGY.
54(2), 185-198.
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Thornton, D., Dong, L. F., Underwood, G., & Nedwell, D. B.
(2007).
Sediment-water inorganic nutrient exchange and nitrogen budgets in the Colne Estuary, UK. Marine Ecology Progress Series.
337, 63-77.
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Thornton, D., Fejes, E. M., DiMarco, S. F., & Clancy, K. M.
(2007).
Measurement of acid polysaccharides in marine and freshwater samples using alcian blue. Limnology and Oceanography: Methods.
5(2), 73-87.
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Patel, D., Thake, B., & Thornton, D.
(2005).
Effect of light and turbulent mixing on the growth of Skeletonema costatum (Bacillariophyceae). 146(4), 633-644.
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Thornton, D.
(2004).
Formation of transparent exopolymeric particles (TEP) from macroalgal detritus. 282, 1-12.
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Thornton, D.
(2002).
Diatom aggregation in the sea: mechanisms and ecological implications. 37(2), 149-161.
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Thornton, D., Dong, L. F., Underwood, G., & Nedwell, D. B.
(2002).
Factors affecting microphytobenthic biomass, species composition and production in the Colne Estuary (UK). 27(3), 285-300.
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Dong, L. F., Nedwell, D. B., Underwood, G., Thornton, D., & Rusmana, I.
(2002).
Nitrous oxide formation in the Colne estuary, England: the central role of nitrite. 68(3), 1240-1249.
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Thornton, D.
(2002).
Individuals, clones or groups? Phytoplankton behaviour and units of selection. Ethology Ecology and Evolution.
14(2), 165-173.
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Dong, L. F., Thornton, D., Nedwell, D. B., & Underwood, G.
(2000).
Denitrification in sediments of the River Colne estuary, England. 203, 109-122.
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Thornton, D., Santillo, D., & Thake, B.
(1999).
Prediction of sporadic mucilaginous algal blooms in the Northern Adriatic sea. 38(10), 891-898.
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Thornton, D., Underwood, G., & Nedwell, D. B.
(1999).
Effect of illumination and emersion period on the exchange of ammonium across the estuarine sediment-water interface. 184, 11-20.
-
Thornton, D.
(1999).
Phytoplankton mucilage production in coastal waters: a dispersal mechanism in a front dominated system?. Ethology Ecology and Evolution.
11(2), 179-185.
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Thornton, D., & Thake, B.
(1998).
Effect of temperature on the aggregation of Skeletonema costatum (Bacillariophyceae) and the implication for carbon flux in coastal waters. 174, 223-231.
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Thornton, D., Brooks, S. D., Wilbourn, E. K., Mirrielees, J., Alsante, A. N., Gold-Bouchot, G., Whitesell, A., & McFadden, K.
Production of ice-nucleating particles (INPs) by fast-growing phytoplankton. Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics (ACP).
23(19), 12707-12729.
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Chen, J., & Thornton, D.
Transparent exopolymer particle production and aggregation by a marine planktonic diatom (Thalassiosira weissflogii) at different growth rates. Journal of Phycology: an international journal of algal research.
51(2), 381-393.
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Alsante, A. N., Thornton, D., & Brooks, S. D.
(2024).
Effect of Aggregation and Molecular Size on the Ice Nucleation Efficiency of Proteins
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book
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Nielsen, L. P., Brotas, V., Viaroli, P., Underwood, G., Nedwell, D. B., sundback, K., ... Risgaard-Petersen, N.
(2000).
Protocol handbook for NICE: nitrogen cycling in estuaries : a project under the EU research programme Marine Science and Technology (MAST III). National Environmental Research Institute.
-
Nielsen, L. P., Brotas, V., Viaroli, P., Underwood, G., Nedwell, D. B., sundback, K., ... Risgaard-Petersen, N.
(2000).
Protocol handbook for NICE: nitrogen cycling in estuaries : a project under the EU research programme Marine Science and Technology (MAST III). National Environmental Research Institute.
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chapter
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Brooks, S. D., & Thornton, D
(2018).
Marine Aerosols and Clouds. Annual Review of Marine Science.
ANNUAL REVIEW OF MARINE SCIENCE, VOL 10.
(pp. 289-313).
Annual Reviews.
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Thornton, D.
(2012).
Primary Production in the Ocean. Najafpour, M. (Eds.),
ADVANCES IN PHOTOSYNTHESIS - FUNDAMENTAL ASPECTS.
(pp. 563-588).
IntechOpen.
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Brooks, S. D., & Thornton, D
(2018).
Marine Aerosols and Clouds. Annual Review of Marine Science.
ANNUAL REVIEW OF MARINE SCIENCE, VOL 10.
(pp. 289-313).
Annual Reviews.
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conference paper
-
Railey, L. D., & Thornton, D
(2011).
LASER IN-SITU SCATTERING AND TRANSMISSOMETRY AS A TOOL TO DETECT HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOMS. Journal of Phycology: an international journal of algal research.
S82-S82.
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Chen, J., & Thornton, D. C
(2011).
THE EFFECT OF TEMPERATURE AND GROWTH RATE ON TEP PRODUCTION BY THALASSIOSIRA WEISSFLOGII. Journal of Phycology: an international journal of algal research.
S64-S64.
-
Railey, L. D., & Thornton, D
(2011).
LASER IN-SITU SCATTERING AND TRANSMISSOMETRY AS A TOOL TO DETECT HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOMS. Journal of Phycology: an international journal of algal research.
S82-S82.
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institutional repository document
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Thornton, D., Brooks, S. D., Wilbourn, E. K., Mirrielees, J., Alsante, A. N., Gold-Bouchot, G., Whitesell, A., & McFadden, K. K.
(2023).
Production of aerosol containing ice nucleating particles (INPs) by fast growing phytoplankton
-
Thornton, D., Brooks, S. D., Wilbourn, E. K., Mirrielees, J., Alsante, A. N., Gold-Bouchot, G., Whitesell, A., & McFadden, K. K.
(2023).
Production of aerosol containing ice nucleating particles (INPs) by fast growing phytoplankton
Research
principal investigator on
co-principal investigator on
Teaching
teaching activities
- GEOS105 Intro Environ Geoscience Instructor
- GEOS410 Global Change Instructor
- OCNG251 Oceanography Instructor
- OCNG320 Biological Oceanography Instructor
- OCNG350 Marine Pollution Instructor
- OCNG420 Biological Oceanography Instructor
- OCNG425 Microbial Oceanography Instructor
- OCNG491 Research Instructor
- OCNG620 Biological Ocng Instructor
- OCNG620 Biological Ocng - Gv Idp Instructor
- OCNG691 Research Instructor
- OCNG691 Research Instructor
Works By Students
chaired theses and dissertations
-
Chen, Jie (2014-03). Factors Affecting Carbohydrate Production and the Formation of Transparent Exopolymer Particles (TEP) by Diatoms.
-
Lee, Alyce R. (2010-07). Response of Benthic Microalgal Community Composition at East Beach, Galveston Bay, Texas to Changes in Salinity and Nutrients.
-
Liu, Yina (2013-07). Global Distributions and Natural Sources of Brominated very Short-Lived Substances.
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Mirrielees, Jessica (2020-11). Atmospheric Particles and Their Effects on Climate and Health.
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Mirrielees, Jessica Aileen (2018-06). Instrument Artifacts Lead to Uncertainties in Parameterizations of Cloud Condensation Nucleation.
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Railey, Lauren 1987- (2012-10). LISST Instruments as a Tool in Phytoplankton Ecology.
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Visser, Lindsey A. (2010-10). Nitrous Oxide Production in the Gulf of Mexico Hypoxic Zone.
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Wilbourn, Elise Katherine (2019-11). Atmospheric Ice Nucleation Ability of Marine Phytoplankton and Viruses.
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Wilson, Carolyn E. (2010-10). Factors Affecting Carbohydrate Production and Loss in Salt Marsh Sediments of Galveston Bay.
Background
education and training
- Ph.D., Queen Mary University of London - (London, United Kingdom) 1995
- B.Sc. in Marine and Freshwater Biology, Queen Mary University of London - (London, United Kingdom) 1991
awards and honors
Contact
first name
- Daniel
has last name
- Thornton
mailing address
-
Texas A&M University
Oceanography
3146 TAMU
College Station, TX 77843-3146
USA
Other
- dthornton@tamu.edu