Geography Department > Faculty > Ross Sutherland
Ross Sutherland
Ross Sutherland, Professor
and Chair
Research Interests: Geomorphology, soil erosion, drainage basin
processes, spatial distribution of trace metals in watersheds.
Phone: (808) 956-7157
Email: sutherla@hawaii.edu
Education
B.Sc. (Hons.), Scarborough College, Canada, 1981.
M.Sc., University of Toronto, Canada, 1983.
Ph.D., University of Toronto, Canada, 1988.
Research interests
My interests center around the drainage basin, including hillslope erosion and fluvial transport processes. I am presently exploring issues of sediment quantity and quality, trace metal distributions in the landscape, and sediment-source partitioning.
Selected Courses
Geog 303 General Geomorphology
Geomorphology is the scientific study of the features of the Earth's surface. Geomorphologists are concerned with understanding the processes of erosion, weathering, transport and deposition of surficial materials. Additionally, geomorphologists focus on the measurement of process rates, examine spatial patterns of physical and chemical variables, and attempt to establish linkages between form and process.
The primary objectives of this course are to give students an introductory understanding of geomorphological concepts, process mechanics, and relationships between form and process. Emphasis is placed upon understanding physical processes in various environmental settings. Major themes will include: hillslope geomorphology, soil geomorphology, fluvial geomorphology, aeolian geomorphology, and coastal geomorphology.
Geog 380 Analytical Methods in Geography I
The objective of this course is to introduce students to quantitative thinking. This includes traditional parametric approaches, non-parametric approaches, and exploratory data analysis (EDA) techniques. We will not only be dealing with numbers but exploring spatial and temporal patterns. Additionally, we will focus on how to most effectively display results of data analysis. The Geographic data sets that we will explore in this class will be drawn mainly from the environmental and physical side of the discipline. Within an optional tutorial / laboratory setting, students will be introduced to the following software on the Macintosh platform: Microsoft Excel (spreadsheet package) and StatView.
Geog 403 Fluvial Geomorphology
Fluvial action is the single most important geomorphic agent shaping the terrestrial environment. This course will stress the importance of fluvial processes and mechanisms in a geographic framework. The aims of this course are to increase the students understanding of fluvial dynamics, fluvial landform formation, sediment and contaminant transport. In addition, the students will get hands-on experience with instrumentation used in fluvial studies.
Geog 703 Geomorphology
The primary objectives of this graduate course are to provide students with a current understanding of process geomorphology and to establish links between human modification and system response. Within the context of this course students will explore: (1) water-driven hillslope erosion processes (rill and interrill dynamics) and measurement; (2) linkages between field and laboratory investigations; (3) drainage basin sediment yield measurement and controls; (4) deposited sediments and what they can tell us; and (5) human disturbances, including river channelization, dam building, forest clearing, road building and their impacts on geomorphic system response.
Selected Publications
Selected journal publications.
Sutherland, R.A. (2007) Platinum-group element concentrations in BCR-723: A quantitative review of published analyses. Analytica Chimica Acta 582, 201-207.
Sutherland, R.A., and Tack, F.M.G. (2007) Sequential extraction of lead from grain size fractionated river sediments using the optimized BCR procedure. Water, Air, and Soil Pollution 184, 269-284.
Sutherland, R.A. and Ziegler, A.D. (2007) Effectiveness of coir-based rolled erosion control systems in reducing sediment transport from hillslopes. Applied Geography 27, 150-164.
Sutherland, R.A., Pearson, D.G., and Ottley, C.J. (2007) Platinum-group elements (Ir, Pd, Pt and Rh) in road-deposited sediments in two urban watersheds, USA. Applied Geochemistry 22, 1485-1501.
Sutherland, R.A. and Ziegler, A.D. (2006) Hillslope runoff and erosion as affected by rolled erosion control systems: A field study. Hydrological Processes 20, 2839-2855.
Ziegler, A.D. and Sutherland, R.A. (2006) Effectiveness of a coral-derived surfacing material in reducing sediment production on unpaved roads, Schoffield Barracks, Oahu, Hawaii. Environmental Management 37, 98-110.
Andrews, S. and Sutherland, R.A. (2004) Cu, Pb and Zn contamination in Nuuanu watershed, Oahu, Hawaii. Science of the Total Environment 324, 173-182.
Sutherland, R.A. (2003) A first look at platinum in road-deposited sediments and roadside soils, Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii. Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology 44, 430-436.
Sutherland, R.A. (2003) Lead in grain size fractions of road-deposited sediment. Environmental Pollution 121 (2), 229-237.
Sutherland, R.A., Day, J.P., and Bussen, J.O. (2003) Lead concentrations, isotope ratios, and source apportionment in road deposited sediments, Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii. Water, Air, and Soil Pollution 142, 165-186.
Sutherland, R.A., Bussen, J.O., Plondke, D.L., Evans, B.M. and Ziegler, A.D. (2001) Hydrophysical degradation associated with hiking trail use: A case study of Hawaiiloa Ridge Trail, Oahu, Hawaii. Land Degradation and Development 12, 71-86.
Ziegler, A.D., Sutherland, R.A. and Giambelluca, T.W. (2001) Acceleration of Horton overland flow and erosion by footpaths in an upland agricultural watershed in northern Thailand. Geomorphology 41, 249-262.
Ziegler, A.D., Sutherland, R.A. and Giambelluca, T.W. (2001) Interstorm surface preparation and sediment detachment by vehicle traffic on unpaved mountain roads. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms 26, 235-250.
Sutherland, R.A. (2000) A comparison of geochemical information obtained from two fluvial bed sediment fractions. Environmental Geology 39, 330-341.
Sutherland, R.A. (2000) Bed sediment-associated trace metals in an urban stream, Oahu, Hawaii. Environmental Geology 39, 611-627.
Sutherland, R.A. and Tack, F.M.G. (2000) Metal phase associations in soils from an urban watershed, Honolulu, Hawaii. Science of the Total Environment 256, 103-113.
Sutherland, R.A. and Tolosa, C.A. (2000) Multi-element analysis of road deposited sediment in an urban drainage basin, Honolulu, Hawaii. Environmental Pollution 110, 483-495.
Sutherland, R.A., Tack, F.M.G., Tolosa, C.A. and Verloo, M.G. (2000) Operationally defined metal fractions in road deposited sediment, Honolulu, Hawaii. Journal of Environmental Quality 29, 1431-1439.
Ziegler, A.D., Sutherland, R.A. and Giambelluca, T.W. (2000) Rainsplash contribution to runoff generation and sediment transport on unpaved mountainous roads: Synthesis of field rainfall simulations in Hawaii and Thailand. Water Resources Research 36, 2787-2791.
Ziegler, A.D., Sutherland, R.A. and Giambelluca, T.W. (2000) Runoff generation and sediment production on unpaved roads and agricultural land surfaces in northern Thailand. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms 25, 519-534.
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