I am a biological oceanographer and limnologist. My basic research interests include primary production, grazing, and nutrient dynamics, and my applied research interests include various aspects of water quality analysis and remediation. One focus of my research has been the role of benthic microalgae in oceanic, estuarine, and freshwater ecosystems. I am interested in studying the basic processes regulating benthic microalgae with nutrient cycles and grazers, benthic microalgae as sources of useful natural products, and human impacts on sediment-water interface processes. I am also interested in evaluating water quality management practices in coastal areas and in the interactions of water quality with community function in estuarine habitats.

Cahoon, L.B. 2006. Upscaling primary production estimates: Regional and global scale estimates of microphytobenthos production, in Kromkamp, J.C., J.F.C. de Brouwer, G.F. Blanchard, R.M. Forster, and V. Creach, eds., Functioning of Microphytobenthos in Estuaries. Edita-the Publishing House of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences. 400 p.

Cahoon, L.B., J.C. Hales, K.R. Rowland, E.S. Carey, S. Loucaides, and J.E. Nearhoof. 2006. Shellfishing closures in southwest Brunswick County, North Carolina: Septic tanks vs. storm water runoff as fecal coliform sources. J. Coastal Research 22 (2):319-327.