William P. Patterson
Papers
2
Total Citations
84
H-Index
2
About
William P. Patterson is a leading geochemist whose work bridges paleoclimatology, ecology, and analytical methodology. His research centers on using stable isotope geochemistry to reconstruct environmental and biological histories, with a particular focus on aquatic ecosystems and high-resolution sampling techniques. Patterson’s major contributions include pioneering the use of robotic micromilling to extract subseasonal isotopic records from otoliths (fish ear stones) and tree rings. His 2005 study on Lake Michigan alewives (51 citations) demonstrated that intra-otolith δ¹⁸O values can reveal early life history, habitat use, and migration patterns of fish, providing a powerful tool for fisheries management and paleoecology. In 2008 (33 citations), he extended this technique to tree rings, enabling unprecedented subseasonal resolution in environmental isotope records. These innovations have transformed how scientists access past climate and ecological data, allowing for detailed reconstructions of temperature, hydrology, and organismal behavior. Patterson’s work is widely cited for its methodological rigor and interdisciplinary impact, making him a key figure in isotope geochemistry and environmental reconstruction.
Research Focus
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Top Papers
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