Colin R. Robins
Assistant Professor of Environmental Science
Assistant Professor of Chemistry
 
Email: crobins@kecksci.claremont.edu
Office: Keck Science Center 238
Phone: 909-607-7170
Office Hours:
Web Site: http://sites.google.com/site/robinsrocksdirtscience/
   
Educational Background:
Ph.D., Geoscience, University of Nevada Las Vegas (2010).
M.S., Soil Science, Oregon State University (2004).
B.A., Geology & Spanish, Macalester College (2001).
Courses Taught:
Fall Semester: EA30L Science and the Environment
Fall Semester: EA103L Principles of Soil Science
Spring Semester:EA55L Physical Geography & Geomorphology

Research Interests:
Soils, sediments, and landforms are brilliantly puzzling, complex palimpsests that reflect both ancient and present-day environmental conditions. I study the ways in which landscape components record surface, climate, and ecosystem histories at scales ranging from the nanometer to the kilometer. My chief research interests are currently: (1) the pursuit of new, quantitative, isotopic measures of arid soil minerals and geomorphic surface ages, and (2) applications of soil science to challenges in species conservation and/or land management efforts.

Thesis Topics:
- Arid soil genesis & micromorphology (link mineralogy to paleoclimate, using optical and scanning electron microscopy)
- Experimental soil/mineral genesis
- Edaphic controls of plant habitats & distributions, especially in the Mojave Desert
- Mapping and spatial (GIS) analysis of surficial geology and soils
- Soil chemical and/or isotopic analyses of soil components (sand, silt, clay, organic matter)
 
Selected Publications List: Click to open new window.
1.   Brock-Hon, A.L., Robins, C.R., and Buck, B.J . (2012). Micromorphological investigation of pedogenic barite in Mormon Mesa petrocalcic horizons, Nevada, USA: Implications for genesis. Geoderma   179-180: 1-8. Abstract
 
2.   Robins, C.R., Brock-Hon, A.L., and Buck, B.J . (2012). Conceptual mineral genesis models for calcic pendants and petrocalcic horizons, NV. Soil Science Society of America Journal   76 (5): 1887-1903. Abstract
 
3.   Robins, C.R., Buck, B.J., Williams, A.J., Morton, J.L., Howell, M.S., Yonovitz, M.L., and House, P.K . (2009). Comparison of flood hazard assessments on desert piedmonts and playas: A case study in Ivanpah Valley, Nevada. Geomorphology   103: 520–532. Abstract
 
4.   Nicholl, M.J., Baron, A.G., Robins, C.R., Boxell, J., and Lin, Y . (2008). Using synthetic data and artificial wells to teach the construction and use of water level contour maps.. Journal of Geoscience Education   56 (4): 317-323. Abstract
 
5.   Rogers, R., Krause, D.W., Kast, S.C., Marshall, M.S., Rahantarisoa, L., Robins, C.R., and Sertich, J.J . (in press). A new, richly fossiliferous member comprised of tidal deposits in the Upper Cretaceous Maevarano Formation, northwestern Madagascar. Cretaceous Research   : . Abstract