Timothy Eglinton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Tim Eglinton
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Eglinton in 2014
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Timothy Ian Eglinton
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| Fields | Geology Carbon cycle Sedimentology |
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| Thesis | An investigation of kerogens using pyrolysis methods (1988) |
Timothy Ian Eglinton is a British scientist who studies our planet. He is a professor of biogeoscience at the Geological Institute at ETH Zürich in Switzerland. Biogeoscience is a field of Earth science that looks at how living things and the Earth affect each other.
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Education and Early Career
Eglinton attended Plymouth Polytechnic, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in environmental science in 1982. This field of study focuses on protecting the natural world.
Later, he went to Newcastle University. There, he earned a Master of Science degree and then a PhD in 1988. For his PhD, he researched kerogens, which are mixtures of organic chemical compounds found in rocks.
Scientific Discoveries
Professor Eglinton's work has changed how scientists understand the Earth's carbon cycle. The carbon cycle is the process by which carbon moves between the air, oceans, land, and living things. It is very important for life on Earth.
What is the Carbon Cycle?
Eglinton developed new ways to track organic carbon. Organic carbon is a type of carbon found in all living organisms. He followed its journey from eroding land, into rivers, and out to the ocean. By doing this, he replaced old guesses with exact measurements. This helped create a more accurate picture of where carbon goes and how long it takes to get there.
Major Contributions
His research has led to several important discoveries:
- Solving Climate Mysteries: His findings helped explain differences in past climate records, giving us a clearer view of Earth's history.
- Finding New Life: He discovered new types of microorganisms, which are tiny living things like bacteria.
- Ancient Fuel: He showed that some microorganisms can break down and use organic material that is billions of years old.
- Tracking Pollution: His methods can trace carbon from oil pollution in the environment.
In 2014, Eglinton was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS). This is a big honor given to scientists who have made major contributions to science.
Personal Life
Eglinton's father, Geoffrey Eglinton, was also a famous chemist. Timothy Eglinton is married to Lorraine Eglinton, and they have one son and two daughters.
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