World's Best Scientists 2026 revealed!
Award Badge
Earth Science
Austria
2026

D-Index & Metrics

Earth Science

D-Index
53
Citations
9810
World Ranking
2879
National Ranking
10

Research.com Recognitions

  • 2026 - Research.com Earth Science in Austria Leader Award
  • 2025 - Research.com Earth Science in Austria Leader Award
  • 2023 - Research.com Earth Science in Austria Leader Award
  • 2022 - Research.com Earth Science in Austria Leader Award

Overview

Peter W. Swarzenski is affiliated with the International Atomic Energy Agency in Austria and has a research profile prominently focused on environmental science and earth and planetary sciences. Their work spans key subfields including pollution, ecology, oceanography, health, toxicology and mutagenesis, and atmospheric science.

Their main research topics revolve around microplastics and plastic pollution, ocean acidification effects and responses, recycling and waste management techniques, marine biology and environmental chemistry, coral and marine ecosystems studies, geology and paleoclimatology research, and marine bivalve and aquaculture studies.

Recent publications authored or coauthored by Swarzenski include:

  • Effects of Virgin Micro- and Nanoplastics on Fish: Trends, Meta-Analysis, and Perspectives, 2020, Environmental Science & Technology
  • A microplastic size classification scheme aligned with universal plankton survey methods, 2021, MethodsX
  • Microplastic's role in antibiotic resistance, 2020, Science
  • Physiological stress response of the scleractinian coral Stylophora pistillata exposed to polyethylene microplastics, 2020, Environmental Pollution
  • Global Plastic Pollution Observation System to Aid Policy, 2021, Environmental Science & Technology

Throughout their career, Swarzenski has frequently collaborated with several researchers, including Marc Métian, Angus Taylor, François Oberhaënsli, Michael S. Bank, and François Oberhänsli. These collaborations have contributed to a diverse set of topics within their research domains.

Their work is regularly published in several key scientific venues. The most frequent publication venues include:

  • Marine Pollution Bulletin
  • Environmental Science & Technology
  • Environmental Pollution
  • Abstracts with programs - Geological Society of America
  • MethodsX

Peter W. Swarzenski's research intersects multiple disciplines within environmental sciences with a particular focus on pollution and marine ecosystems. Their contributions involve both empirical field studies and theoretical frameworks important for understanding microplastic impacts and advancing global pollution observation systems.

Best Publications

  • Assessment of estuarine water-quality indicators using MODIS medium-resolution bands: initial results from Tampa Bay, FL

    Chuanmin Hu;Zhiqiang Chen;Tonya D. Clayton;Peter Swarzenski

  • Most atolls will be uninhabitable by the mid-21st century because of sea-level rise exacerbating wave-driven flooding.

    Curt D. Storlazzi;Stephen B. Gingerich;Ap van Dongeren;Olivia M. Cheriton

  • Journal of Hydrology: Regional Studies

    O. Batelaan;D.A. Hughes;P.W. Swarzenski;P. Willems

  • The behavior of U- and Th-series nuclides in groundwater

    Donald Porcelli;Peter W. Swarzenski

  • Hurricanes, submarine groundwater discharge, and Florida's red tides

    Chuanmin Hu;Frank E. Muller-Karger;Peter W. Swarzenski

  • Late-twentieth-century warming in Lake Tanganyika unprecedented since AD 500

    Jessica E. Tierney;Marc T. Mayes;Marc T. Mayes;Natacha Meyer;Christopher Johnson;Christopher Johnson

  • Effects of Virgin Micro- and Nanoplastics on Fish: Trends, Meta-Analysis, and Perspectives.

    Hugo Jacob;Hugo Jacob;Marc Besson;Peter W. Swarzenski;David Lecchini

  • Using multiple geochemical tracers to characterize the hydrogeology of the submarine spring off Crescent Beach, Florida

    P.W Swarzenski;C.D Reich;R.M Spechler;J.L Kindinger

  • Measurement of 224Ra and 226Ra activities in natural waters using a radon-in-air monitor

    Guebuem Kim;W. C. Burnett;H. Dulaiova;P. W. Swarzenski

  • Occurrence of herbicides and pharmaceutical and personal care products in surface water and groundwater around Liberty Bay, Puget Sound, Washington.

    Jennifer A. Dougherty;Peter W. Swarzenski;Richard S. Dinicola;Martin Reinhard

  • Submarine groundwater discharge to Tampa Bay: Nutrient fluxes and biogeochemistry of the coastal aquifer

    Kevin D. Kroeger;Peter W. Swarzenski;Wm. Jason Greenwood;Christopher Reich

  • Ra and Rn isotopes as natural tracers of submarine groundwater discharge in Tampa Bay, Florida

    Peter W. Swarzenski;Chris Reich;Kevin D. Kroeger;Mark Baskaran

  • U/Th series radionuclides as coastal groundwater tracers.

    P. W. Swarzenski

  • A microplastic size classification scheme aligned with universal plankton survey methods

    J.R. Bermúdez;J.R. Bermúdez;P.W. Swarzenski;P.W. Swarzenski

  • Climate warming reduces fish production and benthic habitat in Lake Tanganyika, one of the most biodiverse freshwater ecosystems

    Andrew S. Cohen;Elizabeth L. Gergurich;Benjamin M. Kraemer;Michael M. McGlue

  • Combined time‐series resistivity and geochemical tracer techniques to examine submarine groundwater discharge at Dor Beach, Israel

    P. W. Swarzenski;W. C. Burnett;W. J. Greenwood;B. Herut

  • Thallium isotope composition of the upper continental crust and rivers—An investigation of the continental sources of dissolved marine thallium

    Sune G. Nielsen;Mark Rehkämper;Don Porcelli;Per Andersson

  • Colored Dissolved Organic Matter in Tampa Bay, Florida

    Zhiqiang Chen;Chuanmin Hu;Robyn N. Conmy;Frank Muller-Karger

  • Rare earth element behavior during groundwater–seawater mixing along the Kona Coast of Hawaii

    Karen H. Johannesson;C. Dianne Palmore;Joseph Fackrell;Nancy G. Prouty

  • Utilizing multichannel electrical resistivity methods to examine the dynamics of the fresh water–seawater interface in two Hawaiian groundwater systems

    Natasha T. Dimova;Natasha T. Dimova;Peter W. Swarzenski;Henrieta Dulaiova;Craig R. Glenn

  • What is the role of fresh groundwater and recirculated seawater in conveying nutrients to the coastal ocean

    Yishai Weinstein;Yoseph Yechieli;Yehuda Shalem;William C. Burnett

  • Geochemical and Geophysical Examination of Submarine Groundwater Discharge and Associated Nutrient Loading Estimates into Lynch Cove, Hood Canal, WA

    Peter W. Swarzenski;F. William Simonds;Anthony J.. Paulson;Sarah Kruse

Frequent Co-Authors

Robert J. Rosenbauer
Robert J. Rosenbauer United States Geological Survey
Marc Metian
Marc Metian International Atomic Energy Agency
Curt D. Storlazzi
Curt D. Storlazzi United States Geological Survey
Andrew S. Cohen
Andrew S. Cohen University of Arizona
James R. Hein
James R. Hein United States Geological Survey
Mark Baskaran
Mark Baskaran Wayne State University
William C. Burnett
William C. Burnett Florida State University
Patrick L. Barnard
Patrick L. Barnard United States Geological Survey
Brent A. McKee
Brent A. McKee University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Richard Z. Poore
Richard Z. Poore United States Geological Survey

If you think any of the details on this page are incorrect, let us know.

Report an issue

We appreciate your kind effort to assist us to improve this page, it would be helpful providing us with as much detail as possible in the text box below:

Related Online Degrees & Career Pathways

Studying Earth Science in the USA opens doors to diverse educational routes and careers. Many students look for flexible options, such as veteran friendly online Spanish degree programs, which accommodate military service members transitioning into civilian careers. While not Earth Science-specific, these programs show how accessible specialized online education has become for various learner groups.

For those interested in incorporating creativity or communication skills alongside Earth Science, programs like the online MFA visual arts provide opportunities to blend scientific understanding with visual storytelling. This can be particularly valuable for environmental advocacy or science education careers.

Management roles in environmental agencies or organizations often require leadership skills, making an online masters degree in human resource management a strategic complement for Earth Science graduates. This degree enhances abilities to manage teams and projects effectively within the environmental sector.

Finally, online learning has become more inclusive, offering tailored options for diverse age groups. For instance, degrees for older adults highlight how continuing education in fields like Earth Science is accessible well beyond traditional college ages, supporting lifelong learning and career shifts.

Best Scientists Citing Peter W. Swarzenski

Trending Scientists

Recently Published Articles