World's Best Scientists 2026 revealed!

D-Index & Metrics

Environmental Sciences

D-Index
50
Citations
10252
World Ranking
4947
National Ranking
1822

Overview

Sean M. Schaeffer is affiliated with the University of Tennessee at Knoxville in the United States. Their academic contributions focus primarily on agricultural and biological sciences as well as environmental science. Within these broader fields, their work addresses subfields such as soil science, plant science, ecology, pollution, and environmental chemistry.

The main topics addressed in Schaeffer's research include soil carbon and nitrogen dynamics, soil and water nutrient dynamics, microplastics and plastic pollution, bacteriophages and microbial interactions, plant virus research studies, soil erosion and sediment transport, and polymer-based agricultural enhancements.

Frequent co-authors collaborating with Schaeffer include Mark Radosevich, Jie Zhuang, Aubrey K. Fine, Douglas G. Hayes, and Jennifer M. DeBruyn. This network indicates a multidisciplinary approach involving experts in various aspects of soil and environmental sciences.

The scholar has published multiple articles in a range of academic journals and venues. Notably, the most frequent publication venues are:

  • SSRN Electronic Journal
  • The Science of The Total Environment
  • Geoderma
  • Frontiers in Microbiology
  • Applied Soil Ecology

Among recent research papers, several prominent works include:

  • In situ degradation of biodegradable plastic mulch films in compost and agricultural soils (2020), published in The Science of The Total Environment
  • Activities of Microplastics (MPs) in Agricultural Soil: A Review of MPs Pollution from the Perspective of Agricultural Ecosystems (2022), published in Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry
  • Four years of continuous use of soil-biodegradable plastic mulch: impact on soil and groundwater quality (2020), published in Geoderma
  • Effects of phosphorus modified nZVI-biochar composite on emission of greenhouse gases and changes of microbial community in soil (2021), published in Environmental Pollution
  • Agronomic performance of polyethylene and biodegradable plastic film mulches in a maize cropping system in a humid continental climate (2021), published in The Science of The Total Environment

Best Publications

  • Water Pulses and Biogeochemical Cycles in Arid and Semiarid Ecosystems

    Amy T. Austin;Laura Yahdjian;John M. Stark;Jayne Belnap

  • Microbial control over carbon cycling in soil.

    Joshua Schimel;Sean Michael Schaeffer

  • Long term tillage, cover crop, and fertilization effects on microbial community structure, activity: Implications for soil quality

    Lilian Wanjiru Mbuthia;Veronica Acosta-Martínez;Jennifer DeBruyn;Sean Schaeffer

  • In situ degradation of biodegradable plastic mulch films in compost and agricultural soils

    Henry Y. Sintim;Andy I. Bary;Douglas G. Hayes;Larry C. Wadsworth

  • A theoretical analysis of microbial eco-physiological and diffusion limitations to carbon cycling in drying soils

    Stefano Manzoni;Stefano Manzoni;S. M. Schaeffer;G. Katul;A. Porporato

  • Changes in soil microbial community composition in response to fertilization of paddy soils in subtropical China

    Wen-Yi Dong;Xin-Yu Zhang;Xiao-Qin Dai;Xiao-Li Fu

  • Impacts of biodegradable plastic mulches on soil health

    Henry Y. Sintim;Sreejata Bandopadhyay;Marie E. English;Andy I. Bary

  • Activities of Microplastics (MPs) in Agricultural Soil: A Review of MPs Pollution from the Perspective of Agricultural Ecosystems.

    Unknown

  • Seasonal and episodic moisture controls on plant and microbial contributions to soil respiration

    Mariah S. Carbone;Christopher J. Still;Anthony R. Ambrose;Todd E. Dawson

  • Functional and Structural Succession of Soil Microbial Communities below Decomposing Human Cadavers.

    Kelly L. Cobaugh;Sean M. Schaeffer;Jennifer M. DeBruyn

  • Responses of absolute and specific soil enzyme activities to long term additions of organic and mineral fertilizer.

    Xinyu Zhang;Wenyi Dong;Xiaoqin Dai;Sean Schaeffer

  • Transpiration of cottonwood/willow forest estimated from sap flux

    Sean M. Schaeffer;Sean M. Schaeffer;David G. Williams;David C. Goodrich

  • Seasonal estimates of riparian evapotranspiration using remote and in situ measurements.

    D.C Goodrich;R Scott;J Qi;B Goff

  • Carbon fluxes from plants to soil and dynamics of microbial immobilization under plastic film mulching and fertilizer application using 13C pulse-labeling

    Tingting An;Sean Schaeffer;Shuangyi Li;Shifeng Fu

  • Release of micro- and nanoparticles from biodegradable plastic during in situ composting.

    Henry Y. Sintim;Andy I. Bary;Douglas G. Hayes;Marie E. English

  • Physical, biochemical, and microbial controls on amino sugar accumulation in soils under long-term cover cropping and no-tillage farming

    Lidong Li;Candace B. Wilson;Hongbo He;Xudong Zhang

  • Effect of diverse weathering conditions on the physicochemical properties of biodegradable plastic mulches

    Douglas G. Hayes;Larry C. Wadsworth;Henry Y. Sintim;Markus Flury

  • Soil–plant N processes in a High Arctic ecosystem, NW Greenland are altered by long‐term experimental warming and higher rainfall

    Sean M. Schaeffer;Sean M. Schaeffer;Elizabeth Sharp;Joshua P. Schimel;Jeffery M. Welker

  • Responses of soil nitrogen dynamics in a Mojave Desert ecosystem to manipulations in soil carbon and nitrogen availability.

    S. M. Schaeffer;S. A. Billings;R. D. Evans

  • Separating cellular metabolism from exoenzyme activity in soil organic matter decomposition

    Joseph C. Blankinship;Caryl A. Becerra;Sean M. Schaeffer;Joshua P. Schimel

  • Trace N gas losses and N mineralization in Mojave desert soils exposed to elevated CO2.

    S.A Billings;S.M Schaeffer;R.D Evans

  • Dynamics and distribution of 13C-labeled straw carbon by microorganisms as affected by soil fertility levels in the Black Soil region of Northeast China

    Tingting An;Sean Schaeffer;Jie Zhuang;Jie Zhuang;Mark Radosevich

Frequent Co-Authors

Joshua P. Schimel
Joshua P. Schimel University of California, Santa Barbara
Jennifer M. DeBruyn
Jennifer M. DeBruyn University of Tennessee at Knoxville
Markus Flury
Markus Flury Washington State University
Sharon A. Billings
Sharon A. Billings University of Kansas
Christopher J. Still
Christopher J. Still Oregon State University
Jie Zhuang
Jie Zhuang University of Tennessee at Knoxville
Andy I. Bary
Andy I. Bary Washington State University
David C. Goodrich
David C. Goodrich US Department of Agriculture
David G. Williams
David G. Williams University of Wyoming
Virginia L. Jin
Virginia L. Jin US Department of Agriculture

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

Pursuing a degree related to Environmental Sciences often opens doors to interdisciplinary opportunities. For students interested in understanding human behavior and societal impacts on the environment, exploring the best online bachelor degree in sociology can provide valuable insights into social dynamics and policy-making.

For professionals aiming to advance their expertise without a traditional research-intensive route, there are flexible options like doctorate degree online no dissertation programs. These offer a practical path to doctoral credentials without the extended commitment of a dissertation, ideal for those focused on applied environmental education or leadership roles.

Educators currently holding an EdS degree can consider eds to edd bridge programs online to elevate their qualifications. These programs facilitate a streamlined transition to a Doctor of Education, enhancing career potential in academic and administrative positions linked to environmental policy and education.

Lastly, professionals passionate about social welfare and environmental justice may benefit from pursuing dsw programs online. These degrees emphasize leadership and advanced practice, serving as a vital complement to environmental science expertise in community-focused roles.

Best Scientists Citing Sean M. Schaeffer

Trending Scientists

Recently Published Articles