Mickey Spokas

Adjunct Faculty—Soil Science, Vernal Pools, and Wetlands; Assistant Professor

Faculty
A headshot of Mickey Spokas.
Contact
Email
Email
Phone
Location
Stockbridge Hall, 31
Spokas standing by the Yosemite National Park sign.

Education

Ph.D. In Soil Science, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Massachusetts, 2007

M.S. In Turfgrass Science , University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts, 1990

B.S. In Bachelors Degree in Individual Concentration (Natural Science), University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts, 1974

RESEARCH INTERESTS

My research interests are twofold, the Hydropedology of Vernal Pools and the use of Constructed Wetlands for Treatment and Reuse of Water. The vernal pool study is part of a Multi-State project with 8 other universities across the U.S., but predominantly in the northeastern states. The treatment wetland interests currently include a small wetland treating the water used to wash the turf equipment used at the Joseph Trool Research Plots in Deerfield, MA. See recent Golfdom article - http://digital.golfdom.com/feb2017#&pageSet=17

Appointments

  • Adjunct Assistant Professor, Stockbridge School of Agriculture, 2015 - present
  • Instructor  NEIWPCC and Massachusetts DEP Soil Evaluator, 2014 - Present
  • Adjunct Assistant Professor,  Department of Environmental Conservation 2012- Present
  • Research Associate Soil Characterization Laboratory, 1994  - present
  • Independent Consultant        1997 - present
  • Field Instructor  Massachusetts DEP Soil Evaluator Program    1995 - 2000
  • Adjunct Faculty Division of Science, Engineering, and Mathematics  1993 - 1995
  • Research Assistant Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, 1982 - 1994 
  • Departmental Assistant Department of Geology and Geography, 1972 -1974

Professional Certifications

  • Massachusetts Registered Sanitarian (RS) # 1341     2007 - present
  • ARCPACS Certified Professional Soil Scientist, Cert. # 24759     1998 - present
  • Massachusetts Approved Soil Evaluator, SE 2310     1997 - present
  • Massachusetts Approved System Inspector, SI 3666    1997 - present

Publications

  • Baker, M.D., S. Simkins, L.A. Spokas, P.L.M. Veneman, and B.S. Xing. 2014. Comparison of phosphorous sorption by light-weight aggregates produced in the United States. Pedosohere: 24: 806-816.
  • Spokas, L.A., P. L. M. Veneman, S. C. Simkins, and S. C. Long. 2010. Performance Evaluation of a Constructed Wetland Treating High-Ammonium Primary Domestic Wastewater Effluent.  Water Envir. Res. 82:592-600.
  • Veneman, P.L.M., D.L. Lindbo, and L.A. Spokas. 1998. Soil Moisture and Redoximorphic Features: A Historical Perspective. In Quantifying Soil Hydromorphology. SSSA Special Publication No. 54. M.C. Rabenhorst, J.C. Bell, and P.A. McDaniel ed. Soil Science Society of America, Madison, WI.
  • Cooper, R. J. and L .A. Spokas.  1991.  Growth, quality, and foliar iron concentration of Kentucky bluegrass treated with chleated iron sources.  J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 116(5):798 801.
  • Spokas, L. A. and R. J. Cooper.  1991.  Plant growth regulator effects on foliar discoloration, pigment content, and photosynthetic rate of Kentucky bluegrass.  Crop Sci. 31:1668 1674.
  • Cooper, R. J., P. C. Bhowmik, and L. A. Spokas.  1990.  Root and rhizome growth of Ken¬tucky bluegrass following application of pendimethalin.  HortScience. 25(1):84 86.
  • Torello, W.A. and L.A. Rice (Spokas).  1986.  Effects of NaCl stress on proline and cation accumulation in salt sensitive and tolerant turfgrasses.  Plant and Soil.  93:241 247.
  • Torello, W.A. and L.A. Spokas.  1983.  Evaluation of Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) cultivars for salt tolerance.  Rasen, Grunflachen, Begrungen.  14(4):71 73.