Welcome to the Chemical Hydrology and Mass Spectrometry Lab!
We are chemical hydrogeologists and aqueous geochemists working on environmental sustainability.
Our research focuses on issues of water resources, water availability, and understanding the cycling of different metals and organic compounds in our groundwaters, surface waters, soils, and sediments, as well as how land use pattern changes affect the distribution of such metals and pollutants in our environments. Our research projects have links to health impact assessments, targeting both human and ecosystem health.
We are also interested in studies on trace element and oxyanion migration and contamination in the environment, especially in groundwaters, urban air particulates, rice grains, and unproductive soil environments, using hydrological and geochemical tools including speciation of elements via synchrotron spectroscopy. Dr. Datta and his students travel to various sites in India, Bangladesh, Argentina, Mexico, and several states within the U.S.
We have been working in delineation of areas of groundwater problems in Kansas, Texas, and neighboring states. Additionally, recent studies of mineralization in rock-brine and supercritical CO2 mixtures in a CO2 injection scenario within subsurface saline aquifers has gained momentum in our group.
I am always looking for new students!
Contact me if you are interested in graduate studies in hydrogeology and geochemistry at The University of Texas at San Antonio.
Dr. Saugata Datta
faculty profile
research overview: portrait format | landscape format;
curriculum vitae
Dr. Saugata Datta
Dr. Weldon W. Hammond, Jr. Endowed Distinguished Professorship in Hydrogeology
Postdoctoral Opportunity
The lab has an opening for a postdoctoral position in inorganic and organic contaminants and low-temperature geochemistry.
Doctoral Student Opportunity for Spring 2027
The lab has an opening for one doctoral student interested in stable isotope applications in sediment geochemistry, organic matter geochemistry. Must have Masters or MTech in Geology/Geosciences/Earth Sciences/Sediment Geochemistry. BS students with solid research experience have a fair shot.
Doctoral Student Opportunity for Fall 2027
The lab has an opening for one doctoral student interested in sediment chemistry, organic matter geochemistry, synchrotron aided trace element speciation studies, surface water-groundwater interaction. Must have Masters or MTech in Geology/Geosciences/Earth Sciences/Sediment Geochemistry. BS students with solid research experience have a fair shot.
Recent News and Awards
Dr. Taylor Eighmy inaugurated the new Thermo Electron Delta Q Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometer in the CHMS lab
Check out the photos
See why grad students are testing water quality at Cibolo Creek
UT San Antonio Today
SAC student Cesar Ernesto Segovia Gonzalez, mentored by Dr. Indra Mondal, tied for best poster award at the 2025 Undergraduate Research Summer Showcase
Recent Funding
NSF
Capacity Building to Catalyze Collaborations to Address Climate Change Impacts on Human Health (C2H2)
USDA
Addressing the soil-microbial gap: Assessment of microbial-based soil health indicators and its efficacy for broad deployment across grasslands
Alfred P. Sloan Foundation
Formalize partnership between four MSIs and the US Fish and Wildlife Service focused on advancing equity in conservation and natural resources educational programs and professions
Centers & Institutes
Check out the cross-disciplinary collaborations within the university that sponsor research.
