The role of resource patterning on net methane emissions through different transport pathways in mineral soil wetlands.

Project Abstract

Wetland ecosystems are the largest natural source of atmospheric methane globally due to methanotrophic archaea consuming broken down organic matter for metabolic functions. The methane released is transported from the soil to the atmosphere through plant mediated transport, diffusion, or ebullition. This project tackles an ecological question about the effect of resource distribution on net ecosystem function, which will be measured by methane emissions as a proxy for microbial activity. Closed chamber flux measurements and bubble traps will be used to measured diffusion and ebullition respectively in a mesocosm study (i.e. model wetlands). A carbon resource will be places in each mesocosm either uniformly throughout or clumped together, and two different soil types will be paired with each arrangement pattern to test the effects of spatial resource patterning and soil structure on net methane emissions. This study aims to provide quantitative relationships between methane transport pathways, as well as creating a modified tool for collecting ebullition at small scales (sub-meter).

Funding Type

Research Grant

Academic College

Jesse D. Jones College of Science, Engineering and Technology

Area/Major/Minor

Earth and Environmental Science

Degree

Master's

Classification

Graduate

Name

Dr. Jessica Moon, PhD.

Academic College

Jesse D. Jones College of Science, Engineering and Technology

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