Soil Carbon Stabilization At The Permafrost-Active Layer Boundary In An Arctic Tundra Ecosystem
EMSL Project ID
47943
Abstract
In preliminary studies, we have observed a stock of old, seemingly stable carbon immediately above the permafrost in soils from Barrow, Alaska. The proposed study will focus on the mechanisms responsible for this organic carbon accumulation and protection from decomposition. We propose to use solid-state 13C NMR spectroscopy to compare the relative abundance of organic carbon functional groups in soil from the base of the seasonally thawed active layer with that from the surface, in order to better understand the origin and stabilization of deep organic carbon. This work would be done with soil samples collected in 2012 and 2013 as part of the Next Generation Ecosystem Experiment (NGEE-Arctic) and analyzed in conjunction with 14C and other biogeochemical data. Work will be carried out by one graduate student, whose dissertation project will benefit greatly from the use of 13C NMR, as it provides valuable information on the source, quality, and stability of organic matter in soils. Such information will help efforts to understand the impacts of climate change on carbon storage in permafrost soils and will inform terrestrial carbon cycle models, addressing the Geochemistry/Biogeochemistry and Subsurface Science EMSL Science Theme.
Project Details
Project type
Large-Scale EMSL Research
Start Date
2013-10-01
End Date
2014-09-30
Status
Closed
Released Data Link
Team
Principal Investigator
Team Members