Arctic Field Projects
Project Title: Reduction of iron and humic substances as a dominant respiratory process in arctic peat soils (Award# 0808604)
PI: Lipson, David (dlipson@sciences.sdsu.edu)
Phone: (619) 594.4460
Institute/Department: San Diego State University, Department of Biology
IPY Project? NO
Funding Agency: US\Federal\NSF\OD\OPP\ARC\ANS
Program Manager: Dr. Henrietta Edmonds (hedmonds@nsf.gov )
Discipline(s): | Biology |
| Project Web Site(s): |
| NSF_Award_Info: http://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward.do?AwardNumber=0808... |
| Logistics: http://www.polar.ch2m.com/Files/PDFs/Lipson0808604BRWPlan200... |
| Logistics: http://www.polar.ch2m.com/Files/PDFs/Lipson0808604BRWPlanFin... |
| Logistics: https://www.polar.ch2m.com/Files/PDFs/Lipson0808604PlanFinal... |
| Logistics: https://www.polar.ch2m.com/Files/PDFs/Lipson0808604PlanFinal... |
Science Summary:
This grant supports investigators from San Diego State University, Washington University, and Stanford University in a collaborative study of the role of iron and humic substances as electron acceptors in anaerobic respiration in peat soils of drained thaw lake basins in the Arctic. The role of microbial physiology in carbon flux from arctic soils has substantial implications for climate change, and the PIs will apply novel methods that promise new insights. The study will further understanding of controls over and seasonal and spatial variability in carbon fluxes from arctic soils. The goals are to: (1) determine the specific mechanisms of exocellular electron transfer in Alaskan peat soils, and the microorganisms that mediate these processes, (2) quantify the importance of exocellular electron transfer to soil respiration in Arctic drained thaw lake basins, (3) determine the effects of polygon-induced microtopography on exocellular electron transfer, and (4) determine how age and complexity of soil humic materials along a soil age gradient affect rates of exo-electron transfer, and the conditions under which it occurs.
Logistics Summary:
Researchers on this project will look at anaerobic respiration in peat soils. Over the course of three long field seasons, researchers will work near Barrow, Alaska, to study and sample these soils from drained thaw lake basins that differ in structure and age. In 2009, the work will focus on one drained basin near the Barrow Environmental Observatory (BEO), access to which may require installation of boardwalks protecting fragile BEO tundra from damage. During June to August, a team of three to eight will set up monitoring instruments that take automatic measurements at three depths in the soil. They also will collect ~biweekly water and soil samples over the course of the season. The team will complete some sample processing in Barrow, and the remainder at their home institutes. In 2010, a team returns to take similar measurements as those described above. They will study 4 drained lakes, including the one in the BEO studied in 2009, representing different drainage histories (that is, those that have drained recently through those that drained in ancient times). In 2011, a team of seven total will sample about 12 lakes from four main drainage age categories—young to ancient—including those sampled in 2010. A team of five will visit in June to establish the instruments at the sites, travelling to/from Barrow via truck/ATV/snowmachine. From July to late August, a team of two will monitor the experiments, collect water and soil samples, and do some processing/analysis in the BARC. Personnel will rotate throughout the season, and the PI will visit twice. CPS will install/adjust matted trail as necessary at the lakes to prevent damage to the tundra. Also in 2011, the team will be joined by PolarTREC teacher, Jim Miller (0956825JM). In 2012, a team of three, accompanied by a teacher participating in the PolarTREC program, will visit Barrow on an overlapping schedule between early July and mid-August. They will establish their instruments at sites of interest, travelling to/from Barrow via truck/ATV/snowmachine, and then will monitor the experiments, collect water and soil samples, and do some processing/analysis in the BARC.
CPS will work with UMIAQ and other local organizations to provide Barrow infrastructure support, including lodging, meals, lab/office, and vehicles, and installation of matted trail (in 2010). The PI will arrange and pay for all other support through the grant.
| Season | Field Site | Date In | Date Out | #People |
| 2009 | Alaska - Barrow | 06 / 15 / 2009 | 08 / 20 / 2009 | 3 |
| 2010 | Alaska - Barrow | 06 / 02 / 2010 | 10 / 01 / 2010 | 9 |
| 2011 | Alaska - Barrow | 06 / 07 / 2011 | 08 / 15 / 2011 | 7 |
| 2012 | Alaska - Barrow | 07 / 03 / 2012 | 08 / 16 / 2012 | 4 |
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