Sensitivity of the West Siberian Lowland to Past and Present Climate

该项目将利用遥感和野外技术对西西伯利亚低地进行研究，以确定泥炭覆盖地区对当前和过去气候变化的敏感性。有关气候、水文和泥炭的数据将与放射性碳测年、沉积物岩心、近红外和微波卫星图像相结合，以回答一系列问题。泥炭的年龄、地质历史和碳含量将被确定，以便在全球变暖期间检验北极泥炭地在碳封存和释放中的作用。这项研究对于理解全球变化对碳的巨大来源的作用非常重要，如果全球变暖发生，碳可能成为大气的自然来源。这项研究还将提供有关该地区冰川时代以及早期人类文化迁移和分布的信息。

ABSTRACTOPP-9818496SMITH, LAURENCEUNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA - LOS ANGELESThis project will examine the West Siberian Lowland with both remote sensing and field techniques to determine the sensitivity of areas underlain by peat to present and past variations in climate. Data on climate, hydrology, and peat will be combined with radiocarbon dates, sediment cores, near-infrared and microwave satellite imagery to answer a series of questions. The age, geologic history, and carbon content of the peat will be determined in order to examine the role of Arctic peatlands in the sequestration and release of carbon during global warming. The study is very important for understanding the role of global change on a large source of carbon that may contribute a natural source to the atmosphere if global warming occurs. The study will also yield information about the age of glaciation in the region and the migration and distribution of early human culture.