Collaborative Research: REU SITE: Coal Mining Impacts on Soil Carbon Storage and Impacts in Appalachian Headwater Streams: a Research Experience for Undergraduates

通过课堂，现场和实验室经验的综合计划，REU/RET参与者将研究土壤地球化学循环及其对生态系统动态的影响，通过检查碳循环和储存在土壤和沉积物中的源头流域。学生将研究不同的地表采煤方法对碳预算和侵蚀的影响，在东南部肯塔基州阿巴拉契亚地区的森林和采矿流域采用土壤和沉积物的碳和氮稳定同位素分析技术。多达24名本科生和10名教师参与者将各自开发一个与碳循环相关的独立研究项目;收集野外土壤或沉积物样本，在同位素比质谱仪上制备和分析样本，解释数据;然后在内部会议上展示他们的结果。 教育策略的重点是从碳循环的角度来看，学生与导师的科学互动和环境科学的学生群调查。 智力优势包括本科教育的进步以及本科作者和教师导师的科学出版物。 科学进步将包括更好地了解土壤有机碳和褐煤调查的碳和氮同位素测量的优点/缺点。 此外，将对影响矿区碳储存和周转的因素进行统计分析，并用于更好地了解环境过程。 最后，将在不同的管理方案下量化由采矿土地侵蚀引起的碳通量，并提高同位素测量的有效性，以了解煤炭开采流域中碳和营养物质的质量。 更广泛的影响包括代表性不足的群体的参与，包括来自东肯塔基州阿巴拉契亚贫困社区的学生和教师。 此外，该研究的更广泛影响将有利于社会，包括预算煤炭能源收集对环境的影响。 最后，这项研究将加强肯塔基州和东肯塔基州大学的教学和研究基础设施。

Through an integrated program of classroom, field, and laboratory experiences, REU/RET participants will study biogeochemical cycles and their influence on ecosystem dynamics over time by examining carbon cycling and storage in soils and sediments in headwater watersheds. Students will examine the impacts of different surface coal mining methods on carbon budgets and erosion in forested and mined watersheds in the Southeastern Kentucky Appalachian Region employing the technique of carbon and nitrogen stable isotope analysis of soils and sediments. Up to 24 undergraduate student and 10 teacher participants will each develop an independent research project related to carbon cycling; collect field soil or sediment samples, prepare and analyze samples on an isotope ratio mass spectrometer, interpret the data; and then present their results at an in-house conference. The educational strategies focus on student-mentor scientific interaction and student-cluster investigation of the environmental sciences from a carbon cycling perspective. The intellectual merits include advancement in undergraduate education as well as scientific publication by undergraduate authors and faculty mentors. Scientific advancement will include gaining a better understanding of advantages/disadvantages of carbon and nitrogen isotope measurements for soil organic carbon and lignite investigations. In addition, the factors impacting carbon storage and turnover on mined sites will be statistically analyzed and used to better understand environmental processes. Finally, the carbon flux as induced by erosion of mined lands will be quantified under different management scenarios, and the efficacy of isotopic measurements to understand the quality of carbon and nutrients transported in coal mining watersheds will be advanced. Broader impacts include participation of underrepresented groups including students and teachers from the Eastern Kentucky Appalachian Distressed Communities. In addition, a broader impact of the research will be benefits to society that include budgeting the impact of coal energy harvesting on the environment. Finally, this research will enhance the teaching and research infrastructure at the University of Kentucky and Eastern Kentucky University.