Collaborative Research: REU Site: Coal Mining Impacts on Soil Carbon Storage and Erosion in Appalachian Headwater Streams: A Research Experience for Undergraduates

通过课堂、实地和实验室经验的综合计划，REU/RET参与者将通过研究水源流域土壤和沉积物中的碳循环和储存，研究生物地球化学循环及其随时间对生态系统动力学的影响。学生将利用土壤和沉积物的碳和氮稳定同位素分析技术，研究不同的露天开采方法对阿巴拉契亚地区肯塔基州东南部森林和采矿流域的碳收支和侵蚀的影响。最多24名本科生和10名教师参与者将每人开发一个与碳循环相关的独立研究项目；收集田间土壤或沉积物样本，在同位素比质谱仪上准备和分析样本，解释数据；然后在内部会议上展示他们的结果。教育战略侧重于从碳循环的角度对环境科学进行学生-导师科学互动和学生-群体调查。学术价值包括在本科教育方面的进步，以及本科生作者和教师导师的科学出版。科学进步将包括更好地了解用于土壤有机碳和褐煤调查的碳和氮同位素测量的优缺点。此外，还将对影响采矿场地碳储存和周转的因素进行统计分析，并利用这些因素更好地了解环境过程。最后，将在不同的管理情景下量化采矿土地侵蚀引起的碳通量，并将提高同位素测量在了解煤矿开采流域输送的碳和营养物质质量方面的有效性。更广泛的影响包括代表不足的群体的参与，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，这项研究的更广泛影响将是对社会的好处，包括对煤炭能源开采对环境的影响进行预算。最后，这项研究将加强肯塔基大学和东肯塔基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.