Acquisition of instrumentation to support research and undergraduate training in hydrology and biogeochemistry at the University of Alaska Southeast

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054082HoodThis grant supports acquisition of a laser cavity optical spectrometer (LCOS) capable of rapid analysis of stable isotope ratios of Hydrogen and Oxygen in natural waters. The instrument will support NSF funded research on the effects of mountain glacier retreat proximal to the Gulf Alaska on hydrologic processes and ecosystem biogeochemical cycling across the cryosphere ? marine interface with a focus on stream processes in the wake of retreating glaciers. Recent climate warming in this region is dramatically altering local ecosystems as land is freshly exposed to atmospheric, hydrologic and biosphere activity. The effects of these processes have significant implications for important marine and freshwater fisheries, for sea level change and for the transport and fate of atmospheric aerosols. The LCOS will be particularly useful for determining the relative contribution of glacial melt waters to local streams. The PIs plan to engage in related K-12 outreach through an established summer short course series. The University of Alaska Southeast (UAS) in Juneau hosts a high percentage of Native Alaskans and UAS is an undergraduate institution. The potential impact for training underrepresented students in modern geochemical analysis method as applied to local environmental issues is high. ***