Collaborative Research: Eddy Correlation and chamber measurements of benthic oxygen fluxes in permeable sediments

该项目将研究使用涡流相关技术测量沉积物水界面上的氧通量，这是一种原位连续测量方法。获得这样的通量将增加精确测量沉积物中底栖氧通量的能力。本项目将进一步发展涡流相关技术，并将这些结果与目前使用的平流室和灌注法进行比较，以验证涡流相关方法并显示其广泛的适用性。还将开发和使用一个基于过程的数学模型，以及通量测量和孔隙水数据，以验证该技术，并将用于解释和综合结果。这项研究的科学价值在于，氧通量是评估沉积物中碳循环速率的主要指标，并被广泛用于碳预算估算。因此，该项目将通过增加关于可渗透大陆架沉积物氧通量的数据库，并通过增加对控制变量的了解，帮助改进这种估计。该项目将与弗吉尼亚海岸保护区LTER（该项目所在地之一）共同制定一项外展计划，该计划对K-12学校有积极的外展计划，对少数群体有很大影响。该项目还将涉及研究生和本科生教育。

The project will investigate the measurement of oxygen flux across the sediment water interface using the eddy correlation technique, which is an in situ approach for continuous measurement. Obtaining such fluxes will increase the ability to measure accurately benthic oxygen fluxes in sediments. This project will further the development of the eddy correlation technique and compare these results with advection chambers and with the perfusion method, both of which are currently used, to validate the eddy correlation approach and show its broad applicability. A process-based mathematical model will also be developed and used, with the flux measurements and porewater data, to validate the technique and will also be used to interpret and synthesize the results. The scientific merit of this research is that oxygen fluxes are the main proxy for assessing carbon cycling rates in sediments and are used widely in carbon budget estimates. The project will therefore help improve such estimates by increasing the database on oxygen fluxes for permeable shelf sediments, and by providing an increased understanding of the controlling variables.The project will develop an outreach program in conjunction with the Virginia Coast Reserve LTER, one of the locations of this project, which has an active outreach program to K-12 schools, with a strong impact on minority groups. The project will also involve graduate and undergraduate education.