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

该项目将研究使用涡旋相关技术测量沉积物水界面上的氧通量，这是一种连续测量的现场方法。获得这样的通量将增加准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旋相关技术，并将这些结果与目前使用的平流室和灌注法进行比较，以验证涡旋相关方法的有效性，并显示其广泛的适用性。还将开发和使用一个以过程为基础的数学模型，结合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，并被广泛用于碳收支估计。因此，该项目将通过增加可渗透陆架沉积物氧通量的数据库，并提供对控制变量的更多了解，来帮助改善这种估计。该项目将与弗吉尼亚海岸保护区LTER一起制定一项外展计划，该项目是该项目的地点之一，该项目对K-12学校有一个积极的外展计划，对少数族裔群体具有强烈的影响。该项目还将涉及研究生和本科教育。

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.