NSF Postdoctoral Fellowship in Biology FY 2013

将土壤来源的挥发性有机化合物的测量与大气排放模型联系起来森林是全球挥发性有机化合物(VOCs)的主要来源，VOCs显著影响生态和大气过程，包括臭氧的产生。关于森林中挥发性有机碳产生的大部分已知信息来自于对活叶的研究。然而，最近的研究表明，根和土壤微生物可能是VOCs的相当大的来源，这对大气化学和生态系统碳收支的模型有影响。在本项目中，将对不同树种主导的森林中的土壤和树冠VOC通量进行现场量化。将确定根和土壤微生物排放VOC的生理机制和主要生物地球化学驱动因素，从而开发预测VOC对大气成分和空气质量影响的机械排放模型。该项目的成果将有助于全面理解从分子到生态系统到大气的尺度上对VOC排放的生物和物理控制。结果将用于改进全球VOC排放和大气化学的模型。培训目标包括整合分子、生物地球化学和数学建模技术，以探索对当地和全球空气质量有影响的紧迫生态问题。更广泛的影响包括跨不同学科和国际机构之间研究的独特合作机会。外展活动包括通过科学、技术和研究学者(STAR)计划培训和指导一些未被充分代表的本科生，为免费科学工作坊系列开发与研究相关的课程，以及向土地管理人员和普通公众提供年度报告。

Linking measurements of soil-derived volatile organic compounds to atmospheric emissions modelsForests represent the primary source of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) globally, and VOCs significantly impact ecological and atmospheric processes, including the production of ozone. Most of what is known about VOC production in forests comes from studies of live foliage. However, recent work indicates that roots and soil microbes can be considerable sources of VOCs, with implications for models of atmospheric chemistry and ecosystem carbon budgets. In this project, soil and canopy VOC fluxes will be quantified in situ in forests dominated by different tree species. The physiological mechanisms and primary biogeochemical drivers responsible for VOC emissions from roots and soil microbes will be determined, leading to the development of mechanistic emission models that predict VOC effects on atmospheric composition and air quality. The results from this project will contribute a comprehensive mechanistic understanding of biological and physical controls over VOC emissions from the molecular-to-ecosystem-to-atmospheric scales. Results will be used to improve models of global VOC emissions and atmospheric chemistry.Training objectives include the integration of molecular, biogeochemical, and mathematical modeling techniques to explore a pressing ecological issue with implications for local and global air quality. Broader impacts include unique collaborative opportunities for research across diverse disciplines and between international institutions. Outreach activities include training and mentoring a number of underrepresented undergraduates through the Science, Technology, and Research Scholars (STARS) program, developing a research-related curriculum for a free science workshop series, and providing annual reports to both land managers and the general public.