Chemical and Physical Controls on Transport Processes in Large Peatlands

Glaser 9652692 大面积泥炭地运移过程的化学和物理控制 北方泥炭地是温室气体的重要源和汇。 然而，由于泥炭的物质性质不确定，估计大气和生物圈之间温室气体通量并将其与全球变化联系起来的努力受到限制。 这些参数很难量化的传统方法，改变了泥炭的微妙的织物，是无法解决的三维（3D）结构的泥炭孔隙。 因此，目前对泥炭沉积物的孔隙度及其温室气体释放的估计可能存在超过几个数量级的误差。 确定多孔材料精细结构的新方法是计算机断层扫描（CT）和磁共振成像（MRI）。 研究人员将使用这些技术结合可视化软件来量化1）3D孔隙结构，2）实验室实验产生的结构变化，以及3）泥炭芯中温室气体的产生。 这些值可以用来模拟泥炭地在全球变化中的作用。

Glaser 9652692 Chemical and Physical Controls on Transport Processes in Large Peatlands Northern peatlands represent an important source and sink for greenhouse gases. Attempts to estimate these fluxes of greenhouse gases between the atmosphere and biosphere and relate them to global change, however, are limited by uncertainties regarding the material properties of peat. These parameters are difficult to quantify by traditional methods, which alter the delicate fabric of peat and are incapable of resolving the three dimensional (3D) structure of peat pores. Current estimates for the porosity of peat deposits and their release of greenhouse gases may therefore have errors in excess of several orders of magnitude. A new approach for determining the fine structure of porous materials is Computerized Tomography (CT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). The investigators will use these techniques in conjunction with visualization software to quantify 1) the 3D pore structure, 2) structural changes produced by laboratory experiments, and 3) production of greenhouse gases in peat cores. These values can then be used to model the role of peatlands in global change.