Collaborative Research: REU SITE: Coal Mining Impacts on Soil Carbon Storage and Impacts in Appalachian Headwater Streams: a Research Experience for Undergraduates

通过课堂、实地和实验室经验的综合项目，REU/RET参与者将通过研究源头流域土壤和沉积物中的碳循环和储存，研究生物地球化学循环及其对生态系统动态的影响。学生将使用土壤和沉积物的碳氮稳定同位素分析技术，研究不同的地表采煤方法对肯塔基州东南部阿巴拉契亚地区森林和开采流域碳预算和侵蚀的影响。最多24名本科生和10名教师将各自开发一个与碳循环相关的独立研究项目；收集现场土壤或沉积物样品，用同位素比质谱仪准备和分析样品，解释数据；然后在内部会议上展示他们的研究结果。教育策略侧重于学生与导师的科学互动和碳循环视角下的环境科学学生群调查。智力方面的优点包括本科教育的进步以及本科作者和教师导师的科学出版物。科学进步将包括更好地了解碳和氮同位素测量在土壤有机碳和褐煤调查中的优缺点。此外，将对影响矿区碳储存和周转的因素进行统计分析，并用于更好地了解环境过程。最后，对不同管理情景下矿区侵蚀引起的碳通量进行了量化，并提出了同位素测量在了解采煤流域碳和养分输送质量方面的有效性。更广泛的影响包括代表性不足的群体的参与，包括来自肯塔基州东部阿巴拉契亚贫困社区的学生和教师。此外，这项研究的更广泛影响将有益于社会，包括对煤炭能源收集对环境的影响进行预算。最后，本研究将加强肯塔基大学和东肯塔基大学的教学和研究基础设施。

Through an integrated program of classroom, field, and laboratory experiences, REU/RET participants will study biogeochemical cycles and their influence on ecosystem dynamics over time by examining carbon cycling and storage in soils and sediments in headwater watersheds. Students will examine the impacts of different surface coal mining methods on carbon budgets and erosion in forested and mined watersheds in the Southeastern Kentucky Appalachian Region employing the technique of carbon and nitrogen stable isotope analysis of soils and sediments. Up to 24 undergraduate student and 10 teacher participants will each develop an independent research project related to carbon cycling; collect field soil or sediment samples, prepare and analyze samples on an isotope ratio mass spectrometer, interpret the data; and then present their results at an in-house conference. The educational strategies focus on student-mentor scientific interaction and student-cluster investigation of the environmental sciences from a carbon cycling perspective. The intellectual merits include advancement in undergraduate education as well as scientific publication by undergraduate authors and faculty mentors. Scientific advancement will include gaining a better understanding of advantages/disadvantages of carbon and nitrogen isotope measurements for soil organic carbon and lignite investigations. In addition, the factors impacting carbon storage and turnover on mined sites will be statistically analyzed and used to better understand environmental processes. Finally, the carbon flux as induced by erosion of mined lands will be quantified under different management scenarios, and the efficacy of isotopic measurements to understand the quality of carbon and nutrients transported in coal mining watersheds will be advanced. Broader impacts include participation of underrepresented groups including students and teachers from the Eastern Kentucky Appalachian Distressed Communities. In addition, a broader impact of the research will be benefits to society that include budgeting the impact of coal energy harvesting on the environment. Finally, this research will enhance the teaching and research infrastructure at the University of Kentucky and Eastern Kentucky University.