Research Experience for Undergraduates at Elizabeth City State University in Elizabeth City, North Carolina
Center for Remote Sensing of Ice Sheets in Ocean, Marine, and Polar Science
2015
Link: http://nia.ecsu.edu/reuomps2015/teams/arctic/index.html
Autochamber measurements of Net Ecosystem (CO2) Exchange at a subarctic mire in Northern Sweden
Keywords: CO2 flux, net ecosystem CO2 exchange, peatland, 13C
Abstract
Permafrost stores 50% of the global soil organic carbon. Increasing climate temperatures in the arctic region have given rise to permafrost thaw, exposing once stable organic carbon to decomposition, and potentially altering the global carbon budget. In this study, we present a secondary data analysis of high frequency net ecosystem (CO2) exchange measurements made using a quantum cascade laser spectrometer connected to a nine member autochamber system positioned in the three dominant vegetation communities at Stordalen Mire in Northern Sweden (68° 21'N, 18° 49'E). Over DOY 121 – 260 during the year 2013, the magnitude of net ecosystem (CO2) exchange (NEE) followed the moisture gradient with increasing CO2 uptake from the dry Palsa site (- 0.3 ± 1.6 mg C m-2 h-1), to the wet intermediate melt feature with Sphagnum spp. (- 22.1 ± 0.9 mg C m-2 h-1), to the fully wet Eriophorum spp. site (- 49.9 ± 4.2 mg C m-2 h-1), with highest uptake occurring in the fully thawed Eriophorum/ Sphagnum (Ch. 9) collar (- 87.2 ± 6.0 mg C m-2 h-1) (overall mean ±1 SE, n = 1267, 2334, 1211, 772). All mean fluxes were statistically different from each other (p < 0.0001). At all sites, PAR was the best environmental predictor of NEE. Although increased warming has resulted in permafrost thaw, any possible loss of old carbon in the form of CO2 from thawing or thawed sites was more than offset by a greater net uptake of CO2 occurring in the wetter sites.
Extreme IT day at North Carolina Agriculutral and Technical State University in Greensboro, North Carolina
2015
SeaPerch Presentation
SeaPerch Project
Keywords: Remote Control Vehicle, Rasperry Pi, python
Abstract
The importance of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math is critical in a world where the human race is advancing every year. The purpose of SeaPerch was to inspire young minds to consider a STEM field in college. Three students along with myself were chosen by professors of my major; Electronics Technology, to complete the SeaPerch project for Extreme IT Day. SeaPerch provided us with the resources in order to construct a Remotely Control Vehicle (ROV) that would tread and submerge in water. After creating the ROV with the original schematics, the teams went the extra mile and design the ROV to function using a wireless Wii remote. The new innovation require the use of a Raspberry Pi in order to allow wireless connection to the motors and to write the program in Python for the motors. The project invoked critical thinking, engineering skills, problem solving skills, and teamwork in order complete the project. The project was design to be presented at Extreme IT day to inspire high school kids to pursue STEM majors.
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