This study examines the dynamics of CO2 (both net ecosystem exchange and respiration) and CH4 exchange utilizing autochambers and measurements of 12C and 13C isotopologues of CH4 using a Quantum Cascade Laser Spectrometer (QCL). Isotopic composition of the CH4 source is derived from Keeling regressions of isotope and concentration data from automated chamber flux measurements. Chambers are located in three different sites; a dry palsa underlain by permafrost, an intermediate moisture site dominated by Sphagnum spp., and a completely thawed wet site dominated by Eriophorum spp. at Stordalen Mire near Abisko, Sweden (68°21' N, 19°03' E).

Measurements were made during the month of July 2012 as follows: seven sets during the hours of 09:00 – 15:00, two sets during the hours of 12:00 – 16:00, and four sets during the hours of 21:00 – 03:00. The calculated average net ecosystem (CO2) exchange was -77.4, -78.4, and -219.4 mg C m-2 h-1 for the Palsa, Sphagnum and Eriophorum sites respectively. Respiration fluxes, measured with a shrouded chamber immediately following NEE determination using a transparent chamber, averaged 51.0, 33.2, and 69.2 mg C m-2 h-1 for the Palsa, Sphagnum and Eriophorum sites respectively. Methane fluxes averaged ~ 0.0, 1.2, and 5.5 mg CH4 m-2 h-1 under ambient light conditions and ~ 0.0, 1.6, and 6.3 mg CH4 m-2 h-1 in darkened chamber for the Palsa, Sphagnum and Eriophorum sites respectively. The average carbon isotope composition of emitted methane was -68 ‰ at the Sphagnum site compared to -62 ‰ at the Eriophorum site and was not affected by light conditions. These results indicate that as the landscape transitions from a dry palsa, underlain by permafrost, to a predominately wet site dominated by Eriophorum spp., more photosynthesis compared to respiration is occurring, resulting in the sequestration of CO2. This could however be offset as permafrost thaw yields an increasing amount of CH4 to the atmosphere.  

Analyzing Long-Term Drought Effects on Land Surface Temperature and Vegetation Using Aqua-1 Satellite Data
Mentors: Mr. Je'Aime Powell – ECSU, Eric Baptiste, Karen Dubey, Jane Zeer – SeaSpace©
ECSU Research Experience for Undergraduates in Ocean, Marine and Polar Sciences

Abstract
According to the State Climate Office of North Carolina, since 2007 the northern coastal plain of North Carolina has been experiencing a long-term summer drought. The primary goal of this research was to find a correlation between land surface temperature and vegetation due to long-term drought using satellite data. The team collected imagery data through the SeaSpace© TeraScan® system in order to produce land surface temperature and normalized difference vegetation index products. The data products were averaged into monthly and yearly composites so that the team could use TeraVision to depict the differences of values for the products.

How does Precipitation and Temperature Contribute into the Decreasing of Glacier Mass Balance?
Mentors: Cheri Hamilton, Brandon Gillette, and Steve Obenhaus
KU Research Experience for Undergraduates

Abstract
Glaciers account for 10% of the Earth's surface. However, during the Ice Age that surface was three times the size it is now. The most prominent glaciers are located in Antarctica and Greenland and are decreasing in mass balance. Mass balance is the difference between accumulation and ablation (melting and sublimation). Climate change may cause variations in snowfall and temperature (warmer temperatures, less snowfall). Glaciers are more essential to human life, than people take for granted; they release fresh water scour bedrock and cool the weather during the summer. The downfall of the decrease of glacier mass balance is that it is increasing the global sea level rise. With the decline of our glaciers it can define a major loss in a natural resource, as well as higher sea level rise and warmer than normal temperatures. The research will support how much significance a warmer climate and precipitation can affect how fast our glaciers will dwindle.

Coast Guard Aviation and Logistics Center
Mentors: Paul Herald, Angela Griffin
USCG Internship

Abstract
During the summer of 2012, I was accepted to work as an Intern at the Coast Guard Base in Elizabeth City. I was assigned to the Information Systems Division (ISD) within the Aviation and Logistics Center (ALC). In ISD I worked with the Database Base team. My first task was to determine a project schedule for Oracle upgrades from 10G to 11G. I made several charts to help make the upgrades as smooth as possible. When these upgrades are conducted the servers come down and no one can use them. The upgrades have to be done at a time when its ideal for all departments.

After this was determined, I was tasked with making a Standby database. A standby database is basically a shadow copy of a primary database. The primary database is constantly synchronized to the standby. This helps to eliminate any data loss from any possible errors. The standby can also be used for disaster recovery and backups. If at one point the main database needs to go down, the standby can act as the primary so that there is NO down time. This was very important for the workers within ALC.
After completing the work successfully, I created a Standard Operating Procedure (Documents containing the procedure to create a standby database) so that workers after me can recreate a standby database.