Mechanisms of Soil Carbon Sequestration (MECCAS)

We are examining the effect of permafrost thaw on soil carbon and nitrogen storage and greenhouse gas production through a combination of intensive field studies, modeling, isotope geochemistry, and microbial ecology. We are also utilizing permafrost DNA to understand the microbial ecology of permafrost soils and the examine the vegetation of past environments.

Abstract

Our research is structured to understand fundamental biogeochemical mechanisms controlling carbon losses following permafrost thaw, and address the needs of various models to understand permafrost-carbon interactions. The research is conducted primarily at the Alaska Peatland Experiment (APEX), associated with the UAF LTER. The site is highly instrumented with flux towers, autochambers, deep temperature arrays, and telemetry. Although APEX is our core study site, we are also conducting similar studies on the Kenai Peninsula in an area containing isolated permafrost (Browns Bog). A second research project is focused on utilizing DNA extracted from permafrost and bogs in order to 1) understand the microbial ecology of frozen environments as permafrost is an important exobiological analog, and 2) to utilize plant DNA from various pan Arctic sources to recreate paste Arctic environments.

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Products

Title	Type
USGS Soil Biogeochemistry Group	Project Website

Contacts

Waldrop, Mark P., 650-329-5005

Status: completed
Start Year: 2015
End Year: 2020

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Project Sites

Collaborators

DOE - Lawrence Berkeley National Labratory
UAF - Scenarios Network for Alaska and Arctic Planning
University of Alaska Fairbanks
University of California Irvine
University of Illinois Urbana-Champain
USFS - Alaska Regional Office

Location

Bonanza Creek Experimental Forest
Fairbanks

USGS Mission Area and Program

Land Resources → Climate Research and Development

Major Initiatives

CSC - Alaska Climate Science Center
LCC - Northwest Boreal

Keywords

Cryosphere > Frozen Ground > Permafrost
Land Surface > Soils > Carbon
Paleoclimate > Land Records > Radiocarbon