Faculty Mentor(s)
Dr. Michael Philben, Chemistry and Geological & Environmental Sciences
Document Type
Poster
Event Date
4-14-2023
Abstract
In this study, we measured inorganic nitrogen (nitrate and ammonium) released from peat cores from Miner Lake bog at two temperatures to analyze the impact of climate warming on the peatland nitrogen cycle. We hypothesized a higher nitrogen release in samples incubated at warmer temperatures. Furthermore, previous research indicates shallow peat decomposes faster than deeper peat. Therefore, we hypothesized faster nitrogen mineralization in shallow samples. We collected peat cores from two locations from Miner Lake Bog in Allegan County, Michigan: a plot in the center of the bog and a sedge meadow site near the edge. Two samples for each depth (0-0.5 meter, 1.5-2 meters) were taken at both sites and homogenized. Microlysimeters, consisting of two-chambered filter towers, were acid washed and 20 g of acid washed sand was added to each upper chamber. 50 g of peat was added onto the sand and was left to equilibrate for four days. Microlysimeters were leached with 80 mL of 0.01M CaCl2 solution and the concentration of nitrate and ammonium in the leachate were quantified using ion chromatography. Microlysimeters were incubated for two weeks before leaching procedures were repeated. A separate field-based cation-anion exchange analysis was performed through the installation of plant root simulators. In both the lab and field experiments, we consistently found that cumulative mineralization was higher at the warmer temperature, indicating that warming will increase the rate of nitrogen cycling in peatlands. We also found that at a lesser extent mineralization was higher in surface peat than in more degraded deep peat layers.
Recommended Citation
Repository citation: Smith, Madison; Bryan, Lauren; Shaw, Rachel; Dole, Mackenzie; and O'Donnell, Madeleine, "Temperature Sensitivity of Nitrogen Mineralization in Peat From a Southwestern Michigan Bog" (2023). 22nd Annual Celebration of Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity (2023). Paper 36.
https://digitalcommons.hope.edu/curca_22/36
April 14, 2023. Copyright © 2023 Hope College, Holland, Michigan.
Comments
This work was funded by the Hope College Departments of Chemistry and Geology & Environmental Science, the Rex Johnson Geology Summer Research Fund and the Smies Summer Research Fund.
Title on poster differs from abstract booklet. Poster title: Temperature Sensitivity of Nitrogen Mineralization in Peat Cores From Miner Lake Bog