Attributing biological controls on recent changes in carbon cycling in organic soils
c.pschenyckyj@pgr.reading.ac.uk
Profile: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Catharine_Pschenyckyj
Supervisors:
- Dr Joanna Clark – University of Reading
- Dr Liz Shaw – University of Reading
- Dr Chris Evans – Centre for Ecology and Hydrology
- Dr Rob Griffiths – Centre for Ecology and Hydrology
Funding:
- Reading University
- Centre for Ecology and Hydrology
- NERC
Start date:
- September 2014
Abstract:
This project will investigate the effects of acidity on DOC in highly organic soils, specifically how acidity affects microbial processing of different sources of carbon. In particular, this research will examine the effect of acidity on microbial community structure and the relationship with microbial DOC production and consumption distinguishing between non-humic and humic ‘coloured’ fractions. This research will build on an existing long-term pH manipulation field experiment in contrasting areas of historical pollution; North Wales and the Peak District, coupled with a range of sophisticated laboratory methods such as next generation sequencing of microbial diversity, Fluorescence Spectroscopy and NMR.