Our research focuses on assessing the components of the Net Ecoystem Carbon Balance using the eddy covariance approach to measure atmospheric fluxes of heat, energy, carbon dioxide and methane and testing equipment and techniques to measure the tidal exchange of dissolved organic (DOC) and inorganic carbon (DIC). The atmospheric flux tower is located south of Solano Land Trust's Rush Ranch, a working ranch encompassing 2,070 acres of marsh and rolling grasslands that provides both recreational and educational experiences for the public (http://www.solanolandtrust.org/RushRanch.aspx). Lateral fluxes are being collected at the San Francisco Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve First Mallard water quality station (http://www.sfbaynerr.org/). [...]
Summary
Our research focuses on assessing the components of the Net Ecoystem Carbon Balance using the eddy covariance approach to measure atmospheric fluxes of heat, energy, carbon dioxide and methane and testing equipment and techniques to measure the tidal exchange of dissolved organic (DOC) and inorganic carbon (DIC). The atmospheric flux tower is located south of Solano Land Trust's Rush Ranch, a working ranch encompassing 2,070 acres of marsh and rolling grasslands that provides both recreational and educational experiences for the public (http://www.solanolandtrust.org/RushRanch.aspx). Lateral fluxes are being collected at the San Francisco Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve First Mallard water quality station (http://www.sfbaynerr.org/). Measurements include dissolved carbon dioxide, high resolution pH, water velocity and stage heights. Rush Ranch is part of the extensive Suisun Marsh complex and is located where annual salinity ranges from 3 to 15 ppt. Preliminary atmospheric fluxes have shown that this system has high plant productivity, while methane emissions remain low compared to nearby freshwater marsh systems.
Project logistics include:
* Vegetation is dominated by sedges (Schoenoplectusand Typhaspecies) and an invasive perennial forb (Lepidiumlatifolium L.).
* Continuous measurements of atmoshperic fluxes since 2014
* The collection of porewater sulfate and salinity to relate to methane fluxes
* Quantifying the lateral fluxes of DOC and DIC
* Building collaborations with other research agencies