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A source to sink biomarker analysis in the Fraser Valley, Canada
Riverine export of carbon produced by the terrestrial biosphere and its subsequent burial in ocean sedimentary sinks represents an important component of the carbon cycle.
Riverine export of carbon produced by the terrestrial biosphere and its subsequent burial in ocean sedimentary sinks represents an important component of the carbon cycle. Different plant and soil derived organic compounds such as leaf waxes and membrane lipids can be used as biomarkers to determine the provenance of sediment and identify important transport processes within a river basin.
Riverine export of carbon produced by the terrestrial biosphere and its subsequent burial in ocean sedimentary sinks represents an important component of the carbon cycle. Different plant and soil derived organic compounds such as leaf waxes and membrane lipids can be used as biomarkers to determine the provenance of sediment and identify important transport processes within a river basin.
Depending on the student’s interest, one or several biomarkers can be chosen for the analysis. The Fraser River basin serves a model system for delineation of materials transport through large river basins since it drains various sub-basins with different vegetation patterns. The student will investigate biomarker concentrations in sediment samples as well as compound specific isotopic composition (δ13C, Δ14C, δ2H). Furthermore, the radiocarbon ages of the biomarkers will be used to determine timescales of carbon storage and transport within river drainage basins.
A selection of measuring techniques such as accelerated mass spectrometry (AMS), Gas Chromatography (GC-FID) and isotopic ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS) will be available to the student. This master thesis will include a trip to the Fraser valley (if possible!) during spring 2021. We are looking for a motivated student enjoying field work and laboratory analysis.
Depending on the student’s interest, one or several biomarkers can be chosen for the analysis. The Fraser River basin serves a model system for delineation of materials transport through large river basins since it drains various sub-basins with different vegetation patterns. The student will investigate biomarker concentrations in sediment samples as well as compound specific isotopic composition (δ13C, Δ14C, δ2H). Furthermore, the radiocarbon ages of the biomarkers will be used to determine timescales of carbon storage and transport within river drainage basins. A selection of measuring techniques such as accelerated mass spectrometry (AMS), Gas Chromatography (GC-FID) and isotopic ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS) will be available to the student. This master thesis will include a trip to the Fraser valley (if possible!) during spring 2021. We are looking for a motivated student enjoying field work and laboratory analysis.