Source - receptor analysis of lignin and lipid macromolecules in karst to quantify stalagmite biomarker proxies of vegetation and temperature change. Cave stalagmites are archives of past climate and environmental changes. This project seeks to develop two novel biomarkers, lignin and bacterial membrane lipids, from which we will generate new records of historic and prehistoric vegetation and temperature change.
Groundwater organic matter: carbon source or sink? The contribution of organic matter in groundwater to the global terrestrial carbon budget is unknown. This project aims to determine the processes that control the amount of groundwater organic matter by using six research bore-fields and laboratory facilities to analyse the concentration and character of both dissolved and colloidal organic matter. This is designed to determine the rate and extent of both the biological and the physiochemical p ....Groundwater organic matter: carbon source or sink? The contribution of organic matter in groundwater to the global terrestrial carbon budget is unknown. This project aims to determine the processes that control the amount of groundwater organic matter by using six research bore-fields and laboratory facilities to analyse the concentration and character of both dissolved and colloidal organic matter. This is designed to determine the rate and extent of both the biological and the physiochemical processes determining groundwater organic matter concentration. By quantifying the environmental conditions under which groundwater is a carbon source or sink, the project could guide policy to enable the management of the groundwater resource as part of the carbon economy.Read moreRead less