Quantifying Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Water Impoundments

Opportunity Title:

Quantifying Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Water Impoundments

Research Area:

Air

EPA Lab/Center/Office:

Center for Environmental Measurement and Modeling (CEMM), Office of Research and Development

Location:

Cincinnati, OH

Duration:

• National Science Foundation Non-Academic Research Internships for Graduate Students (INTERN) Supplemental Funding Opportunity (6 months maximum)

Project Description:

EPA is responsible for reporting the nation’s annual greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory to the United Nations. In 2002 the EPA included GHG emissions from reservoirs for the first time and the Agency is currently conducting research to improve the accuracy of the emission estimate.  Research activities include direct emission estimates at reservoirs across the US,     remote sensing based estimates, and statistical model development.

This large research effort will present many opportunities for student involvement including field sampling, laboratory experiments, analytical work, and data analysis.  The student will also have an opportunity to interact with other research groups investigating a wide range of topics including algal blooms and nutrient management.

Fellowship Goal and Learning Objectives:

Goal:  The student will learn how to work with a team, identify research questions, interpret environmental data, and communicate research results to scientists, stake holders and policy makers.

Learning Objectives:

• Characterize and quantify greenhouse gases in aquatic ecosystems to understand their chemical behavior, fate, transport, transformation, and emissions
• Analyze data and write peer-reviewed journal articles
• Learn the use and operation of different analytical instruments and methodologies

Preferred Skills and Qualifications:

• Strong verbal and writing skills,
• Ability to work both as a part of a team and independently.
• The student should have an interest and technical expertise in data management and statistical packages (i.e. R, Excel, ArcGIS, etc).

Qualifications:  Graduate student or Ph.D. in one of the relevant fields (e.g., Environmental Engineering, Environmental Chemistry, Environmental Science, Geochemistry, Biogeochemistry, Geo-environmental Engineering, Soil Science, Ecology Biology).

Point of Contact or Research Lead:

Jake Beaulieu (beaulieu.jake@epa.gov)