Investigating Anthropogenic Perturbations on Carbon Cycling in an Urbanized Tropical Estuary
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Project Summary
Motivation
Carbon is estuaries are integral part of the global carbon cycle. The Us Carbon Cycle Research Program identified carbon contributions from estuaries to the atmosphere as a critical area of research. Much research on carbon cycling has been conducted in estuaries in temperate regions. To date, there are no studies of carbon cycling in tropical estuaries of Africa and even less is known about how agriculture, urbanization, industrial and shipping activities polluting theses estuaries affect the carbon cycle. Few estuarine studies are based in Africa, despite the high human population along the coast and extensive human alteration of estuarine ecosystems. The US Carbon Cycle Research Program identified carbon sources and fluxed to and from estuaries as critical area for research because estuaries link the terrestrial, ocean and atmospheric carbon reservoirs. Yet, the role in local, regional or even global carbon cycling from tropical estuaries in sub-Saharan Africa which receive far greater amounts of organic carbon and pollutants compared to temperate and high latitude estuaries is unknown.
Purpose
The intent of the project is to provide undergraduate and graduate students with the opportunity to conduct faculty mentored, hand-on field-based research. Students selected to participate in this project will receive international education, training and research in marine geochemistry and carbon cycling in a tropical estuary (Douala Estuary) in the Atlantic coast of Cameroon, in West Africa. During this study, faculty and students from the University of Douala and the University of Yaounde in Cameroon. For six weeks and over a three-year period, selected US students and their Cameroonian peers will conduct field research to elucidate how anthropogenic activities (agriculture, urbanization, industrial, shipping ect.) that pollute the Douala Estuary with nutrients (e.g., nitrates) and metals (e.g. Cadmium) affect carbon cycling in the water column and sediments.
Anticipated Results
The anticipated results of this project will provide important information that will enable us to assess the role of the Douala Estuary in the movement of carbon (CO2, carbonates, carbonic acid, bicarbonate, organic carbon) within the spheres (geosphere, biosphere, atmosphere and hydrosphere). It will thus provide valuable data for carbon cycling modelling at the local, regional and contributions to the global scale.
Student Involvement
Participating students will test the hypothesis that anthropogenic pollution in the Douala Estuary increase bio-productivity in the water column and sediments, affects the surrounding wetland and marshes, and alters the cycling of carbon by increasing the flux of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere. Data acquired by the students will provide important resources for their learning through
- analysis and critical thinking
- scientific literature review,
- the scientific method,
- technical writing and communication,
- conference presentation skills,
- networking and professional development
By interacting with Cameroonian peers, the selected US students will gain
- an enriched cultural experience,
- peer-mentoring and global outreach
- build personal and professional networks and establish relationships that could form the core of future international research collaborations.
Ultimately, the results of the participating students' projects will provide scientific input that will be useful for designing sustainable management programs for the use and protection of estuarine resources. Select aspects of the project could also provide the basis of undergraduate research topics and graduate student theses.