Presentation Type

Poster

Presentation Type

Submission

Keywords

Submarine Groundwater Discharge, Greenhouse Gas, Biogeochemistry

Department

Biology

Major

Biology

Abstract

THE EFFECT OF SUBMARINE GROUNDWATER DISCHARGE ON GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS IN MAUNALUA BAY, HI

Authors: Kylie Nichols, Dr. Carmella Vizza, Dr. Florybeth La Valle

Abstract: In the urban coastal environments of Honolulu, Hawai’i, water high in inorganic nutrients such as nitrates, phosphates, and ammonia, often becomes further enriched by human activity. This water seeps into the ocean by mode of submarine groundwater discharge (SGD).

We hypothesize that SGD influences greenhouse gas (GHG) production in coastal systems at a measurable rate and is overlooked as a significant source of methane emissions. Marshes and wetlands are the largest contributors to methane production due to methanogenic bacteria metabolizing large amounts of organic matter, but this phenomenon is less studied in coastal systems with SGD because these systems are not usually oxygen-limited. Our research seeks to quantify methane production in areas with low salinity and high nutrients by collecting water and sediment samples from coastal areas near SGD and creating closed systems where methane and other greenhouse gasses can accumulate. The methane, nitrous oxide, and other GHG rates of production will be measured with respect to the water and sediment samples’ proximity to the SGD so we can quantify the magnitude of GHG on SGD in coastal systems.

Faculty Mentor

Florybeth La Valle

Location

Waves Cafeteria

Start Date

22-3-2024 1:30 PM

End Date

22-3-2024 2:30 PM

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Mar 22nd, 1:30 PM Mar 22nd, 2:30 PM

The Effect of Submarine Groundwater Discharge on Greenhouse Gas Production on a Coral Reef in Maunalua Bay, HI

Waves Cafeteria

THE EFFECT OF SUBMARINE GROUNDWATER DISCHARGE ON GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS IN MAUNALUA BAY, HI

Authors: Kylie Nichols, Dr. Carmella Vizza, Dr. Florybeth La Valle

Abstract: In the urban coastal environments of Honolulu, Hawai’i, water high in inorganic nutrients such as nitrates, phosphates, and ammonia, often becomes further enriched by human activity. This water seeps into the ocean by mode of submarine groundwater discharge (SGD).

We hypothesize that SGD influences greenhouse gas (GHG) production in coastal systems at a measurable rate and is overlooked as a significant source of methane emissions. Marshes and wetlands are the largest contributors to methane production due to methanogenic bacteria metabolizing large amounts of organic matter, but this phenomenon is less studied in coastal systems with SGD because these systems are not usually oxygen-limited. Our research seeks to quantify methane production in areas with low salinity and high nutrients by collecting water and sediment samples from coastal areas near SGD and creating closed systems where methane and other greenhouse gasses can accumulate. The methane, nitrous oxide, and other GHG rates of production will be measured with respect to the water and sediment samples’ proximity to the SGD so we can quantify the magnitude of GHG on SGD in coastal systems.

 

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