Speaker – Dr. Brent D. Newman, Los Alamos National Lab

Seminar Title – Isotopic and Geochemical Characterization of Arctic Ecosystems

Abstract – Permafrost degradation is a major driver of ecosystem change in the Arctic and the potential for major impacts on regional- to global-climate are profound. In this presentation I will describe why the Arctic is important for understanding global change and the goals of the Department of Energy, Next Generation Ecosystem Experiment-Arctic project which is tasked to improve representation of Arctic processes in Earth System Models. I will also explore some of the research we are doing to characterize the hydrology and biogeochemistry of Arctic systems. Through stable isotope and geochemical analyses we have been able to clarify important spatial and temporal attributes that are helping to build a better understanding of how these ecosystems function, and how they may be impacted in the future.

Coffee and light refreshments will be provided at 9:30 in Jordan 1132.