While wetlands serve as an important carbon sink, they are responsible for an estimated ⅓ of the world’s yearly methane emissions. In these waterlogged ecosystems, the oxygen-starved microorganisms produce methane as an alternative byproduct to survive. The mechanisms by which this methane travels from the peat into the atmosphere is still not well understood, especially through certain avenues like ebullition or plant-mediated transport. This project aims to collect data from both the field and the lab to create an accurate model of methane behavior to answer questions such as: what are the reasons methane emissions drop during the winter? To what extent do plants transport methane from the soil to the atmosphere, and if so, which species? To what extent does ebullition-an episodic, difficult-to-measure emission pathway-contribute to the total flux? We especially aim to characterize both the internal processes and external forces that control production and transport. The answer to these questions will help improve forecasts of atmospheric methane concentrations under climatic variability and change.

Throughout my time at MIT, I’ve participated in several UROPs. Slowly, I’ve come to the realization that work in the lab appeals to me far more than work in industry, and that I would like to pursue graduate school. So, for my senior year at MIT, I decided I wanted to find an interesting research project, commit to it for a whole year, and produce publishable results by the end. A SuperUROP provides the funding, the training, and the accountability I needed to make this happen. I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity, and excited to see what I can accomplish with Harvey Lab.