ELT COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH: Investigating the Biotic and Paleoclimatic Consequences of Dust in the Late Paleozoic

ELT 合作研究：调查晚古生代尘埃的生物和古气候后果

• 批准号: 1543518
• 负责人: Linda Hinnov
• 金额: $ 6.09万
• 依托单位: George Mason University
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2015
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2015-02-11 至 2018-08-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1543518&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: ELT; COLLABORATIVE; RESEARCH; Investigating; Biotic

Collaborative Research:Investigating the Biotic and Paleoclimatic Consequences of Dust in the Late PaleozoicbyGerilyn Soreghan, University of Oklahoma, EAR-1338331Sarah Aciego, University of Michigan, EAR-1337440Linda Hinnov, Johns Hopkins University, EAR-1337454Nicholas Heavens, Hampton University, EAR-1337463Overview Geologic data indicate that the tropical atmosphere during the Permo-Pennsylvanian (300 Million years ago) was dust-rich. In addition, algae predominated in late Paleozoic marine ecosystems. These observations, combined with predictions from climate modeling, prompt two over-arching hypotheses driving the proposed research: 1) the unusual tropical dustiness reflects dust production by tropical upland glaciers, and 2) atmospheric dustiness fertilized marine ecosystems. Dust forces the climate system by affecting radiative forcing and atmospheric moisture, and by influencing the biosphere, but these effects are poorly known. In this research, PIs will collect data to constrain spatial (low-mid latitude) and temporal (glacial-interglacial and longer) variations in atmospheric 'dustiness,' sources of the dust, and influences between dust and ecosystem composition in order to address their over-arching hypotheses, and clarify the relationships among atmospheric dustiness, climate, and the biosphere.Intellectual MeritThis research will reveal process links among dust, climate, and the biosphere within an icehouse, at glacial-interglacial scales. Owing to the known importance but great uncertainty of both the direct and indirect effects of dust on climate, results will expand understanding of Earth-system behavior. Tropical glaciation at low elevations implies much more widespread glaciation than currently accepted, and --if verified-- would force the community to test this hypothesis with new modeling approaches. The models to be used are identical to those used for present and future climate, and thus improvements made through the proposed work will inform modeling of Earth's climate in general. If the hypothesis that atmospheric dustiness forced marine biotic systems toward nutrient-rich conditions is confirmed, it implies a remarkably dusty Earth, and clarifies Earth-system behavior to dust-sourced fertilization. These results are relevant to growing discussions regarding geo-engineering schemes to control future climate change. Broader ImpactsCross-disciplinary training will occur via exchanges between geological and geochemical labs, geologists and modelers, and in joint field excursions and progress meetings. PhD students will mentor middle-school teachers through a formal summer program. Undergraduates will conduct senior theses and present at Undergraduate Research Day and national meetings. Both will interact with middle- and high-school students through a formal course on STEM education. The lead investigators will use components of the research to teach at university levels, as well as in museum, and community outreach. Ties will be established and strengthened among all participant institutions, which includes an Historically Black University, as well as international partners. This research will help ignite the research careers of three young investigators (2 with no prior NSF support). Data will be archived and shared via publications, and web-accessible tools.

合作研究：调查晚古生代灰尘的生物和古气候后果作者：Gerilyn Soreghan，俄克拉荷马大学，EAR-1338331Sarah Aciego，密歇根大学，EAR-1337440Linda Hinnov，约翰霍普金斯大学，EAR-1337454Nicholas Heavens，汉普顿大学， EAR-1337463概述 地质数据表明二叠纪-宾夕法尼亚纪（3 亿年前）的热带大气富含灰尘。此外，藻类在晚古生代海洋生态系统中占主导地位。这些观察结果与气候模型的预测相结合，提出了推动拟议研究的两个总体假设：1）不寻常的热带尘埃反映了热带高地冰川产生的尘埃，2）大气尘埃丰富了海洋生态系统。灰尘通过影响辐射强迫和大气湿度以及影响生物圈来影响气候系统，但这些影响却鲜为人知。在这项研究中，PI将收集数据来限制大气“尘埃”的空间（中低纬度）和时间（冰期-间冰期和更长）变化、尘埃来源以及尘埃与生态系统组成之间的影响，以解决它们的问题。总体假设，并阐明大气尘埃、气候和生物圈之间的关系。智力价值这项研究将揭示冰库内尘埃、气候和生物圈之间的过程联系，在冰期-间冰期鳞片。由于尘埃对气候的直接和间接影响的重要性众所周知，但具有很大的不确定性，研究结果将扩大对地球系统行为的理解。低海拔地区的热带冰川作用意味着比目前所接受的更为广泛的冰川作用，如果得到证实，将迫使人们用新的建模方法来检验这一假设。所使用的模型与当前和未来气候所使用的模型相同，因此通过拟议工作所做的改进将为地球气候的总体建模提供信息。如果大气尘埃迫使海洋生物系统走向营养丰富的条件这一假设得到证实，则意味着地球上的灰尘非常多，并阐明了地球系统对尘埃源施肥的行为。这些结果与有关控制未来气候变化的地球工程计划的日益激烈的讨论相关。更广泛的影响跨学科培训将通过地质和地球化学实验室、地质学家和建模师之间的交流以及联合实地考察和进展会议进行。博士生将通过正式的暑期项目指导中学教师。本科生将进行高级论文并在本科生研究日和全国会议上发表演讲。两者都将通过 STEM 教育的正式课程与初中和高中学生互动。主要研究人员将利用研究的组成部分在大学、博物馆和社区外展中进行教学。所有参与机构之间将建立并加强联系，其中包括历史黑人大学以及国际合作伙伴。这项研究将有助于激发三名年轻研究人员的研究生涯（其中两名研究人员之前没有获得 NSF 的支持）。数据将通过出版物和网络访问工具进行存档和共享。