THE EFFECT OF ATMOSPHERIC RIVERS ON WINTER ACCUMULATION RATES
IN SOUTHWESTERN YUKON, CANADA ICE CORE DATA
*Cann, Matthew D., *Alyssa Hammond and E. Kelsey
Department of Atmospheric Science and Chemistry, mdcann1@plymouth.edu,
ahammond@plymouth.edu
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Eric Kelsey
The main goal of this study is to test the hypothesis that the winter accumulation rate measured
in an ice core from southwestern Yukon Territory, Canada varies with the magnitude and
frequency of atmospheric rivers impacting this region. Atmospheric rivers are long, narrow
regions in the atmosphere, which transport extraordinary volumes of water vapor out of the
tropics and they are usually associated with extreme precipitation events in the middle and
subpolar latitudes. Winter (October-March) accumulation rate data is from the Eclipse ice core
(60.85˚N 139.78˚W, 3017m asl; 345 long), which was extracted in 2002 and dates back to ~1000
A.D. Lower tropospheric wind and specific humidity data were obtained from the 20th Century
Reanalysis gridded dataset from 1871-2010 to calculate daily mean values of northward moisture
flux into southwestern Yukon for each winter. Statistical relationships between the daily
moisture flux values and winter Eclipse accumulation were explored. The expected result of this
research is that high accumulation winters are associated with a large number of atmospheric
rivers (i.e., high magnitude moisture flux events), while the low accumulation winters are
associated with relatively few atmospheric river events. Further, meteorological variables will be
plotted on a map of the north Pacific to identify the types of atmospheric patterns that are
responsible for the atmospheric rivers that impact the Eclipse ice field.
AN ANALYSIS OF PRECIPITATION TYPE INDICATORS IN PLYMOUTH, NH
*Foster, Christopher S.
Department of Atmospheric Science and Chemistry, csfoster@plymouth.edu
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Lourdes Aviles Bramer
It is common practice to use the 1000-500 hpa critical thickness (5400 m rule of thumb) and the
850 hpa temperature as first guesses when forecasting precipitation type during the winter
season. However, depending on the forecast location, the usefulness of these parameters is
subject to local forcings. In addition to the commonly used indicators stated above, this study
examined the 1000-850 hpa, 1000-700 hpa, 925-500 hpa, 850-700 hpa, and 850-500 hpa
thicknesses, which can also play a role in the precipitation type observed at a given location.
Surface data was gathered from the Plymouth Municipal Airport (K1P1) over six winter seasons,
deemed November 1st to March 31st, from 2006-2012, and in total 46 rain events and 76 snow
events were examined. For each event, upper air data was gathered from Gray, ME, (KGYX)
and the variables of interest were either extracted or derived. Finally, snow and rain events were
analyzed separately in order to determine which variables were indicative of the occurrence.
The results suggest that in Plymouth, NH, near-surface conditions have the most significant
impact on precipitation type. While the 1000-500 hpa thickness was inconclusive and could not
be used as an indicator, the 850 hpa temperature proved to be a good first guess, as rain and
snow events occurred within the appropriate conditions 86% of the time. The other variables
showed similar results, supporting the overall assumption that precipitation type is dependent
upon the temperature profile of the near-surface layer.
EFFECTS OF IMMEDIATE REWARD ON DECISION TO SWITCH OR STAY IN
MONTY HALL PROBLEM
*Lovecky, T.J. and Paul Fedorchak
Department of Psychology, tjlovecky@plymouth.edu
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Paul Fedorchak
We examined the effects of immediate reward for good performance on students’ decision to
switch or stay in the Monty Hall problem. PSU undergraduates played 60 trials of a virtual
simulation of the “Doors and Goats” game, which included three doors, behind two of which
were goats and the other a car. Once a door was chosen one of the two remaining doors opened,
revealing a goat. Students then had to decide whether to stay with the originally chosen door or
switch to the remaining one. Conditions were choice verses no choice (determined by a dice roll)
of the original door and immediate reward versus no promised reward for a final win percentage
of 55% or higher. We hypothesized that the students who were promised an immediate reward
would outperform those who were not promised any reward. We also predicted that students in
the choice condition would switch less than those whose originally chosen door was determined
by a die.
VEILED ATROCITIES: RESPONSIBILITY TO PREVENT, PROTECT, AND
PRESERVE (R2P3)
*Goldenberg, Zachariah N. and F. Otucu
Department of Social Science, zngoldenberg@plymouth.edu
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Feliz Otucu
In 2005 the UN adopted the initiative of Responsibility to Protect (R2P) stating, “each individual
state has the responsibility to protect its populations from genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing
and crimes against humanity,” which constitute Mass Atrocity Crimes (MAC), and that the
international community would take collective action if national authorities failed to protect their
populations from these atrocities. How R2P is applied however has remained ambiguous,
evaluated on a case-by-case basis. This approach is open to abuse and subject to national
interests, which should be avoided as much as possible. After summarizing the current initiation
process of R2P, this research will look into the problems associated with this approach. Then, it
will focus on Veiled Atrocities that occur with far greater casualties but with much less attention
paid to them. According to the WHO in 2008, global violence, civil war, and conflict constituted
only 9.68% of the combined casualties that diarrheal diseases, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis,
premature and low birth rates, and malaria accounted for; children under 5 accounting for over
43% of those deaths, over 3 million. Next, a case study of Sudan will be examined in which R2P
is compared with a new alternative model: Responsibility to Prevent, Protect, and Preserve
(R2P3), which represents a more holistic approach stressing the importance of prevention and
preservation. The radical paradigm shift of addressing Veiled Atrocities as MAC’s due to
international complicity, with likely implications of such an initiative, will also be discussed.
Lastly, the creation of guidelines for R2P3 are presented.
THE SOCIOCULTURAL CONSTRUCTION OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND
NUTRITION DURING PREGNANCY: A MEDIA ANALYSIS
*Mailman, Lacey
Department of Health and Human Performance, lmmailman1@plymouth.edu
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Rebecca Busanich
The aims of this study were to analyze cultural discourses around physical activity (PA) and
nutrition for pregnant women, by conducting a media analysis grounded in social
constructionism to examine popular media/informational outlets for women during pregnancy.
This information will be useful in extending the literature around the sociocultural construction
of PA and eating experiences during pregnancy. A convenient sampling of popular media outlets
on PA & nutrition during pregnancy were collected and analyzed. All articles and images around
PA and nutrition from Fit Pregnancy magazine and Parenting Early Years magazine were
collected and analyzed during the time period of January-April 2013. A discourse analysis,
which combined thematic analysis and a separate visual analysis, was conducted to look at the
sociocultural construction of meanings around PA & nutrition for pregnant woman.
USING SPECIFIC ELECTRICAL CONDUCTANCE TO COMPARE RAINFALL
RUNOFF IN NH URBAN AND RURAL CATCHMENTS
*Hyde, Ashley, M. B. Green and E. Volitis
Center for the Environment, eahyde@plymouth.edu
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Mark Green
The EPSCoR Project has provided Plymouth State University with a unique opportunity to
gather aquatic data throughout New Hampshire. Currently, there are 32 volunteers hosting 156
aquatic sensors in 51 unique rivers. These data loggers are collecting electric conductance (EC),
water level and temperature measurements. Preliminary data focused on how river water EC
changes after rain events in urban and rural catchments. Specifically, we used EC to separate the
river water into “old” and “new” water (Pinder and Jones, 1969). Specific EC of the stream water
and precipitation were used in a mixing model that compared peaks of new water entering the
stream to water level peaks during rain events. The goal of this study is to better understand
source water variation during storm events across New Hampshire watersheds and to understand
how urban catchments function differently than rural/forested catchments. This information may
also help to better understand non-point source pollutant transport.
CHARACTERIZING REKAVIKURVATN LAKE SEDIMENT: INVESTIGATING THE
MIGRATION OF THE LATE-HOLOCENE POLAR FRONT
*Orejola, Nadine and L. Doner
Center for the Environment, norejola@mail.plymouth.edu
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Lisa Doner
Under ever-mounting concerns about effects of climate change, geoscientists often turn to past
climates to better understand and predict future conditions. One fairly novel approach is to study
the migration of ocean currents in regions of convergence, such as where the cold, low saline,
polar East Greenland Current meets the warm, saline, subtropical Irminger Current. The
intersection of these currents marks the Polar Front, which plays an important role in North
Atlantic climate and global deep-water circulation. The position of this Front has migrated over
time. Front migration can be observed in the sediment record of a back-barrier lake,
Rekavikurvatn, in northwest Iceland. It is ideally situated for investigating these two currents as
a result of frequent marine incursions over the barrier. Each current brings with it very a different
climate regime: cold, ice-marginal conditions accompany the East Greenland Current, while
warm, temperate conditions accompany the Irminger Current. These different regimes would be
identifiable in Rekavikurvatn’s sediment record. A lake core with deposits representing over
5000 years of environmental change could thus reveal repeated migrations of the Polar Front
across the lake. We propose to use down-core lake sediment and pore water geochemistry
(conductivity, major/minor cation proportions), foraminifera species identifications and counts,
and 210Pb dates to identify periods when the Polar Water Front was dominantly north versus
south of the lake site. An in-depth analysis of the marine influences on lake sediments
contributes major insights in our understanding of climate variability in the Northern
Hemisphere.
VALUING NEW HAMPSHIRE’S LANDSCAPE USING BENEFIT TRANSFER
METHODS
*Sydoriak, Jamie L. and Shannon Rogers
Center for the Environment, jamiesydoriak@gmail.com
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Shannon Rogers
Ecosystem services are the benefits people receive from the environment in the forms of
provisional goods such as timber and food, regulatory services such as carbon sequestration,
cultural services including recreational opportunities, and landscape supporting services such as
pollination. Researchers integrating the fields of environmental science, economics and social
science are developing and modifying methods of ecosystem service valuation to mitigate the
loss of ecosystems and the services they can provide. A benefit transfer valuation is the process
of applying ecosystem service values calculated for one “study site” in a given time and place to
a “policy site” in another, similar given time and place. No New Hampshire state-wide
ecosystem service valuations are known to have been completed yet. Using previously derived
ecosystem service values for the state of Maine, we performed a benefit transfer exercise to
generate a very rough estimate of the annual total ecosystem service flow value from the
landscape cover of New Hampshire. The total estimated ecosystem service flow from the
landscape of New Hampshire is approximately $13.1 billion per year. Based on these results, the
landscape of New Hampshire could provide an estimated average ecosystem service value of
$2,325.87 per acre per year. Forested cover types and water resources contributed largely to the
state’s total value estimate. Performing benefit transfers can produce baselines in solving
contemporary environmental problems and stimulate the recognition of natural capital. We hope
our report stimulates research efforts that aid natural resource conservation in New Hampshire or
elsewhere in New England.
CONSERVING GRASSLAND BIRD HABITAT ON PRIVATE LANDS IN THE UPPER
VALLEY
*Sydoriak, Jamie L., R. Renfrew, P. Hunt and L. Reitsma
Center for the Environment, jamiesydoriak@gmail.com
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Len Reitsma
Grassland songbirds have shown widespread, long-term population declines as a result of habitat
loss, intensification of agricultural practices, and succession of grassland habitat to forest. A
number of conservation programs offer incentives for managing grassland habitat, but most
private landowners are not aware of the serious threats faced by grassland birds, much less the
opportunities to address the problem. We have initiated a targeted bird survey for the summer of
2013 and subsequent outreach program to better manage existing habitat for grassland birds in
the Upper Valley of the Connecticut River, an area where populations of these sensitive species
have been disappearing. Selected grassland birds for the survey are the Bobolink (Dolichonyx
oryzivorus), Eastern Meadowlark (Sturnella magna), and Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus
sandwichensis). Measurable outcomes of our project will include: 1) number of acres converted
to recommended management practices; 2) number of landowners provided with information; 3)
map of grassland bird hotspots; 4) an estimate of changes in grassland bird populations from a
subset of sites surveyed in 1999; and 5) number of citizen scientists engaged in the project. By
focusing on increasing habitat quality on lands already managed primarily to maintain
“openness”, we can maintain viable populations of grassland birds in the Valley amidst
inevitable forest regeneration. This goal is increasingly important as grassland birds continue to
decline, even in the heart of their ranges. Our research is a collaborative effort between the
Vermont Center for Ecostudies and NH Audubon, in cooperation with the Natural Resource
Conservation Service (NRCS).
AVIAN BIODIVERSITY AND RECRUITMENT IN PATCH CUTS IN NEW
HAMPSHIRE
*Bassett, Maegen G. and L.R. Reitsma
Department of Biological Sciences, mgbassett@plymouth.edu
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Len Reitsma
Interest in landowners’ silvicultural practices and their influence on avian biodiversity is on the
rise. Timber harvested from small patch cuts can create potentially useful disturbance and
openings that may affect avian communities. In March 2012, fifteen patch cuts were made on a
piece of land in Canaan, NH and given one of three treatments common in timber harvest; tree
crowns were piled, scattered or removed from the cut. Census data were collected one year
before the harvest and thus far one year of post-harvest work has been done. To address the
more immediate avian response three species abundant both pre- and post-harvest, Blackthroated Blue Warbler (Setophaga caerulescens), Hermit Thrush (Catharus guttatus), and
Ovenbird (Seiurus aurocapillus), were banded and their territories mapped. Early trends appear
to show that the numbers of early successional species have increased without detracting from
pre-harvest numbers of mature forest species. While this is not due to regenerative growth, as it
has not yet grown in, the increased edge habitat has undoubtedly been influential in attracting
more individuals known to associate with early successional forests. Implementing forestry
practices that promote recruitment of early successional bird species should ideally be planned at
landscape scales being mindful of the ecological needs of forest-interior bird species.
FACTORS AFFECTING SMALLMOUTH BASS (MICROPTERUS DOLOMIEU)
NESTING BEHAVIOR
*Brigham, Justin E. and K. L. Yurewicz
Department of Biological Sciences, jebrigham@plymouth.edu
Faculty Advisor: Dr. K. L. Yurewicz
We are conducting an ongoing study on the nesting behavior of male smallmouth bass
(Micropterus dolomieu) and how it is influenced by recreational fishing. Data for the first field
season were collected between May 20 and June 6, 2012 on Squam Lake in Holderness, New
Hampshire. Nesting males were captured using spinning tackle and randomly assigned to one of
eight treatments; repeated capture, air exposure (1, 2, or 5 min), release away from a nest site
(50, 100, or 500 m), or a control. Male aggression and nest abandonment were monitored 1 h
after the application of a treatment, and again after 24 h for all individuals. Aggression was
measured by observing the responses of each male to the introduction of a nest predator
(pumpkinseed sunfish) in a clear enclosure. Of the 40 males that were tested only two abandoned
their nests within 24 h. The level of aggression depended on the developmental stage of the
offspring: males guarding eggs or swim-up fry were significantly more aggressive than
individuals guarding green fry. Furthermore, aggression was higher during the 24 h monitoring
observation compared to 1 h, regardless of treatment. A second field season on Squam Lake will
take place between April and June 2013, and will enable us to test for differences in male
behavior between the experimental treatments. Information gained from this study could
ultimately be used to educate anglers, who choose to target nesting smallmouth, on steps to help
minimize the likelihood of nest abandonment or brood failure.
CHARACTERIZATION OF INCREASED VIRULENCE OBSERVED IN CLINICAL
ISOLATES OF Vibrio cholerae
*Barchey-Robinson, K.R., C. N. DeGrace, S. R. van Loon, W. R. Armstrong, H. C. Shaul, A.
Finn and M.S. Son
Department of Biological Sciences, msson@plymouth.edu
Faculty Advisor: Dr. M. S. Son
Cholera is an important infectious intestinal disease caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae.
Bacterial infection can lead to dehydration and severe diarrhea, and if untreated or not treated
properly, can quickly lead to death. Recently, there have been growing concerns as V. cholerae
has evolved to become more virulent, causing much more severe cases of disease at a much
faster rate than previously observed. These increasingly virulent strains continue to be a major
focus of research, especially after it was observed in Haiti, where more than 300,000 cases and
nearly 8,000 deaths have been reported since the initial outbreak began in October 2010. The
primary research goal is to identify the genes involved and the mechanism by which these
clinical isolates of V. cholerae are exhibiting increased virulence. Through next generation deep
sequencing data analysis, we identified and hypothesized five genes (hapR, hns, vieA, luxO and
frhA) to be involved in the increased virulence observed. We have demonstrated that point
mutations in these five genes found in the clinical isolates of V. cholerae, resulted in increased
virulence factor production and virulence, but to what capacity each gene is involved and the
precise mechanism are the subjects of this study. Identification of this mechanism will greatly
enhance our understanding of not only cholera, but also other enteric diarrheal diseases, and help
better prepare emergency healthcare professionals to assess and treat the disease in areas where
the disease persists, and when natural disasters lead to regional outbreaks.
IDENTIFICATION OF A ROLE FOR THE PERIOD GENE IN MEDIATING
HATCHING IN TH EMAYFLY, HEXAGENIA LIMBATA
*Sapkota, Narmada Pandey and Brigid O’Donnell
Department of Biological Sciences, npandeysapkota@plymouth.edu
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Brigid O’Donnell
The aim of this work was to study the role of the gene period in mediating hatching in the
mayfly Hexagenia limbata (Ephemeroptera: Ephemeridae). Clock genes have previously found
to influence hatching in Drosophila, and period is expressed in the head of fruit flies at high
levels soon after sunset, and becomes weak around midnight. Since both Drosophila and
mayflies share evolutionary history as part of the Insecta clade, period in H. limbata was also
expected to be expressed at a high level in 6PM sampled nymphs, and at lower levels in 9AM
sampled nymphs because H. limbata hatches into the winged phase at/around twilight each
evening in June and July in NH. Samples of black wing pad stage nymphs of H. limbata were
collected from Sky Pond and Jackson Pond (New Hampton, NH) in the spring and summer of
2012. Samples were preserved in 100% ethanol for DNA extractions, RNA Later solution for
RNA extractions and Trizol reagent for protein extractions. The expression of period in the head
(where the protocorebrum and subesophageal ganglion or brain located), and thorax (to act as
negative control) of H. limbata nymphs was investigated at three different time points (9AM,
12PM and 6PM) by isolating period from the genome of H. limbata then conducting Western
blotting to characterize protein expression. Six different degenerate primer pairs targeting period
in H. limbata were designed, and false positive bands were returned over numerous amplification
attempts. Two different Drosophila anti-PER primary antibodies were used in Western blots,
these blot results showed a single clear band in the Drosophila samples (the positive control) but
did not return any bands in H. limbata samples. Both nucleotide level and amino acid differences
between fruitflies and mayflies in the structure of the period gene and the corresponding PER
protein could have resulted in these cumulative results. Further study, and likely a
transcriptomics approach, is required to continue to investigate the level of similarity between
the proteins in these two species, to resolve if increased PER expression relates to hatching in H.
limbata nymphs.
CHARACTERIZATION AND EXPRESSION OF CRYPTOCHROME 2 IN THE CNS OF
THE AMERICAN HORSESHOE CRAB, LIMULUS POLYPHEMUS
*Albanese F.D., Chesmore K.N., Simpson S.D., Doherty H.E., Chabot C.C.
Department of Biological Sciences, fdalbanese@plymouth.edu
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Chris Chabot
Biological clocks synchronize organisms to rhythmic environmental cues, governing physiology
and behavior. An integral component of some circadian clocks is the gene, cryptochrome 2(cry2)
which regulates core clock genes in a negative-feedback loop. However, the potential role of
CRY2 in the clocks of chelicerata remains undefined. Additionally, the role of these genes in
other clocks, including circatidal, is unknown. To address these questions the genome and
transcriptome of the horseshoe crab, Limulus polyphemus, was sequenced using Illumina deep
sequencing. From these data, a putative cry2 gene was assembled and annotated with CLC
Genomics Workbench and phylogenetic relationships were determined using a Maximum
Likelihood algorithm. Limulus cry2 has a similar gene structure to other invertebrate homologs
(15,000bp, 10 exons) and has significant conservation with crustacean and insect CRY2 protein
sequences. The phylogenetic findings indicate that cry2 evolved prior to the divergence of
chelicerata and insecta. To investigate tidal and circadian effects on cry2 expression, 32 animals
were staged on a 12:12 Light/Dark cycle with 6:6 High/Low tidal cycles. Animals were dissected
at ZT=1, 7, 13, 19 during both high and low tide conditions. QPCR was used to determine the
temporal patterns of expression of cry2 in Limulus central nervous system tissues under these
conditions. QPCR data suggests that the highest transcriptional levels of cry2 occur in the
protocerebrum, with no significant effects of photoperiod or tidal phase. Despite the sequence
homology, these findings represent a novel expression pattern of cry2 not seen in any
characterized insect or crustacean clock.
PUTATIVE CIRCADIAN CLOCK GENES IN THE AMERICAN HORSESHOE CRAB,
LIMULUS POLYPHEMUS
*Chesmore K.N., S. D. Simpson, F. D. Albanese and c. C. Chabot
Department of Biological Sciences, knchesmore@plymouth.edu
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Chris Chabot
Daily changes in physiology and behavior are governed by circadian clocks located in several
tissues including the central nervous system. In Drosophila, these endogenous clocks are
composed of interlocking transcription/translation negative feedback loops consisting of four
core genes: period, timeless, clock, and cycle. While this system has been extensively studied in
model organisms such as Drosophila, nothing is known about its molecular basis in Limulus
polyphemus, an organism known for robust circadian rhythms. Based on the hypothesis that the
core mechanisms of the clock are conserved between Limulus and Drosophila, the goal of this
study was to identify orthologs of the four core genes in the newly sequenced Limulus genome
and transcriptome which was developed using Illumina high throughput sequencing. The genes
of interest were identified and annotated using CLC Genomics Workbench and phylogenies were
determined using a Maximum Likelihood algorithm. Unique orthologs of clock
and timeless genes were identified in the Limulus genome and transcriptome. Unexpectedly both
databases revealed additional copies of period and cycle genes. Phylogenetic analysis shows that
these genes evolved before the divergence of insecta and chelicerata and indicates that all genes
of interest share homology to other invertebrate clock genes. This is supported by conservation
of intron/exon structures and amino acid sequences of functional domains, such as the PAS and
TIMELESS domains which are responsible for protein dimerization as well as bHLH domains
which are involved in transcriptional regulation. Overall, these results suggest a functional
conservation of these proteins in the Limulus circadian clock.
TWO CYCLE OR NOT TO CYCLE: CLOCK GENES IN THE AMERICAN
HORSESHOE CRAB, LIMULUS POLYPHEMUS
*Quint, Tyler M., *A.M. Tellier, S.D. Simpson, H.E. Doherty, C.C. Chabot
Department of Biological Sciences, tmquint@plymouth.edu, amtellier@plymouth.edu
Faculty Advisors: Dr. Chris Chabot and Dr. Heather Doherty
Behavioral clocks temporally regulate an organism’s physiology and behavior. In Drosophila
melanogaster, the circadian clock is composed of core proteins that include CYCLE, a
transcription factor that activates other core genes. However, in the American horseshoe crab,
Limulus polyphemus, the molecular basis of these clocks is unknown. In addition, the mechanism
of the circatidal clock, which controls the timing of locomotion in L. polyphemus, is completely
unknown in any species. Recent analysis of the L. polyphemus genome and transcriptome
suggests the novel finding that two cycle genes are present. Both genes have eleven exons and
are phylogenetically related to insect cycle and each other. Structural similarities between both L.
polyphemus genes and insect cycle suggest they are functionally conserved. To test the
hypothesis that cycle is part of the L. polyphemus circadian and circatidal clocks, animals were
exposed to a 6:6 tidal cycle and a 12:12 light dark cycle for ten days. The protocerebrum of the
brain was removed from animals at ZT2, 8, 14, and 20 at high and low tides. The tissue was
homogenized in Trizol® and cDNA was generated to use as a template for qPCR. Primers were
designed for one of the two cycle genes and a control gene, synaptotagmin. Results from this
experiment will be presented.
CONSTITUTIVE EXPRESSION OF THE CLOCK GENE UNDER CYCLING LIGHT
AND TIDAL CONDITIONS IN LIMULUS POLYPHEMUS
*Ruggiero, Anthony J.; *Colin P. Lamprey, S. D. Simpson, H. E. Doherty and C. C. Chabot
Dept. of Biological Sciences, ajruggiero@plymouth.edu, cplamprey@plymouth.edu
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Chris Chabot
Circadian rhythms of physiology and behavior are ubiquitous in animals and are controlled by
endogenous clocks consisting of four core genes: clock, cycle, period, and timeless. Recent
evidence indicates that the American horseshoe crab, Limulus polyphemus, has the gene clock.
An annotation of this gene indicates 13 exons, and phylogenetic results demonstrate clustering of
this gene with other arthropods. Although arthropod activity is controlled by circadian clocks, in
Limulus, activity is governed by a circatidal clock, the mechanism of which is unknown.
However, because existing genes are often duplicated and repurposed in evolution, these two
clocks are hypothesized to run on similar molecular components. To determine the expression
pattern of the clock gene in Limulus during light-dark and tidal cycles, animals were exposed to a
12:12 hour light-dark and 6:6 hour tidal cycles. Since evidence suggests circadian clocks are
located in the brain of Limulus, brain tissue was dissected and RNA extracted across four time
points, six hours apart, during both high and low tides. Unlike many animals where clock mRNA
expression is rhythmic, qPCR results indicates a novel constitutive expression of the clock gene
in Limulus.
SOILS INDICATORS OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE, THIDRIKSVALLAVATN,
NORTHWEST ICELAND
*Asselin, Sarah and Lisa Doner
Department of Environmental Science and Policy, seasselin@plymouth.edu
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Lisa Doner
Lake sediments contain long, continuous records of watershed change, providing we understand
the processes involved. Several lakes in Iceland show intriguing geochemical cycles thought to
be related to climate (Doner, 2009) but the mechanism for this linkage is unclear. To address this
uncertainty, and better understand the relationship between terrestrial productivity and
weathering, we’ve examined soils in northwest Iceland.
In 2012, we collected soils in seven lake-to-upland transects within Thidriksvallavatn’s
watershed, with one, 50 x 50 cm soil pit per transect. In each pit, we measured soil color, horizon
development and magnetic susceptibility, and collected samples at 1 cm intervals. Throughout
the study area we found distinct black layers separated by lighter brown and gray soils. The
bottom of each pit, about 1 meter below the surface, has dominantly grey-colored clays that
appear to be products of in-situ weathering of the basaltic bedrock.
Pit 5D and 7D have north- and south-facing slopes, respectively. From these, we examined
smear slides, measured particle-size, mass and frequency-dependent magnetic susceptibility, and
carbon content. Radiocarbon dates on the bulk, humic acid and plant macro-fossil fractions are
underway. Our results indicate that the black layers are associated with peak amounts of total
organic matter and significantly lower magnetic values. Gray layers have lower organic content
and higher magnetic values. Brown layers are composed of organic-rich peats. Once received,
the dates will be used to create an age model and allow us to link soil changes to known events,
such as the Little Ice Age mini-glaciation.
NORTH ATLANTIC OSCILLATION VARIABILITY IN NORTHWESTERN
ICELAND: LINKAGES BETWEEN GDGTs, LACUSTRINE SEDIMENTS AND
WATERSHED PROCESSES
*Bolaski, Benjamin and Lisa Doner
Department of Environmental Science and Policy, bebolaski@plymouth.edu
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Lisa Doner
A new proxy for continental mean annual air temperature (MAAT) and soil pH, the MBT/CBT
paleothermometer, relies on the temperature and pH dependent dispersal of bacterial membrane
lipids, branched glycerol dialkyl glycerol tetraethers (GDGTs), in soil organic matter. The
Branched and Isoprenoid Tetraether Index (BIT), based on the relative abundance of
terrestrially-derived branched tetraethers versus lacustrine-derived crenarchaeol tetraethers, is a
novel proxy for examining provenance of sediment organic carbon. As part of a multiproxy
approach, we’ll use the MBT/CBT paleothermometer and BIT Index on sediments from a >6000
year-long piston core record from Lake Vatnsdalsvatn, an oligotrophic lake in northwest Iceland.
Trace element geochemistry in a 1996 freeze core from this lake shows an 80-100 year
periodicity for the past 900 years, hypothesized to result from erosion associated with strong,
positive phases of the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO), (Doner 2003). This new study
combines GDGT-inferred paleotemperature and sediment provenance with environmental
magnetism, X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) geochemistry, and TOC from Vatnsdalsvatn lake and
soil records, to examine linkages between soil erosion, lake deposit geochemistry and the NAO
since the mid-Holocene. Additional evidence of paleoenvironmental change will be provided by
the analysis of carbon stable isotope 13C and nitrogen stable isotope 15N of Vatnsdalsvatn
watershed soils.
Research Questions:
What is the applicability of the MBT/CBT paleothermometer and BIT index to sediments from
Lake Vatnsdalsvatn, northwest Iceland?
Was the North Atlantic Oscillation a source for abrupt climatic variability through the late
Holocene in northwest Iceland?
VIEWSHED VALUATION PILOT STUDY
*Brown, Rebecca A., *A. Hyde and S. Rogers
Department of Environmental Science and Policy, rabrown4@plymouth.edu
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Shannon Rogers
Typically defined as a “line of sight” in GIS analysis, viewsheds can also be measured on a
“quality-of-life” scale. A viewshed can represent a variety ecosystem services. This is
particularly important in NH because of our economy’s dependence on natural resource
amenities, such as tourism. The newly operating Groton Wind Farm offers a perfect opportunity
to explore viewshed values in our local community. An extensive literature review has been done
revealing several themes. Noise disturbance, health effects and environmental and property
impacts were some of the common concerns. Through interviews and a community workshop,
we can stimulate community dialogues about the variety of ecosystem services encompassed in a
viewshed and their associated values (economic and non-economic). This insight will help guide
policy makers and community members to be prepared for new land uses that impact ecosystem
services.
GAUGING CLIMATE LITERACY OF METEOROLOGY UNDERGRADUATE
STUDENTS
*Wilkinson, Kristiana, * R. Lyons, L. Doner and M. McGarry
Department of Environmental Science and Policy, kwilkinson1@plymouth.edu
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Lisa Doner
Despite scientific consensus, recent polls (i.e.Maibach et al., 2011) report that 50% or more of
broadcast meteorologists are skeptical of global climate science. This is significant for public
awareness of climate change because a large majority of the public perceives meteorologists to
have expertise in climate science (i.e. Leiserowitz et al., 2011).
Here we report on a collaborative effort of Plymouth State University (PSU) and Bentley
University (BU), to test the validity of two hypotheses that might explain this high level of
professional skepticism: 1) a majority of U.S. meteorology degree programs fail to provide a
sufficient number of courses specifically on climate change; and 2) meteorology students
graduate with an inadequate level of climate literacy. Our approach is to assess climate literacy
among broadcast meteorologists and to determine to what extent undergraduate meteorology
programs prepare students to serve as informal science educators on climate topics. BU will
conduct surveys of professionals who are currently working as broadcast meteorologists,
regarding their understanding and attitudes about climate science. PSU will develop, administer
and analyze a US-wide survey of first year and graduating undergraduate meteorology majors in
order to gauge their climate literacy. In spring 2013 we conducted a pilot version of this survey
at PSU. During the 2013-2014 school year, the survey will be administered to students in
undergraduate meteorology programs across the United States.
This work is funded by a 2-year, National Science Foundation Pathways Award (DRL-1222752):
Enhancing climate change communication between broadcast meteorologists and their viewing
audience.
THE IMPACT OF CALCIUM ON TRANSPIRATION IN AN ACID RAIN IMPACTED
FOREST
*Zahor, Lily, M. Green and M. Pruyn
Department of Environmental Science and Policy, lezahor@plymouth.edu
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Michele Pruyn
Acid rain has impacted New England forest for over 60 years. Acid deposition causes calcium to
leach from soils, which is problematic for forests because calcium is broadly important to
healthy plant function. We applied calcium fertilizer in the form of wollastonite (CaSiO3)
,attempting to replace leached Ca. Previous forest responses to wollastonite application have
shown increased health, growth, and survivorship in hardwoods. Through a whole watershed
experiment, it was shown that Ca addition can temporarily increase forest water uptake.
However, the mechanisms behind this response remain uncertain. Tree transpiration can be
measured by monitoring sap flow volumes. Using the Granier method, a heated probe is inserted
in the sapwood above a reference probe enabling the calculation of sap flux.
New England are primarily northern deciduous, dominated by American Beech (Fagus
grandifolia), Yellow Birch (Betula alleghaniensis) and Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum). Our
research goal was to study sap flow in these species to determine whether adding Ca will
increase tree transpiration and productivity across sites in the White Mountain National Forest in
New Hampshire. Summer 2012 preliminary data showed an increased sap flow at a Ca treated
versus control sites in the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest. Continued study is underway for
the 2013 season with two additional sites of differing levels of available Ca in their soils.
Understanding how forests react to replacement of lost Ca via wollastonite will help land
managers understand the impacts of acid rain on forest function and develop appropriate
management strategies.