Physics Seminar: Dr. Dean Moosavi

Date(s): 11/10/2009 1:00 PM - 11/10/20092:50 PM
Location: Science & Engineering, Room 305
Contact: Dr. Robert Fisher rfisher1@umassd.edu 508-999-8353


Speaker: Dr. Dean Moosavi, UMass Dartmouth STEM Department

Topic: "Micro-Wars, A New Hope - Hidden Battles at The Water Table Risk Climate Change Surprises"

Abstract:
Anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases such as CO2, CH4 and N2O remain of global concern due to the potential for significant alteration of climate via global warming. Amongst the greatest unknowns is how natural biogeochemical systems regulating greenhouse gas sources and sinks may respond to changing temperatures as both positive and negative feedbacks may be in play. Of particular concern is the possible destabilization of the large quantity of fixed carbon stored in peatlands and permafrost in boreal and polar-regions since the last ice age as its release has the potential to double the concentration of atmospheric CO2 with even greater increases possible for CH4. With each CH4 molecule trapping 25 times as much heat as its CO2 counterpart, the potential for an explosive positive feedback to climate change is high. Clues to whether anthropogenic warming will trigger this calamity can be found in the largely unrecognized battle between aerobic and anaerobic microbes at the water table in peatlands. Micro-Wars - A New Hope!