November 17, 2004
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November 17, 2004 |
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Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology Chemistry Professor Penney Miller and senior chemistry student Jennifer Guerard are spending the winter quarter in remote regions of Antarctica as part of federally assisted research projects studying chemistry in natural and engineered systems. They left campus on Nov. 15 and will return before the winter season commences in Antarctica early in 2005. At the National Science Foundation's McMurdo Station, on the southern tip of Ross Island, Antarctica, Miller and Guerard will join seven American researchers in taking advantage of the country's summer season to collect and analyze water samples from Pony Lake, a small coastal pond.
In the laboratory, the Rose-Hulman duo will help researchers from The Ohio State University, University of Colorado and Montana State University in investigating the role sunlight plays in the biogeochemical cycling of carbon and nitrogen in Antarctic lakes, playing particular attention to how sunlight chemically degrades dissolved organic matter (DOM). DOM is a significant chemical component in aquatic systems because it acts as an important carbon source for microorganisms and absorbs harmful radiation in sunlight. Guerard, the only undergraduate student on the team, calls the educational adventure on "once-in-a-lifetime experience." "Much of the work that I am doing will be running photobleaching experiments on the (Pony Lake) water and going on the sampling trips to the lake to collect water, as well as isolating natural organic matter from the lake water," she says. "Sampling trips involve travel to the lake and manually carrying the water about one quarter of a mile to where a helicopter can lift it back to the lab. The lake is in the middle of a penguin rookery, which should be pretty awesome to see." Miller, who also spent a part of this past summer collecting water samples at NSF's Toolik Lake Field Station research area in the Alaskan Artic, states: "Jennifer is getting an unique opportunity to collaborate with some top researchers in groundbreaking scientific endeavors. When she graduates, Jennifer will have played a role in cutting-edge research. She will also learn skills and gain confidence to help her tackle any problem that's put before her." Guerard plans to attend graduate school to obtain her doctorate degree in environmental chemistry. "I like environmental science because what is learned about how the environment works can be used in a variety of applications to better the world. There is always potential to benefit us," stated Guerard, daughter of Rose-Hulman alumnus Bill McNabb. "The research opportunities that I have been able to be involved with at Rose-Hulman have allowed me to work with people from other universities and completely immerse myself in research. This is an area that is extremely interesting to me, and I am eager to study it more. Dr. Miller has inspired my interest in this field." More information about this research adventure can be found on the following Web site: http://www.rose-hulman.edu/biogeochemponylake/ |
