Ashrith Valluri
Grade 10
The purpose of this research was twofold: 1) to investigate if plants that used varied photosynthetic pathways (C3 or CAM) decrease permafrost thaw amount and subsequent CO2 accumulation and 2) ascertain if plant abundance has any additive impact Plants were selected from CAM and C3 groups due to their variations in methods of CO2 fixation. This experiment addressed a gap regarding the analysis of photosynthetic pathways in relation to CO2 change and permafrost thaw. The ultimate application of these findings is to combat climate change trends, devise solutions for small communities in permafrost regions through plant photosynthesis, and aid in the analysis of plant contribution to photosynthesis. Three groups were established with a control group that did not include plants, experimental group 1 (E1) with one plant per trial, and experimental group 2 (E2) with three plants per trial. For all groups, 20 trials were taken per species (n=20). Simulated permafrost layers were created and a CO2 sensor was calibrated to simulate permafrost thaw and CO2 concentration respectively. C3 plants were the most efficient in reducing permafrost thaw and CO2. C. comosum (C3 plant) was most efficient due to being most suitable to the experimental environment while S. angelina was least efficient. Additionally, linear regression supported positive trends between rising CO2 levels and thaw amounts. From statistical analyses, part of the null hypothesis was rejected regarding CO2 change between the plant species due to strong variations between the groups (p < 0.05), however, could not be rejected regarding permafrost thaw (p < 0.05). The null hypothesis is rejected and the experimental hypothesis is supported.
Mentors:
- Mrs. Allison Hennings – IMSA/RISE Instructor
- Dr. Kristen Rahilly (Ph.D.) – COLDEX
- Dr. Julie Jastrow (Ph.D.) – Argonne
- Dr. Abira Sahu (Ph.D.) – Michigan State
- Ms. Amanda Raymond – Glenbard South H.S.
