By Isaac Chavez In Partnership with Dr. Gorham

Dr. Gorham works for the National Ecological Observatory Network, or also known as NEON. This organization is based in Fairbanks Alaska. Her job is to collect air samples from several locations around the world. But the main focus is on the arctic region. They take these air samples and analyze them for trace gases which affect climate change. This is my mentor Dr. Katrine Gorham Taking survey measurements in Healy Alaska Atmospheric chemistry

Trace gasses are the gasses that take up less than 1% of the earths atmosphere. these include all gasses expect for oxygen, and nitrogen. The earths climate is largely affected by the concentration of these trace gasses. the interaction between radiation and trace gases, clouds and aerosols can lead to important climate feedback. Future atmospheric temperature scenarios, And green house gasses are shown in this diagram What trace gasses are.

Due to large amounts of carbon stored in permafrost, the arctic region is a big point of interest for this study. The large amounts of carbon in this permafrost can be a large reason for atmospheric climate change. Most arctic climate studies are to gain a better understanding of future climate predictions. Those are the types of projects my mentor is doing in Alaska. This picture is of arctic permafrost Why is the study focused on the arctic?

Permafrost stays frozen for long periods of time so it can store carbon from the soil beneath it. Permafrost is a very large carbon reservoir that is usually looked over when it comes to researching carbon in our atmosphere. But resent studies are changing this. And permafrost also pulls carbon from the atmosphere because of the slow rate of change with the climate. Because of this it can hold carbon for a long time period. This diagram shows the carbon cycle. Why and how does the permafrost hold carbon?

My mentor has recently joined NEON or the National Ecological Observatory Network. There she is a science project manager. This organization is funded by the National Science Foundation and has goals of expanding to a international network. This network is located in Alaska because their studies are focused on the arctic region. They are taking thousands of samples all across this region. this is where my mentor is working What is Dr. Gorham doing now?

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In conclusion, my mentor works in Alaska for the National Ecological Observatory Network where they study trace gasses that relate to the change in our worlds climate. The carbon gas is stored in permafrost so they are focused on the arctic region for their studies. Thanks for watching! Thank you for watching!