Abstract/Description/Artist Statement
This study measures whether microbial communities in the shallow coastal waters of Virginia Beach are capable of consuming methane in the water column. Using methane enrichment incubations and gas chromatography, we found no measurable methane oxidation of our samples over multi-day periods. These results suggest that these coastal waters may act as net sources of atmospheric methane.
Faculty Advisor/Mentor
Alexander B. Bochdansky
Faculty Advisor/Mentor Email
ABochdan@odu.edu
Faculty Advisor/Mentor Department
Department of Ocean & Earth Sciences
College/School Affiliation
College of Sciences
Student Level Group
Undergraduate
Presentation Type
Poster
Included in
Biogeochemistry Commons, Environmental Microbiology and Microbial Ecology Commons, Marine Biology Commons
Methane Consumption Rates by Coastal Virginia Beach Microbes
This study measures whether microbial communities in the shallow coastal waters of Virginia Beach are capable of consuming methane in the water column. Using methane enrichment incubations and gas chromatography, we found no measurable methane oxidation of our samples over multi-day periods. These results suggest that these coastal waters may act as net sources of atmospheric methane.