team members: rachel adams, mikaela clemons, van nguyen and brytani white
TRANSCRIPT
Team Members:
Rachel Adams, Mikaela Clemons,
Van Nguyen and Brytani White
Researching Wildfire Temperature Effects
on Nitrifying Bacteria:Proposal Grant
Testable QuestionHow does the temperature of a wildfire affect the amount of bacteria used by the nitrogen cycle in soil and in the months following the incident?
Soil Imperative functions to
environment, wildlife, and humans Biodiversity and habitat Physical stability and
support of plants Nutrient Cycling
Justification for Controlled Variable
Importance
Nitrogen CycleInvolvement of
bacteriaExplanation and
Main FunctionBacteria
Transforms nitrogen into usable forms for plants
NitrificationNitrosomonas Nitrosomonas Nitrobacter
Justification for Dependent Variable
Importance
TemperatureAverage surface fire
temperature: 1473oFUnder extreme conditions
(like hot areas): 2192oF
Bacteria SurvivalOptimum growth of
nitrifying bacteria: 77-86°F
Nitrifying bacteria will die at 120° F
Justification for Independent Variable
Importance
HypothesisIf the temperature of a wildfire exceeds the optimal cultivating range of the bacteria, then the bacteria will die and stall the nitrogen cycle for a period of time because while most cannot survive the outstanding heat of certain wildfires, it will also take time for the limited amount of bacteria to reproduce to a healthy quantity.
Proposed Investigation1. Multiple samples of soil will be
taken from areas vulnerable to wildfires that have not experienced a fire in at least 7-10 years
Example area: Yellowstone National Park – last wildfire: 1988
2. Measure amount of bacteria Adding sugar or an energy source To increase organism activity and
release Carbon Dioxide (Used to determine the mass of the micro-
organisms in the soil)
Allow incubation of bacteria, measure Carbon Dioxide release
Laboratory respirometer
Initial measurements of the bacteria will be documented
3. A controlled, prescribed fire with a common wildfire temperature of wildfire will take place in the lab setting with samples
4. After “wildfire” has died out, samples will have to be taken once again to measure and compare the final amount of bacteria involved in the nitrogen cycle to the initial amount of bacteria.
5. Samples will be kept under close monitoring for following months
Will continue to measure amount of bacteria
Soil sample will be housed in condition similar to area it was taken from
Gives estimation to how long it will take for bacteria to reproduce to its previous amount before the “wildfire”
Data Collection
Months following affecting of bacteria
Sample 1Carbon dioxide released (ml/minute)
Sample 2Carbon dioxide released (ml/minute)
Sample 3Carbon dioxide released (ml/minute)
1
2
3
etc
Area 1: Yellowstone National Park
Sample Temperature (of soil)
Carbon dioxide released unaffected by wildfire (ml/minute)
Hottest Temperature of Mock Wildfire
Hottest Temperature of Surface Soil
Carbon dioxide released immediately after affected by mock wildfire (ml/minute)
Sample 1 Sample 2 Sample 3 etc
By understanding the extent of damage done by temperature in a wildfire on the nitrogen
cycle of soil and its long term consequences, humans can create more efficient solutions
on how to recreate destroyed bacteria of the soil or even nurse it back to health in faster
ways.
Purpose
Works CitedBonsor, Kevin. (29 May 2001). "How Wildfires Work" HowStuffWorks.com. Retrieved 21
February 2014, from How Stuff Works website: http://science.howstuffworks.com/nature/natural-disasters/ wildfire.htm DeBano, L. F. (1990, April 10). The Effect of Fire on Soil Properties. Retrieved February 21,
2014, from SoLo website: http://forest.moscowfsl.wsu.edu/smp/solo/documents/ GTRs/INT_280/DeBano_INT-280.php Effects of Fire on Forest Soil. (n.d.). Retrieved February 21, 2014, from Northern Rockies Fire website:
http://www.northernrockiesfire.org/effects/soils.htm#hlist1
Hoorman, J. J., & Islam, R. (2010). Understanding soil microbes and nutrient recycling [PDF]. Retrieved from http://ohioline.osu.edu/sag-fact/pdf/0016.pdf Measuring and Identifying Soil Organisms. (2004). Retrieved February 21, 2014, from University of Western Australia
website: http://www.soilhealth.see.uwa.edu.au/components/measuring Nitrifying Bacteria Facts. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.bioconlabs.com/
nitribactfacts.html Nitrogen cycle [Photograph]. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.slideshare.net/cpelfrey/nitrogen-
cycle Nitrogen cycle [Photograph]. (2008). Retrieved from http://www.3reef.com/forums/water-chemistry/sta-bility-helps-cycle-f aster-49814.html#.Ux-ciPldUxE
NRCS National Soil Survey Center et al. (2011, September 19). Soil Functions: Services Provided by Soil Resources. Retrieved February 21, 2014, from Soil Quality for
Environmental Health website: http://www.soilquality.org/functions.html
Thank You For Your Time