|
|
»
NITLE DSpace Service >
Washington College >
Natural Science >
Chemistry >
Washington College Chemistry Senior Capstone Experience >
Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:
http://hdl.handle.net/10090/3790
|
| Title: | A periodic analysis of grassland soil chemistry 11 days and 6 months after a prescribed burn |
| Authors: | McDevitt, Kelly Arielle |
| Issue Date: | 21-Jan-2008 |
| Abstract: | Prescribed burning is a widespread management practice utilized across many
grassland restoration projects in the United States. Unfortunately many of these
grassland restoration projects are not located in the Mid-Atlantic Coastal Plain. Due to
this fact, there has been limited research conducted to determine the effects of prescribed
burning on the soil chemistry of Mid-Atlantic Ultisols. Core soil samples were collected
on November 19, 2006 (6-months after the 3rd burn/pre 4th burn, PY3B) and December 3,
2006 (11-days post the 4th burn, P4B) and divided into 5 different layers intervals to be
analyzed for pH, organic matter, and extractable Ca and Mg. Overall soil pH, organic
matter, and extractable Ca and Mg were lower in samples 6 months after the 3rd burn/pre
4th burn than in preburn samples obtained on April 3, 2003; suggesting that preburn
samples were still affected by liming that occurred 3 years prior. Overall soil pH, organic
matter, and extractable Ca and Mg were lower on samples 6 months after the 3rd burn/pre
4th burn when compared to third burn samples obtained on March 13, 2006 (12-days post
3rd burn). This evidence suggests that the overall initial spike in values, caused by the
prescribed burn, are only short-term. On the other hand, some statistical evidence from
the lower layers supports the theory that a gradual build up of organic matter and
extractable cations is occurring in the bottom layers of the soil. Overall soil pH, organic
matter, and extractable Ca and Mg were higher in 4th burn samples in comparison to 6
months after the 3rd burn/pre 4th burn samples. Once again this supports the theory that
prescribed burning has an immediate impact on the soil chemistry; namely pH, organic
matter, and extractable Ca and Mg. In addition a comparative analysis of two analytical
instruments (AA and ICP-OES) was obtained to evaluate the instrumental differences in
v
the values obtained for Ca and Mg concentration for samples 6 months after the 3rd
burn/pre 4th burn. It was found that the instruments differed greatly, with the AA
returning readings that were much higher than that of the ICP-OES. It is not yet
understood why this is occurring. Two reasons have been proposed: human error, and
differences in matrices. Further studies will need to be done in order to provide
conclusive evidence to support either theory. |
| Description: | Accepted in partial fulfillment of the requirements
for the degree of Bachelor of Science. May 3, 2007 Thesis Advisor: Leslie A. Sherman, Ph.D. |
| URI: | http://hdl.handle.net/10090/3790 |
| Appears in Collections: | Washington College Chemistry Senior Capstone Experience
|
Files in This Item:
| File |
Description |
Size | Format |
|---|
| McDevitt_CHE.pdf | | 587Kb | Adobe PDF | View/Open |
|
Items in DSpace are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.
|
