Harvard Forest Research

AN2045 Anthropogenic Evidence in Soil and AN1140 Human Modification of the Environment

Principal Investigator: Noreen Tuross
Harvard University: Apr 01 2008 - Jan 01 2012:

Abstract:
The two courses listed above will be offered at the Harvard Forest in the Spring and Fall of '08. It is anticipated that AN1140 will be offered every other year subsequently. In the '08 cycle the emphasis of these courses will be on the study of remnant historic pollution that focuses on the tannery site of the Harvard Forest property. A initial study (AN2045) will assess the heavy metal burden and tannin concentrations in the soils of the tannery site as compared to other areas of the forest. In addition, the range and distribution of light stable isotopes in the flora at the tannery site will be compared to previous collections made at the forest. In the fall, '08 selected excavation at the tannery site may be planned.

In preparation for future courses, eight plots will be set up in the spring of 2008 to examine microflora movement in soils and the incorporation of starch loads into bacterial and fungal mass in the area.: