Project:	Reducing methane emissions from biomass carbon sequestration
Disciplines:	Environmental Science and Engineering, Geobiology, Chemistry
Mentor:	Alex Sessions, Professor of Geobiology, (GPS), sessions@caltech.edu
Mentor URL:	https://sessions.caltech.edu  (opens in new window)
AO Contact:	Madison Dunitz, mdunitz@caltech.edu
Background:	Impactful carbon dioxide removal (CDR) projects require the long term storage of massive amounts of carbon products. Any project utilizing organic fixation methods will need to ensure that the fixed CO2 is not rereleased via microbial respiration or worse methanogenesis. Finding and verifying low cost methods of long term biomass storage will be key. Salt is a promising candidate for low cost long term carbon sequestration but further work needs to be done to test a variety of environmental conditions and determine the ideal ratio of salt to biomass to achieve the necessary reduction in water activity to prevent microbial activity.
Description:	The student will assist with setting compost incubations at a variety of water activities, under different conditions. They will be instructed on measuring CO2 and methane levels on the GCMS/GCFID/GCTCD. In addition to measuring levels in the premade incubations the student will also have the opportunity to determine other environmental conditions of interest, designing and preparing incubations to target those particular conditions.
Student Requirements:	Basic chemistry laboratory experience is required.
Programs:	This AO can be done under the following programs:   Program    Available To        SURF    both Caltech and non-Caltech students  Click on a program name for program info and application requirements.