Carbon Management and Sequestration Center (C-MASC)

The beginning of the 21^st century brought growing concern about climate change, food security, poverty, and population growth. Atmospheric carbon dioxide levels have increased to 40% from preindustrial levels to more than 390 parts per million CO2. At the same time, there is growing concern over hunger with more than 1 billion hungry in 2009 according to the FAO.

The Carbon Management and Sequestration Center (CMASC) at The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio conducts research on the best methods for reducing atmospheric CO2 through sustainable land management practices. Simultaneously, CMASC investigates strategies to enhance food security, improve water use efficiency, and reduce poverty. The research team is led by Distinguished Professor Rattan Lal, research staff, PhD students, MSc students, affiliated universities and other collaborators and sponsors.

Need

There is a growing concern about the increase in atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide (CO₂) and other greenhouse gases with attendant effects on observed and projected climate change. The Carbon Management and Sequestration Center (C-MASC) is identifying ways to minimize carbon (C) loss and maximize retaining C in land, reducing the effects of C on global climate change that will radically change plant, animal and human life if left unaddressed.

Mission of C-MASC

To advance the science of C dynamics in natural and managed ecosystems, assess ecosystem services related to C pool, promote C farming through outreach and linkages with policy makers, and provide training opportunities, encourage no-till and conservation agriculture. 

CMASC Current News

• Impacts of long-term no-till under tile drainage management on greenhouse gas emissions - Dr. Toru Nakajima

  
  

  

  Toru Nakajima presented "Impacts of long-term no-till under tile drainage management on greenhouse gas emissions" to the C-MASC group on May 16, 2013 followed by a Q&A session.

• Using Meta-Analyses to Assess Pedo-Variability Under Different Land Management - Dr. Vincent Obade

  
  

  

  Dr. Vincent Obade presented  "Using Meta-Analyses to Assess Pedo-Variability Under Different Land Management" to the C-MASC group on May 2, 2013 followed by a Q&A session.

• Special Speaker, Professor João Carlos de Moraes Sá presents - The carbon pathway in conservation agriculture in a tropical and subtropical agroecosystems

  
  

  

  Professor João Carlos de Moraes Sá from the Universidade Estadual de Ponta GrossaUniversidade Estadual de Ponta Grossa who will speak on the topic “The carbon pathway in conservation agriculture in a tropical and subtropical agroecosystems” on April 25, 2013 in KH 333.

   

• Guest Seminar - Misun Kang, University of Tennessee, "Hydraulic Properties of Variably-Saturated Porous Media Determined using Quantitative Neutron Radiography"

  
  

• Gamma Sigma Delta Honors C-MASC

  
  

  

  Dr. Rattan Lal received the 2012 Distinguished Achievement in Agriculture Award at the Gamma Sigma Delta annual event on 12 April 2013. 

  
  

  

  Also, C-MASC graduate students, Ryan Hottle, Nick Stanich and Josh Beniston were inducted into Gamma Sigma Delta, the Honor Society of Agriculture. Graduate students of outstanding ability with at least a 3.5/A =4.0 or better grade point average and who show great potential for future leadership can be nominated by chapter members and elected. Congratulations!

View more CMASC Blog Entries.