Shiyue Yang

I now work as a PhD student at Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research. The title of my thesis is "Thermodynamics of microbial turnover of organic compounds in soil – matter and energy flux under varying environmental conditions (water, nutrient availability, temperature)".

Under the background of climate change, we would like to stress the importance of soil organic matter management. C balance is the conventional parameter to interpret soil microbial turnover process. Whereas, all biological and chemical process will involve the consumption and generation of energy. Thus, we would like to develop a framework based on thermodynamic process to investigate better the microbial turnover in soil systems under various conditions further for model development. 

My project partner and I will conduct soil incubations for mass balance (respiration, substrate residual, biomass and necromass) and energy balance (heat) computation under various environmental conditions. Apart from experiments, we will develop static and dynamic process-based numerical modelling with machine learning. Apart from, we are also working on the develop calorepirometer by mounting a CO2 sensor on calorimetric ampoules to achieve simultaneous measurement of CO2 and heat production rate.

1. Research Internship for master thesis. The topic is "The fate of biodegradable monitoring well" which intends to investigate the possibility of promoting more sustainable groundwater & soil projects. 
2. Conducted literature research, internal and external interviews t obtain basic background information towards bio-based technology and techniques. 
3. Took out one biowell installed two years ago for visual inspection and Py GC-MS test. Designed and conducted biodegradation test in order to predict the ultimate biodegradation time.
4. The final report is given to answer the research questions:”The pros and cons of the biowell” & “The fate of biodegradable monitoring well”. 

After receiving the volunteer training as a one-to-one VIP volunteer, I acted as the volunteer to provide necessary service for Mr. Xu Jianzhong, academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. I was intended to provide guidance for the various processes that he needs to participate in the conference, and to provide help when necessary, to assume the role of a volunteer.

Participated in sorting out and filling in the statistics of pollutants in the printing and dyeing industries of Yangzhou on relevant websites. Assisted in compiling the report on the implementation of pollutant discharge permits for printing and dyeing industries in central Jiangsu.

1. Participated in the as-built drawing complemental graph project of Rural Sewage Treatment Project in Gaochun district.
2. Familiarized with Pipeline layout special software-Hongye software and consolidated drainage engineering knowledge and relevant techniques.
3. Took in charge of making detailed drawings of Yaxi and Gucheng based on the data obtained from field investigation.
4. Recorded problems found in drawings and discussed them with colleagues, Environmental Protection Agency, and the first-party in order to work out the best solution.

1. Partook in environmental monitoring practices.
2. Assisted project team with the determination and processing analysis of related indicators of biofilm treatment process such as rotating biological disk and constructed wetlands.
3. Determined the sewage quality indicators independently.