Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Applications Of Remote Sensing To The Study Of Estuarine Physics: Suspended Sediment Dynamics In The Columbia River Estuary, Austin Scott Hudson

Dissertations and Theses

Estuarine circulation and its associated transport processes drive the environmental integrity of many near-shore habitats (the coastal ocean, rivers, estuaries and emergent wetlands). A thorough understanding and consideration of this circulation is, therefore, vital in the proper management of these habitats. The aim of this study is to bring together theory and new satellite observations in the Columbia River Estuary to increase our understanding of estuarine circulation and transport. Surface reflectance measurements gathered by the Moderate Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) are first compared to in situ observations to develop an empirical model for remotely derived surface turbidity. Results indicate that MODIS …

Radiaxial-Fibrous And Fascicular-Optic Mg-Calcitic Cave Cements: A Characterization Using Electron Backscattered Diffraction (Ebsd), Detlev K. Richter, Adrian Immenhauser, Rolf Dieter Neuser, Augusto Mangini

International Journal of Speleology

Electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD) applied to crystal fabric research in speleothems aids in our understanding of the origin of those fabrics. A significant advantage of this approach is the three dimensional data set of crystal c-axes. Here, we show a rare case of both convergent (radiaxial-fibrous) and divergent (fascicular-optic) orientations of the c-axes in pool calcites. The seemingly defective structure of the calcite lattice resulting in radiaxial-fibrous crystal orientations is probably caused by differential incorporation of Mg during crystal growth. The observation that radiaxial-fibrous and fascicular-optic fabrics co-exist in the same pool environment is remarkable and documents the complexity of …

Facies Characteristics And Control Mechanisms Of Quaternary Deposits In The Tuz Gölü Basin, Alper Gürbüz, Nizamettin Kazancı

Bulletin of the Mineral Research and Exploration

Although there are several studies discussing the pre-Neogene development of the Lake Tuz basin, which is the largest terrestrial basin in Turkey, investigations delineating the characteristics of the Neogene and particularly Quaternary period of this basin are quite limited. Whereas studies regarding such periods of the basin are quite informative for both active tectonics and climate change issues that are of significant public concern. In this study, results of field observations on temporal and spatial characteristics of Quaternary deposits in the Lake Tuz Basin and processes controlling these features are presented. For this, as a result of sequence studies conducted …

Critisism On The Paper “ Possi̇ble İnci̇si̇on Ti̇me Of The Large Valleys İn Southern Marmara Regi̇on, Turkey (N. Kazanc›, Ö. Emre, K. Erturaç, S. A.G.Leroy, S. Öncel, Ö. İleri̇, Ö.Toprak)” Appeared İn Bulleti̇n Of The Mi̇neral Research And Explorati̇on 148, 1-17., Nizamettin Kazanci

Bulletin of the Mineral Research and Exploration

No abstract provided.

Thermal Impacts Of Salt On Sandstones And Mudstones In The Lusitanian Basin, Portugal, Brett Perry

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

In order to assess the impact of salt structures on paleotemperatures in adjacent sedimentary rocks, a field based study which quantified thermally driven diagenetic products as a function of distance from salt was undertaken. Several salt diapirs are now exposed at the surface of the Earth within the Lusitanian Basin and offered a unique opportunity to document paleothermal anomalies by studying thermally controlled diagenesis in adjacent, exposed Upper Jurassic rocks. Four transects were chosen within Upper Jurassic rocks that contained both sandstones and mudstones. Quartz cementation and albitization of feldspars, both of which are thermally driven processes, were quantified in …

Qualitative Comparison Of Offset Surfaces Between The Central And Eastern Garlock Fault, Thomas M. Crane

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

The Garlock Fault consists of three distinct segments, known as western, central, and eastern, together reaching approximately 260 km from the San Andreas Fault to the southern end of Death Valley. Although published slip rates are available along the western and central Garlock Fault segments, little is currently known of the Garlock Fault earthquake history or slip rate farther east. Using LiDAR and satellite imagery, the central and eastern Garlock Fault segments were analyzed for visibly offset, fault-adjacent, geomorphic surfaces that may potentially be used for estimating slip rate. Qualitative methods of assessing preserved alluvial surface maturity were adapted and …

Microstratigraphic Logging Of Calcite Fabrics In Speleothems As Tool For Palaeoclimate Studies, Silvia Frisia

International Journal of Speleology

The systematic documentation of calcite fabrics in stalagmites and flowstones provides robustness to palaeoclimate interpretation based on geochemical proxies, but it has been neglected because it is difficult to transform crystal morphologies into numerical values, and construct fabric time series. Here, general criteria that allow for coding fabrics of calcite composing stalagmites and flowstones is provided. Being based on known models of fabric development, the coding ascribes sequential numbers to each fabric, which reflect climate-related parameters, such as changes in drip rate variability, bio-mediation or diagenetic modifications. Acronyms are proposed for Columnar types, Dendritic, Micrite, Microsparite and Mosaic fabrics, whose …

Sedimentological, Geochemical And Isotopic Evidence For The Establishment Of Modern Circulation Through The Bering Strait And Depositional Environment History Of The Bering And Chukchi Seas During The Last Deglaciation, Ben M. Pelto

Masters Theses

Sea level regression during the Last Glacial Maximum exposed the Bering Land Bridge, and cut off the connection between the North Pacific and Arctic Ocean, ending the exchange of North Pacific Water through the Bering Strait. Exchange of North Pacific Water comprises a major portion of fresh water input to the Arctic Ocean, and is of vital importance to North Atlantic Deep Water formation, a vital component of Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation. Bering Strait throughflow thus plays an integral role in global climate stability. A suite of four cores was selected, three in the Bering Sea and one in the …

Sedimentology Of The Upper Scotland Formation (Eocene), Barbados, Krishna Mahabir, Nazrul I. Khandaker, Jay P. Persaud, Stanley Schleifer

Publications and Research

Representative samples collected from the Lower Scotland Formation (Eocene) outcropping in northeastern Barbados were investigated in conjunction with overall facies distribution and stratigraphic and sedimentological characteristics to interpret depositional environment and provenance of the fine-grained clastics. The Lower Scotland Formation is, for the most part, a fine-grained clastic-dominated sequence with occasional thin intercalations of gypsum, ironstone, and kaolinite. Distinctive deep-water-facies have been well-documented in dark gray shale units containing load cast, flutes, grooves and prods. In addition, turbiditic brown sandstone with a sharp erosive base and pelagic caps also characterize the base of the formation. Notable marine fauna observed include …

Economic Geology Of The San Bernardino Mountains, California, Nicolette Deannah Grill

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

The San Bernardino Mountains are well known for their rich mining history, especially, gold in the mid-1800s and the current mining of one of the world’s largest deposits of high purity limestone. The purpose of this study was to compile new, current, and historical data of the major economic resources that are present and mining that has gone on in the San Bernardino Mountains. It is estimated that historical mining of the Holcomb Valley recovered $457,660,000 of gold or about 350,000 troy ounces based on samples collected for this study and 2013 gold price. The current major geologic resource is …

Field Trip Guidebook For The Nebraska Well Drillers Association, Duane A. Eversoll, Matt Joeckel, Lee Orton

Conservation and Survey Division

No abstract provided.

Paleoceanography And Paleoenvironmental Changes Of The Cenomanian-Turonian Boundary Interval (94-93 Ma): The Record Of Oceanic Anoxic Event 2 In The Central And Eastern Parts Of The Western Interior Sea, Khalifa Elderbak

Doctoral Dissertations

The Cenomanian/Turonian (C/T) boundary marine strata of the Late Cretaceous Western Interior Sea (WIS) exhibit a positive carbon isotopic excursion in the bulk-carbonate and organic carbon. This marks Oceanic Anoxic Event 2 (OAE 2), which spans the uppermost part of the Hartland Shale and one-third of the overlying Bridge Creek Limestone members of the Greenhorn Formation and their equivalents. The interval is characterized by alternating beds of light-colored limestone and dark-colored marlstone and calcareous shale. These lithologic couplets have been related to Milankovitch orbital cyclicity. Foraminiferal assemblages from three selected sites, including the C/T boundary Global Boundary Stratotype Section and …

Cruise: Yr080507, Stations: S4526- S4540, Clay Bank, York River Virginia 3-Hour Mudbed Calibration Survey From A Slack To Flood Tide, Grace M. Cartwright, Carl T. Friedrichs

Data

Dataset consists of profile and water column burst Data and bottom burst Data collected as part of a 3-hour anchor station survey in support of an Acoustic Doppler Velocimeter (ADV) tripod deployed in nearby location.

Cruise: Yr080416, Stations: S4489- S4497, Gloucester Point, York River Virginia 5-Hour Mudbed Calibration Survey Bracketing An Ebb Tide, Grace M. Cartwright, Carl T. Friedrichs

Data

Dataset consists of profile and water column burst Data and bottom burst Data collected as part of a 5-hour anchor station survey in support of an Acoustic Doppler Velocimeter (ADV) tripod deployed in nearby location.

Cruise: Yr080415, Stations: S4461- S4488, Clay Bank, York River Virginia 6-Hour Mudbed Calibration Survey Bracketing An Ebb Tide, Grace M. Cartwright, Carl T. Friedrichs

Data

Dataset consists of profile and water column burst Data and bottom burst Data collected as part of a 6-hour anchor station survey in support of an Acoustic Doppler Velocimeter (ADV) tripod deployed in nearby location.

Cruise: Yr080418, Stations: S4498- S4514, Clay Bank, York River Virginia 3-Hour Mudbed Calibration Survey From A Slack To Ebb Tide, Grace M. Cartwright, Carl T. Friedrichs

Data

Dataset consists of profile and water column burst Data and bottom burst Data collected as part of a 3-hour anchor station survey in support of an Acoustic Doppler Velocimeter (ADV) tripod deployed in nearby location.

Cruise: Yr080505, Stations: S4515- S4525, Clay Bank, York River Virginia 3-Hour Mudbed Calibration Survey From A Slack To Flood Tide, Grace M. Cartwright, Carl T. Friedrichs

Data

Dataset consists of profile and water column burst Data and bottom burst Data collected as part of a 3-hour anchor station survey in support of an Acoustic Doppler Velocimeter (ADV) tripod deployed in nearby location.

Cruise: Yr080515, Stations: S4565- S4591, Clay Bank, York River Virginia 3-Hour Mudbed Calibration Survey From A Slack To Flood Tide, Grace M. Cartwright, Carl T. Friedrichs

Data

Dataset consists of profile and water column burst Data and bottom burst Data collected as part of a 3-hour anchor station survey in support of an Acoustic Doppler Velocimeter (ADV) tripod deployed in nearby location.

Cruise: Yr080606, Stations: S4602- S4620, Clay Bank, York River Virginia 3-Hour Mudbed Calibration Survey From A Slack To Flood Tide, Grace M. Cartwright, Carl T. Friedrichs

Data

Dataset consists of profile and water column burst Data and bottom burst Data collected as part of a 3-hour anchor station survey in support of an Acoustic Doppler Velocimeter (ADV) tripod deployed in nearby location.

Cruise: Yr080609, Stations: S4621- S4635, Clay Bank, York River Virginia 3-Hour Mudbed Calibration Survey From A Slack To Flood Tide, Grace M. Cartwright, Carl T. Friedrichs

Data

Dataset consists of profile and water column burst Data and bottom burst Data collected as part of a 3-hour anchor station survey in support of an Acoustic Doppler Velocimeter (ADV) tripod deployed in nearby location.

Cruise: Yr080603, Stations: S4582- S4601, Clay Bank, York River Virginia 3-Hour Mudbed Calibration Survey From A Slack To Flood Tide, Grace M. Cartwright, Carl T. Friedrichs

Data

Dataset consists of profile and water column burst data and bottom burst data collected as part of a 3-hour anchor station survey in support of an Acoustic Doppler Velocimeter (ADV) tripod deployed in nearby location.

Cruise: Yr080514, Stations: S4541- S4564, Clay Bank, York River Virginia 3-Hour Mudbed Calibration Survey From A Slack To Flood Tide, Grace M. Cartwright, Carl T. Friedrichs

Data

Dataset consists of profile and water column burst Data and bottom burst Data collected as part of a 3-hour anchor station survey in support of an Acoustic Doppler Velocimeter (ADV) tripod deployed in nearby location.

Geochemical Analysis Of Ice Age River Deposits From Turlock Lake Formation, Cemex Quarry Fresno, Ca, Ray J. Bargas

STAR Program Research Presentations

Nineteen bags of Pleistocene Age river deposited samples were taken from the Cemex Quarry in Fresno, CA. There are three formations in the area, deposited from rivers derived from glaciers, consisting of the Modesto, Riverbank, and Turlock Lake; youngest deposited to oldest respectively.

Phi sizes refer to each of the individual grains diameter, larger sized grains are in the negative spectrum while smaller grains are positive. Each sample has phi size bags that range in sizes from -5 to 4+, excluding phi size -2. For the phi sizes of -3 to -5, each individual rock was measured on its three …

New Research In Cave Ledenica In Bukovi Vrh On Velebit Mt In Croatian Dinaric Karst, Mladen Garasic

The International Workshop on Ice Caves

No abstract provided.

Using Strat Columns To Interpret Sequence Stragraphy Of Glacial Driven Stream Deposits Of The Acient San Joaquin River, Kyle R. Scharton

STAR Program Research Presentations

The sedimentary deposits of the ancient San Joaquin River tell the story of river flow through three glacial periods. A strat column shows vertical changes in deposition throughout an outcrop. It can be used to extrapolate the energy level of the flow, and other features of the river at different depositional environments. By looking at trends through the column it is possible to determine how the river’s flow changed through time. Variances in the gravel size and whether it supports itself or is held together by the surrounding sand matrix give clues as to the rate of flow and how …

Effects Of Road Salt On Asylum Lake Geochemistry, Davina A. Wyman

Masters Theses

Several studies indicate that seasonal applications of road deicers can lead to saline runoff entering surface water and groundwater, which can in turn change the chemistry, density, and physical mixing patterns of urban lakes. An investigation at Asylum Lake, an urban lake located near three major roadways, was conducted to determine the degree of road salt contamination in the lake, to determine if salt loading disrupts seasonal mixing patterns, and to determine the extent of redox stratification present due to eutrophic conditions. Samples were collected monthly from the deepest point in Asylum Lake over a 19-month period and analyzed for …

Calcitized Evaporites In The Precambrian: Deposition And Diagenesis In A Low Sulfate Ocean, Ashley René Manning Berg

Masters Theses

One of the most profound byproducts of the Great Oxidation Event (GOE) was the onset of oxidative weathering on land and the riverine delivery of sulfate to marine systems. The marine sulfur system therefore plays a critical role in reconstructing the oxygenation of the early Earth. Although the exact nature of marine oxygenation in aftermath of GOE remains uncertain, examination and modeling of marine sulfate suggest that sulfate concentrations remained below 2 millimolar (mM) until at least the middle Mesoproterozoic, and may have only reached about 10 mM in the latest Neoproterozoic. Such a low concentration of marine sulfate had …

Taphonomy Of The Joanna Track Site, Cretaceous Glen Rose Formation: Is The Shrimp Mightier Than The Dinosaur?, Michael Blair, Benjamin Dattilo, Lydia Mark, James Farlow, Jerry Jacene, Shelley Mcfadin

Benjamin F. Dattilo

Dinosaur trackways are common in the Cretaceous Glen Rose Formation of central Texas. While the trackways in Dinosaur Valley State Park are well known, many other sites can be found in this region. Recently, a new track site was discovered during construction in Glen Rose, Texas. The Joanna Track Site features tridactyl tracks which have been partly obliterated by invertebrates burrowing through the thick mud which buried them.

We measured and described the interval from 0.3 m below the track layer through 2.7 m above it in a vertical outcrop directly adjacent to the track site. Samples were collected in …

Microstratigraphic Analysis Of Burrow-Reworked Dinosaur Track Bed At Joanna's Track Site, Cretaceous Glen Rose Formation, Glen Rose, Texas, Michael Blair, Benjamin Dattilo, Anthony Martin, James Farlow

Benjamin F. Dattilo

Although dinosaur trackways are common in the Cretaceous Glen Rose Formation of Texas, the recently discovered Joanna track site illustrates a unique ichnological relationship where dinosaur tracks were disrupted by invertebrate burrows made long after burial. In an effort to document the precise sequence of events, we described the interval from 0.3 m below the track layer through 2.7 m above it in a vertical outcrop adjacent to the track site, focusing on the 70-cm of strata immediately above the track horizon. An 8-meter N-S cross-section of this 70-cm interval was power-washed, examined for trace fossils, body fossils, and lithology …

Push Me – Pull You: Experimental Biomechanics Of Immobile Suspension Feeders On Soft Substrates, Roy Plotnick, Benjamin Dattilo, Joshua Corrie, Daniel Piquard, Jennifer Bauer

Benjamin F. Dattilo

Immobile suspension feeders on soft substrates (ISOSS; Thayer 1979) although rare in modern marine habitats, were relatively common in the Paleozoic. Numerous Paleozoic taxa have been interpreted as dwelling on soft unconsolidated sediments and possessing morphologic features that either anchor them to the sea floor (e.g., crinoid holdfasts) or prevent them from sinking in (strophomenid brachiopods). Thayer (1975) reviewed the morphologic adaptations for forms living on soft-muddy bottoms and provided a quantitative expression of the static stresses involved. The same quantitative expression can also be used to describe the forces involved in anchoring. With the exception of Leighton and Savarese …