Earth Sciences Commons^™

Experimental Estimation Of The Gpr Groundwave Sampling Depth, Katherine R. Grote, Taylor Crist, Crystal Nickel

Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Monitoring near-surface soil water content is essential for efficient water management and for understanding hydrologic processes in soils. Ground-penetrating radar (GPR) groundwaves are an approach that can be used to monitor the near-surface soil water content, but the efficacy of this technique is currently limited by the uncertainty surrounding the groundwave sampling depth. This research experimentally determines the sampling depth of GPR groundwaves under dry and saturated conditions in a sandy soil. Data were acquired using 250, 500, and 1000 MHz antennas within an experimental tank containing soil layers of contrasting electromagnetic velocities. Results show that the groundwave sampling depth …

Phosphorus Uptake In Rhodomonas Salina (Wislouch) And Its Effect On Allocation And Elimination In Acartia Tonsa (Dana), Danna Palladino

OES Theses and Dissertations

Phosphorus is a key element in important biochemical compounds, such as RNA and phospholipids, and can become limiting in a variety of marine systems. The uptake of phosphorus into biochemical fractions (protein, low molecular weight (LMW) compounds, lipid, polysaccharide and nucleic acid) in Acartia tonsa fed ³³P -labeled Rhodomonas salina was examined. R. salina was cultured on two variations of one media that in one case contained phosphorus in balance and the other out of balance with relation to other standard f/2 components. The P-balanced (PB) media had a N:P ratio of 24.5, which is higher than that found …

A Trekker’S Guide To The Khumbu Himalaya: Trailside Geology Along The Everest Base Camp Trek, Brigit Anderson

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

The Himalaya is the youngest and highest mountain range in the world. It thus provides a wonderful field lab for studying the mountain building process in action. The trek in the Khumbu (northeastern Nepal) from Lukla to Everest Base Camp takes you through the Higher Himalaya and some interesting geological features. This project gives an introduction to the larger Himalaya geology and more specifically geology of the Khumbu Region. It then follows the Lukla-Everest Base Camp (EBC) trekking route pointing out interesting geologic features along the way. Some of the concepts explained in this project are somewhat technical. For this …

Development Of Agroecology Based Garden System And Educational Program At Grand Valley State University, Kendall Gilbert, Edwin Joseph

Student Summer Scholars Manuscripts

This study was part of a twelve- week project to introduce agroecology growing principles and educational models at the Community Garden on the campus of Grand Valley State University in Allendale, Michigan. This project was set up to be a demonstration for the further development of the garden space as an area for agroecology focused education, extension, and outreach. To accomplish this, three areas of change became essential components to developing a garden space that can serve as a living laboratory, demonstration area, and outdoor classroom. The first project goal was to develop and create a demonstration garden plot that …

Applications Of Geophysical Analysis For Environmental And Geotechnical Problems, Basil Miller

Theses and Dissertations

Geophysical investigative techniques including Magnetic, Electric, Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR), and Geochemistry become increasingly essential to study near surface setting as well as deep earth structure. A model was developed of the hot water system in southwest Arkansas using Geochemistry, Magnetic, and Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) data. The model was constructed using the data collected at the Caddo Gap and Little Missouri Hot Springs in Southeast Arkansas, USA. Understanding the mechanism of the transition from slow flow in porous media to fast flow in a fracture is critical in understanding the hot water flow of the hot spring. The geochemistry …

Assessing The Sensitivity Of Water To Surface, Soil, Rock, And Cave Conditions In Fitton Cave, Northern Arkansas, Drew Aaron Westerman

Theses and Dissertations

Fitton Cave, located within the Buffalo National River in north-central Arkansas, offers a window into a relatively pristine portion of the Ozark Plateaus Aquifer. This region is one of the largest karst aquifers in the United States, providing more than 1.8 million people with drinking water. Understanding what happens to water as it moves from the surface to subsurface is requisite for utilization, management, and sustainability of karst aquifers as water resources. As population pressures increase, assessment of geochemical and hydrologic processes from pristine systems such as Fitton Cave will prove invaluable for providing baseline conditions. By integrating vascular plant …

2,2′,5,5′-Tetra­Chloro­Benzidine, Onome Ugono, Marcel Douglas, Nigam Rath, Alicia Beatty

Chemistry & Biochemistry Faculty Works

In the crystal structure of the title compound, C12H8Cl4N2, mol­ecules lie on crystallographic twofold axes at the centre of the C-C bonds linking the benzene rings, such that the asymmetric unit consists of a half-mol­ecule. The individual mol­ecules participate in inter­molecular N-H...N, N-H...Cl, C-H...Cl and Cl...Cl [3.4503 (3) Å] inter­actions.

Smith, Charles F., 1954-1972 (Sc 2341), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

Manuscript Collection Finding Aids

Finding aid only for Manuscripts Small Collection 2341. Entry of Charles F. "Chuck" Smith for a Future Farmers of America Foundation, Inc. Proficiency Award in Soil, Water and Air Management. Includes a note from Smith's chapter advisor on his death in a traffic accident.

Synthesis Of Stratigraphies From Shallow-Water Sequences At Sites 871 Through 879 In The Western Pacific Ocean, Elisabetta Erba, Isabella Premoli Silva, Paul A. Wilson, Malcolm S. Pringle, William V. Sliter, David K. Watkins, Annie Arnaud Vanneau, Timothy J. Bralower, Ann F. Budd, Gilbert F. Camoin, Jean-Pierre Masse, Jörg Mutterlose, William W. Sager

Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences: Faculty Publications

This paper discusses the synthesis of bio-, magneto-, and isotope stratigraphies in the shallow-water sediment sequences drilled on guyots in the western Pacific Ocean during Leg 144. Material previously dredged from the slopes of a few guyots and the Cretaceous section recovered at Site 869 are also considered. The integrated stratigraphy along with radiometric ages resulted in the reconstruction of the geological events that produced atolls and guyots.

Geochemical Analysis Of Surface And Ground Waters Around Cle Elum, Wa; Implications For The Proposed Exempt Well Moratorium, David Hickey, Ryan Opitz, Carey A. Gazis

Student Published Works

The Yakima River drainage is one of the most heavily irrigated regions in the state, and water use has been much contested and litigated. Due to this water demand and the increase in drilling of domestic wells, a moratorium on exempt well drilling was proposed in 2007. In this study geochemical data is used to evaluate the surface-groundwater interaction in the area around Cle Elum, WA. The hydrogeology of this area is poorly understood due to the complex stratigraphy where the valley floor meets the bedrock of the Cascade Range. It is important to understand the relationship between groundwater and …

Trends In Soil Science Education And Employment, J. Havlin, N. Balster, S. Chapman, D. Ferris, T. Thompson, T. Smith

Earth and Soil Sciences

During the last several decades, members of the SSSA have discussed several trends related to soil science education, including: (i) declining academic programs and course offerings at land grant universities, (ii) decreased enrollments, and (iii) improved employment opportunities for soil science graduates (SSSA, 2006; Ferris et al., 2010). The SSSA Advocacy/Education Task Force met in 2007 and concluded that quantitative survey information was needed to document trends in soil science academic programs, student enrollment, faculty, and job opportunities for graduates. Suggested survey topics included:

• Has the recognition of soil science as a distinct discipline increased or decreased?
• How has the …

Sensitivity Of Geoelectrical Measurements To The Presence Of Bacteria In Porous Media, Gamal Z. Abdel Aal, Estella A. Atekwana, Silvia Rossbach, D. Dale Werkema

Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

We investigated the sensitivity of low-frequency electrical measurements (0.1-1000 Hz) to (1) microbial cell density, (2) live and dead cells, and (3) microbial attachment onto mineral surfaces of clean quartz sands and iron oxide-coated sands. Three strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 (wild type and rhlA and pilA mutant) with different motility and attachment properties were used. Varying concentrations of both live and dead cells of P. aeruginosa wild type in sand columns showed no effect on the real conductivity component (σ′). However, the imaginary conductivity component (σ″) increased linearly with increasing concentrations of live cells in sand columns, whereas minimal …

Characterization Of Soil Water Content Variability And Soil Texture Using Gpr Groundwave Techniques, Katherine R. Grote, Cale T. Anger, Bridget Kelly, Susan Sharpless Hubbard, Yoram N. Rubin

Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Accurate characterization of near-surface soil water content is vital for guiding agricultural management decisions and for reducing the potential negative environmental impacts of agriculture. Characterizing the near-surface soil water content can be difficult, as this parameter is often both spatially and temporally variable, and obtaining sufficient measurements to describe the heterogeneity can be prohibitively expensive. Understanding the spatial correlation of near-surface soil water content can help optimize data acquisition and improve understanding of the processes controlling soil water content at the field scale. In this study, ground penetrating radar (GPR) methods were used to characterize the spatial correlation of water …

Design Of A Conditioner For Smoothing Wind Turbine Output Power, Murali Bottu, Mariesa Crow, A. Curt Elmore

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

As a result of wind speed intermittency, highly variable wind power output can adversely impact local loads. We propose a conditioner to smooth the variable wind power by utilizing the energy of an ultracapacitor. The conditioner is based on a single phase voltage source inverter (VSI) connected between the grid interconnection point and the ultracapacitor. The shunt VSI injects or absorbs active power from the line to smooth the wind power by utilizing the short term storage capabilities of the ultracapacitor. The ultracapacitor is connected to the DC link through a DC-DC converter, which maintains the voltage of the DC …

Virus Silicification Under Simulated Hot Spring Conditions, James R. Laidler, Kenneth M. Stedman

Biology Faculty Publications and Presentations

Silicification of organisms in silica-depositing environments can impact both their ecology and their presence in the fossil record. Although microbes have been silicified under laboratory and environmental conditions, viruses have not. Bacteriophage T4 was successfully silicified under laboratory conditions that closely simulated those found in silica-depositing hot springs. Virus morphology was maintained, and a clear elemental signature of phosphorus was detected by energy-dispersive X-ray spectrophotometry (EDS).

Great Basin Center For Geothermal Energy, Wendy Calvin

Nevada Renewable Energy Consortium Meeting

The second annual Nevada Renewable Energy Consortium meeting took place at UNLV on August 20. The meeting focused on the current three NVREC program areas: Solar, Biomass and Geothermal. Presentations were made by participating entities and a poster session followed.

Autonomous Fmcw Radar Survey Of Antarctic Shear Zone, Gary Koh, James H. Lever, Steven A. Arcone, Hans-Peter Marshall, Laura E. Ray

CGISS Publications and Presentations

Radar survey of the Antarctic shear zone was conducted using an ultra-wideband (2-10 GHz) frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) radar. The radar was mounted on a sled and pulled by a robot that was specifically designed to operate in a harsh polar environment. Our FMCW radar had good penetration through Antarctic snow and we observed snow stratigraphy to a depth of 20 m. The radar images also revealed multiple crevasses in the shear zone. Our results demonstrate that autonomous survey using high frequency radar is feasible and safe approach for detecting hidden crevasses.

2d Ground-Penetrating Radar Avo Response To A 3d Dielectric Permittivity Anomaly, John H. Bradford

CGISS Publications and Presentations

To evaluate the amplitude vs offset response of GPR to small distributions of hydrocarbon contamination, I acquired multi-offset 450 MHz GPR data in TE and TM modes over a buried rectangular tank filled with gasoline saturated sand. All dimensions of the tank were less than one wavelength at the characteristic antenna frequency. The permittivity ratio at the moist sand/gasoline sand boundary, estimated by fitting the Fresnel equations to the observed amplitudes and by Brewster's Angle analysis, differed from that obtained through migration velocity analysis by no more than 12%. 2D FDTD modeling reproduced amplitude characteristics for 3 o f 4 …

Insights Into Particle Formation And Remineralization Using The Short-Lived Radionuclide, Thorium-234, Kanchan Maiti, Claudia R. Benitez-Nelson, Ken O. Buesseler

Faculty Publications

[1] Simple mass balance models are applied to a high resolution 234Th profile from the northwest Pacific to examine the magnitude, rate, and depth distribution of particle remineralization processes below the euphotic zone (Ez). Here, excess 234Th (234Th > 238U) below the Ez is attributed to fragmentation processes that result in the conversion of sinking to non‐sinking particles. By considering particulate organic carbon (POC) to 234Th ratios on particles, we show that POC flux attenuation is larger than for 234Th, which we attribute to bacterial and zooplankton consumption of sinking POC. Three case studies are used to demonstrate how different combinations …

The Analysis Of Palaeobotanical Remains From Native American Sites In The Tennessee Region Of The Upper Cumberland Plateau., Chase W. Beck

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Sediment samples were collected from 3 rock shelter sites and one natural pond on the Upper Cumberland Plateau. Samples were processed to quantitatively and qualitatively evaluate pollen and charcoal abundance as well as other palaeobotanicals. The analysis was to determine when prehistoric Native Americans began controlled burns to enhance resources acquisition. Samples were also analyzed for the presence of pollen to determine vegetation changes that may accompany the use of controlled burns and to determine the onset of horticulture. The Upper Cumberland Plateau is often considered a marginal area used only seasonally by Native Americans; however, management practices may have …

Hydrogeomorphic Segments And Hydraulic Microhabitats Of The Niobrara River, Nebraska, With Special Emphasis On The Niobrara National Scenic River, Jason S. Alexander, Ronald B. Zelt, Nathaniel J. Schaepe

United States Geological Survey: Water Reports and Publications

The Niobrara River is an ecologically and economically important resource in Nebraska. The Nebraska Department of Natural Resources’ recent designation of the hydraulically connected surface- and groundwater resources of the Niobrara River Basin as “fully appropriated” has emphasized the importance of understanding linkages between the physical and ecological dynamics of the Niobrara River so it can be sustainably managed. In cooperation with the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, the United States Geological Survey USGS) investigated the hydrogeomorphic and hydraulic attributes of the Niobrara River in northern Nebraska. This report presents the results of an analysis of hydrogeomorphic segments and hydraulic …

In Memoriam

Studia UBB Geologia

No abstract provided.

New Observations On Permocalculus Gosaviensis Schlagintweit, 1991 (Calcareous Alga) From The Upper Cretaceous Of The Northern Calcareous Alps (Gosau Group, Austria), Felix Schlagintweit

Studia UBB Geologia

New thin-sections from the Upper Cretaceous Gosau Group of Brandenberg, Tyrol, Austria, yielded well-preserved specimens of the calcareous alga Permocalculus gosaviensis Schlagintweit. Microfacies are foraminiferal-algal wackestones; stratigraphy is Upper Turonian (?Lower Coniacian). It is shown that the original description was based on oblique sections leading to the incorrect assumption of a piriform segment morphology. Instead, P. gosaviensis is a representative of Permocalculus of the group with constrictions/swellings along the segments (waxing-and-waning type). Permocalculus nikolapantici Radoičić from the Upper Turonian of Serbia is considered a junior synonym of Permocalculus gosaviensis Schlagintweit.

Polito- A New Open-Source, Platform Independent Software For Generating High-Quality Lithostratigraphic Columns, Ciprian C. Stremtan, Alexandru Tudor

Studia UBB Geologia

POLITO is a free, open-source, and platform-independent software which can automatically generate lithostratigraphic columns from field data. Its simple and easy to use interface allows users to manipulate large datasets and create high-quality graphical outputs, either in editable vector or raster format, or as PDF files. POLITO uses USGS standard lithology patterns and can be downloaded from its Sourceforge project page (http://sourceforge.net/projects/polito/).

Past Surface Conditions And Speleogenesis As Inferred From Cave Sediments In The Great Cave Of Șălitrari Mountain (Sw Romania), Cristina M. Pușcaș, Ciprian C. Stremtan, Ferenc Kristály

Studia UBB Geologia

Abstract In one of the passages in the Great Cave of Șălitrari Mountain the floor is completely covered by an alluvial deposit at least 6 m in thickness, ranging from boulders, and cobbles, to sand and clay, topped by a layer of dry bat guano. Sediment and mineral samples collected from six profiles underwent broad analyses to determine their petrological and mineralogical makeup, grain-size distribution, and paleoclimatic significance. The complicated facies alternation suggests frequent changes in the former stream’s hydrological parameters, with frequent flooding, leading to the hypothesis that the climate was somewhat wetter than today. Both the mineralogical composition …

Mineralogy Of Speleothems From Four Caves In The Purcăreţ - Boiu Mare Plateau And The Baia Mare Depression (Nw Romania), Tudor Tamas, Razvan Ungureanu

Studia UBB Geologia

The Purcăreţ - Boiu Mare Plateau and the southern edge of the Baia Mare Depression, in Sălaj and Maramureş Counties, NW Romania, host over 200 caves located in limestones ranging in age from Upper Eocene to Badenian. The carbonate rocks are interposed with non-karst rocks consisting of shales, sandstones and marls. Four caves hosted by limestones of different lithologies have been investigated for secondary minerals in the composition of their speleothems. Calcite, gypsum, goethite, jarosite, brushite, hydroxylapatite and taranakite were found in the composition of crusts, crystals, aggregates and earthy masses. The mineral association was characterized by means of X-ray …

New Data On Facies Development And Micropaleontology Of The Eastern Margin Of The Getic Carbonate Platform (South Carpathians, Romania): Case Study Of Mateiaş Limestone, Ioan I. Bucur, Daniela Beles, Emanoil Sasaran, Constantin Balica

Studia UBB Geologia

Mateiaş Limestone represents a lithostratigraphic unit included in the Braşov Series, which is a component of the eastern end of the Getic Nappes’ cover (the Getic carbonate platform). The study of the Mateiaş Limestone in Hulei-Mateiaş-Măgura area has evidenced three main facies, and five microfacies types. The Kimmeridgian (possibly also Early Tithonian) age of the Mateiaş Limestone has been assigned based on a microfossil association identified in thin sections. The regional framework, as well as their sedimentological and micropaleontological features point to the deposition of these limestones on shelf margin and slope environments; the succession in the studied area corresponds …

Late Jurassic–Early Cretaceous Foraminifera From Štramberk-Type Limestones, Polish Outer Carpathians, Daria Ivanova, Boguslaw Kolodziej

Studia UBB Geologia

Foraminifera studies were carried out on the Štramberk-type limestones which occur as pebbles to small boulders (exotics) within the uppermost Jurassic–Palaeogene flysch deposits of the Polish Outer Carpathians. The studies were focused on foraminifera from (1) reef and peri-reef facies, and (2) lagoonal algal-foraminiferal facies. The paper deals with 34 species (including 8 in open nomenclature) representing 30 genera, 22 families, 14 superfamilies, 11 suborders, and 7 orders. A more precise age determination has been obtained for 30 exotics, representing a Tithonian (mostly) to Valanginian age. Foraminiferal assemblages from at least two exotics suggest a Valanginian age as indicated by …

Chronostratigraphy And Paleontology Of The Mid-Cretaceous Wayan Formation Of Eastern Idaho, With A Description Of The First Oryctodromeus Specimens From Idaho, Laurel J. Krumenacker

Theses and Dissertations

The mid-Cretaceous Wayan Formation of Idaho consists of floodplain-deposited siltstones and mudstones, with subordinate fluvial sandstones and conglomerates. Deposition occurred in a tectonic foredeep at the toe of the Sevier thrust complex. Measurement of two incomplete and one complete section indicates a thickness of roughly 1,344 meters in the study area. No laterally extensive marker beds are present but the lower Wayan contains distinct chert pebble conglomerates, and the middle Wayan may contain a higher relative abundance of fluvial sandstone. Known fossil localities are limited to the lower and middle portions of the formation. The Wayan Formation, as currently defined, …

Chemical Weathering Of Serpentinite Rocks And Implications For Atmospheric Co2 Carbonation, Valerie Tu, Julie Baumeister, Elisabeth Hausrath

Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP)

No abstract provided.