Geochemistry Commons^™

08 - Blue Carbon Sequestration And Sediment Storage In Seagrass Meadows Of South Bay, Luke C. Clements, Adriana Amrhein, Richard P. Hale

Undergraduate Research Symposium

Blue carbon is stored in coastal and marine ecosystems like seagrass meadows and salt marshes, which helps combat climate change by preventing greenhouse gas emissions. This study examines the role of seagrass in carbon storage by comparing sediment cores from a mud channel and a seagrass meadow in South Bay.

We collected a 100 cm core from the mud channel and a 55 cm core from the seagrass area, taking samples every 10 cm to analyze grain size and organic carbon content. Using a wet sieving method, we separated sand from mud and measured organic carbon through loss on ignition. …

Per- And Polyfluoroalkyl Substance (Pfas) Degradation In Water And Soil Using Cold Atmospheric Plasma (Cap): A Review, Victor Somtochukwu Mbanugo, Boluwatife Stephen Ojo, Ta Chun Lin, Yue-Wern Huang, Marek Locmelis, Daoru Han

Biological Sciences Faculty Research & Creative Works

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are persistent organic chemicals found in numerous industrial applications and everyday products. The excessive amounts of PFASs in water and soil, together with their link to severe health issues, have prompted substantial public concerns, making their removal from the environment a necessity. Existing degradation techniques are frequently lacking due to their low efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and potential for secondary contamination. Cold Atmospheric Plasma (CAP) technology has emerged as a promising alternative, utilizing energized reactive species to break down PFASs under ambient conditions. Therefore, this review examines the efficacy and effectiveness of CAP in degrading PFASs by …

Glacial Isostatic Adjustments And Their Impact On Sea-Level Predictions, Dayne M. Williams, Jeanne Sumrall

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

Relative sea level adjustments and their effects directly contribute to modern day climate change and ocean knowledge. This is shown through Glacial isostatic adjustment models which depend on ice thickness, time period, and core analyzations within a local region. These models demonstrate a direct correlation between RSL, era of retreat, and ice thickness even with comparison of other similar models, with some minor discrepancies. These discoveries led to several new advancements within the field of glaciology regionally and nationally. Generally concluding that the research done isn’t sufficient and more data regionally is needed to study its impacts more detailed.

Mineralogic Control On The Calcium And Magnesium Stable Isotopic Compositions Of Modern Microbial Carbonates, Elizabeth M. Griffith, Matthew S. Fantle, Brittan V. Wogsland, Zijian Li, Majie Fan, David J. Wronkiewicz

Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Modern microbialites grow in a variety of environments including the hypersaline, turbid, low alkalinity, high magnesium (Mg) and calcium (Ca) concentrations (and Mg/Ca ∼ 4.5 mol/mol), shallow (less than 2 m deep) Storr's Lake on San Salvador Island, The Bahamas. Rather than growing via the trapping and binding of sediments, these largely micritic microbialites form via microbial processes creating crusts and mounds with laminated to clotted structures comprised of both high-Mg calcite and aragonite. The primary objective of this study was to determine whether the mineralogy of representative microbialite mounds dictates their pre-burial metal isotopic compositions. The Mg and Ca …

Sedimentary Archives Of Late Quaternary Limnological, Ecological, And Environmental Change In The Eastern Sierra Nevada (California, Usa), Bailee Hodelka

Theses and Dissertations--Earth and Environmental Sciences

The Sierra Nevada essentially serve as the headwaters of California, providing crucial freshwater to the state through seasonal snowmelt. This water supply is threatened by climate change in complex ways that are not fully understood. Geological records provide a valuable source of information on how the hydrology, limnology, and ecology of the Sierra Nevada region has responded to climate changes of the past. This dissertation presents new sedimentary and paleoecological research from Mono Lake and Convict Lake (Mono County, California) and aims to shed light on environmental changes in the eastern Sierra Nevada from ~16 ka to present.

At Mono …

Yukon Dust From Source To Sink: Characterizing The St. Elias Mountains As A High-Latitude Dust Source, Audrey Y. Lemoine

Honors Theses

High-latitude dust is an important, yet poorly understood, component of Earth’s climate system. It impacts weather and albedo by acting as cloud condensation nuclei, directly affects Earth’s radiative balance, and can enhance productivity by supplying nutrients to ecosystems. In order to better understand high-latitude dust dynamics and impacts, we sampled glacial meltwater, surface sediment, and Holocene loess in the Łhù’ààn Mân (Kluane Lake) region of the Yukon Territory, Canada. We found that suspended sediment concentration is correlated with average slope and glaciation within a catchment, and is influenced by river morphology. We present new εNd and ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr …

Characterization And Leaching Feasibility Studies Of Copper Flue Dust For The Recovery Of Main And Trace Metals, Fardis Nakhaei, Marek Locmelis, Lana Alagha, Michael S. Moats, Carlos Eyzaguirre, Cory Smith

Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Although copper smelter dust (CSD) is classified as hazardous waste, it also serves as a valuable secondary resource, offering potential for the recovery of critical elements. In this study, CSD samples were collected from the waste heat boiler (WHB) and electrostatic precipitator (ESP) units connected to the flash smelting furnace at a copper smelter. The representative samples were extensively characterized by particle size, and chemical and mineralogical analyses. Following sample characterization, leaching experiments were performed to evaluate the potential extraction of Cu, Fe, As, Zn, Pb, In, Ga, and Ge from the flue dusts. Distilled water, H2SO4, and HCl were …

Oil-Oil Correlation Across Sedimentary Basins In Kansas Using Molecular Geochemistry And Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, Oluwaseun V. Omoyemi

Master's Theses or Doctor of Nursing Practice

Hydrocarbons are produced from different subbasins and stratigraphic intervals in Kansas. However, the geochemical characteristics and sources of these hydrocarbons are still poorly understood. While reservoir rocks, seals, and traps that are essential for petroleum systems are well defined within the state, the possible source rocks are often considered thermally immature, raising questions about their ability to generate the volume of hydrocarbons currently being produced. This research project tries to evaluate the geochemical characteristics of hydrocarbons produced in the state of Kansas and determine if the hydrocarbons from the different subbasins and stratigraphic units are genetically related. Thirty-seven crude oil …

Molecular Characterization Of Humic And Fulvic Acids On Watterlogged And Well-Drained Amazonian Podzols, Amanda M. Tadini, Aleksandar I. Goranov, Stéphane Mounier, Débora M.B.P. Milori, Célia R. Montes, Patrick G. Hatcher

Chemistry & Biochemistry Faculty Publications

The Amazon rainforest is the largest tropical rainforest in the world. Amazonian Podzol soils, characteristic of this region, are known to store substantial amounts of organic carbon in both their surface and deep horizons. Despite decades of research, the molecular-level composition of these soils remains uncharacterized. This study addresses this knowledge gap by employing ultrahigh resolution mass spectrometry, namely, Fourier transform–ion cyclotron resonance–mass spectrometry (FT-ICR-MS), to determine the molecular composition of humic acid (HA) and fulvic acid (FA) fractions from two Amazonian Podzol profiles of varying levels of groundwater exposure (waterlogged vs well-drained). In the waterlogged soil compounds containing nitrogen, …

Oxidation Camouflages Terrestrial Organic Matter To Appear Marine-Like, Aleksandar I. Goranov, Susan J. Carter, Ann Pearson, Patrick G. Hatcher

Chemistry & Biochemistry Faculty Publications

The export of terrestrial organic matter (TOM) to the ocean has been traditionally viewed to be minimal or only of significance in near-coastal continental margins. The broadly accepted explanation for the widespread loss of terrestrial lignin biomarkers and apparent disappearance of the <-25‰ stable carbon isotopic signature (δ¹³C) of TOM is that TOM is almost fully degraded before reaching the open ocean. Oceanic carbon (δ¹³C value ≥ -22‰) is therefore thought to be derived primarily from algae. However, an alternative explanation for the different molecular and δ¹³C signatures in terrestrial and marine environments may be that oxidative processing transforms TOM to appear marine-like. To test this hypothesis, we subjected eight TOM samples to a strong oxidation gradient. At carbon losses typical of TOM degradation during transport and sedimentation (above 60%), the differentiators of provenance disappeared, leaving a residue that was marine-like both chemically (aliphatic- and nitrogen-rich) and isotopically (δ¹³C enrichment of 4 to 9‰). This challenges the validity of conventional two-endmember mixing models, suggesting that a much larger fraction than previously estimated of the organic matter found in the ocean may originate from terrestrial sources, impacting global models of carbon cycling and sequestration.

Geochemical And Sedimentological Signals Of Bottom Water Oxygen Dynamics From Lake Tanganyika (Zambia), Njahi Mwangala

Theses and Dissertations--Earth and Environmental Sciences

Lake Tanganyika is a large, ancient freshwater body with exceptional biodiversity that is located in the East African Rift System. Lake Tanganyika’s size and longevity make its sedimentary record useful for understanding environmental changes that cross spatial and temporal boundaries. Lake Tanganyika is known to be susceptible to global warming given its tropical location. Over 12 million people living within Lake Tanganyika’s watershed rely on fishing for their income and nutrition. Changes to limnological function driven by climate could therefore have serious implications for human health and biodiversity conservation. This study focuses on using geochemical properties of modern lake bottom …

Late Holocene Paleolimnology Of Lake Tanganyika (East Africa), Leandro Domingos Luz

Theses and Dissertations--Earth and Environmental Sciences

Understanding the long-term responses of ecosystems to climate variability is crucial for predicting and mitigating future changes in the Afrotropics, a region where a significant portion of the population is highly vulnerable to extreme climatic events. Lake Tanganyika, the largest rift lake in East Africa, offers a unique sedimentary archive that can be used to investigate the limnological changes, hydroclimatic shifts, and vegetation dynamics across various timescales. A multi-proxy approach was employed to assess the landscape responses to hydroclimatic fluctuations in the Late Holocene, integrating paleoenvironmental records from radiocarbon-dated sediment cores. This approach involved sedimentology, mineralogy, geochemistry, phytolith analysis, and …

Geochronologic Constraints On The Meso-Neoproterozoic Tectonic Evolution Of Eastern Laurentia: An Investigation Of Sediment Recycling During And After The Grenvillian Orogeny, John M. Clay Iii

Theses and Dissertations--Earth and Environmental Sciences

The Grenvillian orogeny and Midcontinent Rift shaped the Mesoproterozoic basement of eastern Laurentia. Their convergence beneath Kentucky and Ohio formed a foreland basin, preserved as the Middle Run Formation. Detrital zircon U-Pb geochronology constrains deposition to ~1.0 Ga, reflects Grenville unroofing phases, includes Midcontinent Rift input, and minor Ottawan components. This formation constitutes the most proximal preserved segment of the Grenvillian clastic wedge in Laurentia.

Neoproterozoic-Cambrian rifting followed by Cambrian transgression formed the Great Unconformity in eastern Laurentia. Detrital zircon and basement U-Pb ages from Kentucky and the Appalachians constrain sediment provenance and recycling. Kentucky basement shows Eastern Granite-Rhyolite crust …

Sem Images And Eds Spectra Of Vapor Deposited Phases, Natalie Zimmermann

Geosciences Research Data

This file contains supplemental data for the JGR manuscript Trace Element Transport and Deposition during Magmatic Degassing: The Effect on Martian Rocks and Fines (Zimmermann et al., in review). It includes SEM images and associated EDS spectra of vapor deposited phases produced in experiments.

Geochemical Assessment Of Sediment Flux In A Sediment Core From A Tidal Flat In A Tropical Estuary, Olumide Ajulo

Master's Theses or Doctor of Nursing Practice

Sediment flux in estuaries is influenced by both natural processes and anthropogenic activities. Understanding the historical and current trends in sediment flux inputs and geochemical composition are essential for evaluating the estuary’s response to natural and human-induced changes and for developing effective environmental management strategies. The tropical Wouri Estuary in Cameroon receives water and sediment inputs from three main rivers draining urban, industrial, and agricultural areas, as well as different rock terrains. The complex inputs into the estuary can significantly affect sediment flux, consequently impacting the ecosystem. Thereby making an understanding of the temporal variations in sediment inputs in the …

Spatial Analysis Of Heavy Metal Enrichment In A Historic Appalachian Mining Stream, Eric M. Torres

Research and Creativity Symposium

This study examined the spatial distribution of heavy metals along the Levisa Fork and primary tributaries in Buchanan County, VA and Pike County, KY. Buchanan and Pike Counties have a long history of coal mining, a process known to release heavy metals into surrounding waterways. Exposure to certain heavy metals, such as arsenic and lead, has been known to cause health problems, such as cancer and organ damage. The study looked at concentrations in riverine sediments, surface water and groundwater for As, Al, Cr, Cu, Fe, Li, Mg, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn. Sediment samples were collected, dried and digested …

Hydrogeochemical Characterization Of The Ahtanum Alluvial Fan For Managed Aquifer Recharge, Yakima Basin, Washington, Brook M. Bauer

All Master's Theses

Overallocation of water resources in the Yakima River Basin, central Washington, has prompted investigation into facilitated aquifer recharge to enhance water supply during drought as part of the Yakima Basin Integrated Plan (YBIP). This study evaluates and characterizes the recharge potential of the Ahtanum Creek alluvial fan within the lower Ahtanum Sub-Basin by integrating geologic, hydraulic, and geochemical data.

Four main hydrogeologic units (unconsolidated, semi-consolidated, consolidated basin-fill deposits, and Columbia River Basalt aquifers) were identified from stratigraphic analysis of well logs across seven transects spanning the active fan and abandoned alluvial terrace portions of the alluvial fan study area. Stable …

Zircon Age And Oxidation State Estimates For Plutons Spatially Associated With Mineral Deposits Along The Kettle Detachment Fault In The Orient Quadrangle, Northeastern Washington, Karla Ortega

All Master's Theses

Critical minerals are essential to national security, economic stability, and the transition to clean energy, making them a priority in geologic research and exploration. To better understand the magmatic conditions associated with critical mineral concentration, zircon, a recorder of magmatic history, was analyzed using U-Pb geochronology and trace element geochemistry. The analyses were conducted via LASS-ICP-MS on ten plutonic samples from the Orient quadrangle in northeastern Washington and one sample from the Adams Mountain and Hunter (AMH) quadrangles to constrain the geological processes leading to ore deposit formation, including tungsten (W). This region, cut by the Kettle Detachment fault, is …

Applying Multi-Method P-T Estimation Techniques To Constrain Deep Crustal Tectonic Processes: An Example From Hp Granulites North Qaidam Terrane, China, James A. Anderson

All Master's Theses

High pressure (HP) granulites form within collisional and subduction zone tectonic environments. Due to high temperature and presence of melt, it is difficult to recover their pressure and temperature (P-T) history by conventional methods. An integration of multi-method P-T estimations provides insight on these deep crustal processes.

We apply petrographic analysis, Zr-in-Rt thermometry, phase equilibria modeling, and conventional thermobarometric calculations to constrain metamorphic conditions of Early Paleozoic HP granulite samples formed during late stage continental subduction/collision from the North Qaidam terrane.

HP granulites contain the mineral assemblage Grt + Pl ± Cpx + Qtz + Ky + Rt ± Czo. …

Origins And Mechanisms Of Mobility Of Geogenic Arsenic Contamination In Toutle And Silver Lake, Wa, Usa, William A. Hays

All Master's Theses

Arsenic (As), a common contaminant in groundwater, is toxic to human health and has a maximum contaminant level of 10 ppb set by both the World Health Organization and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (ATSDR, 2007). In Toutle, WA, USA (30 km west of Mount Saint Helens), a private well, labelled TOU1, was previously identified with ~670 ppb of As and was the impetus of this study. This study targeted private wells in the vicinity of TOU1 to identify the extent of the arsenic contamination, identify the aquifer(s) of concern, and identify the mechanism(s) of mobility.

The wells were screened …