Category: Earth and Environmental Science
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The presence, distribution, and concentration of trace metals in the Potomac River near a coal-burning repository
By Elizabeth Tyler Faculty Mentor: Dr. Tyler Frankel and Dr. Ben Kisila Abstract The Chesapeake Bay watershed contains several coal-burning power stations located along its waterways. Coal ash, one of the largest forms of industrial waste, is primarily produced by coal burning power stations and held in coal ash repositories. Coal ash is also known…
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Assessing the diagenetic susceptibility of the large skeletal architecture coral species Hydnophora microconos – implications for tropical paleoclimate reconstructions
By Melody Zeher and Catharine DeGolyer-Howell Faculty Mentor: Pamela Grothe Abstract The central tropical Pacific is a major driver for global climate variability yet our understanding of the impacts from human-induced climate change are limited due to sparse instrumental datasets. Quantifying the magnitude and timing of the human-induced warming in the tropical Pacific is essential…
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Evaluating coral Sr/Ca using ICP-AES as a cost-effective geochemical analysis for paleotemperature reconstructions
By Jacob Cantor and Jessica Oberlies Faculty Mentor: Pamela Grothe Abstract Geochemical records from modern and fossil corals are excellent proxies of environmental conditions. Coral strontium/calcium ratios (Sr/Ca) are reliable recorders of sea surface temperature, and, when paired with coral oxygen isotopes (δ18O), we can also determine sea surface salinity. Corals incorporate both Sr and…
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Factors Affecting Total and Bioavailable Concentrations of Trace Metals in Surface Soils in the Kingston, Jamaica, Region
By Katherine Cook, Faith Jones, and Anna Velardi Faculty Mentor: Dr. Melanie Szulczewski Abstract This study investigated background levels of concerning metals in a variety of soils in and near Kingston, the capital of Jamaica. Minimal soil sample collection and analysis had occurred since a 1988 island-wide geochemical survey revealed very high concentrations of total…
