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The following posters represented the geosciences and geography at Posters on the Hill, April 13, 2011.

Arizona
STUDENT: Lujendra Ojha
INSTITUTION: University of Arizona
FACULTY ADVISOR: Alfred McEwen
POSTER TITLE: Discovery, orientation, distribution and formation of a mass wasting process on Mars: Transient Slope Lineae.
DIVISION: Geosciences

ABSTRACT: High resolution images of Mars acquired with the High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) camera onboard the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) have allowed us to carry out detailed analyses of surface processes on Mars. A new method of change detection was developed to characterize temporal changes on Mars due to currently active geologic processes. The method uses high resolution (1 m/post) Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) and their associated orthorectified images. Orthorectified images helps eliminate any distortion on the images created by different viewing geometry of camera. Through this process, flow-like features were discovered, which were named "Transient Slope Lineae", or TSL. They form on southern-mid latitudes of Mars during southern summer. At southern mid-latitudes the surface temperature can exceed the sublimation and in some extreme cases the melting point of water during this time. Temperature higher than 300K is needed to melt water ice, however, water ice with impurities like perchlorate, have lower melting point. TSLs forming only during times when surface temperature is high enough to
melt or sublimate ice. Based on the seasonality, geographical and orientation distribution of these features, they form due to either sublimation/melting of water/brine ice. If these features are formed due to liquid water, it has a significant implication towards search for extraterrestrial life.


Maine
STUDENT: Jacqueline M Boudreau
INSTITUTION: University of New England
FACULTY ADVISOR: Charles Tilburg
POSTER TITLE: Destruction of the Delaware Bay Ecosystem by the Invasive species Mitten Crabs (Eriocheir sinensis) : A study of the their behavioral and dominating presence
DIVISION: Geosciences

ABSTRACT: Invasive species cause extensive ecological damage by dominating a region, wilderness areas, particular habits, and outcompeting native species. The Chinese Mitten crab, Eriocheir sinensis known for its hairy mitten-like claws and high migration ranges, is one such species that originated in Asia. Recently, it has been spotted in estuarine communities and fisherman's crab pots in Delaware Bay. Bordered by the state of New Jersey to the north and the state of Delaware to the south, Delaware Bay is one of the richest biological resources on the East Coast. It is home to hundreds of marine species and a $7 million dollar Blue Crab commercial and recreational crabbing industry whose larvae are susceptible to predation by the mitten crab. As part of the crab's life cycle, females spawn larvae that then spend two to three weeks free-floating vertically in the water column before settling closer to shore. Eventual settlement can then be determined by the movement and behavior of the crab larvae. Using a larval swimming behavior model coupled to a circulation model, we show that environmental factors such as wind direction, magnitude, and different larvae behavior are strong determinants of settlement patterns and in all help to determine whether larval settlement is to be expected on New Jersey or Delaware sides of the bay. Greater knowledge of the settlement patterns will help to understand how the larvae will react to climate change and will aid resource managers in determining their possible future settlement locations.


Minnesota
STUDENT: Jeremy Anthony
INSTITUTION: Augsburg College
FACULTY ADVISOR: John Zobitz
POSTER TITLE: Understanding Ecosystem Carbon Uptake and its Relationship to Environmental Variables using Wavelets
DIVISION: Geosciences

ABSTRACT: Recently, much public attention and scientific effort has addressed the biogeochemical responses of terrestrial ecosystems to anticipated changes in climate. The objective of this research is to investigate ecosystem carbon uptake at a high elevation coniferous forest using mathematical tools and measurements related to the biogeochemical cycling of the forest. I examined carbon uptake in relationship to measured environmental variables such as temperature and sunlight. I used advanced mathematical techniques (wavelets) to contrast these environmental variables. Utilizing wavelets allows for the comparison of the coupling or decoupling of environmental variables to carbon uptake at hourly, daily, monthly, and seasonal time scales. From the years 1999-2007, there was a general trend in decoupling between carbon uptake and temperature over the daily time scale. The result of this decoupling over the years poses many questions of the current and future response of this ecosystem to environmental variation. Future research plans include: statistically analyzing the wavelet data; applying our technique to additional ecosystems across the United States and the world; further connecting these mathematical tools to measurements made in the environmental geosciences.


Pennsylvania
STUDENT: Brian Michael Culp
INSTITUTION: Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania
FACULTY ADVISOR: Cynthia Venn
POSTER TITLE: Integration of Quickbird Satellite Imagery and GIS to Map Subzones within a Salt Marsh near Wallops Island, VA.
DIVISION: Geosciences

ABSTRACT: Mapping coastal marshes using remote sensing techniques provides a means of monitoring large coastal areas with a greater frequency than is possible using ground surveys. We compared high resolution (0.6m/pixel) imagery to ground-based plant survey data (transects every meter on each of three 50 X 50 meter plots) collected in a salt marsh near Wallops Island, VA, to determine the ability to detect small changes in vegetation within low marsh and high marsh areas. We created a high resolution (0.6m/pixel) infrared false color image covering a large area of the marsh by the process of pansharpening. When the three detailed hand-mapped plots of vegetation were overlaid on the pansharpened images, some of the mapped subzones of the low marsh and high marsh were clearly identifiable. The patterns that clearly correlated with distinct subzones in the ground truthed plots were then used to identify and quantify similar subzones in the available imagery covering a much larger area of the salt marsh. GIS would be the ideal platform with which to track and analyze this information over time. Several methods of integration will be explored to determine the most efficient and effective method. Implementation of this method may provide a means of monitoring small scale changes in Wallops Island salt marsh subzones over time and provide a useful tool for coastal managers.


South Carolina
STUDENT: Jeffrey Paul Schwindaman
INSTITUTION: College of Charleston
FACULTY ADVISOR: Vijay M Vulava
POSTER TITLE: Sorption and Transport of a Common Anti-bacterial Agent, Triclosan, in Soils
DIVISION: Geosciences
FUNDING: College of Charleston Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities department

ABSTRACT: Pharmaceutical and active ingredients in personal care products are some of the most ubiquitous compounds found in surface water across the world. Triclosan (5-chloro-2-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)phenol), used as an antibacterial agent in many hand soaps, toothpastes, textiles, and even toys, is one of the most common of these compounds detected in surface waters. Recent studies have linked this compound to endocrine-disrupting activity in mammals and aquatic life. After it is discharged into surface water as wastewater effluent, little is known about the fate of triclosan in the environment. Because it is relatively nonpolar (log Kow = 4.76) and highly insoluble in water, triclosan tends to accumulate in soils, sediments, and very importantly, in lipid tissues of organisms that come in contact with it. The main goal of this study is to quantify how strongly triclosan is absorbed onto soils and sediments as a function of soil and sediment composition (organic carbon content, clay mineral content, etc). Batch sorption and column experiments were conducted using soils from Southeastern U.S. Strong adsorption of triclosan was found in soils rich in organic matter, whereas triclosan did not adsorb as strongly to soils with high clay mineral content. Additionally, triclosan was retained strongly in glass columns packed with organic rich soils. These results indicate that triclosan has the potential to accumulate in stream and estuarine sediment.

The following posters represented the geosciences and geography at Posters on the Hill, April 13, 2010.


Indiana

STUDENT: RONALD DEAN TAYLOR
INSTITUTION: INDIANA STATE UNIVERSITY EARTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS
FACULTY ADVISOR: SCOTT E. ISHMAN | JONATHON B. MARTIN | ANTHONY EARL RATHBURN
POSTER TITLE: USING BENTHIC FORAMINIFERA TO ASSESS SEASONAL CHANGES OF MARINE ECOSYSTEMS IN THE ANTARCTIC

ABSTRACT: Polar ecosystems respond quickly to environmental changes, and as a result, are on the front lines of global climate change. Understanding how marine ecosystems respond to seasonal changes in polar regions is crucial for assessments of ecological responses to environmental changes of the past, present, and future. Foraminifera (marine organisms) are particularly sensitive indicators of past and present environmental change , and to better understand the impacts of seasonal changes, the SEASONS Project (Seasonal Ecological Analysis of Seafloor Organic Nutrient Supplies) examined sediment core samples collected across food availability gradients off the coast of the western Antarctic Peninsula in April 2008 (following a surface productivity bloom) and July 2008 (low surface productivity). Distribution patterns of Rose Bengal stained benthic foraminifera were determined from core samples taken in water depths of approximately 600-1200m. Dominant species found in this region included: Pullenia bulloides, Astrononion echolsi, and Bolivina psuedopunctata. Differences in assemblage characteristics and distribution patterns appear to be related to changes in organic input over space and time. Information about the responses of foraminifera to seasonal changes yields critical base line data for seafloor biodiversity and the impacts of climate change on marine ecosystems in the Antarctic. This study provides the first census of living Antarctic foraminifera on these timescales in this region, and generates modern analogs for reconstructions of environmental variability in the past based on fossil foraminifera. This information is important for predictions of ecological impacts of future environmental changes, including those affecting seasonality and food availability in the Antarctic.



Pennsylvania

STUDENT: SARA E. NEVILLE
INSTITUTION: PENN STATE BRANDYWINE
FACULTY ADVISOR: LAURA A. GUERTIN
POSTER TITLE: INTEGRATING GOOGLE EARTH WITH THE QUEST FOR SCIENCE LITERACY
FUNDING: NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION - GEOSCIENCE TEACHER TRAINING (GEO-TEACH)

ABSTRACT: As technology advances, students have access to an ever-growing library of resources to enhance their learning. Young students, however, may not choose to read nonfiction, Earth science-based books during their free time. With the help of Google Earth, a new method of learning called the Google Earth QUEST (Questioning and Understanding Earth Science Themes) brings visualization, technology, and relevant scientific content into the classroom. Inspired by the award-winning Google Lit Trips and the National Science Foundation-funded TESSE (Transforming Earth Systems Science Education) Workshop for pre-service and in-service 6-12 teachers, the Google Earth QUEST was formed to bring the content of nonfiction books into TESSE participants' classrooms.  Teachers struggled with communicating the knowledge they gained from the workshop's common read, The Control of Nature by John McPhee, to their students in a fresh and meaningful way. One public showing of the QUEST for The Control of Nature to the workshop's participants has provided great feedback, unanimous praise, and a desire for more. Immediately, several teachers requested Google Earth QUESTs for Dirt: The Erosion of Civilizations, by David Montgomery, and Field Notes from a Catastrophe: Man, Nature, and Climate Change, by Elizabeth Kolbert. A Google Earth QUEST not only summarizes important content for students, but pairs technology and a visual experience with science literacy. Google Earth QUESTs are satiating a hunger for innovative ways to teach; with Google Earth's easy, free access, a QUEST has the ability to bring science literacy to a worldwide demographic.


Texas

STUDENT: JAYME PETERSON
INSTITUTION: TEXAS A & M UNIVERSITY AT GALVESTON
FACULTY ADVISOR: GLENN A JONES
POSTER TITLE: USING HURRICANE IKE TO ASSESS THE FEMA 500/100YR FLOOD LINE AND THE ECONOMIC
IMPACT OF INCREASED FLOOD INSURANCE RATES ON GALVESTON ISLAND

ABSTRACT: In September 2008 Hurricane Ike's 12-13 ft storm surge damaged over 75% of the structures behind the Galveston Island Seawall, displacing thousands of residents, including all faculty, staff and students of Texas A&M University at Galveston. However, the surge also left exceptionally well-preserved flood lines on buildings throughout the city providing a unique opportunity to assess FEMA's Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM), specifically the placement of the 500/100yr flood zone boundary. For a home located in the 500yr flood zone, insurance is optional and relatively inexpensive ($200-300/yr). Whereas, a home located in the 100yr flood zone, insurance is required and relatively expensive (>$1,300/yr). A combination of differential GPS and laser leveling were used to establish precise vertical elevations of the flood line throughout the city. This data was integrated with the NOAA digital elevation model (DEM) for Galveston, and the USGS' real-time pressure sensors deployed near the island prior to hurricane landfall. Results show that the preserved flood lines accurately recorded the height of the surge and that the FEMA 500/100yr flood line was accurately placed throughout most of the city. However, projections of global sea-level rise over the next 30 years will require moving this line from the nominal 9 ft contour to the present-day 10 ft contour. Examination of the city tax assessor records show that moving this line will place an additional 2000-3000 homes within the 100yr flood zone, thus increasing Galveston Island flood insurance payments by over 1 million dollars annually.


STUDENT: MEGAN DERRICO
INSTITUTION: TRINITY UNIVERSITY
FACULTY ADVISOR: BENJAMIN SURPLESS
POSTER TITLE: FLOW CHARACTERISTICS AND GEOCHEMISTRY OF BASALTIC LAVAS IN THE BLACK GAP AREA, WEST
TEXAS: IMPLICATIONS FOR CO2 SEQUESTRATION IN FLOOD BASALT FORMATIONS

ABSTRACT: Worldwide flood basalt formations are considered promising targets for permanent CO2 capture and storage. The evaluation of flood basalts for extensive geologic sequestration requires focused, small-scale studies to assess the porosity and permeability characteristics of basalt flows as well as these flows' potential to react with and trap CO2 within new, stable carbonate minerals. More than 14 laterally-continuous, well-exposed 22 million year old basalt flows in the Black Gap (BG) volcanic field, east of Big Bend National Park (BBNP) in west Texas, are ideal for this type of study. Based on detailed field analysis of vesiculation patterns in the 2 - 6 meter thick BG flows, storage of CO2 would occur in the porous, highly permeable, upper vesicular zone, which makes up 40-70% of the total flow thickness. The middle dense zone, with low permeability and porosity, would function as a cap between flows and limit CO2 movement, allowing time for mineralization to occur., These distinct vesiculation patterns and other field evidence were used in my study to conclude that the dominant emplacement mechanism for these flows was inflation, also common in flood basalt formations. Another important aspect of my research was geochemical analysis of the BG flows. Based on collected data, I concluded that BG lavas are geochemically distinct from older rocks exposed in BBNP, suggesting the flows were derived from a different mantle source. Further geochemical
research on BG basalt flows could constrain the possible in-situ carbonate mineralization rates in crystalline silicates, which would permanently stabilize dissolved CO2.

The following posters represented the geosciences and geography at Posters on the Hill, May 5, 2009.

Montana

 

Student: Timothy Brox

Institution: Montana State University - Bozeman Earth Sciences

Faculty Advisor: Brent Christner, Mark Skidmore

Poster title: Microbial Impacts on the Crystalline Structure and Liquid Vein Network of

laboratory Ices: Implications for sub-zero microbial activity

Funding: National Science Foundation Directorate for Geosciences

 

Abstract: Recent work has demonstrated microbial activity within the liquid filled inter-crystalline veins in ice. These discoveries dramatically increase the extent of the modern biosphere incorporating the large ice sheets of Antarctica and Greenland as biomes, and also hold profound implications for the survival of microorganisms during periods of extensive glaciation during Earth's history (e.g. "Snowball Earth") and on other planets (e.g. Mars) and their moons (e.g. Europa). In addition to examining microbial survival and activity in ices at sub-zero temperatures, it is important to characterize the habitat, the inter-crystalline liquid veins. I developed new non-invasive techniques to investigate microbial influences on the physical properties of ice and its liquid vein network. Four sample types were prepared in triplicate and frozen at -10oC: 1) deionized water only, and suspensions of 2) Sporosarcina sp. B-5, an isolate from Taylor Glacier, Antarctica, 3) Chryseobacterium sp. V3519-10, an isolate from the Vostok ice core, Antarctica, and 4) extracellular proteins extracted from Chryseobacterium sp. V3519-10. Chryseobacterium sp. V3519-10 has a 54 kDa extra cellular protein that has the ability to inhibit recrystallization of ice, similar to ice-binding proteins previously found in sea ice microorganisms. The samples with extracellular proteins grew ten times the number of ice crystals than the deionized water samples and the samples with microbes grew two to three times more crystals than the deionized water. This indicates the presence of cold-tolerant microbes and to a greater extent their extracellular proteins significantly impact the vein network and thus the microbial habitat in ice.

 

 

 

Virginia

 

Student: Hannah Shepherd

Institution: James Madison University Geology and Environmental Science

Faculty Advisor: Elizabeth Johnson

Poster title: Water Contents of Yellowstone Magmas Estimated from Hydroxyl

Concentrations in Feldspar Phenocryts

 

Abstract: Over the past 2 million years, Yellowstone has produced three cataclysmic volcanic eruptions as well as many other smaller eruptions. We would like to better understand the cause of the past eruptions at this continental hotspot in order to better evaluate the risk of future eruptions. The water contents of five eruptions of Yellowstone Volcano, Wyoming, (Headquarters Flow, Blue Creek Flow, Lava Creek Tuff, Biscuit Basin Flow, and Canyon Flow) were estimated using measurements of structurally incorporated hydroxyl (OH) in feldspar phenocrysts.  Feldspars from the Yellowstone samples were separated from the rock matrix by crushing and picking individual crystals, and were identified using an optical microscope. The feldspar phenocrysts were prepared for infrared analysis by creating two perpendicular doubly-polished thick sections of each crystal. Polarized infrared spectra were obtained on the Fourier-Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectrometer in the Department of Mineral Sciences at the National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C. The water concentration in each eruption was estimated by determining the amount of hydroxyl in each feldspar from the infrared spectra and then using a previously determined relationship between hydroxyl in the feldspar and water in the magma.

Based on these measurements, we estimate that the Yellowstone magmas contained less than 1.5 wt% water, which is very low and would not trigger an eruption.

Therefore, magmatic water probably did not cause past mega-eruptions at Yellowstone.

 

 

 

Wisconsin

 

Student: Rebecca K. Woiteshek

Institution: Carthage College Geography and Earth Sciences

Faculty Advisor: Julio Rivera

Poster title: Dire Straits: Using GIS to Better Identify and Serve the Urban Poor

Funding: Faith In Christ Ministries

Abstract: This research addresses the problem of identifying communities in dire economic straits and in a state of profound transition within densely populated urban space. Target areas that would benefit from a partnership of local universities and community outreach centers are identified within the network area of a community center located in the Watts neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. Analysis of census data using geographic information systems (GIS) identifies subtle but important physical, economic, and ethnic distinctions that may affect service needs.

Field work confirms patterns found in the original GIS analysis.

Previous approaches to the problem have defined the community boundary with a radius of one hour's walking distance. These analyses suggest that these approaches missed broad distinctions within this service district. The community reflects a larger tapestry of culture and language than was previously identified.  This project will identify the differences between the sub communities and recommend possible tailored approaches for future research that will assist local community centers to better identify the populations they serve.