Student Research

SUMMARIES OF STUDENT XRF/ICP-MS RESEARCH, 2000 - 2009
(most recent listed at bottom of page)

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Kelly Woody (BS Geology, MTSU - 2000) - 'Investigation of the Lithotectonic Sources of Granitic Magmas, Waldoboro Plutonic Complex, Coastal Maine'

This senior thesis project seeks to correlate Acadian age granitic phases within the Waldoboro Plutonic Complex, Maine, to surrounding lithotectonic terranes through major element, trace element, isotopic and U-Pb zircon age studies. Samples of WPC granitic phases were collected during Summer, 1998. Sr, Nd, and O isotopic analyses were completed during Summer, 1999. U-Pb zircon ages were obtained at the UCLA ion probe lab during Summer, 1999. Major and trace element analyses were obtained in the MTSU MDXRF lab during Spring Semester, 2000.

Woody, K., 2000. Zircon Age Dating of the Waldoboro Plutonic Complex, Southeast Maine and Geomorphology of the Surrounding Area. Senior Thesis. Department of Geosciences, Middle Tennessee State University

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Beverly Buchanan and Brandy Sue Sanders (MTSU Undergraduate Geology Majors) - 'Investigation of the Effects of Crustal Assimilation and Magma Mixing on Lava Flow and Pyroclastic Deposits of the Cloud Cap Eruptive Series, Mount Hood Volcano, Oregon'

This senior thesis seeks to elucidate effects of pre-eruptive crustal processes (crustal assimilation, magma mixing) on lava and pyroclastic deposits within the Cloud Cap eruptive series at Mount Hood Volcano, Cascade Range, Oregon. Previous field and petrographic studies suggest that magma mixing and/or crustal assimilation played an important role in the chemical evolution of Cloud Cap magmas. This project involves detailed geochemical modeling of the effects of those processes on Cloud Cap lavas using major element, trace element and isotopic data. Samples are to be collected during Summer, 2000. Geochemical data will be obtained during Fall Semester, 2000. All major and trace element data will be obtained by x-ray fluorescence spectrometry in the MTSU MDXRF laboratory.

Cribb, W., Buchanan, B. and Sanders, B.S. 2002. Investigation of crustal and upper mantle source region processes on the geochemical and mineralogical composition of lavas and pyroclastic rocks at Mount Hood volcano, Cascade Range Volcanic Arc, U.S.A. Proceedings and Abstracts, Middle Tennessee State University Student-Faculty Research Symposium.

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Lisa Ooten (BS Geography, MTSU - 2001) /Dave Vachon (MTSU Undergraduate Geology Major)- 'McNair Scholars Research: Establishment of Base-Line Geochemical Data for Archeological Sites, Taos Valley, New Mexico'

In conjunction with the McNair Scholars Program at Middle Tennessee State University and the Museum of New Mexico's Office of Archeological Studies, Lisa Ooten will spend Summer, 2000, establishing base-line geochemical data for archeological sites containing basalt quarries, raw materials, and artifacts. These sites are located in north central New Mexico in the Taos Valley of the Rio Grande River. Due to a lack of source analyses in these areas, archeologists, geologists and geographers are currently unable to correlate these artifacts to their source. Major and trace element analyses conducted in the MTSU MDXRF laboratory will provide base-line geochemical data so that future archeological artifacts can be traced to specific quarries in the upper Rio Grande Valley of north central New Mexico.

Boyer, J.L., Moore, J.L and Ooten, L.A. 2001. Volcanic Chipped Stone Quarries: A Preliminary Investigation of Major Material Sources on the Taos Plateau. In, Chipped Stone Material Procurement and Use: Data Recovery Investigations Along NM 522, Taos County, New Mexico. Boyer, J.L. and Moore, J.L. (eds). Museum of New Mexico Office of Archaeological Studies, Archaeology Notes 292. 99-123.

Ooten, L., Cribb, W., and Heffington, J., 2000. Multi-dispersive x-ray fluorescence spectrometry: applications to archeaological provenance studies in the north-central Taos Valley, New Mexico. GSA Abst. with Progs. 32, 7.

Cribb, W., Ooten, L., and Heffington, J., 2000. Application of multi-dispersive x-ray fluorescence spectrometry to archaeological provenance studies, north central Taos Valley, New Mexico. GSA Abst. with Progs 32, 7.

Ooten, L., Heffington, J., Cribb, W. and Boyer, J., 2000. Initial multi-dispersive x-ray fluorescence investigations of basaltic rock quarries in northern New Mexico. McNair Scholars Research Presentations, Middle Tennessee State University

Ooten, L., Cribb, W. and Heffington, J., and Boyer, J., 2001. Multi-dispersive x-ray fluorescence analysis of prehistoric quarries in the upper Taos Valley. SAEOPP/UTK McNair Scholars Conference, The University of Tennessee.

Ooten, L., Cribb, W., Heffington, J. and Boyer, J., 2001. Multi-dispersive x-ray fluorescence analysis of prehistoric quarries in the upper Taos Valley. McNair Scholars Research Presentations, Middle Tennessee State University.

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The Secret Pass Canyon area lies on the flank of the Black Mountains accomodation zone and is dominated by east-tilted fault blocks. A thick early to mid-Miocene volcanic sequence suggests that it represents a volcanic crater. This volcanic sequence is beautifully exposed in a relatively coherent block bounded on the west by the east-dipping Arabian Mine fault and on the east by the west-dipping Frisco Mine fault. Exposed strata include (from oldest to youngest) (1) >~500 m of massive trachyandesites and trachydacites, which represent shallow intrusions; (2) a heterogeneous >~150 m sequence of primary and reworked air fall and welded tuffs with possible Peach Springs Tuff; (3) ~600 m of massive rhyolite breccias; (4) ~ 500 m og high-silica rhyolite flows; and (5) trachydacite plugs and sills. All units are characterized by biotite and plagioclase phenocrysts; sanidine is limited to the most evolved rhyolites, and other mafic phenocrysts are extremely sparse. SiO₂ ranges from 60-83 wt%, and all of the units are potassic, with K₂O >~4 wt% even in andesites. REE patterns are extremely uniform except that high-silica rhyolites are poorer in LREE and have larger negative Eu anomalies. ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar dates suggest an abrupt transition from the intermediate to silicic to dacitic magmatism between ~18.5-17.4 Ma. Faults cut through all of these units suggesting at least one period of extension that post-dated the main pulse of magmatism.

Lang, N. P., Miller, C.F., Faulds, J.E., Heizler, M.T. and Cribb, W., 2002. Constraining the evolution of the secret pass canyon volcanic center, northern Colorodo River extensional corridor, northwest Arizona: Implications for a source and possible relation to the Peach Springs Tuff.. GSA Cordilleran Section Abstracts with Programs.

Lang, N. P., Miller, C.F., Faulds, J.E., and Cribb, W. 2001. Eruptive history and syn- and post- volcanic tectonism of the Union Pass volcanic center, Arizona. GSA Cordilleran Section Abstracts with Programs.

Lang, N.P., 2001. Evolution of the Secret Pass Volcanic Center, Colorado River Extensional Corridor, Northwest Arizona. MS Thesis. Department of Geology, Vanderbilt University.

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Mt. Hood volcano, Oregon, in the Cascade Range volcanic arc has erupted predominantly basaltic andesite to andesite lava and pyroclastic flow deposits over the past 700,000 years. Most lavas belong to the medium-K calc-alkaline series and show a restricted range of com-position (56 - 63 wt% SiO2). Past studies suggest that Mt. Hood magmas are generated by partial melting of an upper mantle source region, and that the restricted range of erupted compositions is due to repeated cycles of crystal fractionation combined with mixing of evolved and primitive magmas (Cribb and Barton, 1997). A new geochemical study is underway to investigate the possibility that formation of Mt. Hood magmas involves partial melting of subducted oceanic lithosphere (adakites). This study involves geochemical analysis of lavas and pyroclastic deposits extruded during each of Mt. Hood's main eruptive periods: Main Stage (700,000 - 29,000 yrs), Polallie (15,000 - 12,000 yrs), Timberline (1800-1500 yrs), and Old Maid (250-176 yrs).

Results show that Mt. Hood lavas can be classified as ‘high-Mg' adakites, and exhibit major and trace element signatures similar to adakites identified in other volcanic arcs and elsewhere in the Cascades (e.g. Mt. St. Helens): SiO2 > 56 wt%, Al2O3 15 wt%, Na2O 3.5 wt%, Sr 400 ppm, Y 18 ppm, Sr/Y 40 ppm, Zr/Sm 50 ppm. Furthermore, Mt. Hood lavas exhibit K2O-Na2O-CaO compositions close to those of experimental melts produced by partial melting of subducted oceanic crust at the amphibolite-eclogite transition. High Mg concen-trations in Mt. Hood lavas and positive correlation between compatible (e.g. Nb, Ta) and incompatible (e.g. La, Sr) elements suggest metosomatic reactions between slab-derived melts and the sub-arc mantle. Absence of high field-strength element (HFSE)/large-ion litho-phile element depletions can be attributed to enrichment of HFSE in slab-derived melts during melt - sub-arc mantle interactions.

Related Publications:

Crombie, S., Powell, J. and Cribb, W., 2002. Potential magma formation by partial melting of both mantle and subducted lithosphere at Mt. Hood volcano, Cascade Range volcanic arc. GSA Abst. with Progs. 34, 6.

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Recent excavations at the Moundville site, located approximately 20 miles south of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, an unusual slag-like material within a unique architectural context has been recovered. The building is located on the northeastern corner of Mound V, a large truncated residential mound, connected to Mound B (the largest mound in the park). The structure is a square-shaped earth lodge that seems to have functioned as a council house during the final stages of Moundville’s occupation (AD 1400 to AD 1550). The earth lodge at Moundville used four, large interior vertically placed logs to support a low pitched, clay and thatched covered roof. A clay embankment was constructed around the exterior of the building on which the roof beams. This artificial embankment combined with the earth and grass covered roof made the structure appear to be subterranean. Moreover, it is clear that the earth lodge was destroyed by fire and ceremonial activities were focused on the edifice after its demise. In addition to the unique architecture encountered on Mound V, a number of interesting artifacts were excavated.

Based on initial observations, the unusual material found appears to be silica forth. Silica forth artifacts are not new to archaeologists however, their appearance within the literature is extremely limited (Bell et al. 1967; Jurney and Bergstrom 2000; Rogers 1980; Weinstein and Rivet 1978). Based on these narrow descriptions of the material, a great deal of uncertainty surrounds this artifact category. Essentially, silica froth is produce when the silica from grasses and clay combines with other chemicals acting as flux during a chemical reaction similar to when glass is produced. The earth lodge maintains all the necessary ingredients for the formation of silica froth. The combination of a grass thatched roof, clay and earth covered superstructure, and an intense fire produced the crucial prerequisites for the creation of silica forth.

Other artifacts recovered include decorated pottery sherds, shell and ceramic beads, mica, lithic tools, and copper. Typically, southeastern Native Americans utilized native sheet copper to fashion body adornments and other ceremonial objects. Native copper, found within the Ducktown Formation located in Tennessee, western North Carolina, and northern Georgia, is an almost pure form of sheet copper. In addition to remnants of native copper, small pieces of copper ore (CuFe2) were found in and around the earth lodge.

The primary goals of this study are threefold. First is to determine the chemical properties of silica forth. By establishing an elemental baseline, it is hoped that the information garnered can be utilized in future comparative investigations by archaeologists. Second is to rule out the possibility of this material being a modern or historic addition to the Site. While the material was excavated from intact cultural features, evidence for historical intrusions was observed. Finally, we want to examine any possible connections between this unusual material and the excavated copper artifacts.

This artifact category could potentially give archaeologists more information concerning the construction methods and structural elements a prehistoric building. By employing XRF testing technologies, it is hoped that the chemical composition of silica forth can be identified and better understood. By combining the information gained from this analysis with future comparative studies, a better comprehension of this curious artifact category will be generated.

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Brian Harper (Undergraduate Geology Major, Vanderbilt University)

Evidence for pluton orientation and possible granite cumulates: Aztec Wash Pluton, Southern Nevada The mid-Miocene Aztec Wash pluton (Eldorado Mts., NV) can be divided into two distinct zones: a homogeneous granitic zone (HG) and a larger heterogeneous zone (HZ) consisting of rocks ranging from basaltic to granitic composition. This project is focused on the HG and attempts to describe contrasting units of granitic composition and answer questions regarding the existence of cumulate granites and pluton orientation. All rocks within this zone are of granitic composition (72-78 wt.% SiO2), but textures and fabrics vary between locations. Toward the southern and western margins of the HG, the granites consist of very large subhedral to euhedral K-spar grains. At the northern and eastern margins, the granite becomes much more fractionated, finer grained, and contains many miarolitic cavities. Felsic enclaves can also be found closer to the HZ, and fine felsic dikes (~0.5m) are found throughout the zone. The HZ also contains granites that resemble those found in the south and western regions of the HG, and geochemistry suggests that these rocks crystallized from a similar magma, although less fractionated. Therefore, we propose that the Aztec Wash pluton was emplaced with its top to the north-northeast. This is consistent with NNE dipping paleohorizontal indicators in the HZ and a NNE fabric found in some of the course granites of the HG. Magma replenishment occurred only in the HZ, where granitic magma began fractional crystallization by crystallizing large feldspars that settled down to the bottom of the chamber. Basaltic magma periodically intruded into the HZ zone also, settling on the floor and squeezing out any remaining melt. Therefore the HZ contains alternating sheets of basaltic material and granitic cumulates, with intermediate composition rocks in between where mixing occurred. In the HG, however, there was no magma replenishment and all rocks crystallized from fractionated melt left behind from fractional crystallization in the HZ. Close examination of granites to the south and west of the HG suggest that they also formed from cumulate processes, although from a more fractionated melt source. The HG, therefore, represents a system of constant fractional crystallization up to the highly fractionated cavity rich rocks at the northeastern margin of the pluton.

Related Publication

Harper, B.E., Miller, C.F., Wiebe, R.A., Cates, N.L. and Cribb, W. 2003. Granite accumulation and fractionation in a dynamic, open-system magma chamber, Aztec Wash pluton, Eldorado Mtns, Nevada. GSA Abst. with Progs. 35, 4.

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Scott Crombie, Brian Cosky, Jennifer Baxter, Beverly Buchanan (MTSU Undergraduate Geology Majors, 2003-2004)

The ~ 700,000 year history of Mt. Hood volcano, located in the northern Oregon Cascade Range volcanic arc, is dominated by the eruption of andesitic lava flows and pyroclastic deposits. New geochemical studies of Mt. Hood andesites suggest magma formation by partial melting of subducted oceanic lithosphere (adakites), rather than by partial melting of ultramafic rock within the sub-volcanic arc mantle wedge. Most Mt. Hood andesites exhibit major and trace element characteristics similar to those of slab-derived melts identified along other volcanic arcs: SiO₂ > 56.0 wt %, Al₂O₃ > 15.0 wt %, Na₂O > 3.5 wt %, Sr > 400 ppm, Y < 18 ppm, Sr/Y > 40 ppm, Zr/Sm > 50 ppm. MgO concentrations in Mt. Hood andesites (> 2.5 wt % MgO) are characteristic of high-Mg adakites, suggesting chemical interactions between slab-derived melts and Mg-rich peridotite within the sub-arc mantle wedge. Chemical reactions between slab-derived melts and sub-arc mantle rocks also are indicated by positive correlation between compatible (e.g. Nb, Ta) and incompatible trace elements (e.g. La, Sr). The enrichment of high field-strength elements relative to large-ion lithophile elements in Mt. Hood andesites is a possible effect of such reactions within the sub-arc mantle. The melting of subducted oceanic lithosphere may occur beneath Mt. Hood due to a shallow angle of subduction and relative proximity of the volcano to the Cascadia trench, as compared to other volcanoes in the southern Washington to northern Oregon Cascades. A Mt. Hood slab depth of 75-85 km (the range of experimentally determined depths at which partial melting of subducted oceanic lithosphere may occur) suggests a low angle of subduction, a tectonic attribute proposed for the generation of adakite melts elsewhere. Contrastingly, other major Cascade Range volcanic centers in southern Washington to central Oregon do not exhibit strong geochemical evidence for melting of subducted oceanic lithosphere, suggesting deeper slab depths as a function of greater distance from the Cascadia trench. In this region of the Cascades, Mt. Hood appears most similar to Mt. St. Helens where slab depth is ~75-80 km and melting of subducted lithosphere also has been proposed.

Related Publication:

Crombie, S., Buchanan, B., Baxter, J. and Cosky, B., 2003. Geochemical and tectonic attributes for melting of subducted oceanic lithosphere, Mt. Hood volcano, Oregon. GSA Abst. with Progs. 35, 6.

Cosky, B., Crombie, S., Baxter, J. and Buchanan, B., 2003. Geochemical investigation of the mechanisms of magma formation beneath the northern Oregon Cascades. Tennessee Academy of Sciences, in press. (Note: Presentation of this paper at the 2003 meeting of the Tennessee Academy of Sciences was awarded second place in the student presentation division.)

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Brian Cosky (MTSU Undergraduate, 2005)

Potential formation of �hybrid' adakite magmas within the northern Oregon Cascadia Subduction Zone

Most theories for magma formation within subduction zones center on partial melting of the sub-arc mantle wedge during chemical interactions with hydrous fluids released from subducted oceanic lithosphere during the amphibolite-eclogite transition. However, these theories are augmented by research showing that magmas also may form by partial melting of young, warm subducted oceanic lithosphere. The potential for such adakite melts has been studied previously in the southern Washington Cascade Range at Mt. St. Helens (Defant and Drummond, 1993). Current research investigates whether lavas erupted at Quaternary volcanic centers in the northern Oregon Cascades (Mt. Defiance, Mt. Hood, Pinhead Buttes, Olallie Butte) also exhibit geochemical signatures characteristic of adakite melts. This region is appropriate for study because these volcanic centers are located along a north-south trend with similar distance and depth relationships to the Cascadia trench and the underlying subducted lithosphere as those of Mt. St. Helens. Most lavas erupted throughout the study area exhibit major and trace element concentrations similar to adakites identified elsewhere: SiO2 > 56 wt%, Al2O3 > 15 wt%, Na2O > 3.5 wt%, Sr > 400 ppm, Y < 18 ppm, Sr/Y > 20 - 40 ppm, Zr/Sm > 50 ppm. Furthermore, most lavas fall along a K2O-Na2O-CaO trend close to that of experimental melts representative of those derived by partial melting of subducted oceanic crust at the amphibolite-eclogite transition. However, certain lavas near Mt. Hood and at Pinhead Buttes exhibit relatively high MgO concentrations (~8 wt%), suggesting significant sub-arc mantle input. Additionally, positive correlation between compatible and incompatible trace elements in most lavas suggests metasomatic reactions between any slab-derived melts and the sub-arc mantle. Lavas from Mt. Defiance and Pinhead Buttes exhibit Sr/Y similar to typical arc volcanics. Accordingly, the hypothesis is that although certain northern Oregon Cascades Quaternary lavas do exhibit geochemical characteristics suggesting derivation by partial melting of subducted oceanic lithosphere, the region is largely characterized by the formation of �hybrid' adakite magmas containing melt contributions from both subducted oceanic lithosphere and the sub-arc mantle.

Cosky, B., Crombie, S., Baxter, J., Gordon, J. and Cribb, W. 2005. Potential Formation of 'Hybrid' Adakite Magmas Within the Northern Oregon Cascadia Subduction Zone. Geol. Soc. Amer. Abst. with Progs. 37, 7.

Josh Gordon (MTSU undergraduate geology major, 2004-2005)

In an effort to gain more understanding of the processes that trigger the onset of volcanic activity, volcanologists are interested in possible influences of external factors such as seasonal changes, the lunar cycle, and weather conditions. To date, most research of this type consists of correlating historical eruptions to seasonal and weather patterns over periods of many years, or gathering similar data during relatively short observation periods at certain volcanoes. In 2004, similar research was conducted at Ol Doinyo Lengai volcano, African Rift Valley, northern Tanzania, by recording eruption data and examining relationships to the corresponding lunar cycle and barometric pressure. Ol Doinyo Lengai was chosen for study because it erupts natrocarbonatite lava, which has the lowest temperature and viscosity of all lavas. The volcano has been in a near-continuous state of eruption since 1983. It is hypothesized that due to the extremely low viscosity of natrocarbonatite magma, tidal and weather influences may be more easily detected at Ol Doinyo Lengai than at volcanoes erupting higher viscosity lavas. From 29 June to 29 July, 2004, a continuous presence was maintained in the summit craters of Ol Doinyo Lengai. Continuous barometric pressure readings were recorded using a NovaLynx Model 230-7020-A barograph. An hourly record of eruption location and intensity was recorded using a numerical scale designed to rate the strength of eruptions. Assessment of eruption strength was based on seven weeks of prior observations in the crater during eight visits between 1997 and 2003. Data are analyzed using theoretical earth tides calculated by TSOFT software, developed by the Royal Observatory of Belgium. Spectral analysis indicates no correlation between eruption frequency and barometric pressure or the diurnal tidal cycle. However, time series analysis of activity data indicates a low frequency component with a period of approximately 8.5 days. The two most intense eruptive episodes occurred within two days of the new and full moon, respectively. The observation period was not long enough to determine if these low frequency components are statistically significant. A second long-term stay during summer 2005 will include observations during new and full moon phases, each of which will nearly coincide with a lunar apogee or perigee.

Related Publication:

Gordon, J., Belton, F., Cribb, W. and Henry, J., 2005. Effects of the lunar cycle and changing barometric pressure on the timing and intensity of eruptions at Ol Doinyo Lengai Volcano, Tanzania. GSA Abst. with Progs. 37, 2.

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Richard Anderson (MTSU undergraduate geology major, 2005-2008)

The St. Francois Mountains (SFM) complex in Southeast Missouri is comprised of 1.38 to 1.48 billion year-old granites, rhyolites, ash-flow tuffs, basaltic dikes and sills. The precise petro-tectonic setting(s) in which specific SFM lithologies formed remains unclear. An ongoing field, petrographic, major element, and trace element study of SFM felsic rocks investigates this problem. Major element oxide analyses show that most SFM felsic rocks range between 70-80 wt % SiO2, 2-7 wt % K2O, 10-15 wt % Al2O3, 2-6 wt % Na2O, and < 2 wt % CaO. Possible SFM petro-tectonic settings are identified using trace element discrimination diagrams according to Pearce et al., 1984, and by comparison of SFM geochemical signatures to those of similar rocks from known tectonic settings. Notably, a plot of Nb versus Y shows that felsic SFM samples overlap the Within Plate Granite (WPG) and the Volcanic Arc Granite (VAG) + Syn-Tectonic Collision Granite (Syn-COLG) fields, with most samples plotting in the WPG field. A plot of Nb versus SiO2 shows that most samples plot in WPG and Ocean Ridge Granite (ORG) fields, as opposed to VAG, Collision Granite (COLG), and ORG fields. A plot of Rb versus SiO2 shows that all samples plot in the WPG field. Accordingly, trace element data suggest a within plate origin for most SFM rocks under study. Additional investigation of major and trace element data is underway to further correlate specific SFM lithologies to their petro-tectonic setting(s).

Anderson, R, and Cribb, W. 2007. Investigation of petro-tectonic setting(s) of felsic igneous rocks, St. Francois Mountains, Missouri. Geol. Soc. Amer. Abst. with Progs. 39, 6.

Anderson. R., Beard, J. and Cribb, W., 2007. Geochemical investigation of petro-tectonic setting(s) of felsic igneous rocks, St. Francois Mountains, Maine. Geol. Soc. Amer. Abst. with Progs. 39, 3.

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Optimization of X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometry for Environmental Analysis of Arsenic at Low Concentrations in Sediment and Soil Materials

The metal arsenic (As) is a health threat to people living in regions where As-bearing minerals are present in rocks and soils. According to U.S. EPA, consumption of As at concentrations greater than 60 parts per million (ppm) can cause death. Lower doses can cause health problems ranging from cardiovascular ailments to skin diseases. As is widely distributed throughout Earth�s crust in sulfide minerals. When eroded from rock, those minerals become concentrated in soils and stream sediments. People living in underdeveloped countries are at particular risk for As poisoning, as their agricultural and domestic activities are more likely to result in consumption of As-bearing soil and sediment. This research focuses on optimization of x-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF) methods for measurement of As at concentrations less than 20 ppm. Measurement of As by XRF at low concentrations is difficult because the most intense As XRF energy level is very close to two XRF energy levels of lead (Pb), a metal commonly present with As in minerals. The proximity and intensities of the Pb energy levels to that of As effectively �absorb� the As XRF energy, making its measurement at low concentrations unreliable. A secondary As energy level with no Pb interference can instead be measured, but with decreased analytical sensitivity. For environmental applications, it is important that the analytical sensitivity be high. Our research shows that sensitivity of As analysis is optimized by independent measurement of both Pb energy levels and the primary As energy level, followed by mathematical corrections for the Pb intensity absorption effects. This model was calibrated and tested using 10 USGS and NIST standards containing between 0.12 and 18.9 ppm As. Results of this research are applicable to a wide range of environmental studies focusing on the origin, concentration, and distribution of As in soils and sediment.

MTSU 2008 Undergraduate Scholars Day Poster

Pickering, J., *Tonish, J., *Cares, J. and Cribb, W., 2009. Optimization of x-ray fluorescence spectrometry for environmental analysis of arsenic at low concentrations in sediment and soil materials. Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs Vol 41, No. 1.

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Aaron Mayfield (MTSU Undergraduate geology major, 2007-2008)

Hazardous Metallic Elements in Tennessee Copper Basin Stream Sediments: Sources, Concentrations, and Distributions

The Tennessee Copper Basin, southeast Tennessee, is an area affected by over 100 years of mine-impact degradation to regional landscape, flora, and fauna. Early mining and ore processing techniques resulted in stripping of the landscape for wood fuel and the production of atmospheric sulfuric acid. The resulting acidic rains and oxidation of bedrock sulfide minerals sterilized the soil, resulting in long-term erosion of metallic elements such as arsenic (As), lead (Pb), and uranium (U) into the local watershed. Although mining operations ceased in 1987, the Copper Basin still exhibits signs of environmental stress. This focus of this research is geochemical study of Copper Basin stream sediments to determine which environmentally hazardous metallic elements are present at concentrations higher than natural background, and the sources of those sediments. The research has direct implication to long-term environmental and health studies of the Copper Basin. According to the U.S. EPA, human consumption of As may cause illnesses, ranging from cardiovascular ailments to skin disease, or even death. Consumption at lower concentrations may cause illnesses ranging from cardiovascular ailment to skin disease. The consumption of Pb on both children and adults are well known, and include mild headaches, reproductive disorders, and long-term damage to the brain and nervous system. U is a radioactive element, which even at very low concentrations may present cancer risks. Our research identifies the primary sources of Copper Basin metals-bearing sediments as old mine tailings deposits and bedrock exposures. X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF) analyses of sediment samples collected downstream of tailings ponds and bedrock outcrops show the presence of As ≤ 44 ppm, Pb ≤ 244 ppm, and U ≤ 32 ppm. Additional metals present are copper, zinc, and nickel. The geographic distribution of these metallic elements also is being assessed as a measure of whether their concentrations change during downstream sediment transportation.

Mayfield, A., *Anderson, B. and Cribb, W., 2009. Hazardous metals in Tennessee Copper Basin stream sediments: sources, concentrations and distributions. Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs Vol 41, No.1

MTSU 2008 Undergraduate Scholars Day Poster

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Jennifer Pickering, Miller Wyllie (MTSU undergraduate geology majors, 2009), with Matt Jones (Siegel High School Senior) and Scott Crombie (Ravenwood High School Chemistry Teacher)

Distributions, Concentrations, and Transport Processes of Toxic Metals Released from TVA Coal-Ash Surface Impoundments into Public Waterways and River Sediments

On December 22, 2008, approximately 5.4 million cubic yards of coal ash sludge spilled from a breached surface impoundment at the Tennessee Valley Authority Kingston Fossil Plant, about 40 miles west of Knoxville on the banks of the Emory River. The Kingston Plant, in operation since 1955, has nine coal-fired generating units and produces 10 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity per year. When all generating units are active, the plant uses 14,000 tons of coal per day. Coal ash, produced from the burning of pulverized coal, is carried off in the flue gas and collected by electrostatic precipitators. A small amount of coal ash may be sold as supplementary material for the manufacture of concrete and asphalt, but most is disposed of in the surface impoundments at the plant. The Kingston spill covered approximately 300 acres of land in Roane County, damaging nine homes and destroying three others. The potential long-term environmental impacts of the spill are unknown. Because concentrations of harmful metals in coal ash are largely dependent upon each metal�s concentration in the raw unburned coal, and because over its fifty years of operation the Kingston plant has used coal of different grades from different sources, the concentrations of potentially toxic metals throughout the spill almost certainly vary from place to place. However, it is known that �typical� coal ash contains several US EPA Primary Drinking Water Contaminant (PDWC) metals, notably arsenic (As), lead (Pb), and cadmium (Cd). There are three geologic pathways for human contact and ingestion of these metals: groundwater, surface water, and river sediment. Groundwater contact and ingestion may occur if the metals are leached from surface impoundments into underlying aquifers, and then consumed through drinking water at private wells. Surface water and river sediment contact and ingestion may occur if spilled or blown ash is carried along public recreational waterways. Immediately downstream of the Kingston coal ash spill, the Emory River feeds into the Clinch River, which in turn feeds into the Tennessee River. All three rivers are public waterways. There is potential for the ash, which floats due to its very low density, to be transported into all three river systems. People may come into direct contact and ingest the ash in water, or in riverside sediments where ash collects as waves wash it toward the shoreline.

The objective of this research is to investigate the long-term enrichment and/or attenuation of PDWC metals in river water and riverside sediments downstream of coal-ash surface impoundments at six TVA coal-fired power plants: Allen, Gallatin, Johnsonville, Kingston, Paradise, Widows Creek. These power plants are chosen on the basis of proximity to Murfreesboro, age, and ease of access to public upstream and downstream river sampling sites. One coal-fired plant which does not store coal ash in surface impoundments also will be sampled. Specifically, the research goal is to determine if release of coal ash from surface impoundments has resulted in either elevated or decreased concentrations of toxic metals in downstream water and riverside sediments as compared to upstream, �background� concentrations. The geochemical data will be used to propose models for geologic and geochemical enrichment and/or attenuation processes of the studied metals as they are transported from the power plants. The research results will be an important contribution to studies of whether current �clean coal� technologies are in fact environmentally safe. Such studies will undoubtedly increase in scope in light of the Kingston spill and the Obama administration�s stated opposition to the construction of new coal-fired power plants.

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Beth Weinman (Vanderbilt Graduate Student, 2007-2008)

The Co-Evolution of Asian Aquifers and Arsenic: How Understanding Sedimentary History can Help Predict Patterns of Arsenic Heterogeneity

After a decade of research, there is still no broad-scale understanding of why Asian aquifers support such heterogeneous distributions of groundwater arsenic. In countries like Bangladesh, Nepal, and Vietnam, it is often the case that wells spaced a few meters apart and drilled to the same depth have vastly different concentrations of dissolved arsenic (i.e., <10μg/L to >100μg/L). While there is a general consensus that older Pleistocene sediments are typically depleted in arsenic relative to younger aquifer sediments, little is known about either the geological and geochemical evolution of these aquifers with time or the exact nature of their 3-dimensional stratigraphy. To better, and more broadly, understand why local groundwater arsenic patterns exhibit such heterogeneity, sedimentological investigations were undertaken in three arsenic-contaminated Asian villages, including: (1) a hyper-avulsive floodplain in Nepal's Terai, (2) an abandoned portion of the Brahmaputra River in Bangladesh, and (3) a meander bend along Vietnam's stable, fault-controlled Red River complex. Stratigraphic cross-sections, facies determinations, and luminescence dating of the aquifer sands along transects (~1 km long and ~15 m deep) from each of these villages indicate that the aquifer deposits are not uniform, that they vary in the subsurface, and that their depositional ages correspond to concentrations of arsenic dissolved in the groundwater. Comparisons of arsenic concentrations with aquifer age show that there is an inverse relationship, indicating that the age of the sediment does play a role in arsenic's availability and distribution. While there is still much to be learned about the exact mechanism(s) and rate(s) by which arsenic is being liberated, our investigations overall support a geologic model where much of the arsenic variance is explainable by small variations over small distances (~10 meters) that results from dynamic depositional conditions created by these active fluvial regions.

Weinman, BA., Goodbred, SL., Savage, K., Zheng, Y., Radloff, K., Singhvi, A., Charlet, L., Berg, M., Eiche, E., Cribb, W., and van Geen., A., 2008. The co-evolution of Asian aquifers and arsenic: how understanding sedimentary history can help predict patterns of arsenic heterogeneity. Oral presentation. Session H71. Arsenic and Other Metals as Contaminants in Hydrologic Systems at AGU's Fall 2008 meeting, San Francisco.