Department: Geology ![[clear]](close-x.png "Remove this limiter")
73 matches in the database.
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1.
Alzawad, Ahmed.
Bedrock Fracture Zone Delineation Using Multichannel Analysis of Surface Waves in Carter Park, Bowling Green, Ohio.
Degree: MS, Geology, 2012, Bowling Green State University
► Three seismic methods were used to delineate bedrock fracture zones in shallow…
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▼ Three seismic methods were used to delineate bedrock fracture zones in shallow carbonate rock covered by thin glacial overburden in northwest Ohio. Two study areas were investigated in this thesis: the first area is a parking lot at the Wood County Hospital with two sinkholes exposed to the surface, and the second area is Carter Park, which has been reported to have bedrock fracture zones from previous studies using a variety of geophysical techniques. Data were collected using Multi Channel Analysis of Surface Waves (MASW), seismic refraction with linear and radial geophone arrays. The MASW method was developed based on the dispersion of the seismic energy. This method was used to find lateral variation in shear waves velocities, which can be related to differing degrees of fracturing in the bedrock. The seismic refraction and radial arrays were used as to provide independent evidence for the bedrock fracture zones. In Wood County Hospital site, a single sinkhole was located with using multimode inversion of surface waves, which is more sensitive to the fine structures. In Carter Park, the fracture zones were located by finding shear wave velocity heterogeneities. Two fracture zones were mapped each with a bearing of 030o and were confirmed by using both the linear and radial refraction arrays. These fracture zones correspond to those proposed from earlier studies, thus confirming the utility of using MASW for this type of investigation.
Advisors/Committee Members: Onasch, Charles M.
Subjects: Environmental Geology; Geology; Geophysical
Keywords: MASW; fracture zone; shallow carbonate bedrock; shallow seismic
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2.
Antibus, Joanne Vinopal.
A Petrographic, Geochemical and Isotopic(Sr, O, H and C) Investigation of Alteration Minerals in Volcaniclastic Rocks at Minna Bluff, Antarctica: Petrogenesis and Implications for Paleoenvironmental Conditions.
Degree: MS, Geology, 2012, Bowling Green State University
► The petrography and geochemistry of alteration minerals in volcaniclastic deposits at Minna…
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▼ The petrography and geochemistry of alteration minerals in volcaniclastic deposits at Minna Bluff; a 45 km-long volcanic peninsula in the southern Ross Sea that was active between 12 and 4 Ma, are used to reconstruct environmental conditions during their formation. The volcaniclastic deposits are intercalated with lavas and domes and include hyaloclastite, breccia, tuff and sediments. The restricted size and extent of the deposits attest to the ephemeral nature of magma water interaction at Minna Bluff. The paragenesis of alteration minerals reveal phillipsite to form first followed by chabazite and/or carbonates. Carbonates include calcite, low to high Mg calcite (MgCO3 >4%), dolomite, magnesite, siderite and rhodochrosite. Alkali ratios (Na+K/Ca) are high for zeolites (phillipsite <1 to 154 and chabazite 8 to 97) relative to host lavas (<1 to 14). Chemical zoning in zeolites is poorly developed but in carbonates transects show significant variations in Fe, Mn and Sr and Mg/Ca ratios. Carbonate δ18O and δ13C values range from -0.50 to 21.53‰ and -1.04 to 8.98‰, respectively. Chalcedony δ18O and δD values range from 0.68 to 10.37‰ and -187.8 to -220.6‰, respectively. The deuterium values are in the range of Antarctic meteoric water. Carbonate 87Sr/86Sr ratios average 0.70327 ± 0.0009 (1σ) and are within the range of volcanic rocks from the Erebus Volcanic Province. The isotopic evidence indicates that meteoric water (ice/snow) was most likely responsible for the alteration of volcaniclastic rocks at Minna Bluff. Based on zeolite stability and the 13C-18O paleothermometer, the alteration occurred at elevated temperatures (5° to ~100°C), probably during or relatively soon after deposition. High δ18O for Mg-rich carbonates and some quartz suggest 18O enrichment by evaporative distillation from steam vents. The calculated δ18O of water (-25 to -16‰) reveal a broad shift from lighter to heavier values between ~11 Ma and ~8.5 Ma. A warming climate during this period has also been predicted based on sedimentary sequences within core recovered from the nearby ANDRILL AND-1B drillcore.
Advisors/Committee Members: Panter, Kurt.
Subjects: Geology; Paleoclimate Science
Keywords: hyaloclastites; Minna Bluff, Antarctica; Sr, O, H isotopes; paleoenvironments; volcaniclastic alteration minerals
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3.
Banjade, Bharat.
Subsurface Facies Aanalysis of the Cambrian Conasauga Formation and Kerbel Formation in East - Central Ohio.
Degree: MS, Geology, 2011, Bowling Green State University
► This study presents a subsurface facies analysis of the Cambrian Conasauga Formation…
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▼ This study presents a subsurface facies analysis of the Cambrian Conasauga Formation and Kerbel Formation using well core and geophysical logs. Well- 2580, drilled in Seneca County (Ohio), was used for facies analysis, and the correlation of facies was based on the gamma- ray (GR) log for three wells from adjacent counties in Ohio (Well-20154 in Erie County, Well-20233 in Huron County, and Well-20148 in Marion County). In Well-2580, the Conasauga Formation is 37- m thick and the Kerbel Formation is 23-m thick. Analysis of the core identified 18 lithofacies. Some of the lithofacies are siliciclastic rocks, including: massive, planar laminated, cross-bedded, and hummocky stratified sandstone with burrows; massive and planar- laminated siltstone; massive mudstone; heterolithic sandstone and silty mudstone with tidal rhythmites showing double mud drapes, flaser-, lenticular-, and wavy- beddings; and heterogeneous siltstone and silty mudstone with rhythmic planar- lamination. Other lithofacies are dolomitized carbonate rocks that originally were massive, oolitic, intraclastic, and fossiliferous limestones. In general, the Conasauga Formation is a mixed siliciclastic-carbonate depositional unit with abundant tidal sedimentary structures consistent with a shallow- marine depositional setting and the Kerbel Formation is a siliciclastic depositional unit consistent with a marginal-marine depositional setting. The lower part of the Conasauga Formation consists of sandstone beds organized into a coarsening- and thickening- upward sequence of massive bedded, planar laminated, cross- bedded, and hummocky stratified sandstone. These beds are interbedded with beds having heterolithic tidal features such as flaser- bedding and wavy- bedding of heterogeneous sandstone and silty mudstone. This section in the GR- log shows the irregular shaped pattern with no trend, and is interpreted as bay- head delta deposits. This section is followed by a coarsening upward sequence of sandstone beds with planar- bedding, cross- bedding, and hummocky cross- stratification interbedded with minor tidalite beds. In the GR- log, this section is represented by a funnel- shaped pattern with abrupt tops suggesting a coarsening-upward trend. This sequence is interpreted as deposited in offshore transition zone from subtidal to lower intertidal flat deposits. The overlying section, middle part of the Conasauga Formation, consists of dolomitized limestone, sandstone, and siltstone with planar- lamination, cross- bedding, hummocky- stratification alternating with beds rich in tidally- influenced structures such as flaser-, lenticular-, and wavy-beddings, and planar rhythmites of heterogeneous sandstone and siltymudstone. In GR- log this section is represented by an irregular pattern with no trend and is interpreted to be the part of intertidal deposits. This section is followed by a funnel- shaped gamma- ray log pattern in upper part of the Conasauga Formation and whole section of the Kerbel Formation, suggesting an overall coarsening- upward trend. The upper part of the Conasauga Formation consists of very fine- grained sandstone with minor interbedded beds of thin mudstone. The Kerbel Formation consists of a coarsening-upward sequence, changing from fine- grained sandstone at the base to coarse- grained sandstone at top, that presents massive, parallel- laminated, and cross- bedded sandstone with carbonate intraclasts consisting of micrite, peloids, ooids, and bioclasts. These sandstone beds are interpreted as a barrier and/or overwash deposit. A similar sequence of GR- log pattern is also found from logs of Well- 20154 in Erie County, Well- 20233 in Huron County, and Well- 20148 in Marion County. The only difference between wells is the thickness of the various sections. The Kerbel Formation is thickest in the Seneca County with thickness of 23-m and the Conasauga Formation is thickest in the Marion County with thickness of 49-m. The matching of the general succession of lithofacies signature of the logs in four wells suggests that the depositional environment interpreted for Well- 2580 is at least regional in character. In summary, this study found that the Conasauga Formation sandstone beds of a bay- head delta system. These sandstones are reworked and overlain by tempestites, tidalites, and carbonates deposited in an offshore transition zone from subtidal to sand flat environments. These deposits are overlain by tidalite beds representing intertidal deposits in an estuarine or lagoonal depositional environment. The coarsening- upward trend of the strandplain (beach- barrier- overwash) of the Kerbel Formation above estuarine or lagoonal deposits suggests landward migration of the strandplain during transgression. As a whole, the sequences of the two units represent the late Cambrian marine transgression: landward migration of estuary, lagoonal, or tidal flat environments over a bay- head delta environment, and then landward migration of a barrier and/or overwash environment over estuarine, lagoonal, or tidal flat environments on a microtidal to mesotidal coast.
Advisors/Committee Members: Evans, James E.
Subjects: Geology; Petroleum Geology; Sedimentary Geology
Keywords: Conasauga Formation; Kerbel Formation; Depositional Environment; Facies Analysis; Cambrian Geology; Transgression
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4.
Barnhouse, Willard D Jr.
Methane Plume Detection Using Passive Hyper-Spectral Remote Sensing.
Degree: MS, Geology, 2005, Bowling Green State University
► The work in this thesis used passive hyperspectral remote sensing analysis with…
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▼ The work in this thesis used passive hyperspectral remote sensing analysis with data collected form the high altitude MODIS Airborne Simulator (MAS). This study examined multiple remote sensing band ratios designed to capitalize on methane’s 3.314µm absorption feature. Other ratios were also developed to detect atmospheric gas changes associated with possible methane plumes. Much of the analysis utilized datasets covering two California regions known to contain active oil/gas seeps and production. It was determined that no single MAS ratio algorithm could be used to confidently detect a methane gas plume. The presence of other atmospheric gases has the potential to affect the algorithms and produce complications for interpretation. However, by using a concurrence of ratio algorithm results, a suspected plume was thought to be detected in one of the off-shore datasets. The analysis for the land datasets found the high degree of surface material and temperature variations dramatically interfered with the ability to interpret the algorithm results with any significant confidence.
Advisors/Committee Members: Vincent, Robert K.
Keywords: geology; remote sensing; geologic remote sensing; methane; hyperspectral; hyper-spectral; atmospheric methane; methane plume; atmospheric remote sensing
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5.
Bartholomew, Lee Marston.
Terrestrial Application of the Phycocyanin Content Algorithm.
Degree: MS, Geology, 2010, Bowling Green State University
► The Phycocyanin Content algorithm (PCY) was used to quantify cyanobacteria pigments on…
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▼ The Phycocyanin Content algorithm (PCY) was used to quantify cyanobacteria pigments on land. The PYC was originally developed to quantify blooms of the toxic cyanobacteria, Microcystis aeruginosa, in Lake Erie. However, there were large, unexplained highlighted areas on land in the Lake Erie PYC images. The PYC algorithm, when applied on land, is negatively affected by the averaging effect on each pixel of vegetation and minerals. Filters to reduce this image noise on a terrestrial setting were developed by using a conceptual idealized dataset to establish the hypothesized relationship between chlorophyll and phycocyanin. The ratio of LANDSAT TM bands 4/3 was used as a vegetation filter and the 3/2 ratio was used to lessen the effects of iron oxides on the application on land of the PYC. The PYC performed successfully in areas of very low vegetation as the vegetation and mineral filters worked as designed. However, further calibration is necessary for this algorithm to function as a quantification tool. The mineral filter was based on the iron oxide mineral as it is the prevalent mineral in the region. Unfortunately, the iron oxide filter also detects areas of senescent vegetation and inversely indicates areas with green vegetation, complicating the performance of PYC in these areas.
Advisors/Committee Members: Gomezdelcampo, Enrique.
Subjects: Aquaculture; Biology; Geography; Geology; Organic chemistry; Paleobotany; Remote sensing
Keywords: Phycocyanin; Remote Sensing; Regression; Modeling; Soil; fluorescence
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6.
Basnet, Shiva.
Spatial Analysis of Rock Textures.
Degree: MS, Geology, 2012, Bowling Green State University
► Characterization of texture using population statistics neglects spatial and temporal relations of…
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▼ Characterization of texture using population statistics neglects spatial and temporal relations of the grains within the sample which provide valuable information about process and history. Despite the importance of space and time in textural analysis, little has been done to analyze the spatial variability of textures. In order to investigate the question of textural heterogeneity at a thin section scale in detail, the Standard Deviational Ellipse (ME) function from ArcGIS was used to create an extensive database from two different samples: an Elle simulation of crystal-plastic deformation and a weakly deformed quartz arenite photomicrograph. Both samples were deformed by the same increments of simple shear (γ = 0.00 - 0.87); the Elle sample by the deformation simulation and the quartz arenite by passively displacing grain boundaries according to the geometry of simple shear. Each sample was divided into nine cells and the textures in each was analyzed in the GIS using the Standard Deviational Ellipse as well as other parameters such as grain perimeter, area, ellipticity, and long axis orientation. In addition to using the Standard Deviational Ellipse to characterize textural variations, this tool was also evaluated for use as a finite strain marker. The study revealed non-systematic spatial and temporal variation in the change of the ME long axis orientations and ellipticity for the Elle simulation and systematic variation for the quartz arenite. The spatial variation in the texture categorized by the ME is partly due to the variations of grain distribution, shape, and grain position in the undeformed state and partly due to the nature of the deformation. The systematic variations in the quartz arenite are to be expected because of the way in which the sample was passively deformed. While analyzing the ME as a strain marker, it was found to correlate with the grain strain for quartz arenite, but varies significantly from the strains in the Elle simulation. Furthermore, the geometry of the ME is affected by the shape of the sampling area. Therefore, the ME cannot be explicitly used as strain marker.
Advisors/Committee Members: Onasch, Charles.
Subjects: Geographic Information Science; Geological; Geology
Keywords: GIS; standard deviational ellipse; rock texture; spatial analysis; Tuscarora Sandstone; Elle simulation; textural heterogeneity; grain boundary extraction; simple shear deformation; shear strain; photomicrograph; shear strain
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7.
Bergolc, Melanie L.
A PALEOENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS USING FOSSIL INSECTS IN LATE QUATERNARY DEPOSITS IN INDIANA AND OHIO.
Degree: MS, Geology, 2004, Bowling Green State University
► Numerous biological records have been used to infer past climate and environment.…
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▼ Numerous biological records have been used to infer past climate and environment. Insects are useful indicators of environmental changes because they are highly responsive to environmental change. My study examined four sites in Ohio and Indiana that are dated from the Middle Wisconsinan to the Late Wisconsinan and early Holocene: Bergendorfer IN (44,000 – 21,640 yr BP), Sidney OH (40,000 yr BP), Snyder IN (19,700 yr BP) and Sheriden Pit OH (11,557 - <9,844 yr BP). The main focus is on the insect Order Coleoptera (beetles) and how coleopterans may be used as paleoenvironmental indicators. Collection and processing of specimens followed standard techniques. Habitat types for insect species and genera were collected from recent publications. Jaccard and Dice coefficients were used to differentiate insect assemblages. The Mutual Climate Range (MCR) method was used to determine temperature ranges for the sites. Diversity ranged from very low (Sheriden Pit) to high (Bergendorfer Low) in the sites and horizons. All sites are separate assemblages at genus and family level. Insect habitat, modern biogeography, and MCR envelopes were used for interpretation of the sites’ paleoenvironment. A moist to wetland habitat persisted in the Indiana-Ohio border region in the time intervals represented by the samples, although the temperatures indicate repeated shifts from boreal to slightly warmer conditions. Bergendorfer was most likely a moist to wet, boreal habitat. The Sidney site was near water but no general biome could be determined. Bergendorfer Low may have been a boreal to boreal-tundra ecotone and a very wet environment (bogs or streams). Bergendorfer High was most likely a moist to riparian boreal habitat. Snyder was most likely a boreal forest with spruce and bogs. Sheriden Pit was moist at the time Arpedium cribratum was buried and slightly cooler than today. This study has demonstrated the utility of insects, especially coleopterans, in determining paleoenvironments. The data correlates quite well with previous pollen and invertebrate studies done at the same sites, and general glaciation patterns during the time period. More studies of ancient insect assemblages will further determine regional habitat shifts throughout the Late Quaternary.
Advisors/Committee Members: Yacobucci, Margaret.
Subjects: Paleoecology
Keywords: Coleoptera; Mutual Climate Range; Climate Indicators; Paleoecology
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8.
Bischoff, Kristen L.
Examination of Water Drilling Success Rate Using Satellite Imagery in the Central Plateau Region, Haiti.
Degree: MS, Geology, 2008, Bowling Green State University
► As world population increases the demand for accessible water resources also increase,…
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▼ As world population increases the demand for accessible water resources also increase, particularly in developing nations. Groundwater deposits are the largest source of available fresh water on the planet; however, exploration for such deposits is expensive and time consuming. Many recent studies have demonstrated the vast potential of the employment of satellite imagery in the search for reliable groundwater sources. This thesis made use of two freely available satellite datasets, LANDSAT TM+7 and SRTM, to explore the Central Plateau Region of Haiti for shallow subsurface water. The satellite imagery was used to create seven GIS terrain analysis layers: slope, aspect, curvature, planform and profile curvature, catchment area, and compound terrain index; and two remote sensing images: linear features overlay and thermal signature. These layers each represent independent variables used in this research. Seventy-six wells within the Central Plateau Region were overlaid onto each layer to determine a relationship drilling well success rate and the respective variable. Descriptive statistics performed served to outline the variability and data range for each variable. Categorizing the data was also used to compare the distribution of data overall the range of the variable to determine optimal conditions. The GIS terrain analysis layers were categorized to related findings from generated histograms to the study area. The remote sensing images were used to determine the drilling success rate of the two variables. The results of the analysis showed three relationships between drilling success rate and proximity to a linear feature, thermal signature digital number, and planform curvature. As the distance from the nearest linear feature increases the probability of drilling a successful well decreases. The probability of drilling a successful well increases as the thermal signature digital number value decreases. The more concave the value of planform curvature the higher the potential for drilling a productive well. These three relationships indicate that groundwater pumped out of hand-pump wells is accumulated precipitation water caught in an unconfined aquifer. The other spatial variables did not show statistically significant relationships which may be a result of many unforeseen factors including the depth, productivity reading, accuracy of well location, and the spatial resolution of the satellite imagery used was not appropriate for the relative size of the groundwater deposits. Continued research into the interactions of the hydrologic cycle, geology, and geomorphic features need to be undertaken to more accurately utilize satellite imagery in areas like the Central Plateau of Haiti.
Advisors/Committee Members: Vincent, Dr. Robert.
Subjects: Geology; Hydrology
Keywords: remote sensing; groundwater; satellite imagery
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9.
Bissell, Corrina.
Transportation of Trace Metals and Major Elements in the Ottawa River, Northwest Ohio.
Degree: MS, Geology, 2012, Bowling Green State University
► Sediments in the lower parts of Ottawa River in Toledo, Ohio have…
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▼ Sediments in the lower parts of Ottawa River in Toledo, Ohio have a known history of contamination. Upstream studies have not shown a significant amount of contamination in sediments, but have found some metals present within the fine grained and/or organic material. This contaminated material is easily transported in the suspended load down the Ottawa River. This study addressed transport mechanisms of dissolved and solid phase to determine which was dominate for trace metal and major element concentrations. Filtered and unfiltered water samples were collected from the upper Ottawa River at 3 sites in the Wildwood Preserve Metropark (WW1, WW2, and WW3) and at 2 sites in Secor Metropark (SC2 and SC3). Samples were also collected to determine the total amount of suspended material in the river. Total Suspended Solids (TSS) was analyzed by filtering water samples through coarse, medium, and fine filter paper. Unfiltered water samples were digested following the procedure in EPA method 3105a. All water samples were analyzed for selected major and trace elements using the Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectrometer (ICP-OES) at Bowling Green State University. Unfiltered sample concentrations were subtracted from filtered sample concentrations to evaluate the solid phase in the suspended load. A Mann-Whitey test of the filtered and unfiltered samples showed there was a significant difference between the two sample types. Discharge was shown as the most significant factor controlling the elemental concentrations through the Principal Component Analysis (PCA) in both the unfiltered and filtered samples. The negative correlations of discharge vs. elemental iii concentrations indicate the influence of groundwater and the positive show the influence of surface water runoff. Discharge was also found to contribute to positive correlations in both the filtered and unfiltered samples for Zn and Sr. The most significant major elements contributing to the variation were Na and Ca found by unfiltered and filtered PCA. The most significant trace metals were Fe and Sr. TSS was found as not a significant factor influencing the elemental concentrations in the PCA. This result is due to the filtering process missing the grain size of 2.5μm to .45μm and grain sizes smaller than 0.45 m. Sources of the elemental concentrations can be anthropological and/or natural. Anthropological sources of overflow from adjacent storm drains could contribute to the concentrations. Natural sources of local soil and bedrock compositions within the watershed and near the metroparks can account for the elemental concentrations.
Advisors/Committee Members: Roberts, Sheila.
Subjects: Environmental Geology; Geological; Geology; Geomorphology; Hydrology
Keywords: Fluvial, Contaminants, Dissolved Load, Suspended Load
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10.
Blocker, Jason E.
MODELING NUTRIENT TRANSPORT FROM AGRICULTURAL FIELDS FERTILIZED WITH SEWAGE SLUDGE, MAUMEE RIVER BASIN.
Degree: MS, Geology, 2007, Bowling Green State University
► Nutrient loading resulting from non-point source pollution are of concern in the…
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▼ Nutrient loading resulting from non-point source pollution are of concern in the Maumee River Watershed. Maumee Bay has experienced large algal blooms in the past, but reductions in point source loading of nutrients had greatly reduced the blooms until recently. Algal blooms have been occurring in Maumee Bay during the late summer and early fall months. This study examines the effect that increased sewage sludge application has on the timing and loading of nutrients into Lake Erie. The Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model was calibrated and validated for flow, sediment, and nutrients in the watershed to investigate the impact of various sewage sludge application scenarios. Calibration and validation were performed during 1990 through 1999 and 2000 through 2006 respectively at the watershed outlet defined by the Waterville gauging site. Quantitative statistical measures were utilized to evaluate model output. Graphical plots and statistical measures indicate that the modeled flow, sediment, and nutrients compare well to the observed data. Nash-Suttcliffe model efficiencies (ENS) for weekly flow were 0.76 during calibration and 0.65 for validation. ENS values for sediment,phosphorus, and nitrogen ranged between 0.46 and 0.62 during calibration and validation with the exception of nitrogen (-0.33) during validation. This study shows that SWAT was able to predict flow, sediment, and nutrients successfully and also evaluate the impact increased sewage sludge use could have in the Maumee River Watershed. The model shows that if sewage sludge is applied in late summer months as it typically is, the increased nutrient loading coincides with cyanobacteria blooms.
Advisors/Committee Members: Gomezdelcampo, Enrique.
Keywords: SWAT; sewage sludge; Maumee River Watershed; Nutrients; Water quality modeling
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11.
Borton, TiffanyAnn.
USE OF REMOTE SENSING AND GEOPHYSICAL TECHNIQUES FOR LOCATING ABANDONED OIL WELLS, WOOD COUNTY, OHIO.
Degree: MS, Geology, 2007, Bowling Green State University
► Northwest Ohio was the site of extensive oil production at the end…
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▼ Northwest Ohio was the site of extensive oil production at the end of the 1800’s, which has left many abandoned wells throughout the region, presenting a possible source of groundwater pollution. Although some wells can be located by their casings, many landowners have buried or removed them, making the wells almost impossible to locate. The focus of this study was to develop and refine a rapid, low-cost method for locating abandoned oil using geophysical techniques (magnetics, resistivity) and remote sensing (spectrometry). The hand-held spectrometer was used in the field and the laboratory to collect soil spectra. The field readings were taken adjacent to the well, 1 m from the well, and 100 m from the well. Samples from nine wells were collected at the well and four locations around it. The magnetic data were collected using a Geometrics 856 proton precession magnetometer on an 8 m x 8 m grid centered on the well. The resistivity data were collected using a Geometrics Ohmmapper capacitively-coupled resistivity apparatus on an 8 m x 28 m grid centered on the well. Three-band ratios were calculated in a spreadsheet and plotted. These ratios were applied to the Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer, (ASTER) data collected on April 22, 2006, and used to produce a grey-scale image. The magnetics data were analyzed using Golden Surfer 8 yielding total magnetic field intensity contour maps. The resistivity pseudo-sections were processed with MagMap2000. These pseudo-sections were exported to Res2dinv and depth inversion profiles were created. Though the spectral data showed a 2.2 ìm band in soil samples from all 9 sites, no satellite sensor had both the correct spectral bands and appropriate spatial resolution to locate the abandoned wells using this small absorption band. The magnetic field contour maps showed a circular high within 2 m of each of the known wells. Resistivity depth inversions show an increase in resistivity in the vicinity of the well casing. This study concludes that the most effective approach for finding abandoned wells involves collection of magnetic data first and then electrical resistivity and inversion modeling over positive magnetic anomalies.
Advisors/Committee Members: Vincent, Robert K.
Keywords: resistivity; HYDROCARBON; total magnetic field; total magnetic field intensity; magnetic field intensity; magnetic intensity
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12.
Bose, Rituparna.
EPIBIONTS ON BRACHIOPODS FROM THE DEVONIAN DUNDEE FORMATION OF OHIO.
Degree: MS, Geology, 2006, Bowling Green State University
► Epibionts seem to be more common in siliciclastic units than in carbonate…
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▼ Epibionts seem to be more common in siliciclastic units than in carbonate units. To evaluate this difference, the paleontology of the Middle Devonian Dundee Formation has been explored. A total of 245 brachiopod specimens were collected from a fossiliferous horizon of the Dundee Formation exposed at Whitehouse Quarry and identified to the generic level. Brachiopod genera identified were Strophodonta, Rhipidomella, Rhynchotrema, Atrypa, and Mucrospirifer. All the brachiopod shells were examined under a stereomicroscope for evidence of epibionts, and preferred host taxa were determined. Epibionts are absent on all the brachiopod shells except some Rhipidomella shells. Further examination of these Rhipidomella shells under 100x magnification showed evidence of biotic interactions in 21 out of 48 specimens. Large boreholes were produced by worm borers, scars were left on a few specimens by worms, branching grooves were the traces of soft-bodied ctenostome bryozoans, and sheet-like encrustation was produced by an indeterminate group of bryozoans. Ctenostome bryozoans had a commensal relationship with their host while a few worms had a parasitic relation with the host. While one might expect encrustation on hardgrounds within this carbonate unit, field work has determined that much of the Dundee Formation was extensively bioturbated, implying a soft substrate. It may be that bioturbation mixed shells down into the substrate before epibionts could attach.
Advisors/Committee Members: Yacobucci, Margaret M.
Keywords: Devonian, Brachiopods, Epibionts, Carbonates, Paleoecology
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13.
Bourne, Michael G. Jr.
The Effects of Nonpoint Source Pollution on Cyanobacterial Blooms in Lake Erie From Agriculturally Applied Fertilizers in Northwestern Ohio, USA, for the Years (1999-2003).
Degree: MS, Geology, 2006, Bowling Green State University
► Since the mid 1990’s, Lake Erie has experienced seasonal eutrophication. This investigation…
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▼ Since the mid 1990’s, Lake Erie has experienced seasonal eutrophication. This investigation was designed to look at potential causes for eutrophication in Lake Erie, particularly the effects of agriculturally applied fertilizers in Northwestern, Ohio. This study was designed to see if any correlations exist between agriculturally applied fertilizers (including sewage sludge) and cyanobacterial blooms in the Western Basin of Lake Erie that occurred during the months of July, August, and September for the years 1999-2003. An algorithm created by Vincent et al., (2004) was used on available LANDSAT frames to monitor phycocyanin growth caused by cyanobacteria. These images were analyzed in conjunction with Maumee River water quality data, planted winter wheat, local weather data, and records of agriculturally applied sewage sludge nutrient data from the local wastewater treatment plant. The year 2003 provided the largest algal bloom in this study, which extended beyond the upper threshold of the phycocyanin algorithm of 15 micrograms per liter. The largest total acreage of high phycocyanin content occurred on September 20, 2003 which had 285,451 phycocyanin-rich acres present in the Western Basin of Lake Erie. The average acres of high phycocyanin content for the month of September in the Western Basin of Lake Erie, display strong correlations with increased Maumee River flow rate, increased Maumee River nutrients (including both nitrogen and phosphorus), as well as planted winter wheat acreage for Northwestern, Ohio. Agriculturally applied sewage sludge provides circumstantial evidence that it contributes to cyanobacterial blooms in the Western Basin of Lake Erie, but there is not enough evidence to implicate or exonerate whether sewage sludge is the main driving force promoting cyanobacterial blooms.
Advisors/Committee Members: Vincent, Robert K.
Keywords: cyanobacterial blooms; phycocyanin; sewage sludge; Maumee River; fertilizers; nonpoint source pollution; Lake Erie; Remote Sensing; LANDSAT
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14.
Bradford, Matthew S.
Mapping Clay Alteration Across the Northern Goldstrike Property Using Spectroscopy and Remote Sensing, Eureka County, Nevada.
Degree: MS, Geology, 2008, Bowling Green State University
► The purpose of this study is to map the clay alteration across…
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▼ The purpose of this study is to map the clay alteration across the northern portion of Barrick's Goldstrike property, located along the Carlin trend. The study focused on the occurrences of three specific occurrences, ammonium-illite, kandites, and changes in the AlOH feature position (broken into four classes: sodium-rich, slightly sodium-rich, normal, and iron-rich) along three section lines. The clay alteration was mapped using down-hole spectroscopy (a spectral measurement was collected at 5-20 ft depth intervals in each hole) and remote sensing (Probe-1 airborne sensor). The remote sensing portion utilized pixels extracted by averaging the spectra of ammonium-illites and illites showing different AlOH feature positions and individually running them through Spetral Angle Mapper and ratio codes to identify areas with ammonium-illite and changes in the AlOH feature position. Only ratio codes were needed to identify kandites in the remote sensing data. The down-hole spectroscopy data of the ammonium-illite show that it occurred predominantly over a small gold deposit (Golden April), is strongly structurally controlled and is four times more abundant in ore-bearing holes than in non ore-bearing holes. Both types of remote sensing data showed the highest concentration of ammonium-illite occurred along section B-B'. The down-hole spectroscopy data of the kandites showed a strong association to structures and felsic igneous material and that it is twice as abundant in ore-bearing holes than in non ore-bearing holes. The only concession is that both the gold deposits encountered in the section lines are partially hosted in igneous rock. The remote sensing data shows limited surface expressions and reiterates the structural control for kandite occurrence. The down-hole spectroscopy data of the AlOH feature position shows a strong structural control and the strongest correlation to gold deposition. The sodium-rich and the slightly sodium-rich compositions are five and ten times more abundant in ore-bearing holes than in non-ore bearing holes, respectively. Remote sensing shows promise in being able to map changes in the AlOH feature position at the surface, but there is not a wavelength band on Probe-1 located completely within either the sodium-rich or slightly sodium-rich compositions. All three of the occurrences mapped in this study show a correlation to gold and should be utilized as exploration tools in the future. The only concession to keep in mind is the fact that the ore encountered along the section lines is partially hosted in igneous material, which explains why kandites are twice as abundant in ore-bearing holes than in non ore-bearing holes. The AlOH feature position shows the strongest correlation to both gold deposits and would make the best exploration tool.
Advisors/Committee Members: Vincent, Robert.
Subjects: Geology; Mineralogy; Mining; Remote sensing
Keywords: illites; kaolinite; Brush Salt; kandites; Brush; Betze/Post; NH4-illite
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15.
Brown, Michael Kenneth.
Landslide Detection and Susceptibility Mapping Using LiDAR and Artificial Neural Network Modeling: A Case Study in Glacially Dominated Cuyahoga River Valley, Ohio.
Degree: MS, Geology, 2012, Bowling Green State University
► The purpose of this study was to detect shallow landslides using hillshade…
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▼ The purpose of this study was to detect shallow landslides using hillshade maps derived from Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR)-based Digital Elevation Model (DEM) and validated by field inventory. The landslide susceptibility mapping used an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) approach and back propagation method that was tested in the northern portion of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park CVNP) located in Northeast Ohio. The relationship between landslides and different predictor attributes extracted from the LiDAR-based-DEM such as slope, profile and plan curvatures, upslope drainage area, annual solar radiation, and wetness index was evaluated using a Geographic Information System (GIS) based investigation. The approach presented in this thesis required a training study area for the development of the susceptibility model and a validation study area to test the model. The results from the validation showed that within the very high susceptibility class, a total of 42 % of known landslides that were associated with 1.6% of total area were correctly predicted. On the other hand, the very low susceptibility class that represented 82 % of the total area was associated with 1 % of correctly predicted landslides. The results suggest that the majority of the known landslides occur within a small portion of the study area, which is consistent with field investigation and other studies. Sample probabilistic maps of landslide susceptibility potential and other products from this approach are summarized and presented for visualization which is intended to help park officials in effective management and planning.
Advisors/Committee Members: Gorsevski, Peter.
Subjects: Geographic Information Science; Geology; Geomorphology
Keywords: Artificial Neural Network Analysis; Landslide Susceptibility; LiDAR; Cuyahoga River Valley
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16.
Castles, Megan Erin.
Determining the Geometry and Former Extent of the North Mountain Thrust from Fluid Inclusion and Microstructural Analysis.
Degree: MS, Geology, 2010, Bowling Green State University
► Fluid inclusion microthermometry, microstructural analysis, and vitrinite reflectance measurements were used to…
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▼ Fluid inclusion microthermometry, microstructural analysis, and vitrinite reflectance measurements were used to determine pressure and temperature conditions in several Paleozoic rock units in the Valley and Ridge province in order to determine the former extent and geometry of the North Mountain thrust sheet. Overburden thicknesses determined for the Devonian Hampshire/Catskill Formation, Mississippian Pocono Sandstone, and Pennsylvanian Pottsville Sandstone were found to be 5.5-6.0, 4.5-10.5, and 4.8-8.0 km, respectively. Differences in salinity and CH4 content between the Hampshire/Catskill Formation and the Pocono Sandstone and Pottsville Formation indicate that the Hampshire/Catskill Formation was affected by fluids from a different source than the younger units. These fluids were also cooler than those in overlying units, which explains why the older Hampshire/Catskill Formation yielded lower overburden thicknesses. All units experienced considerably greater overburdens than can be explained stratigraphically, which supports the model of Evans (1989) that the North Mountain thrust once extended over these rocks so that the large overburdens are of tectonic origin.
Advisors/Committee Members: Onasch, Charles.
Subjects: Geology
Keywords: Fluid Inclusions; Microstructures; North Mountain Thrust
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17.
Cathcart, Steven C.
A Group-based Spatial Decision Support System for Wind Farm Site Selection in Northwest Ohio.
Degree: MS, Geology, 2011, Bowling Green State University
► This paper presents a spatial decision support system (SDSS) framework for evaluating…
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▼ This paper presents a spatial decision support system (SDSS) framework for evaluating the suitability for wind farm siting in Northwest Ohio. It is intended for regional planning but also for promoting group decision making that considers different participants in the development of decision alternatives. The framework integrates environmental and economic criteria and builds a hierarchy for wind farm siting using weighted linear combination (WLC) techniques and GIS functionality. The SDSS allows multiple participants to develop an understanding of the spatial data and to assign importance values to each factor. The WLC technique is used to combine the assigned values with map layers, which are standardized using fuzzy set theory, to produce individual suitability maps. The maps created by personal preferences from the participants are aggregated for producing a group solution using the Borda method. Sensitivity analysis is performed on the group solution to examine how small changes in the factor weights affect the calculated suitability scores. The results from the sensitivity analysis suggest that the economic objective is more sensitive than the environmental objective while population density and land use were the most sensitive factors.
Advisors/Committee Members: Gorsevski, Peter.
Subjects: Alternative Energy; Environmental Studies; Geographic Information Science
Keywords: Spatial Decision Support Systems; GIS; Spatial Decision Making; Wind Farm Site Selection
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18.
Celebrezze, Eric N.
FECAL BACTERIA INDICATOR TO DETERMINE POINT-SOURCE POLLUTION UPSTREAM OF THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH, WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA, USA.
Degree: MS, Geology, 2007, Bowling Green State University
► Fecal bacteria loading in rivers surrounding Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania is a major concern.…
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▼ Fecal bacteria loading in rivers surrounding Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania is a major concern. Fecal bacteria loading was thought to come from the city’s approximate 290 combined sewer overflows during heavy precipitation events, which overload the waste water infrastructure. However, water samples taken upstream of the city of Pittsburgh have high levels of fecal coliform, suggesting that fecal bacteria loading is occurring upstream of Pittsburgh. Twenty-four water samples were taken from the Allegheny River at Parker, Pennsylvania by the United States Geological Survey; nine exceeded the USEPA limit of 126 CFU / 100 mL of fecal coliform. Fourteen additional water samples were taken upstream and downstream of Oil City, Pennsylvania on the Allegheny River. The Southside Marina was chosen for the downstream sample site, while the public boat ramp in President Township was chosen for the upstream sampling site. These fourteen samples were analyzed for Escherichia coli instead of fecal coliform following USEPA protocol. The fourteen samples were collected during a time span of seven weeks, and represent dry, mixed, and wet weather conditions. Nine of these samples violated the USEPA suggested standard of 126 CFU/100 mL for a single sample. Many samples that exceeded the USEPA limit correlated with heavy precipitation events either the day before or the day of the sampling, though not all samples that violated the USEPA limit correlated with heavy precipitation events. The President Township sampling demonstrates the importance to sample upstream of sites thought to be the source of bacteria to verify that the site is indeed the only source of pollution.
Advisors/Committee Members: Roberts, Sheila.
Keywords: Escherichia coli, Colilert-18, Fecal Coliform, CSOs, Allegheny River.
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19.
CHAKRABORTY, SUVANKAR.
THE GEOCHEMICAL EVOLUTION OF ALKALINE MAGMAS FROM THE CRARY MOUNTAINS, MARIE BYRD LAND, ANTARCTICA.
Degree: MS, Geology, 2007, Bowling Green State University
► Late Cenozoic alkaline volcanism in the Crary Mountains, Marie Byrd Land, Antarctica…
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▼ Late Cenozoic alkaline volcanism in the Crary Mountains, Marie Byrd Land, Antarctica is associated with the West Antarctic rift system. More than 400 km3 (LeMasurier et al., 1990) of alkaline magmas were erupted from four major volcanic centers. Based on previous field and dating studies the volcanism occurred between ~9 and <1 Ma and the activity migrated to the south at a rate of ~0.7 cm/yr. The Crary Mountains represent one of four ranges of volcanoes in Marie Byrd Land that show this type of age progression; younging away from the center of the province (LeMasurier and Rex, 1989; Panter et al., 2000). The volcanic deposits at the Crary Mountains consist of lavas and interbedded agglutinated scoria deposits as well as thick hydrovolcanic sequences (hyaloclastites, pillow breccia, tuff) all of which range in composition from basanite to intermediate types to phonolite, trachyte, and rhyolite. This study focuses exclusively on lava samples that are fresh and unaltered. Basaltic rocks are consisting of olivine, clinopyroxene, plagioclase and titanomagnetite phenocrysts. Phenocrysts found in intermediate to felsic compositions include of olivine, clinopyroxene, alkali amphibole, alkali and plagioclase feldspars, nepheline, apatite, titanomagnetite, and aenigmatite. Most of the phenocrysts of different rock types are either unzoned or normally zoned and disequilibrium textures are rare. Stratigraphic sections of Mount Steer and Rees show a complex petrographic history; however, the overall compositions of the Crary Mountains show a change to mafic composition with progression in age. The evolution trends and magma differentiation processes were determined based on geochemistry and geochemical relationships for these alkaline volcanic rocks. Overall, the alkaline lavas from the Crary Mountains show trends of increasing SiO2, Na2O, K2O with decreasing MgO and CaO. On other hand highly incompatible trace elements (e.g., Th, La, Zr) show an increase in concentration with magmatic differentiation. On the basis of geochemical studies trachytes and phonolites are divided into two groups each; nepheline-normative trachytes (Ne-trachyte) and quartz-normative trachytes (Qtz-trachyte); low-alkali (Na2O + K2O <13.46 wt%) high silica (> 60 wt%) phonolites and high-alkali (Na2O + K2O > 15.47 wt%) low silica (<56 wt%) phonolites. Using least-squares mass balance and Rayleigh fractionation models, the Ne-trachytes can best be explained by a single differentiation trend generated by fractional crystallization of a basanite magma. An explanation for the generation of quartz-normative trachytes (Qtz-trachyte) and rhyolite can be generated by the assimilation of granitoid country rocks by mugearite magma coupled with fractional crystallization (AFC processes). Two different fractionation schemes are responsible for the production of phonolitic rocks; one that can explain the evolution of intermediate mugearite magmas to low-alkali phonolites and another from basanite to high-alkali phonolites. The modeling results indicate that the evolution of alkaline magmas erupted in the Crary Mountains is complex and these alkaline magmas were produced by a combination of magmatic differentiation processes.
Advisors/Committee Members: PANTER, KURT S.
Subjects: Geology; Geochemistry
Keywords: Antarctica, Crary Mountains, Mount Rees, Mount Steere, Fractional Crystallization, Assimilation Fractional Crsytallization.
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20.
Chandonais, Daniel.
Deformation and Fluid History of Late Proterozoic and Early Cambrian Rocks of the Central Appalachian Blue Ridge.
Degree: MS, Geology, 2012, Bowling Green State University
► The Blue Ridge province of the Appalachians is an allochthonous structural unit,…
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▼ The Blue Ridge province of the Appalachians is an allochthonous structural unit, which has been deformed into an anticlinorium that is overturned to the northwest. Folding and development of a pervasive southeast-dipping cleavage are attributed to the northwest transport of both crystalline and sedimentary thrust sheets during the late Paleozoic Alleghanian orogeny. Phyllites and schists in the late Proterozoic Catoctin Formation and in the Cambrian Harpers Formation have abundant evidence for multiple phases of deformation, though the timing and importance of these structures is still unclear. Fluid inclusion microthermometry along with detailed structural analyses of Late Proterozoic and Early Cambrian rocks in the Blue Ridge were completed to construct a fluid history of the region. The combination of these methods allows for characterization of deformation phases and estimation of pressure/temperature conditions, which provide a more comprehensive picture of the tectonic evolution of the region. Structural analysis established the geometry and timing of three deformation phases in relation to the pervasive Alleghanian cleavage. Microthermometry identified at least four fluids from primary, pseudosecondary, and secondary inclusions in quartz veins. Two-phase aqueous inclusions were used to characterize fluid populations on the basis of homogenization temperature and composition. Pre-cleavage veins are characterized by high temperature (Th ≥ 210 °C) fluids with moderate salinities (approximately 5-15 wt. NaCl equivalent). Syn-cleavage fluids occur at moderate temperatures (Th = 150-205 °C) and variable salinities (approximately 5-25 wt. NaCl equivalent). Post-cleavage fluids are characterized by low temperatures (Th ≤ 150 °C) and low salinities (approximately 2-10 wt. NaCl equivalent). Eutectic temperatures indicate both simple and complex mixtures of Na, Ca, and Mg brines in successive vein generations. Migrating, orogenic fluids found in the adjacent Valley and Ridge and Piedmont provinces are rich in CH4 and CO2; however, neither of these fluids was observed in the Blue Ridge. Instead, fluids associated with deformation of the Blue Ridge anticlinorium appear to have a local source and show evidence for stratigraphic partitioning and a general trend of decreasing temperatures from hinterland to foreland.
Advisors/Committee Members: Onasch, Charles.
Subjects: Geology
Keywords: Fluid History; Appalachian Geology; Blue Ridge; Fluid Inclusions; Quartz veins; Kinematic Evolution; Cambrian Geology; Metamorphic Petrology; tectonites; anticlinorium; Blue Ridge Anticlinorium; Grambrill State Park; western Maryland Geology.
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21.
Clark, Andrew J.
Lake Erie Holocene Coastal Evolution near the Portage River-Catawba Island, Ohio.
Degree: MS, Geology, 2008, Bowling Green State University
► Previous studies on the sedimentology and coastal geomorphology of the Great Lakes…
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▼ Previous studies on the sedimentology and coastal geomorphology of the Great Lakes have recognized individual features (spits, barrier islands, beaches, coastal wetlands, estuaries) but have compartmentalized the information rather than recognizing that these features are all components in wave-influenced deltas. Wave-influenced deltas form where discharge from a river is sufficient to impose a groin-effect on longshore drift. Such deltas tend to be asymmetric in plain view, with the updrift side of the delta characterized by accreting beach ridges (cheniers or strandplains) and the downdrift side of the delta characterized by coastal wetlands and occasional accreted bars. An asymmetry index > 200 (Bhattacharya and Giosan, 2003) defines wave-influenced deltas.The Portage River delta (north-central Ohio coast of Lake Erie) has an asymmetry index of about 296, meaning it is a wave-influenced delta. Historical aerial photography from the 1930s-1940s, pre-land development, show a chenier plain updrift (east) of the Portage River delta, while downdrift (west) of the Portage River delta are extensive coastal wetlands and rare beach ridges in the Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge. The Portage River delta, then, appears to be a wave-influenced delta. This study used 28 vibracores up to 4.5-m in length, sediment analyses, and 14C geochronology to confirm the classification of this delta and evaluate the implications for understanding the coastal features of the Great Lakes. Sediment cores updrift of the delta consisted of sandy deposits about 4.5-m thick overlying glacial-lacustrine sediment. These sandy deposits are interpreted as a relatively continuous, overall shallowing-upward sequence (shoreface overlain by foreshore overlain by backbeach and dune), with a coarsening-upward, storm-dominated shoreface succession influenced more by wave-driven currents in the shallower upper shoreface. Sediment cores from downdrift of the Portage River also represent an overall shallowing-upward sequence with a coarsening-upward, storm-dominated shoreface succession. However, these sandy deposits are only 1.5-m thick and overlie thick wetland (peaty) deposits. In this succession, coarser horizons in the upper shoreface are associated with sediment transport within rip channels during storm intervals. In downdrift areas, the vertical facies succession of sediment cores is very irregular suggesting more input from the fluvial system. The 14C analysis in this study determined three 14C age dates from vibracore 07-PC-14 in a thick peat interval overlying glacial lacustrine sediment. The 14C age dates ranged in age from 1616-2025 cal BP representing a much younger age than the underlying glacial lacustrine sediment. The cal BP age determinations followed a linear trend (R2 = 0.9931) when plotted with depth, indicating a constant sedimentation rate of 0.86 mm/yr throughout the peat sequence. The 14C age dates indicate the formation of a coastal wetland from about 1700-2070 YBP. The top 39-cm of vibracore 07-PC-14 showed a sedimentation rate of 2.05 cm/yr while the siliciclastic interval just below indicated a sedimentation rate of 0.58 mm/yr. After the formation of wetlands, the multiple coarsening-upward successions are present resulting from the accretion of beach ridges along the shoreline. The deposition of the shoreface sequence begins at about 1513 cal BP and multiple shoreface sequences coarsen upward to about 19 cal BP.
Advisors/Committee Members: Evans, James.
Subjects: Geology
Keywords: Wave-influenced deltas; asymmetry; longshore drift
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22.
Dash, Padmanava.
SeaWiFS Algorithm for Mapping Phycocyanin in Incipient Freshwater Cyanobacterial Blooms.
Degree: MS, Geology, 2005, Bowling Green State University
► Toxin-producing blooms of cyanobacteria in most freshwater systems have posed a serious…
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▼ Toxin-producing blooms of cyanobacteria in most freshwater systems have posed a serious global threat throughout the world. Vincent et al. (2004) have developed a set of algorithms that employ LANDSAT 7 ETM+ data and LANDSAT 5 TM data to map cyanobacterial blooms in fresh water lakes from space by quantitatively mapping phycocyanin, the pigment most uniquely associated with cyanobacterial blooms. However, the LANDSAT TM sensor has a 16-day revisit cycle and a spatial resolution of 28.5 m, whereas the SeaWiFS sensor has a daily revisit cycle and a coarse spatial resolution of 1.1 km for LAC (local area coverage) and 4.5 km for GAC (global area coverage). Hence, the SeaWiFS sensor can be applied with higher temporal frequency and can be used to document large-scale changes in the region, due to its larger synoptic coverage. In this research an algorithm has been developed for detecting incipient cyanobacterial blooms with SeaWiFS data that is also based on phycocyanin pigment. An empirical method for atmospheric correction, ratio normalization, has been applied to SeaWiFS data after additive offset of the sensor and atmospheric haze have been corrected by dark object subtraction, which is primarily aimed at making two input images similar with respect to radiometric qualities. It has been observed that ratio normalization becomes more important for coarse resolution sensors such as SeaWiFS (due to their synoptic coverage) than that of sensors like LANDSAT TM. The results were compared to the LANDSAT TM results and observed that SeaWiFS model predicts phycocyanin concentration about as well as the LANDSAT TM spectral ratio model. To ensure that we are mapping phycocyanin and not chlorophyll a (Chl a), a model for Chl a has been developed from SeaWiFS data. The Chl a model was then applied to the same dates of SeaWiFS data to which the phycocyanin model was applied and the two models results were compared, which brought to view that no correlation exists between phycocyanin and Chl a concentration. This cyanobacterial bloom algorithm with SeaWiFS Data can be used to investigate inter and intra-annual variability of cyanobacterial blooms in the entire Lake Erie. The algorithm could serve as a tool for early stage monitoring of cyanobacterial blooms, thereby assisting future assessment of water quality and the aquatic ecosystem health of large fresh water lakes around the globe.
Advisors/Committee Members: Vincent, Robert K.
Subjects: Remote Sensing
Keywords: Phycocyanin; Cyanobacteria; SeaWiFS
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23.
Dickerson, John Ryan.
A MODIFIED DRASTIC MODEL FOR SITING CONFINED ANIMAL FEEDING OPERATIONS (CAFOs) IN WILLIAMS COUNTY, OHIO.
Degree: MS, Geology, 2007, Bowling Green State University
► Williams County is a mostly agricultural county located in northwest Ohio. It…
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▼ Williams County is a mostly agricultural county located in northwest Ohio. It currently has three Confined Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs), all dairy, with the possibility of the construction of a multi-million chicken egg CAFO in the near future. A Geographic Information System (GIS) was utilized to modify the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) DRASTIC map for the county to fully assess the county-wide pollution potential of CAFOs. DRASTIC is a model for displaying the relative spatial comparison of groundwater pollution potential. Three of DRASTIC’s parameters (Depth to Water, Soil Media, and Topography) were modified and another parameter was added (Land use/land cover) to the model to determine the potential impact on groundwater from CAFO manure lagoon settings and manure application as fertilizer. Results indicate that 87 percent of Williams County has elevated CAFO groundwater pollution potential. The CAFO DRASTIC map shows that only 13 percent of the county, primarily the southeast corner, has much lower CAFO groundwater pollution potential. Evidence from this study suggest that future CAFO development within the county should focus on the southeastern portion of the county, where the groundwater table is deeper and the aquifer is composed of shale substrate with low hydraulic conductivity. The CAFO DRASTIC results are intended to be used as a screening tool, and are not to replace site-specific hydrogeologic investigations.
Advisors/Committee Members: Gomezdelcampo, Enrique.
Keywords: DRASTIC, CAFO, Williams County, Groundwater pollution potential
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24.
Droog, Arisca.
Remote Sensing for Detecting and Mapping Flowering Rush: A Case Study in the Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge (ONWR), Ohio.
Degree: MS, Geology, 2012, Bowling Green State University
► Predicting and mapping invasive wetland plant species is an important process for…
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▼ Predicting and mapping invasive wetland plant species is an important process for future management decisions and strategies. Controlling and mapping such plant species requires robust methods that are applicable at different ecological scales to map and monitor their spread. In particular, this study tested the feasibility of classification tree analysis (CTA) by using a high resolution Applanix 439 Digital Sensor System (DSS) aerial imagery (< 20 cm) and linear spectral unmixing (LSU) analysis by using Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) data to produce different distribution maps of invasive flowering rush (Butomus umbellatus L.) potential in the Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge (ONWR) wetlands, in Northwest Ohio. The classification accuracy from CTA maps derived from different splitting rules was evaluated by kappa statistics. The overall accuracy within the different runs varied between 35 to 56 % while the “Gini” splitting rule had the best performance. The endmembers from the best CTA performing map were utilized by the LSU method for estimating sub-pixel endmember fractions at a broader geographical scale. The results derived from the aerial imagery were slightly better than those from the Landsat imagery, as the goodness of fit between the flowering rush fraction map and the data measured in the field was lower. This study was intended to demonstrate the potential for flowering rush mapping over larger area using knowledge developed from smaller geographical scale using high resolution imagery. Results indicate that both methods show promising results for the prediction of flowering rush, but additional research that encompass different field data collection techniques, datasets of imagery and modeling methods need to be explored.
Advisors/Committee Members: Gorsevski, Peter.
Subjects: Remote Sensing
Keywords: Flowering Rush; Invasive Plants Species; Linear Spectral Umixing; Classification Tree Analysis; Aerial Imagery; Landsat TM Imagery; Remote Sensing
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25.
Emery, William Daniel.
Geology and Eruptive History of the Late Oligocene Nathrop Volcanics, Central Colorado Volcanic Field.
Degree: MS, Geology, 2011, Bowling Green State University
► The Nathrop Volcanics consist of rhyolite lava and pyroclastic deposits located on…
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▼ The Nathrop Volcanics consist of rhyolite lava and pyroclastic deposits located on the eastern shoulder of the upper Arkansas Graben in south-central Colorado and are part of the extensive late Eocene-Oligocene Central Colorado Volcanic Field. Deposits of the Nathrop Volcanics at Ruby Mountain consist of a lower lithic-rich lapilli tuff (ca. 3 m thick) with multiple layers that are reversely graded with respect to pumice clasts and are overlain by an approximately 30 m thick lithic-poor tuff breccia containing pumice blocks up to 1 m in diameter. The upper portion of the tuff breccia transitions up into a 5 m thick, moderately to densely welded tuff (vitrophyre), which in turn is overlain by a 20 m thick flow-banded rhyolite. A similar stratigraphic sequence is found at Sugarloaf Mountain (<1 km to the NNE), and also portions of the sequence crop out as faulted and eroded blocks in the valley between the two mountains. These deposits have been interpreted as being formed by exogenic lava dome growth; pyroclastic facies (fall overlain by flow) followed by lava extrusion. This study considers three possible scenarios to explain the origin and geometry of these deposits. Pivotal to these scenarios is the explanation for the cause of welding and stratigraphic position of the vitrophyre. The three models are: 1) the flow-banded rhyolite was erupted as a lava immediately after the pyroclastic flow (tuff breccia) which caused the welding; 2) the tuff breccia and flow-banded rhyolite are not from the same eruptive episode and welding occurred in a thick pyroclastic flow that subsequently was eroded down to the level of the more resistant vitrophyre followed by eruption of the rhyolite as a lava flow; and 3) the whole sequence represents a single short-lived eruptive event in which the pyroclasts accumulated rapidly enough to weld and flow rheomorphically. This study evaluates all three models based on field relationships.
Advisors/Committee Members: Panter, Kurt.
Subjects: Geology
Keywords: Volcanology; Colorado; Central Colorado Volcanic Field; vitrophyre; welding; pyroclastic; pyroclastic fall; pyroclastic flow; Ruby Mountain; Sugarloaf Mountain; Nathrop
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26.
Faw, Mary E.
A Pedogenic Approach to the Classification of Paleohistosols.
Degree: MS, Geology, 2012, Bowling Green State University
► This study assessed the transition between coals and the underlying siliciclastic sedimentary…
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▼ This study assessed the transition between coals and the underlying siliciclastic sedimentary rocks, such as sandstones, siltstones, and mudstones. These underlying siliciclastic deposits are often referred to as underclays. These underclays often contain pedogenic features such as roots and slickensides. This study found that the underlying sedimentary deposits are cumulate paleosols profiles while the combination of the underlying sediments and the overlying coal forms a polygenetic soil profile. The use of the terms cumulate and polygenic soil profiles, a form of soil classification presented by Marriot and Wright (1993), is to emphasize the continuity of the soil transition from a mineral soil (typically a protosol or gleysol) to an organic soil (histosol) with intermediate phases and/or with partial overprinting of the underlying mineral soil. This study develops a field-based paleosol classification scheme for paleosols, by recognizing that there was an alteration in the hydrogeologic regime changing the soil from one that received clastic sediment to one that received little to no clastic sediment. In this study, application of the soil profile models presented by Marriott and Wright (1993), were modified to create four terms to describe soils: paleo-histosol, paleo-histogleysol, argillaceous paleo-histogleysol, and argillaceous paleo-gleysol. This classification system was tested by describing three coal seams, from the Cretaceous Fruitland Formation and the Cretaceous Menefee Formation of the San Juan Basin, and the Pennsylvanian Pittsburgh Formation of the Appalachian Basin. It was possible to evaluate the success of this system by being able to reclassify the deposits as paleosols, by finding no evidence of unconformities between successive paleosols or diagenetic changes, and by finding the environmental implications consistent with other data and studies of the same units. In summary, this study determined that what has classically been described as “coal-underclay” sequences are better understood as polygenetic histosol-histogleysol sequences. The advantages in this method are: (1) a recognition that the similarities represent the continuity of soil-forming processes at a given locality, and (2) a recognition that the primary environmental change is the reduction in siliciclastic sediment input at this locality, due to hydrologic change. It also appears that the development of gleysols were hydrologically necessary for the histosols to establish themselves, develop and become preserved as a coal, unless the histosol formed from organic matter (peat) that had been transported from its place of development.
Advisors/Committee Members: Evans, James.
Subjects: Geology
Keywords: Coal, Peat, Underclay, Histosols, Paleo-histosols, Paleo-histogleysols, Argillaceous Paleo-histogleysol, Argillaceous paleo-gleysol, Fruitland Formation, Pittsburgh Formation, Menefee Formation
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27.
Garner, Kelsey Lynn.
Why Do Students Take Photographs on Geology Field Trips: Connections Between Motivations and Novelty Space.
Degree: MS, Geology, 2008, Bowling Green State University
► Field trips are a significant aspect to geology programs. Bowling Green State…
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▼ Field trips are a significant aspect to geology programs. Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, OH has a field program called GeoJourney. This program travels for nine weeks around the United States to teach undergraduate students introductory physical geology, historical geology, environmental studies, Native American studies, and critical thinking. To have a successful field trip Orion and Hofstein (1994) suggest that there are distracting factors called novelty space that should be addressed. Novelty space is comprised of three domains, geographic, psychological and cognitive novelty space. There is a fourth novelty space domain, social novelty space, which was created because of the nature of the field trip. Novelty space can be addressed while on a field trip, but if the instructors are unclear when a student was exhibiting high novelty space, then instructors cannot adjust their teachings to help the students. This study determined whether or not photographs could be a behavioral proxy for novelty space while on GeoJourney to help instructors adjust their teaching if necessary. This study was comprised of observations, interviews of the students that attended GeoJourney in fall 2007, the Novelty Space Survey (Elkins and Elkins, 2008), and a self-administered photo spreadsheet. The data from these sources were compared to determine if photographs could be a behavioral proxy for novelty space. The overall hypothesis was if the Novelty Space Survey results per novelty space domain decreased then photographs per novelty space domain should also decrease representing a decrease in novelty space. It was determined that photographs could be a proxy for geographic and cognitive novelty space, but not for psychological and social novelty space.
Advisors/Committee Members: Roberts, Sheila.
Subjects: Geology
Keywords: Geology Field Trips; Novelty Space; GeoJourney; Photographs
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28.
Ghosh, Jaydeep.
Bioaerosols Generated from Biosolids Applied Farm Fields in Wood County, Ohio.
Degree: MS, Geology, 2005, Bowling Green State University
► Recently there has been increased interest in using biosolids to fertilize farm…
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▼ Recently there has been increased interest in using biosolids to fertilize farm fields due to an amendment to the United States Ocean Dumping Act (1988). The amendment imposes a ban on dumping waste material into the sea. Although much care has been taken to reduce its toxic and pathogen content, employees engaged in biosolids application in the farm fields and residents near the sludge-applied fields have reported health problems after its application. This research explores temporal variation in the quality of bioaerosols generated from class B biosolids applied to farm fields at different places around Bowling Green, Ohio. Two types of air samplers, Microflow sampler (single stage sampler) and Andersen’s six stage sampler were used to collect the bioaerosols. The combined data of both samplers were used to study the temporal variation of bioaerosols during and after class B biosolid application to farm fields. All of the data show higher numbers of bacteria colonies collected from the downwind direction than from upwind. Compared to the data collected on the day of application, total bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus, and gram-negative bacteria were elevated 2 days after biosolids application. Levels decreased to control level 13 days after application, except for Staphylococcus aureus, which was highest 13 days after application. It can be concluded that pathogenically nontreated class B biosolids are capable of generating potential pathogens in the air. This increased content might be responsible for reported health problems in nearby residents during the post-application period. eAlso there is a possibility that the finer particles, which constitute approximately 50% of the total bioaerosols generated from the fields, can be transported some distance away from the class B biosolids-applied field. These finer particles containing pathogens might be responsible for health problems in residents a mile away from the field. However, further research is necessary to come to a definite conclusion in this regard. This research will increase awareness regarding the possible prohibition of class B biosolids in favor of class A biosolids, which are biologically treated sludge that contain comparatively fewer bacteria.
Advisors/Committee Members: Vincent, Robert K.
Subjects: Environmental Sciences
Keywords: cfu; BIOSOLIDS; samplers; Bowling Green; Riker; football stadium
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29.
Harris, Nathan R.
Sedimentological Response of the 2007 Removal of a Low-Head Dam, Ottawa River, Toledo, Ohio.
Degree: MS, Geology, 2008, Bowling Green State University
► The Secor dam was a low-head dam that was 17m wide and…
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▼ The Secor dam was a low-head dam that was 17m wide and 2.5 m tall on the Ottawa River in Toledo, Ohio. The dam was removed for liability reasons and to facilitate improvements in water quality and fisheries habitat on November 19, 2007. This study documents the fluvial response of dam removal using: (1) repeated high resolution channel surveying with a total station, (2) differential GPS measurements of bedform migration, (3) bedload sampling using a Helley-Smith bedload trap, (4) multiple cores and (5) grain size analyses of the channel substrate. The research also examined the applicability of the conceptual channel evolution model of Doyle et al. (2003) and the predictive success of Dam Removal Express Assessment model (DREAM-1) of Cui et al. (2006).The results highlight the impact of reservoir sediment characteristics in fluvial responses to dam removal. The Secor dam only trapped sand-sized bedload, thus rather than the initial flush of suspended load sediment, the response was rapid incision and mobilization of the material from the upstream delta of the former impoundment. The breaching of the dam resulted in rapid upstream migration of a diffuse nick-zone approximately 10-m in length and downstream migration of a sediment wave that translated at rates up to 0.5 m/hr. Within five months, an estimated 514-m3 of sediment had been removed from the former delta and was redistributed into pools immediately upstream and downstream of the former dam. Channel incision was the dominate process over the first two weeks of the study, with net incision as much as approximately 1-m in some locations. One month after removal, the channel began to slowly widen and widening has been the dominate process during the subsequent 4 months. The Secor dam removal differed fundamentally from other dam removals in the literature for the following reasons: (1) the impounded sediment was relatively homogenous, (2) a well defined channel already existed behind the impoundment, (3) the substrate was cohesionless and (4) incision was dominated by nick-zone migration not nick-point migration. As a result, channel evolution occurred quickly, mobilizing sediment from the former delta almost immediately, as opposed to other studies which have reported erosion from the upstream delta taking years to decades. Thus, the channel evolution model proposed by Doyle et al. (2003) failed to predict the initial phases of removal of the Secor dam, which was dominated by uniform degradation of the channel bed behind the dam instead of evolving via nick-point migration. The DREAM model adequately predicted the net volume of sediment removed from the former impoundment, only differing from the estimated value by -1.7 % The model, however, may not be used during the later phases of dam removal because the model failed to predict channel widening which may result in an underestimation of the volume of sediment removed from the former impoundment.
Advisors/Committee Members: Evans, James.
Subjects: Geology
Keywords: dam removal; modeling; geomorphic response
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30.
Hayes, James Curtis.
Evaluating the Impact of Animated Topographic Fly-Throughs on Students’ Geographic Novelty Space During a Geology Field Trip.
Degree: MS, Geology, 2008, Bowling Green State University
► This research measures the effect of viewing electronic course materials such as…
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▼ This research measures the effect of viewing electronic course materials such as educational documentaries, images, and animations on students’ geographic novelty space pertaining to up-coming field stops on field trips. Specifically, the research evaluates the impact of topographic animated fly-throughs created with Google Earth Pro™ on student geographic novelty space during GeoJourney. GeoJourney is a field program at Bowling Green State University during which students embark on a 14,500 mile field trip that takes them around the United States while they learn key introductory concepts in geology, Native American studies, and environmental science. The program is nine weeks long and involved 25 undergraduate students in 2007. This project comprised ten topographic animated fly-throughs, which are a compilation of various geologically significant field sites from Yosemite National Park, Glacier National Park, Mount St. Helens, Death Valley National Park, Badlands National Park, Grand Canyon National Park, Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, Yellowstone National Park, and the Great Smokey Mountains National Park. The animations were saved as movies and placed on video iPods for viewing while traveling to the field sites on GeoJourney. A mixed method assessment, using both quantitative Novelty Space Survey data and video-taped interviews, was performed to measure the effectiveness of the animations in decreasing geographic novelty space. Results from this study indicated a decrease in geographic novelty space. The quantitative analysis of the Novelty Space Survey results using a Repeated Measures ANOVA yielded a p-value of 0.0026 with an F-value of 11.40. The results of the video-taped interviews provided supporting evidence to the quantitative analysis portion of the study, showing that students used the animated fly-throughs to better understand the geographic context of sites before they arrived at them. Hence, the fly-throughs played a role in the overall decrease of geographic novelty space.
Advisors/Committee Members: Yacobucci, Margaret.
Subjects: Geology
Keywords: Novelty Space; Geographic Novelty Space; GeoJourney; Geoscience Education; Fly-throughs; Electronic Visual Aids
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