Signs of Change: Evidence for Ecological Disturbances in the Micro-Fossils of a Local Lake
Department
Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering
Major
Geological Sciences and Engineering
Research Advisor
Oboh-Ikuenobe, Francisca
Advisor's Department
Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering
Funding Source
Missouri S&T Opportunities for Undergraduate Research Experiences (OURE) Program
Abstract
Analysis of dispersed organic matter (palynofacies) and palynomorph data for the Bray Conservation Area Lake show low levels of pollen, high levels of spores and fungal matter, and increased opaque content from a depth of ~10-18cm. This suggests that some kind of major disturbance occurred in the recent past. This event may be related to the clearing of Missouri forests in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The results of this analysis will be used to try to understand the nature of the disturbance and ascertain whether or not the disturbance is related to the clearing of forest. If possible, it will also be compared to Carbon-14 dates obtained from the core to establish the true time relationship.
Biography
Robert is a senior in Geology and Geological Engineering. He looks forward to completing his degree and moving on to graduate work in the fall.
Research Category
Sciences
Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
Document Type
Poster
Location
Upper Atrium/Hallway
Presentation Date
06 Apr 2011, 9:00 am - 11:45 am
Signs of Change: Evidence for Ecological Disturbances in the Micro-Fossils of a Local Lake
Upper Atrium/Hallway
Analysis of dispersed organic matter (palynofacies) and palynomorph data for the Bray Conservation Area Lake show low levels of pollen, high levels of spores and fungal matter, and increased opaque content from a depth of ~10-18cm. This suggests that some kind of major disturbance occurred in the recent past. This event may be related to the clearing of Missouri forests in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The results of this analysis will be used to try to understand the nature of the disturbance and ascertain whether or not the disturbance is related to the clearing of forest. If possible, it will also be compared to Carbon-14 dates obtained from the core to establish the true time relationship.
