Abstracts with Programs - Geological Society of America
Abstracts with Programs - Geological Society of America
Abstracts with Programs - Geological Society of America
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
SESSION NO. 27<br />
locality, known as the Arlington Archosaur Site (AAS), occurs in exposures <strong>of</strong> the Woodbine<br />
Formation in Tarrant County. The AAS preserves components <strong>of</strong> a coastal delta-plain ecosystem,<br />
including dinosaurs, crocodyliforms, turtles, and lungfish. Feeding traces consist <strong>of</strong> pits, scores,<br />
and a puncture that occur on multiple turtle shell fragments and two dinosaur limb bones. These<br />
traces are attributed to a crocodyliform based on diagnostic bite marks and comparisons to<br />
the morphology <strong>of</strong> the AAS crocodyliform. Marks on shells suggest an inertial feeding strategy<br />
followed by crushing. Dinosaur bones come from juvenile individuals and the marks are consistent<br />
<strong>with</strong> traces produced during disarticulation <strong>of</strong> prey by living crocodylians. The feeding ecology<br />
implied by these traces is similar to that <strong>of</strong> modern generalist crocodylians inhabiting similar<br />
environments. Considering the number <strong>of</strong> diagnosable crocodyliform feeding traces, numerous<br />
shed crocodyliform teeth, and the comparative absence <strong>of</strong> feeding traces from other predators,<br />
the AAS crocodyliform is interpreted as the apex predator.<br />
In association <strong>with</strong> the vertebrate fossils, 150 coprolites were recovered, demonstrating<br />
cylindrical, spiral, and scroll morphologies. The cylindrical coprolites are interpreted as<br />
crocodyliform intestinal tract material while scroll morphologies are assigned to general reptilian<br />
and possible crocodyliform. The coprolites are not deformed, and retain their original shape.<br />
This is indicative <strong>of</strong> rapid burial in a low energy environment soon after defecation. In modern<br />
coastal plains, crocodylians live and feed together in regions referred to as feeding grounds.<br />
The coprolites, turtle shells, teeth, and archosaur remains were mapped <strong>with</strong>in a single horizon,<br />
and were disarticulated. Their association is interpreted as evidence <strong>of</strong> a crocodyliform feeding<br />
ground. Crocodyliforms therefore are not only important predators in ecosystems but also played<br />
an important taphonomic role in the assembly <strong>of</strong> vertebrate remains from the surrounding<br />
community through the formation <strong>of</strong> feeding grounds.<br />
27-10 11:20 AM Koy, Karen A. [218344]<br />
TAPHONOMY OF VERTEBRATES IN A TEMPERATE FOREST SETTING: A TIME-<br />
TRANSGRESSIVE SEQUENCE<br />
KOY, Karen A. and HELWIG, Zane, Biology, Missouri Western State University, 4525 Downs<br />
Drive, Saint Joseph, MO 64507, kkoy@missouriwestern.edu<br />
For the last four years, a juvenile pig carcass was placed near a prairie/forest boundary were<br />
placed <strong>with</strong>in a forest-prairie border environment. In the summer <strong>of</strong> 2012 the four carcasses were<br />
recovered for examination. The skeletal remains were collected, cleaned and reconstructed in the<br />
lab. Missing and damaged bones were recorded and photographed. The major bone elements<br />
(skull, mandible, and long bones) were evaluated for taphonomic grade, using the Behrensmeyer<br />
evaluation criteria. The time-transgressive series showed the sequence <strong>of</strong> bone decay <strong>with</strong>in<br />
a temperate forest setting. Bone decomposition for the two carcasses exposed the longest<br />
reached beyond Stage 5, <strong>with</strong> full destruction. The two least exposed carcasses did not advance<br />
beyond stage 3. The highest level <strong>of</strong> damage occurred in the head and scapula. These carcasses<br />
experienced faster bone weathering in a temperate setting compared to the setting in Amboseli<br />
National Forest, where the decay scale was originally developed.<br />
SESSION NO. 28, 8:00 AM<br />
Friday, 3 May 2013<br />
T17. Special Poster Session on Undergraduate<br />
Research (Posters)<br />
Schneider Hall, Courtyard<br />
28-1 BTH 1 Osman, Matthew [218434]<br />
δ18O AND δD FRACTIONATION TRENDS IN SURFACE SNOW ACROSS THE MATTHES-<br />
LLEWELLYN DIVIDE, JUNEAU ICEFIELD, ALASKA AND BRITISH COLUMBIA<br />
OSMAN, Matthew, Geology Department, Augustana College, 639 38th St, Rock Island, IL<br />
61201, matthewosman10@augustana.edu and MARKLE, Bradley, Department <strong>of</strong> Earth and<br />
Space Sciences, University <strong>of</strong> Washington, 4000 15th Avenue NE, Seattle, WA 98195<br />
A lack <strong>of</strong> understanding <strong>of</strong> parameters that govern stable isotope fractionation in precipitation<br />
in regions <strong>of</strong> particularly complex meteorological conditions and high relief has long presented<br />
problems for paleoclimate and hydrologic studies. With a goal <strong>of</strong> obtaining high resolution data<br />
<strong>of</strong> local orographic effects on isotopic variation in precipitation, 123 surface snow samples were<br />
taken at 0.5 to 1 km increments along a 35 km transect spanning the Matthes and Llewellyn<br />
glaciers in southeast Alaska and British Columbia. These samples were obtained during late<br />
July to early August 2012 at elevations ranging from ~1260 m to 1870 m and were analyzed for<br />
δ18O and δD onsite using an LGR Liquid Water Isotope Analyzer. δ18O and δD were found to<br />
decrease <strong>with</strong> elevation, as expected. Isotopic plots show a strong correlation and are similar to<br />
the theoretical global meteoric water line, displaying a linear trend <strong>of</strong> y = 7.86x – 19.48 and r2 =<br />
0.898. In hopes <strong>of</strong> determining the dominant types <strong>of</strong> localized weather systems causing these<br />
fractionation trends, results are compared alongside open-system Rayleigh fractionation models,<br />
NOAA back trajectory air-mass simulations, and nearby-recorded meteorological data. We<br />
attempt to place these weather systems into synoptic-scale meteorological contexts as a proxy for<br />
delineating orographic fractionation parameters on the Juneau Icefield.<br />
28-2 BTH 2 Smith, Matthew D. [218611]<br />
TRACE ELEMENT CONCENTRATIONS IN SPELEOTHEMS FROM RIVER BLUFF CAVE,<br />
GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI: PRELIMINARY RESULTS<br />
SMITH, Matthew D. 1 , JOHNSON, Aaron W. 1 , DORALE, Jeffrey2 , and MOTTALEB, M. Abdul3 ,<br />
(1) Natural Sciences, Northwest Missouri State University, 800 University Drive, Maryville,<br />
MO 64468, s508653@mail.nwmissouri.edu, (2) Department <strong>of</strong> Geoscience, University <strong>of</strong><br />
Iowa, 121 Trowbridge Hall, Iowa City, IA 52242-1379, (3) Natural Sciences, 800 University<br />
Drive, Maryville, MO 64468<br />
River Bluff Cave in Greene County, Missouri contains numerous speleothems that have not<br />
been touched by humans. Speleothem ages range from 1.8 million years ago to the present,<br />
making it an ideal location in which to investigate recent climate variation. Speleothem samples<br />
were collected from two locations in the cave. Powdered carbonate samples were collected by<br />
dental drill from growth zoning visible in the cross section <strong>of</strong> the speleothems. Sample masses<br />
ranging from 11 to 27 mg were dissolved in aqua-regia and analyzed for Ba, Co, Cu, Fe, Mg,<br />
Mn, Pb, Sr, and Zn, using ICP-OES. Total metal concentrations were adjusted for dilution<br />
during dissolution and are reported here as micrograms metal per gram <strong>of</strong> sample (ppm).<br />
Trace metal concentrations varied widely. Barium, copper, and zinc were not found to occur at<br />
concentrations above the detection limit. Lead occurred only intermittently, ranging from 0 to<br />
60 2013 GSA <strong>Abstracts</strong> <strong>with</strong> <strong>Programs</strong><br />
44.1 ppm. Other metals present include (in ppm): cobalt (0.3-113); iron (6.56-80.7); magnesium<br />
(93.5-151.5); manganese (0.17-1.99); and strontium (9.3-24.0). Studies indicate that variations<br />
in magnesium, iron, and strontium concentrations may be used to infer relative changes in the<br />
volume <strong>of</strong> water moving through the cave system. Since most cave water is meteoric in origin,<br />
these variations may indicate wetting or drying climates. The relationship to concentration is<br />
inverse for magnesium and strontium and direct for iron. Samples from River Bluff cave show an<br />
increase in Sr and corresponding decrease in Fe, indicating drying over the time period during<br />
which speleothem growth occurred. Mg concentrations do not exhibit a similar trend, likely due<br />
to thermal variation which changes the mg-calcite partitioning coefficient. In addition, samples<br />
exhibited spikes in Pb and Co concentrations. These spikes may be the result <strong>of</strong> high flows<br />
which tend to enrich metals that commonly are associated <strong>with</strong> colloids. Both Pb and Co may be<br />
adsorbed to the surfaces <strong>of</strong> clays or as amorphous metal oxides that can be mobilized during<br />
high water flow events. These data hint at an overall climate drying event punctuated by periods<br />
<strong>of</strong> increased moisture. The next step will be to link these data to geologic ages and to stable<br />
isotope compositions in an effort to account for the impact <strong>of</strong> temperature change on speloethem<br />
chemistry over time.<br />
28-3 BTH 3 Kuhn, Ryan M. [218515]<br />
TRACE ELEMENT DISTRIBUTION IN PRECIPITATES FORMED AT VARIOUS PH VALUES:<br />
GREEN VALLEY COAL MINE, INDIANA<br />
KUHN, Ryan M., SEANEY, Derek L., BRAKE, Sandra S., BURCH, Kyle R., and LATIMER,<br />
Jennifer C., Department <strong>of</strong> Earth and Environmental Systems, Indiana State University, Terre<br />
Haute, IN 47809, rkuhn1@sycamores.indstate.edu<br />
This study evaluates the distribution <strong>of</strong> trace elements in precipitates formed from acid mine<br />
drainage (AMD) adjusted to various pH levels. AMD was collected from the Green Valley<br />
abandoned coal mine site in western Indiana from three locations (upper, mid-, and lower<br />
sections) in a constructed channel lined <strong>with</strong> carbonate rip-rap. Effluent pH at the sampling sites<br />
was 3.8, 3.5, and 3.4, respectively. The AMD was transported on ice to the laboratory and initially<br />
treated <strong>with</strong> hydrogen peroxide to oxidize ferrous Fe to ferric Fe. Sodium hydroxide was then<br />
titrated into the AMD solutions from each site to incrementally increase pH to induce precipitation.<br />
Samples were centrifuged to separate precipitates and aggregated into 1 pH increments. Dried,<br />
powered precipitate samples were analyzed using a hand-held X-ray florescence (XRF) analyzer.<br />
Elements detected above the analytical detection limit in order <strong>of</strong> abundance were S>Fe>Al>C<br />
a>Mg>Mn>Si>Cl>Zn>K>Cr>Ba>Cu>W>Ti>V>Te>Cs>Co>Sc>Nb>Sn>Bi>Sr>Ni>Cd>Mo>Sb><br />
Zr>Rb>Pb>U. Data indicate that S, Al, Ca, Si, Cl, K, Cr, Cu, Ti, V, Sr, and Rb were detected in<br />
precipitates that formed over the entire tested pH range from 3 to 12. Iron, Ba, Te, Cs, Sn, Bi, and<br />
Sb showed peak co-precipitation/adsorption in precipitates forming at pH