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Abstracts with Programs - Geological Society of America

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SESSION NO. 31<br />

such as pottery types over time, graphically representing time series. Such graphs have also been<br />

used by a number <strong>of</strong> authors to show changes in stone used for gravestones over time.<br />

Building on use for gravestone analysis, seriation curves can also be used to illustrate changes<br />

in stone and other material used for sculptures, buildings, and other aspects <strong>of</strong> geological material<br />

culture. Seriation curves can be used to plot already existing data gleaned (data-mined) from<br />

publications and websites as well as from newly collected data. What is needed in either case is a<br />

stone type and a date <strong>of</strong> completion, construction, or dedication. Larger data sets are better, but<br />

even smaller data sets can result in illustrative seriation curves.<br />

Seriation curves were constructed for building stone used for the exterior <strong>of</strong> houses <strong>of</strong> worship<br />

in northeastern Ohio (based on Hannibal, 1999) and for stone types (marble, granite, sandstone)<br />

and bronze (and other metal) used for Civil War statuary monuments (based on a Cincinnati<br />

History Library and Archives website on Civil War Monuments in Ohio). Curves for churches<br />

show early dominance <strong>of</strong> sandstone <strong>with</strong> subsequent but episodic dominance <strong>of</strong> limestone and<br />

dolomite. Curves plotting Civil War statuary monuments indicate an early post-war preference for<br />

marble versus granite, but a subsequent preference for granite in the post-war decades. Bronze<br />

and other metal statuary, however, came to dominate stone in the 1920s. The seriation curves<br />

for these and other cultural items made <strong>of</strong> stone <strong>of</strong>fer interesting similarities and differences that<br />

are related to availability, transport, weathering characteristics and other stone properties, and<br />

cultural preferences.<br />

SESSION NO. 31, 1:30 PM<br />

Friday, 3 May 2013<br />

T8. Addressing Environmental Aspects <strong>of</strong> Geology:<br />

Research, Pedagogy, and Public Policy<br />

Fetzer Center, Room 1040/1050<br />

31-1 1:30 PM Sack, Dorothy [218356]<br />

HUMAN IMPACTS ON THE DUNES NEAR LYNNDYL, UTAH<br />

SACK, Dorothy, Department <strong>of</strong> Geography, Ohio University, Athens, OH 45701,<br />

sack@ohio.edu<br />

Most studies <strong>of</strong> the impact <strong>of</strong> <strong>of</strong>f-road vehicles (ORVs) on <strong>America</strong>n deserts have been conducted<br />

on nondunal desert landscapes or have emphasized ORV effects on dune wildlife only. Previous<br />

researchers have suggested that documented adverse consequences to desert plains and<br />

alluvial fans should be avoided by restricting ORV use to active sand dunes. The assumption that<br />

ORVs have no significant physical effect on active desert sand dunes, however, has not been<br />

adequately investigated. The research reported on here was undertaken to determine if selected<br />

dune variables differ significantly between dunes used and dunes not used by ORVs.<br />

The Lynndyl dune field, located in west-central Utah about 200 km southwest <strong>of</strong> Salt Lake<br />

City, provides an excellent opportunity to study the effects <strong>of</strong> <strong>of</strong>f-road vehicles on active desert<br />

sand dunes. About 40% <strong>of</strong> the 575 sq km dune field is administered by the Bureau <strong>of</strong> Land<br />

Management as a recreation area. Most <strong>of</strong> the recreation area is open to ORV use, which is<br />

seasonally intensive, but ORVs are prohibited from a designated natural region that covers about<br />

17% <strong>of</strong> the total recreation area. The adjacent used and unused portions <strong>of</strong> the dune field have<br />

the same dune types, sand source, and climate.<br />

Data on vegetation cover, water content, sediment compaction, and grain size distribution<br />

parameters were collected from multiple barchanoid dunes distributed between the used and<br />

unused portions <strong>of</strong> the dune field. Results show that the used dunes are significantly more<br />

compacted than the unused dunes, including when controlling for grain size differences between<br />

the two samples. In addition, variations in dune form and migration rates are explored <strong>with</strong><br />

sequential aerial photographs.<br />

31-2 1:50 PM Bleeker, Tyler [218382]<br />

EFFICACY OF SAND FENCES IN STABILIZING A STEEP ACTIVE DUNE BLOWOUT<br />

BLEEKER, Tyler, MICELI, Cassandra, NIEUWSMA, Josh, and PRATHER, Eleighna,<br />

Geology, Geography and Environmental Studies, Calvin College, 3201 Burton Street SE,<br />

Grand Rapids, MI 49546, tmb29@students.calvin.edu<br />

Sand fences are a common management technique used to mitigate wind erosion and stabilize<br />

sand dunes. This project investigates the efficacy <strong>of</strong> sand fences in stabilizing an active dune<br />

blowout on the eastern shore <strong>of</strong> Lake Michigan. Research was conducted on a 50-meter high<br />

active dune at the Castle Park Preserve south <strong>of</strong> Holland, Michigan. In the spring <strong>of</strong> 2012, two<br />

sand fences were placed on the steep windward face <strong>of</strong> the dune in an attempt to stabilize the<br />

dune surface. In the fall <strong>of</strong> 2011 and 2012, erosion pins were used to measure rates <strong>of</strong> sand<br />

erosion and deposition along the axis <strong>of</strong> the dune. In the fall <strong>of</strong> 2012, Leatherman sand traps and<br />

grids <strong>of</strong> erosion pins were used to assess sand movement in proximity to the new sand fences.<br />

Along the axis <strong>of</strong> the dune, rates <strong>of</strong> sand erosion and deposition showed a decrease from 2011<br />

to 2012, although there was little visual evidence <strong>of</strong> sand accumulation around the sand fences.<br />

Sand trap measurements demonstrated greater aeolian sand movement on the windward side <strong>of</strong><br />

sand fences than the leeward side. However, rates <strong>of</strong> erosion and deposition near the sand fences<br />

were variable, showing areas <strong>of</strong> both erosion and deposition. Visual observations noted the<br />

tendency <strong>of</strong> deposited sand to slide down the steep face <strong>of</strong> the blowout. This study demonstrates<br />

that sand fences appear to be effective at reducing aeolian sand movement at this site, but they<br />

appear to be having a more limited effect on reducing the overall movement <strong>of</strong> sand on the active<br />

blowout face. When stabilizing steep slopes, dune managers should consider using sand fences<br />

in conjunction <strong>with</strong> another technique that reduces the downslope mass movements <strong>of</strong> sand.<br />

31-3 2:10 PM Arevalo, Joseph M. [218683]<br />

EVALUATING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES AT MT. PISGAH<br />

AREVALO, Joseph M., EMMONS, Taylor A., HAREFA, Sarah C., VAN WYK, Ashley L., and<br />

ZONDAG, Jacob A., Geology, Geography, and Environmental Studies, Calvin College, 3201<br />

Burton St. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546, jma24@students.calvin.edu<br />

Although many Great Lakes coastal dunes possess some level <strong>of</strong> management, few studies<br />

examine whether or not the techniques employed are successful. This project evaluates the<br />

effectiveness <strong>of</strong> management techniques implemented on a highly popular dune on Lake<br />

Michigan. Mt. Pisgah is a large parabolic dune in Holland, Michigan that locals suspected was<br />

being degraded by overuse, prompting the application <strong>of</strong> management techniques such as<br />

planted vegetation, sand fences, stairs, and viewing platforms. This study’s methods included<br />

using sand traps and erosion pins to measure sand transport, mapping management techniques<br />

68 2013 GSA <strong>Abstracts</strong> <strong>with</strong> <strong>Programs</strong><br />

and human impacts, and distributing a questionnaire on visitors’ perceptions <strong>of</strong> management.<br />

Despite the remnant <strong>of</strong> Hurricane Sandy occurring during the study, little sand movement was<br />

measured. Mapping showed that planted vegetation has significantly decreased the amount <strong>of</strong><br />

bare sand. The presence <strong>of</strong> litter and a network <strong>of</strong> unmanaged trails indicate that people are still<br />

going places they are not allowed. Nonetheless, questionnaire results showed a positive public<br />

reaction to dune management and a willingness to cooperate <strong>with</strong> guidelines posted on the<br />

dune. In general, the management techniques have lowered the possibility <strong>of</strong> unwanted erosion,<br />

increased control over access to the dune, and preserved many natural habitats and features.<br />

However, there is room for improvement in the control <strong>of</strong> litter and unmanaged trails.<br />

31-4 2:30 PM Parkin, Ann [218686]<br />

UNMANAGED TRAILS AND MANAGEMENT ON A GREAT LAKES DUNE<br />

PARKIN, Ann, KURTZ, Alexander, PERRY, Krystal, SCHULTZ, Veronika, and WILLIAMS,<br />

Matthew, Department <strong>of</strong> Geology, Geography and Environmental Studies, Calvin College,<br />

3201 Burton St. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546, aep25@students.calvin.edu<br />

While there have been many studies <strong>of</strong> Michigan coastal dunes, few studies have focused on<br />

the interactions between dune management and human impacts. This project investigates how<br />

management actions affect the unmanaged trails on the North Beach Dune, a large parabolic<br />

dune in Ottawa County, MI. In 2004, the dune was advancing towards an important access road<br />

at 0.67 m/year; subsequently the managers implemented a combination <strong>of</strong> stabilization strategies<br />

including installing sand fences, extending the elevated boardwalk, planting vegetation, and<br />

constructing signs limiting access to the dune. In Fall 2012, we examined the characteristics <strong>of</strong><br />

the unmanaged trails to evaluate whether the management efforts were successful, leading to a<br />

more stabilized dune. We mapped all <strong>of</strong> the unmanaged trails on the dune using GPS. We also<br />

measured the width <strong>of</strong> the unmanaged trails and the density <strong>of</strong> vegetation near the trails. We<br />

compared photographs from 2007, 2009, and 2011 to look for changes. Our results showed an<br />

increase in the number <strong>of</strong> unmanaged trails, but a decrease in trail widths. This stabilization <strong>of</strong><br />

the unmanaged trails contributes to the stabilization <strong>of</strong> the entire dune. The highest trail density<br />

occurred in the area <strong>of</strong> the dune where the pre-2007 boardwalk ended; this suggests that<br />

visitors climbed over the railing at the end <strong>of</strong> the boardwalk. We conclude that the severity <strong>of</strong> the<br />

unmanaged trails has lessened since the management efforts have been implemented on the<br />

dune. Our study shows that management can successfully reduce human impacts in the form <strong>of</strong><br />

unmanaged trails on a coastal dune.<br />

31-5 2:50 PM Griffey, Denisha [218765]<br />

THE EFFECTS OF ROAD SALT DEICERS ON REDOX STRATIFICATION AND SALINIZATION<br />

OF EUTROPHIC LAKES IN SOUTHWEST MI, USA<br />

GRIFFEY, Denisha, Geosciences Department, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI<br />

49008, denisha.c.griffey@wmich.edu and KORETSKY, Carla M., Geosciences Department,<br />

Western Michigan University, 1903 W Michigan Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49008-5241<br />

Eutrophication in lakes can be caused by agricultural and residential run<strong>of</strong>f, due to an excess<br />

<strong>of</strong> nutrients, particularly phosphorus and nitrogen. Previous studies suggest that seasonal<br />

applications <strong>of</strong> the road salt deicers result in the increase <strong>of</strong> chloride concentrations which may<br />

impact lake aquatic ecosystems and geochemistry. The goal <strong>of</strong> this study is to examine the<br />

effects that road salt deicers have on the geochemistry <strong>of</strong> Woods and Wintergreen Lake, two<br />

kettle lakes located in Southwest MI, USA. Woods Lake is located in urban Kalamazoo, MI it has<br />

a surface area <strong>of</strong> ~ 9.7 ha and a max depth ~ 14m. Wintergreen Lake is located in rural Augusta,<br />

MI, has a surface area <strong>of</strong> ~16.4 ha and a max depth <strong>of</strong> ~ 7.9 m. Water column samples were<br />

collected during May, June, September, November, and December at 1 m intervals, using a van<br />

Dorn sampler. The water samples were filtered <strong>with</strong> two samples from each depth acidified and<br />

two un-acidified, and analyzed colorimetrically for Fe2+ , Mn2+ + 3- , total alkalinity, ΣNH , and ΣPO4 ,<br />

4<br />

by IC for anions (Cl- , Br- - 2- - 3- , NO , SO4 , F , PO4 ), and by ICP-OES for major ions and trace metals<br />

3<br />

(Ca, Mg, K, Na, Co, Cd, Zn, Ni, Al). Using an YSI 650MDS/600QS probe, pH, temperature,<br />

dissolved oxygen, and conductivity were measured in situ at 0.5 m intervals. Nutrient and redoxsensitive<br />

species pr<strong>of</strong>iles demonstrate that both Woods and Wintergreen Lake are eutrophic, in<br />

agreement <strong>with</strong> results reported in prior studies. In Woods Lake, DO drops from >100% sat in<br />

the epilimnion to < 2% in the hypolimnion. In fall, as DO decreases, dissolved Fe2+ , Mn2+ + , ΣNH , 4<br />

3- and ΣPO increase below 8 to 12 m depth, reaching ~230, ~50, ~950, and ~65 μM, respectively.<br />

4<br />

Conductivity increases from 475 μS/cm at the surface to >1000 μS/cm which suggests salinity is<br />

contributed from road salt inputs. DO similarly decreases from >100% sat at the surface to ~4%<br />

in the bottom waters <strong>of</strong> Wintergreen Lake during the summer. In contrast, in fall, it is ~86% at 6 m.<br />

In summer, dissolved Mn2+ + and ΣNH are present at Wintergreen Lake, but smaller concentrations<br />

4<br />

(16 and ~25μM, respectively, at 5 m) compared to Woods Lake. Conductivity is much lower<br />

than at Woods Lake, increasing slightly from ~237 μS/cm in the epilimnion to ~392 μS/cm at<br />

6 m. Continued sampling will be used to assess seasonal changes in lake stratification and to<br />

determine whether these two lakes are dimictic.<br />

31-6 3:10 PM Ransoh<strong>of</strong>f, Rebecca Weiss [218619]<br />

CARBON STORAGE AND NITROUS OXIDE AND METHANE EMISSIONS IN MANAGED AND<br />

UNMANAGED URBAN LAWNS AND FORESTS<br />

RANSOHOFF, Rebecca Weiss, Earlham College, Department <strong>of</strong> Geology, Richmond, IN<br />

47374, bwranso08@earlham.edu, SODERLUND, Lily, Department <strong>of</strong> Geology, University <strong>of</strong><br />

Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45221, and TOWNSEND-SMALL, Amy, Department <strong>of</strong> Geology<br />

and Department <strong>of</strong> Geography, University <strong>of</strong> Cincinnati, 605 Geology-Physics Building,<br />

Cincinnati, OH 45221<br />

Urban lawns may be beneficial for the uptake <strong>of</strong> organic carbon (OC) to mitigate excess carbon<br />

dioxide in the atmosphere. However, lawn maintenance may also contribute to atmospheric<br />

greenhouse gas emissions. This study looks at OC stocks and GHG flux rates from urban forest<br />

soils and both managed and unmanaged urban lawns in Cincinnati, OH to evaluate and quantify<br />

the amount <strong>of</strong> carbon that is being sequestered over time, and to measure the emission and<br />

uptake <strong>of</strong> GHG in the different kinds <strong>of</strong> soils in relation to overall emissions <strong>of</strong> GHG. OC stocks<br />

were measured by collecting transects from lawns <strong>of</strong> varying ages to develop a chronosequence<br />

to determine the amount that the soils can store over time. Both forest soils and lawns can<br />

sequester CO , but it appears that unmanaged and forest soils have higher carbon stocks than<br />

2<br />

managed lawns, and the ability <strong>of</strong> a managed lawn to sequester OC has a cap between 20 to<br />

30 years. Flux data was collected following USDA-ARS chamber-based protocols, using static<br />

chambers placed randomly at sites. It was hypothesized that the urban lawns, both managed<br />

and unmanaged, would have a lessened ability to uptake GHG relative to the urban forest<br />

soil. Although preliminary data upholds this hypothesis, further data are needed to study the<br />

relationship between lawn maintenance and the inherent capacity <strong>of</strong> a lawn to uptake GHG.

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