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SPATIAL INSTITUTE ACTIVE CHANNEL MAPPING PROJECT INTERNSHIP
No full textThe major goal of the Active Channel Mapping project is to produce an accurate and current dataset of stream channels within the watersheds feeding Puget Sound. Additionally, I also had some personal goals while working on the project. One important goal was maintaining my familiarity with ArcGIS Pro, as I took the core GIS classes last year and would otherwise not be working with the software this year. I also wanted to gain experience performing GIS related tasks within a professional work environment, as my prior experience had been limited to taking classes in an academic context. One important facet of this is following good data management practices, including proper file naming and organization to efficiently access, modify, and share data as necessary. Finally, I also hoped to gain greater familiarity with remote sensing techniques and remotely sensed data
Reconstructing climate during the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum from soil carbonate stable isotopes in the Green River Basin of southwest Wyoming, U.S.A.
No full textThe Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM) represents a period of abrupt global warming around 56 Ma where temperatures increased between 5 and 9°C. It is globally recognized by a negative carbon isotope excursion (CIE) attributed to rapid greenhouse gas emissions and is considered an analog for modern anthropogenic climate change. While the majority of PETM paleoclimate data come from marine environments and suggest general global warming, continental interiors are relatively understudied, especially with respect to hydroclimate variability. Available data from continental interiors rely heavily on only a handful of sites that may not accurately reflect regional heterogeneities in temperature and hydroclimate. Here, I add to the spatiotemporal resolution of the PETM in North America’s Laramide basins by generating a new paleoclimate record based on soil carbonates from the Beaver Creek section of the Green River Basin near present day La Barge, Wyoming (U.S.A.). Previously published soil carbonate stable carbon isotope (δ13Ccarb) data show a CIE, possibly associated with the PETM. Complementary stable oxygen isotope data (δ18Ocarb) show an increase during the main body of the CIE that could reflect evaporative enrichment in 18O of formational soil waters (δ18Osw), but could also reflect warming. To resolve this, I present new clumped isotope (Δ47) based temperatures of select stratigraphic intervals. These data reconstruct the formational temperatures of carbonate nodules, and when combined with δ18Ocarb, allow δ18Osw to be calculated which is then used to reconstruct paleohydrologic conditions. Results show that the timing of PETM warming in the Green River Basin generally parallels that of the Bighorn Basin, but may show a greater warming magnitude. This may indicate the Beaver Creek soil carbonates precipitated during peak summer temperatures or are more sensitive to kinetic isotope effects (KIEs), while Bighorn Basin soil carbonates precipitated later in the fall or under conditions closer to isotopic equilibrium. Meanwhile, calculated δ18Osw is higher in the Beaver Creek samples than the Bighorn Basin across all overlapping times considered in this study, possibly indicating greater evaporation, but also potentially differences in elevation between the two sites. I find contrasting hydrologic responses between the Green River and Bighorn Basins during peak PETM conditions, with the Green River Basin showing wetter conditions while the Bighorn Basin trends towards drier, which could represent a threshold response to subtropical precipitation. Lastly, I present evidence for more intra-annual variability in frequency, and intensity of rainfall in the Green River Basin during the PETM. Comparison with model simulations shows that the greatest agreement occurs when soil carbonates are assumed to have a strong seasonal bias and models have CO2 concentrations that are generally higher than proxies suggest.
Furthermore, I present new paleomagnetic data, with the intent of constraining the timing of isotopic trends. Unfortunately, establishing paleomagnetic stratigraphic constraints was complicated by a pervasive remagnetization. A tightly clustered low temperature trend likely reflects chemical remagnetization, although the timing of this event could not be fully constrained. A high temperature component with varying degrees of confidence likely represents the primary paleomagnetic signature. Broadly though, inclination shows a pattern of predominantly reversed polarity that is consistent with the observed CIE being the PETM and not another Eocene hyperthermal. However, it should be further noted that the scattering in these values is large and both declination and inclination are inconsistent with what would be expected for the late Paleocene to early Eocene in southwestern Wyoming. While paleomagnetic data yield ambiguous results, the overall negative inclinations are largely consistent with previous chronostratigraphic constraints that interpret the observed CIE to be the PETM
Kelp in the Salish Sea: Spatial Patterns of Persistence, Loss, and Data Gaps Using a Harmonized Dataset
Get PDFKelp forests are ecologically and culturally significant marine habitats that provide critical ecosystem services. Despite increasing concerns over kelp loss, regional-scale analyses of kelp distribution in the Salish Sea remain limited by disparate datasets collected using varying methodologies. This study harmonizes multiple independent kelp datasets through a standardized geospatial data schema, addressing key barriers to data integration. By focusing on essential attributes—observation year, species, and location—this study develops a unified dataset that enables the first comprehensive assessment of kelp distribution trends across the region. Analysis of the harmonized dataset reveals an overall 9.4% regional decline in kelp extent with data representing kelp observations from 1858 - 2024, with localized losses reaching 48% in South Puget Sound. Additionally, results highlight significant survey gaps, particularly in remote regions of the northern Salish Sea, mid-eastern Vancouver Island, and the southern shoreline of Vancouver Island. In contrast, repeat surveys were primarily conducted near Port Townsend and within the San Juan Islands Archipelago. These findings underscore the importance of expanding long-term monitoring efforts to under-surveyed areas. This study highlights the importance of planning surveys that engage volunteers and prioritize a well-structured data schema, ensuring data collection supports comprehensive analysis through to reporting. It emphasizes the need to design monitoring transects based on species distribution modeling (SDM) to capture accurate ecological patterns of absence and presence. Additionally, the research calls for the establishment of a transboundary data repository that adheres to a unified data schema, fostering collaboration and consistency across regions. These steps will be critical for sustaining kelp forests in the Salish Sea and informing long-term conservation and management strategies
The Fine Line: A Case Study Analysis of Meaningful Public Participation
Get PDFThis qualitative case study of the Washington State Department of Ecology’s public participation efforts was conducted to better understand mechanisms, barriers and solutions to meaningful public participation in Ecology’s work on reducing heavy metal exposure through the Cosmetics Toolkit project, and Toxics Free Cosmetics Act. This thesis research fills a gap in knowledge about Washington state agencies and their public participation efforts.
This research uses qualitative research methods of semi-structured interviews, participant observation and document collection to create a case study analysis. Seven semi-structured interviews were conducted, and nine participant events were observed. A demographic survey of interview participants was also collected, with data reported in aggregate.
Results from this research show that mechanisms to meaningful public participation are relationships and trust. Internal structures at Ecology, contracts and implementation of public participation events were both mechanisms and barriers to meaningful public participation. Bureaucracy at Ecology and resources were both barriers to meaningful public participation. Solutions to barriers include additional training for Ecology employees about meaningful public participation and ensuring Ecology staff have strong understanding of contracting. Further research is needed to understand if these findings are applicable to other Washington state agencies\u27 public participation efforts
Making Earth Science Accessible: Using Exploration-Based Activities and 3D-Modeled Fossils as Tools to Introduce Geoscience Concepts in the Classroom
Get PDFDespite the 2013 rollout of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), undertaking true exploration and inquiry in science class remains an experience mostly limited to higher education in the United States. Expanding access to geoscience education – which naturally relies on uncertainty and inquiry – will be vital to improve students’ learning outcomes and attitudes towards STEM. However, those curricula remain largely inaccessible due to a dearth of qualified, confident educators and public bias that favors biology, chemistry, and physics courses, which are all graduation requirements for US public high schools.
This study analyzes whether a self-developed, NGSS-aligned educational activity is effective at introducing geology and paleontology concepts in a variety of class environments, and whether students’ participation in the activity changes their attitudes towards STEM. “Paleontologists For A Day” is a hands-on, inquiry-based activity that uses 3D modeled jawbone fossils to guide students and educators through an exploration of critical concepts such as deep time, functional morphology, and paleoclimate. With the help of teachers at 9 educational institutions around the US, I tested the activity in middle school, high school, and college class- rooms, using pre- and post-test Likert-type surveys to assess students’ learning outcomes and changes in their science identities (SIs).
Statistical analyses showed significant increases in students’ proficiency with the concepts after participating in the activity, regardless of race or ethnicity (p \u3c 0.05), and their self-reported learning outcomes matched the initial learning targets. This included two students who wrote that they “learned that [they] like paleontology”, supporting the activity’s potential as a gateway into paleoscience and geoscience. Additionally, those who self-identified as women and/or disabled were more likely to experience positive SI changes than men and/or non-disabled students, indicating that utilizing this activity – and developing more like it – may be essential for the development of new scientists around the world. Overall, this suggests that “Paleontologists For A Day” successfully integrates geology and paleontology concepts into a variety of courses for a wide range of ages and emphasizes the necessity of including true inquiry and exploration in all STEM curricula for the long-term benefit of young scientists
When Lava Meets Water: Modes of Lava Emplacement on the Kīlauea Submarine Flank as Detected by Hydrophones
Get PDFWhen lava meets seawater, it can fragment or remain as an intact lava flow extending up to hundreds of meters offshore. At ocean island volcanoes, these different lava emplacements can impact the stability of the submarine flank, as fragmental material is more likely to exhibit mass wasting. Previous studies suggest that the manner of lava emplacement may be controlled by the effusion rate (m3/s) or the type of lava: ʻaʻā or pāhoehoe. Two recent eruptions of Kīlauea volcano in Hawaiʻi had two vastly different effusion rates which may have affected the mechanisms of lava emplacement. In this study we utilize hydroacoustic observations, images, and descriptions of the Puʻuʻōʻō eruption (1983-2018) and the Ahuʻailāʻau eruption (2018) to explore how lava was emplaced on the submarine south flank (SSF). Ocean bottom seismometers equipped with hydrophones (OBS/H) recorded the sounds of lava-water interactions (LWI) occurring offshore during three time periods: January-April 1998, September 2010-May 2011 and July-September 2018. All three data sets show discrete signals associated with LWI and we hypothesize that prolonged low-frequency signals are associated with diverse types of lava flows, as the frequency and durations of these signal varied per eruption. Only the 1998 and 2010-2011 data show signals identified as submarine landslides, some of which are associated with observed collapses of the coastal lava delta. No collapses of the coastal delta were observed in 2018, and remotely operated vehicle (ROV) observations showed intact flows \u3c 2 km offshore — our hydroacoustic data provide further evidence of these behaviors. Waveform analyses including cross-correlation of LWI signals were completed to investigate the patterns in the waveforms and reflection timing — as these provide evidence on the mechanisms and locations of the sounds, respectively. Differentiating these emplacement mechanisms during the two eruptions provides insight into the growth and stability of the SSF
The Effects of Nano-Enabled Copper Hydroxide Fungicide on the Fate and Transport of Neonicotinoid Insecticides in a Pacific Northwest Wetland Environment
Get PDFNanopesticides offer potential environmental benefits in agriculture, but their impact on downstream wetlands remain understudied. This study was guided by two hypotheses: (1) nano-enabled pesticides would alter nitrogen and phosphate availability, through interactions with plant-associated microbial communities; and (2) copper-based nanofungicides would inhibit microbial degradation of nano-imidacloprid, resulting in lower concentrations of degradation byproducts such as IMI-desnitro compared to bulk formulations. We evaluated the behavior of nano-enabled copper and neonicotinoid (imidacloprid) pesticides in outdoor wetland mesocosms by measuring pesticide persistence, degradation byproducts, and changes in nutrient concentrations. Treatments included nano-copper hydroxide (Kocide 3000), nano-imidacloprid (Viloprid), and conventional imidacloprid, applied individually and in combination to vegetated mesocosms established with native wetland species (Eleocharis palustris, Schoenoplectus pungens, and Carex obnupta). Water samples were collected and analyzed for nitrate-N, phosphate-P, dissolved organic carbon (DOC), copper, and imidacloprid along with its degradation products. Parent imidacloprid was not detected in the nano-imidacloprid (NI) treatment, while low concentrations of IMI-desnitro were found primarily in the bulk imidacloprid treatment. Copper concentrations showed no significant differences between the Kocide-only (Cu) and Kocide + nano-imidacloprid (CUNI) treatments. Greater total copper concentrations relative to dissolved indicated a rapid absorption of copper to the mesocosm sediment particles. Nutrient data, particularly nitrate and phosphate, were highly variable across treatments, while dissolved organic carbon showed an increase throughout the experiments, with no differences seen between treatments. Overall, these results demonstrate that there are some differences in the chemical cycling of nutrients in wetlands upon exposure to nano-pesticides, indicating the need for future research
Phat - Concerto for Bass Clarinet: Fat Body Politics and Clarinet Performance
Get PDFIn a world so heavily catered to thinness, where and how do fat people find their way in this world? Since I can remember, the media, medical practices, and capitalism have told me that being thin is the best and only way a person should live. The negativity towards people of larger body sizes has wormed its way into our careers, schools, pop culture, and our own bias toward our bodies. With how the world has made me view my own body I wanted to dive deeper into how the mentality of anti-fat bias influences the world of clarinet performance.
The findings reveal that fat clarinetists encounter discrimination in multiple forms, including hiring biases, body shaming, lack of representation, and a lack of accessible professional and performance attire. This research addresses the internalized stigma that many fat clarinetists experience due to societal beauty standards. The lack of representation of fat musicians in the classical music industry perpetuates the notion that success is inherently tied to thinness. As a result, fat musicians often battle negative self-perceptions, fearing that audiences, colleagues, and even educators judge their abilities based on their appearance rather than their hard work and dedication to the craft. This internalized bias can significantly impact performance confidence and career trajectory. Ultimately, this paper and musical piece aims to challenge existing norms, advocate for change, and encourage a more accepting representation in the clarinet community
Unraveling Changes in Eruption Dynamics at Augustine Volcano, Alaska: Insights from Plagioclase- and Pyroxene-hosted Melt Inclusions
No full textChanges in eruption style at a specific volcano, including variations within a single eruption, are driven by magma properties (e.g., volatile content, SiO2 content, and temperature), architecture of the subsurface magma reservoir, and conditions of magmatic ascent prior to eruption. Augustine Volcano is an active intermediate stratovolcano in the Alaska-Aleutian arc with frequent modern (\u3c 200 ybp) and Holocene eruptions. The six most recent eruptions (including 2006, 1986, and 1976) produced significantly thinner tephra deposits containing smaller clasts than older eruptions, ~400-2,200 ypb, indicating older eruptions likely had much higher explosivity. This study compares the more explosive ~1,100 ybp Tephra C to the less explosive, most recent eruptions to constrain the mechanisms that drive changes in eruptive style. Componentry and grain size analysis of chronological samples from the Tephra C deposit indicate at least three distinct eruptive phases or paroxysms, and a mid-eruption magma mixing event. These three eruptive phases allow for assessment of changes through a single eruptive sequence, as well as between eruptions of differing explosivity. This study characterizes the pre-eruptive conditions of Tephra C by analyzing major element and volatile contents of pyroxene- and plagioclase-hosted melt inclusions and their host phenocrysts from seven samples through the Tephra C stratigraphy. Melt inclusions and host phenocryst compositions from Tephra C record the composition of a single high-silica andesite magmatic component, consistent with the dominant high-silica andesite pumice component. They contain 3–5 wt.% H2O and 200–600 ppm CO2, with minimal stratigraphic variation, suggesting relatively uniform pre-eruptive conditions. Volatile saturation pressures from melt inclusions indicate pre-eruptive magma storage at depths of ~4–9 km, consistent with volatile-saturated, closed-system behavior. Comparison of measured volatile contents to H2O contents determined by plagioclase-melt hygrometry indicates variations in decompression rate across eruptive phases, with more explosive units recording less decoupling between measured and plagioclase-melt hygrometer estimated H2O (∆H2O) and thus faster decompression. The presence of compositionally banded pumice supports the presence of at least one more mafic, albeit minor, magmatic component that is not recorded by the phenocrysts or melt inclusions analyzed in this study. Elevated Cl contents (\u3e4,000 ppm) suggest possible crustal interaction with seawater-derived brines. Results demonstrate that more explosive behavior at Augustine is associated with simpler magmatic architecture, fewer magmatic components, deeper storage, and more rapid decompression, rather than higher initial volatile contents. These findings support a model in which ascent dynamics and storage configuration are key controls on eruptive style and provide an important reference point for interpreting Augustine’s eruptive history and forecasting future activity
“Savage” Idolatry: Jodocus Crull, Defoe, and the Robinson Crusoe Sequels
Get PDFThis article considers the significance of Jodocus Crull, a writer, compiler, and translator whose reputation as a hack has distracted attention from his two prominent compilations of Russian history. Crull’s first compilation, The Antient and Present State of Muscovy (1698), published at the time of Peter the Great’s diplomatic visit to England, appears to have influenced the prose style of Daniel Defoe and his uncommonly negative portrayals of Sino-Russian relations. Defoe’s writings on travel and trade have been widely discussed. But scholars are less certain about Defoe’s hostility towards the East, which emerges most prominently in his fiction. On his caravan voyage through Siberia in The Farther Adventures of Robinson Crusoe (1719), Crusoe encounters hordes of “Tartars,” a catch-all term for the Indigenous peoples living between the Chinese and Russian borders. He describes these Tartars as “savages,” echoing the ambiguous terminology he uses to objectify the trespassing cannibals in The Life and Strange Surprising Adventures of Robinson Crusoe (1719). However, in a fit of rage inconsistent with his previous moral qualms, Crusoe destroys a Tartarian idol, the Great Cham-Chi-Thaungu, to make a mockery of their idol worship, confessing “I was more mov’d at their Stupidity and brutish Worship of a Hobgoblin, than ever I was at any Thing in my Life” (192). Crusoe’s grotesque description of Cham-Chi-Thaungu is taken directly from a similar description of “savage” idolatry in Crull’s Antient and Present State of Muscovy. I contend that in Crusoe’s revenge and elsewhere throughout the sequels, Defoe draws on and adapts Crull’s violent imagery to support his own satirical attack on Chinese culture, downplaying the threat of Eastern imperialism. Crull has been dismissed not only as a hack, but also as a purveyor of salacious, unnecessary violence. Yet Crull’s sadistic and sardonic prose has much in common with Crusoe’s abrupt change in Farther Adventures. Thus, the article first identifies Jodocus Crull as a new source for Defoe’s fiction worth examining; second, it makes the interpretive claim that Crull’s Antient and Present State of Muscovy helps to explain Crusoe’s inconsistent and at times paradoxical thoughts on violence and “savagery” in parts two and three