Particle-Size and Carbon Instrumentation for the Integration of Quantitative Sedimentology Into the Undergraduate Geology Curriculum

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The particle-size distribution (PSD) of sediment reflects the energy of the transporting medium (e.g., water or wind), depositional environment, degree of chemical weathering, and provenance. Similarly, the concentration of carbon (either total, organic, or inorganic) may reflect the balance between elastic and biogenic inputs to a lake basin, provenance, dissolution of primary carbonate, and eolian influx of carbonate dust to a soil. This project involves purchase of a laser diffraction particle-size analyzer and a coulometry-based carbon analyzer to enable the integration of quantitative sedimentology into three areas of the geology curriculum: global change, surficial process and physical sedimentology, and applied geology. This equipment is increasing the significance and scale of independent research projects in these areas. Also, the instrumentation enables undergraduates to measure PSD and carbon content accurately, precisely, and rapidly with a minimum of laboratory experience. This project is making it possible to further develop research-oriented, hands-on laboratory components.