Currently my research efforts are focused on understanding and refining the use
of neodymium (Nd) and strontium (Sr) isotopes as paleoceanographic tools. I am
addressing these issues using deep-sea sediment cores. The current problems
that I am studying are:
Factors controlling climatically induced temporal changes in detrital strontium
(Sr) in the South Atlantic Ocean isotope composition
I am using various proxies and grain size fractions in deep-sea sediments to quantify
the influence of wind, ice, surface and deep ocean currents on sediment transport.
The goal of this research is to understand why Sr isotopes in detrital sediments vary
systematically with other climate signals.
Rare earth elements (REE) in marine sediments and their application to evaluating
neodymium isotopes as a paleoceanographic tool
The goal of this work is to understand the mobility of the REEs in a variety of marine
sedimentary environments. This will establish the suitability of such sediments as
recorders of past seawater Nd-isotopes, allowing this exciting and underutilized system
to improve our understanding of past ocean circulation and ocean inputs.
The Viability of Sr and Nd Radiogenic Isotopes as Paleoceangraphic Tools in the
Indian Ocean
The goal of this study is to determine whether Sr isotopes in the detrital component
of core tops from the southern Indian Ocean are useful tracers of ocean circulation
in this region, as they have been shown to be in the southeast Atlantic Ocean. If Sr
isotopes prove to be a useful tool, they will add significant insight into Indian
Ocean circulation change over the last glacial cycle. A second goal of this study
is to map the authigenic Nd isotope composition from the same selection of core tops.
This data will be used to evaluate whether the Fe-Mn oxide component of Indian Ocean
sediments is a robust archive of seawater Nd.
Required skills vary depending on the project. Overall, however, what is listed
below is good general background.
Essential: Ability to follow instructions, good observational
skills, excellent note taking and organization skills, computer literacy
Desirable: Basic chemistry laboratory experience, working
knowledge of Excel
