Research Description:

My research involves the use of strontium isotope stratigraphy to define ages of shallow to deep basinal carbonates from Italy. These samples are part of a study aimed at understanding the response of cold water (deep) versus warm water (shallow) carbonates to sea level changes. Without the Sr isotopes it is impossible to define time-correlative sequences between these two environments. Strontium isotopes are useful for chronology because they change systematically through time in the seawater. My samples are exposed on land, which is an unstable environment for carbonates. Over time, these samples have recrystallized from exposure to meteoric rain, thereby contaminating their original Sr signal. In order to recover the original seawater ratios Dr. Martin and I devised a plan using guidelines from the literature to minimize the effects of recrystallization on the samples. I worked in the laboratory during the summer, testing several leaching experiments using dilute acetic acid to partially dissolve the limestone samples and remove contaminated material. Once I have perfected the leaching technique, we will apply this protocol to the Italian samples.