Building the Sedimentary Record: Physical and Biological Processes of Stratal Formation

Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge LA

Investigators

Abstract

This proposal was submitted in response to the CAREER Program Announcement and contained both scientific and educational goals. The ultimate scientific goals of this proposed study are to understand how physical and biological processes (bioturbation) interact to produce indificual sedimentar units and the sedimentary record in general. The project will collect a wide variety of environmental data at four (4) selected sites in the Gulf of Mexico, and samples to examine the sedimentary record, physical processes of sedimentation, and bioturbation. The four (4) sites vary significantly to terms of rates of deposition and rates of bioturbation. Finally, the results will be compared with quantitative forward models that attempt to quantify the effects of physical and biological variables, and with mesocosm laboratory experiments in which benthic fauna interact with sediment in the lab. The educational aspects of the proposal included: undergraduate outreach to students at regional HBCU's curse development, student participation in proposed research efforts, and adopting the models developed for use as teaching aids.