Acquisition of instrumentation for the sediment analysis laboratory at Coastal Carolina University

Coastal Carolina University, Conway SC

Investigators

Abstract

0949366 Hill This grant supports acquisition of equipment to establish a sedimentology lab at Coastal Carolina University (CCU). Equipment that will be acquired includes a laser diffraction particle size analyzer, stereomicroscope, purified water system, microbalance, benchtop centrifuge, laboratory oven, sample microsplitter and vortex mixer. Characterization of grain size, shape, particle distribution, and mineralogy will aid in determination of sediment provenance and the hydrodynamic conditions of deposition for studies of barrier beach evolution and dynamics, coastal sediment transport processes and studies of sea level history as recorded in coastal sediments. Particle size analysis will also aid studies in benthic ecology, environmental water quality and geoarchaeology. The equipment will support faculty and student research and research training including two early career PIs. CCU boasts the largest undergraduate Marine Science program on the east coast and has recently developed and interdisciplinary Masters graduate program in Coastal Marine and Wetland Studies. The equipment will support student training in modern sedimentary analysis methods. ***