Norfolk UST Risk Assesment

Type: Graduate
Author(s): Joshua Benford Geological Sciences
Advisor(s): Esayas Gebremicael Geological Sciences

Leaking underground storage tanks (USTs) pose a significant environmental hazard in Norfolk, Virginia, where factors such as weather, casing materials, and varying ground conditions contribute to potential leaks over time. Corrosion, exacerbated by Norfolk's coastal location and harsh soil conditions, is a primary cause of these leaks. Geographic Information System (GIS) tools can be utilized to develop a predictive model for identifying at-risk UST locations by integrating data from multiple sources, including UST records from the state of Virginia and other relevant datasets. This model would employ various spatial analysis techniques to generate maps and web applications, enabling field teams to validate its accuracy and support the City of Norfolk in mitigating risks associated with leaking USTs. The goal of this research is to produce valuable insights that help safeguard the health of Norfolk's residents and protect the delicate surrounding ecosystem, including the Atlantic Ocean, marshes, rivers, and Chesapeake Bay.

The Effect of Red-Light Traffic Cameras on Vehicle Collisions in Fort Worth

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Sovereign Bourgeois Environmental Sciences TJ Willson Geological Sciences
Advisor(s): Esayas Gebremichael Geological Sciences

Prior to 2019, Texas used red-light traffic cameras to deter drivers from driving recklessly and running red lights. However, due to legislation signed by Governor Greg Abbott, red-light cameras are no longer used in Texas. This decision was made to ‘protect drivers' constitutional rights.’ Additionally, it was argued that these cameras increased the rate of rear-end collisions.

This study investigates the effect of removing red-light cameras in Fort Worth before and after the ban by examining the rate of different types of collisions. The location data of crash sites and police reports will be mapped using ArcGIS Pro to determine the frequency and density of these crashes.

Amazon Deforestation: A Spatial Analysis of Its Impact on Carbon Sequestration and Global CO2 Emissions

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Lauren Breach Environmental Sciences Justus Bedford Interdisciplinary
Advisor(s): Esayas Gebremichael Geological Sciences

The Amazon rainforest is one of the largest carbon sinks in the world, playing a critical role in regulating global carbon dioxide levels. However, deforestation has significantly reduced its ability to sequester carbon, contributing to rising CO2 emissions. We will analyze deforestation trends in the amazon over the last three decades by integrating satellite imagery, historical land cover data, and carbon flux models. Using remote sensing data from Nasa and Brazil’s National Institute for Space Research (INPE), we will generate temporal GIS layers to map forest loss and quantify the impact on carbon sequestration. Through identifying key deforestation hotspots, this project aims to provide important insights into the relationship between land-use changes and atmospheric carbon levels, supporting future conservation strategies and policy recommendations.

Tri-colored bat Potential roosting sites: A GIS analysis of Tarrant County culverts and their potential for use by Tri-colored bats as winter roost sites

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Lexi Foster Environmental Sciences Liam Slattery Geological Sciences
Advisor(s): Victoria Bennett Environmental Sciences

Tri-colored bats are on track to be listed as an endangered species, however insufficient information is available on their roost sites. The aim of this project is to determine which culverts in Texas, more specifically Tarrant County, are likely to be used as winter roosts for the Tri-colored bat species. The project will utilize available culvert data from TxDOT and data on the potential ranges of Tri-colored bats. Analysis will begin by categorizing the culverts into individual layers by features such as height, length, and material. Culverts will also be evaluated based on the characteristics of surrounding habitats. Once this analysis is complete, culverts will be ranked based on their collective characteristics for potential to be used as roost sites. The goal at the end of this project is to create data for use in advising field surveys, as well as maintenance and development of roads and bridges that consider conservation of the species.

Exploring Levee Systems of the DeGrey River: Geomorphological and Reservoir Potential

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Jacinto Garza ll Geological Sciences Henry Henk Geological Sciences Matt Kelly Geological Sciences Simon Lang Geological Sciences Victorien Paumard Geological Sciences Andrew Winch Geological Sciences
Advisor(s): John Holbrook Geological Sciences

The ephemeral DeGrey River of northwestern Australia’s Pilbara region presents unusual very high relief double levees of up to 5.8 m that are still poorly understood. This study aims to take advantage of excellent exposures of these double levees to assess their likely origin. Accessing and studying these features in a modern setting constitute a unique opportunity to better understand their geomorphology and evaluate their reservoir potential as an analogue for the subsurface.
We investigated these levees using shallow augering, percussion coring, digging of shallow pits, and ground-penetrating radar (GPR), calibrated using dGPS surveys. Remote sensing data, such as LIDAR and photogrammetric drone surveys, were also used to identify and visualize fluvial geomorphologic features, which were then ground truth by pedestrian surveys and general field observations. Core and auger samples were described according to grain texture using the USDA classification and a Munsell color atlas. to distinguish the similarities or differences from sediments by depth. Grain size was further assessed in sand and gravel using a Brunton Grain Size Card.
These levees were primarily developed by water during multiple large flooding events which exceeded their height limit, as opposed to the alternative hypothesis that these were large eolian features coincidental with levee positions at the channel margin. This is evidenced by the common layers of gravelly and poorly sorted coarse sand dispersed within the levee strata. Similarly, sedimentary structures of lower and upper flow regimes typical of water flood are observed for these strata. Locally, the outer part of the two levees was found to include an eolian cap, which provided additional height to the levee locally. These strata were fine-grained and well-sorted by contrast, typical of aeolian origins.
Cyclone-driven floods control the activation of the DeGrey River and associated sedimentation. These double levees form through rapid sediment deposition in unusually energetic overbank flows. The high permeability and sandy stratification of these levees provide opportunistic reservoir potential. This contrasts with silty levee deposits observed in perennial rivers with lower discharge variation. The high double levees of the DeGrey River appear to be a hydrologic and geomorphic feature characteristic of ephemeral river systems.

A Study of the Coll de Montllobar to Further Characterize Channelization as the Units Shift Through Transgressive-Regressive Sequences

Type: Graduate
Author(s): Samuel Knox Geological Sciences
Advisor(s): John Holbrook Geological Sciences

The Tremp-Graus basin, located in Northern Spain, is a foreland piggyback basin that sits on the foot of Pyrenees Mountains. More specifically within the Montsec range, North of the Montsec thrust belt. The basin is a result of an east to west trending syncline area between the Boxial and Montsec Thrusts, North and South of Tremp, Spain, respectively. During the end of the Cretaceous period, syntectonic sedimentation began and carried throughout the Miocene. Thus, forming the basin that is structurally open in the west and open in the east, possibly due to structural events and quite possibly a shallow sea that protruded the area during the Ypresian (56 – 47.8 Ma). The sediments came from sources in the North, East, and the South in less quantities. The Pyrenees Mountains to the north are the main source of the sedimentation in the area as an influx of sediment occurred over time as the thrust sheets became proximal to the basin. The Boxial thrust supplied alluvial fans during the Maastrichtian in a localized setting (Arevalo, 2022; Busquests, 2022).
There is an overall transition from continental to deltaic sediments in the east to a western section that is mainly slope mudstones, thin-bedded turbidite wedges, proximal turbidites, channel-fills, distal turbidities and basin-plain deposits. This study will focus on a vertical section in the Coll del Montllobar Cliffs to help identify and differentiate channel characteristics as the rocks shift from continental/terrestrial deposits to marine influence deposits (tracking transgressive-regressive cycles) within the Upper Ager Group through the Lower Montanyana Group. The study will include at least five highly detailed measured sections, fluvial mapping conducted through drone footage and 3D modeling as well as possible point counting root density within the sections. In the conclusion of this study researchers will have a reliable Type Section as well as a basic understanding of how transgressive – regressive cycles alter channel behavior within the region, as well as the defining characteristics of the fluvial channels.

Using GIS Technologies to Explore Urban Heat Island Effect in Tarrant County

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Sloan Malleck Environmental Sciences Sean Farrell Geological Sciences
Advisor(s): Esayas Gebremichael Geological Sciences

This study aims to investigate how the growth and expansion of Tarrant County has potentially increased average temperatures from 1985 to 2020. The study will utilize satellite imagery from the USGS, weather data from the NWS, and population and land cover data to better understand the relationship between urban growth and temperature change. We speculate that the rapid growth and development of Tarrant County has led to a measurable increase in average daytime temperatures due to the urban heat island effect.

The Impact of Eutrophication in Texas Freshwater Bodies due to Agricultural Runoff

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Emma Maxwell Geological Sciences Emily Garza Environmental Sciences
Advisor(s): Esayas Gebremichael Geological Sciences

This project will analyze patterns of eutrophication in Texas lakes and reservoirs, with a focus on the impact of agricultural runoff from nearby industrial sites on nearby water bodies. By using GIS, we aim to gain insight on the relationship between agricultural land use, water quality, and the presence of eutrophication in these water bodies. The analysis will examine spatial data related to water quality, land use patterns, and the locations of bodies of water near industrial areas to understand how agricultural runoff contributes to eutrophication in Texas.

THE GEOLOGY OF THE WICHITA MOUTAINS, SOUTH OKLAHOMA

Type: Graduate
Author(s): Michael Mbah Geological Sciences
Advisor(s): Richard Hanson Geological Sciences

The Wichita Mountains in southwestern Oklahoma hold over a billion years of geological history, offering valuable insights into rift dynamics, magmatism, and basin evolution. These mountains are remnants of the Southern Oklahoma Aulacogen, a failed rift that initially formed during the Cambrian period through crustal extension but was later uplifted due to tectonic inversion. The region features a diverse range of igneous and sedimentary rocks, including the Carlton Rhyolites, gabbroic anorthosites, and granites of the Wichita Granite Group, which reflect a complex magmatic history. Over time, major tectonic events—such as the Pennsylvanian uplift during the formation of Pangea and subsequent Permian burial—played a key role in shaping the area's present landscape. This study utilizes Geographic Information Systems (GIS) tools to examine the spatial relationships, structural features, and lithological distribution of the Wichita Mountains. Using remote sensing, digital elevation models (DEMs), and geospatial analysis, this research provides a deeper understanding of the region’s geological history and demonstrates the effectiveness of GIS technology in structural geology and regional mapping.

Quenched and disrupted dacitic to rhyolitic hyaloclastie complex emplaced at shallow levels beneath the seafloor in a Devonian submarine island-arc sequence in the northern Sierra Nevada, California

Type: Graduate
Author(s): Quinton Mindrup Geological Sciences Richard Hanson Geological Sciences
Advisor(s): Richard Hanson Geological Sciences

The Devonian Sierra Buttes Formation (SBF) occurs at the base of a thick succession of submarine Paleozoic island arc strata in the northern Sierra Nevada. Bulk eastward rotation of the succession has provided cross-sectional views of a variety of SBF volcaniclastic deposits, radiolarian chert and associated hypabyssal intrusions. The area of concern herein is centered on the prominent glaciated Sierra Buttes peaks, from which the formation takes its name. Coeval andesitic to rhyolitic hypabyssal intrusions form a complex assemblage making up much of the SBF in this area. The assemblage contains a large intrusive hyaloclastite complex within which dacitic-rhyolitic bodies are chaotically dispersed. The intrusions developed when ascending batches of magma were unable to penetrate thick sequences of unlithified sediment and instead intruded into and were quenched against them at shallow levels beneath seafloor.

Here we report results of detailed mapping of glaciated outcrops that occupy an area of ~ 245,000 m2 within the intrusive assemblage and consist mostly of dacite and rhyolite. The assemblage contains large amounts of massive fragmental material with clasts typically < 3 cm in length and ranging down to fine ash. Much of this material consists of angular, originally glassy hyaloclastite shards that formed by nonexplosive quench fragmentation of magma intruding into wet sediment. Ellipsoidal bodies, elongate tubes several meters in length with elliptical cross-sections, and irregular amoeboid bodies occur within the hyaloclastite matrix and are interpreted to represent parts of a branching, interconnected feeder system that supplied magma to the growing fragmental mass beneath the sea floor.

Mapping the Use of Battery Storage Systems for Renewable Energy in Texas

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Isabella Moreno Environmental Sciences Garrison Kelly Geological Sciences
Advisor(s): Esayas Gebremichael Geological Sciences

HYDROGEOCHEMICAL ASSESSMENT OF THE SPATIOTEMPORAL EVOLUTION OF GROUNDWATER IN TEXAS AQUIFERS (1985-2014)

Type: Graduate
Author(s): ELVIS OWUSU Geological Sciences
Advisor(s): OMAR HARVEY Geological Sciences

Due to the increasing industrial activities, domestic and agricultural demands in Texas render groundwater resources under severe pressure. Texas growing population of 29.5 million in 2021 is projected to reach 51 million by 2070 placing increasing pressure on groundwater, a vital resource for agriculture, industry and municipal use.
This study assesses the hydrogeochemical evolution of Texas nine (9) major aquifers over three decades (1985-2014) and leveraged data from the Texas Water Development Board, Satellite (Landsat 8) dataset from Center for hydrometeorology and Remote sensing at the University of California, Irvine to detect and monitor changes in precipitation estimation. Land use and land cover (Landsat 8/9) dataset from Multi Resolution Land Characteristics were leveraged to detect and monitor land cover and land use changes which is a key parameter that affect the chemistry of groundwater in Texas major aquifers.
Results indicate a transition in groundwater types from Na-Cl to mixed type and Ca-HCO3, with major ions ranked as Na++K+ > Ca2+ > Mg2+ and Cl- > HCO3- > SO42-. Rock-water interaction and evaporation are the primary mechanism that controls groundwater chemistry and composition influence by the weathering of silicate minerals.
Climatic variability controlling factors in Texas major aquifers are precipitation rates and Temperature rates, Land cover changes also play a significant role in the hydro geochemistry of groundwater. Precipitation rate across the aquifers ranges from 82 mm – 504 mm in 1985-1994, 244mm- 1751mm in 1995-2004 and 522mm- 1230mm in 2005 -2014. One of significant change in terms of land cover in Texas major aquifers between 1985 and 2005 was the increase in developed high intensity areas from 0.19%,0.25% and 0.33% respectively and developed medium intensity also increase from 0.78%, 0.98% and 1.33%
Overall, the study highlights the importance of hydrogeochemical assessment of groundwater evolution and the potential of remote sensing in providing critical insights for sustainable water management in Texas, emphasizing the need for adaptive strategies to mitigate future water challenges.

Geochemistry of Ediacaran-Ordovician diabase, lamprophyre and phonolite dikes in southern Colorado, possibly related to rifting in the Southern Oklahoma Aulacogen

Type: Graduate
Author(s): Caleb Perkey Geological Sciences
Advisor(s): Richard Hanson Geological Sciences

The Southern Oklahoma aulacogen is a northwest-trending structure containing abundant igneous rocks representing the remains of a major Cambrian rift zone. Previous geologists have mapped numerous igneous intrusions in Colorado that follow the same trend, ranging from Ediacaran to Ordovician in age, and have speculated that these intrusions may be a part of the same rift. These intrusions include abundant igneous dikes of various compositions that originated from deeper magmatic bodies, filling fracture systems in older igneous rocks and Precambrian gneisses. This study involves the geochemical analysis of samples we collected from different dike types, including diabase, lamprophyre, phonolite, and nepheline syenite. The dikes include a prominent diabase dike swarm in the Gunnison area as well as abundant dikes of several types in the Wet Mountains and Front Range farther east. On the discrimination and REE diagrams, fifteen representative dike samples from both sample regions plot tightly together, indicating the clustered dikes share a petrogenetic history of E-MORB-type magma that interacted with intercontinental lithosphere.
We have not yet found diabase dikes in the Wet Mountains suitable for geochemical studies. However, five samples from NW- to NNW-trending diabase dikes in the Front Range, ~80 km north of the Wet Mountains, are among the fifteen diabase samples that cluster together on the geochemical diagrams. This raises the intriguing possibility that dikes related to Ediacaran-Ordovician intraplate magmatism in Colorado may be more extensive than previously thought.
Samples of four lamprophyre dikes in the Wet Mountains exhibit uniform patterns in REE diagrams and plot within the same field on the Winchester and Floyd (1977) classification diagram. Three dikes classified as trachytes by other workers cluster plot in the phonolite field on this diagram, suggesting some of these dikes were previously misclassified. These three dikes also show similar REE patterns with prominent negative anomalies, implying prolonged fractional crystallization.

Suburbanization-induced Elemental Molecular Alterations in Soils

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Tabby Pyle Geological Sciences
Advisor(s): Omar Harvey Geological Sciences

The proposed project is part of an ongoing effort within the PI’s lab aimed at using the study
of chemodynamics to engage students in the exploration of the interplay between societal
actions and environmental response. The project will build on data from pH,
thermogravimetric, elemental, and isotopic analysis capturing macroscopic soil
chemodynamics in response to suburbanization and urban farming in the Dallas-Fort Worth
Metroplex (DFW). The DFW is one of the fastest growing metro areas in the US with our
early data suggesting a minimum 30-yr required period of lawn care before key
chemodynamic indicators of soil health/resilience, such as pH and soil organic matter
(quantity and quality), return to pre-suburbanization status. In contrast, composting food
waste and then land applying that compost not only diverts waste from landfill but improve
soil health/resilience metrics towards carbon sequestration, water conservation and reduce
nutrient input/loss. Here the objectives are to examine implications at the microphysical and
molecular-level via:
2) Assessing how differences in the molecular composition of soil organic matter from
a suburban lawn versus an organic farm setting alter soil ecosystem services related
to water quality, and climate.

SRS Project

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Audrey Sinnett Environmental Sciences West Tyndal Environmental Sciences
Advisor(s): Esayas Gebremichael Geological Sciences

We propose a GIS project analyzing waste disposal accessibility by comparing recycling quality between low-income and high-income neighborhoods. Using spatial analysis and field data, we will compare the amount of waste generated to the income of Los Angeles counties, and document any trends. The findings will provide insights into potential disparities in waste management services and inform policy recommendations for improving recycling programs in underserved communities.

Tree Health: Integrating change detection and spatial analysis tools to assess tree damage in response to California wildfires

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Elise Skiles Environmental Sciences Christopher Zamora Chemistry & Biochemistry
Advisor(s): Esayas Gebremichael Geological Sciences

The purpose of this project is to determine if California's raging wildfires are having a detrimental effect on the state’s tree populations/health. Two main components of this project would be, a model of California's tree density/canopy cover in 2000, and a model of California’s tree density/canopy cover in 2024. The goal of this project is to determine if an increase in wildfires is a key factor in the decrease of California tree density, and if so, make recommendations for further research on how to protect trees from this natural disaster.

Reconstructing River Discharge and Fluvial Dynamics in the Pyrenees Mountains

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Daphne Varmah Geological Sciences
Advisor(s): John Holbrook Geological Sciences

Fluvial dynamics refers to the study of river systems, their flow processes, sediment transport, and how these processes shape landscapes over time. In the Pyrenees Mountains, understanding the fluvial dynamics of rivers is crucial for reconstructing past hydrological conditions, particularly river discharge and stage variations. This research investigates the historical flow characteristics of rivers in the Pyrenees, focusing on how much sediment and water these rivers carried, how low the rivers flowed, and how these factors influenced channel discharge. Through the analysis of sediment cores, floodplain deposits, and river terraces, I will reconstruct the variability in discharge and determine stage fluctuations during different time periods, including the late middle and early Holocene. The findings highlight significant changes in river flow driven by climatic and geological factors, providing insight into past hydrological regimes. Understanding these flow variations is essential for interpreting the environmental conditions that influenced plant growth, as river discharge directly impacts soil moisture, nutrient availability, and the distribution of vegetation. This research not only contributes to the understanding of past river systems but also enhances our knowledge of the interplay between climate, hydrology, and ecosystem dynamics in the Pyrenees Mountains.

Identification of Geochemical Variability and Geogenic Carbon in the Barnett Shale Formation

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Amanda Whitley Geological Sciences
Advisor(s): Omar Harvey Geological Sciences

The Barnett Shale is a key energy resource for oil and gas production right here in
Fort Worth. However, the use of geochemical techniques to analyze its subsurface properties and
organic matter content in the past has been limited. The aim of this research is to apply
geochemical analysis techniques to better understand geogenic carbon and other elements
located throughout core samples taken from the Barnett Shale. Multiple sampling intervals will
be used along the core to identify locations of peak hydrogen, carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur
content and to analyze the distribution and patterns of these elements. Testing in 2-foot, 1-foot,
and 6-inch intervals will determine the optimal scale for identifying the specific depths of key oil
and gas markers. This data will allow for more detailed and precise extraction approaches. The
geochemical techniques used to analyze the core samples will include loss on ignition analysis,
thermogravimetric analysis, elemental analysis, and isotope analysis. By locating the position of
these key elements and geogenic carbon, we can gain a better understanding of the types and
potential for fueling energy needs. Looking forward, the depth and characteristics of geogenic
carbon and these key elements will be used to train an AI model for predicting the locations and
content of organic matter in other large formations. This research project can greatly improve our
understanding and utilization of key subsurface energy resources and help improve energy
efficiency and sustainability.

Predicting Pesticide Degradation: A Molecular Scaffolding Approach to Environmental Hazards

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Christopher Zamora Geological Sciences
Advisor(s): Omar Harvey Geological Sciences

Pesticide degradation in the environment is an important element when it comes to understanding long-term soil and water contamination. There are many key molecular factors like molecular weight and octanol-water partitioning (logP) that influence how pesticide degradation works. By taking a computational approach, we derived daughter molecules of ferulic acid, 1,2,4-Trihydroxybenzene, and vanillic acid which share similarities with pesticide byproducts. We specifically computed molecular weight and logP for each derivative to assess their potential to contaminate the environment. By comparing these values to oxidative pesticide breakdown products from glyphosate (Roundup), atrazine, and chlorpyrifos, we identified solubility trends that may influence the transport of these molecules into soils and water systems. These findings provide insight into the environmental risks associated with pesticide use and degradation, potentially aiding in the design of more sustainable agricultural chemicals.

Using GIS to Determine Emergency Department and Treatment Center Proximity to Opioid Hot Spots in Tarrant County

Type: Graduate
Author(s): Naomi Alanis Interdisciplinary
Advisor(s): Esayas Gebremichael Geological Sciences
Location: Basement, Table 1, Position 2, 11:30-1:30

As opioid overdose deaths in the United States (US) continue to increase, there is an emergent need to treat those with opioid use disorder (OUD). Understanding geographic variations and their impact on different population groups in the US is now more essential than ever. Significant surges in the usage and misuse of street drugs such as heroin and fentanyl, followed by a corresponding increase in opioid-related deaths, have heightened the urgency for this understanding.

Although characteristics of US counties with persistently high rates of opioid overdose mortality and low capacity to deliver OUD medications has been identified, the counties were aggregated into regions within the US and no one specific county has been targeted. Having comprehensive data on OUD prevalence rates across Tarrant County and/or Texas would be beneficial. Current research regarding spatial associations between place features, neighborhood-level social determinants of health measures, and drug overdose deaths is limited in the realm of drug use and opioid overdose fatalities. Recognizing high-risk areas and features (hot spots) could potentially enhance the quality of the emergency department response, harm reduction services, and the precision of treatment and prevention strategies.

Identifying hot spots of opioid-related emergency needs within Tarrant County may help [re]distribute existing resources efficiently, empower community and Emergency Department (ED) based physicians to advocate for their patients, and serve as a catalyst for partnerships between John Peter Smith Hospital System (JPS) and local community groups. More broadly, this analysis may demonstrate that EDs can use geospatial analysis to address the emergency and longer-term health needs of the communities they are designed to serve.

The goal of this project is to 1) identify spatial associations between place features, neighborhood-level social determinants of health measures, and opioid drug overdose deaths (i.e., high-risk/hot spot areas) and 2) compare them to access to treatment providers (i.e., emergency departments, emergency services, and harm reduction services) to identify geographic areas where the two are not well matched.

Assessing Urban Heat Island Intensity Using Landsat Data

Type: Graduate
Author(s): Daniel Ayejoto Environmental Sciences
Advisor(s): Gebremichael Esayas Geological Sciences
Location: Basement, Table 6, Position 3, 11:30-1:30

The escalating impacts of urbanization on local climate patterns, particularly the phenomenon of Urban Heat Islands (UHIs), necessitate effective monitoring and assessment strategies. This project endeavors to evaluate the Urban Heat Island intensity in Houston, Texas, employing Landsat satellite data and Geographic Information System (GIS) tools within the ArcGIS Pro platform. The study integrates multi-temporal Landsat imagery to derive land surface temperature patterns, facilitating a comprehensive analysis of UHI dynamics over time. Spatial analytics and geospatial techniques are employed to assess the correlation between land use/land cover changes and UHI intensity, offering insights into the factors influencing urban heat dynamics. The results are expected to contribute valuable insights for urban planners and policymakers, aiding in the development of strategies to mitigate the adverse effects of UHI and enhance overall urban sustainability. Additionally, the methodology established in this project can serve as a template for assessing UHI in other urban areas, fostering a broader understanding of the urban climate dynamics.

Sedimentation & Subsurface Characterization of the Lower Cretaceous Muddy Sandstone & Upper Cretaceous Mowry Shale, Powder River Basin, Wyoming

Type: Graduate
Author(s): Chase Chavez Geological Sciences
Advisor(s): Xiangyang Xie Geological Sciences
Location: Basement, Table 12, Position 2, 1:45-3:45

Foreland basins comprise some of the most prolific hydrocarbon producing reservoirs and source rocks in the North American Rocky Mountain region. One of these major producing basins is the Powder River Basin (PRB). Located in northeastern Wyoming and extending into southeastern Montana, the PRB is one of Wyoming’s largest and most active hydrocarbon producing basins. The basin comprises various Mesozoic and Paleozoic strata with productive conventional and unconventional plays. Various studies have been done on both Mesozoic and Paleozoic stratigraphy within the basin. Historically, Cretaceous stratigraphy has been well studied and documented within the basin. However, continual industry innovations in the collection, development, and processing of subsurface geological data are making possible more refined understanding of Cretaceous stratigraphy in the basin.

This study focuses on the upper Lower Cretaceous Muddy Sandstone Formation and lower Upper Cretaceous Mowry Shale intervals at basin scale, and the implications for tectonic and eustatic evolution prior to the development of the PRB. Which controlled sedimentation, infilling, and Total Organic Carbon (TOC) weight percentage distributions of the two formations. There is a general agreement that the Mowry can be divided into upper, middle, and lower sections. The middle section has been found to contain the highest TOC percentages based on prior work done with geochemical analysis. This study will update these findings with newly collected digital well data and produce higher-density regional basin coverage with type wells, while also utilizing petrophysical calculation methods to determine TOC percentages to compare with current geochemical analysis.

The Muddy being an older conventional reservoir and the Mowry a more recent unconventional play, the collection and utilization of digitized well log data from Enverus Prism with Petrel Software, in conjunction with analysis of in-house core, provides an effective approach for producing refined structure, isochore, net sand, and TOC maps for the basin. This information can then be used in generating interpretations of sedimentation history, basin infilling, and TOC distribution. In addition, published type wells with correlated Paleozoic stratigraphy from the United States Geological Survey (USGS) are being used to generate PRB subsidence curves for multiple well locations throughout the basin to compare with maps and figures produced in Petrel. To further enhance sedimentation interpretations, U-Pb detrital zircon analysis is being conducted on the Muddy Formation sandstones collected from core. This data will be compared with published detrital zircon and subsidence work done in the western neighboring Big Horn Basin and its equivalent Muddy Formation interval.

Tracking Soil Organic Carbon in an Urban Farm Near the Trinity River

Type: Graduate
Author(s): Julie Crenwelge Geological Sciences Christelle Fayad Interdisciplinary
Advisor(s): Omar Harvey Geological Sciences
Location: Second Floor, Table 5, Position 2, 11:30-1:30

Carbon is the elemental foundation for all living things on Earth. Soil carbon sequestration is a process in which carbon dioxide is removed from the atmosphere and stored in the soil. We want to examine the soil quality and the stability of carbon in an urban farm in North Texas by comparing measurements collected in October 2022 against measurements observed and collected in October 2023. Our research question is, “What is the effect of composting on the carbon quality and quantity at the farm?” The experimental points were chosen for comparison from a previous evaluation of a 1/3-acre section of a local urban farm next to the Trinity River in Fort Worth, Texas. We collected bulk soil samples at 0-15 cm and 15-30 cm depths from ten field points previously tested with an additional 3 new control points. Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) will be used to determine carbon quality by analyzing derivative weights change plots. The data collected suggests that within a year the experimental farm site has maintained a good quality of soil with minor acidification and compaction, as well as an increase in level and quality of carbon. The observed farm remains an appropriate site for providing food security, eliminating food waste while simultaneously sequestering carbon.

Using Spatial Analysis to Identify Patterns in Reptilian Dermal Ornamentation

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Sarah Foxx Geological Sciences
Advisor(s): Esayas Gebremichael Geological Sciences Arthur Busbey Geological Sciences
Location: First Floor, Table 5, Position 1, 11:30-1:30

The dermal ornamentation of reptiles and lower vertebrates is a largely untouched field of research, and thus common patterns or a specific purpose for the ornamentation has yet to be identified and/or agreed upon by paleontologists. This study strives to use various spatial and image analysis techniques to identify any patterns in the ornamentation on the skulls of both ‘lower’ vertebrate captorhinids and modern crocodilians to better understand the purpose of such ornamentation and why it has persisted from lower vertebrates to modern-day reptiles. Any information that can be derived from the research may aid modern understanding of the evolution from lower vertebrates to modern reptiles.

GIS in Precision Agriculture

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Will Hayes Geological Sciences James Hufham Environmental Sciences
Advisor(s): Esayas Gebremichael Geological Sciences Jason Faubion Ranch Management
Location: Second Floor, Table 4, Position 3, 1:45-3:45

Today’s farmers must grasp a wide range of topics beyond just planting, including soil composition, weed management, nutrient requirements, weather patterns, pest control, disease prevention, equipment use, and climate considerations. Precision agriculture, a tool that allows for the visualization of data in an agricultural view to help ranchers better understand their land and how to best supply resources to their land, can be a tool to increase efficiency and production to the agricultural industry as a whole. Precision agriculture can help farmers “more precisely determine what inputs to put exactly where and with what quantities.”(GIS lounge para. 3). In this proposal we plan to demonstrate how precision agriculture with the use of Landsat satellites analyzes the greenness of vegetation using indices like the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI). Using these tools we can use drones to collect plant height and plant count, biomass estimates, the presence of diseases and weeds, plant health and field nutrients, as well as 3D elevation and volumetric data.