Speleothems (cave deposits) are multi-proxy paleoclimate (past climate) archives that record the geochemical signature of the dripwater from which they precipitate. Speleothems can be used to interpret paleo hydroclimate and wildfire conditions by analyzing variations in: trace elements (TE), delta18O, and fire-indicative organic molecules. Homann et al., (2022) found that a coastal California stalagmite record highlighted the highly variable hydroclimate, vegetation, and wildfire conditions throughout the 8.2ka event. The impact of this event on other climate systems in the Pacific Northwest remains understudied. This study presents a high-resolution TE record from a stalagmite from the Sierra Nevada. We analyzed a continuous time-series of multiple TEs. Preliminary work shows that Strontium, Magnesium, and Barium all have the same general trends, are most likely governed by water-bedrock interactions, and reflect changes in infiltration; corroborated by PCA. Sodium, Phosphorus, Copper, Aluminium and Uranium all display unique peaks in their TE time-series and are likely the result of detrital pulses from the soil, either from flooding or post-fire deposition. The Phosphorus time-series generally covaries with fluorescence bands indicating organic matter flushing in from the soil. Disagreement between these records can potentially differentiate ash derived from soil derived Phosphorus. Further research is needed to establish this paleofire proxy. By providing multi-proxy benchmark data, speleothems can improve climate models during periods of high variability and whiplash climate. Comprehensive high-resolution records are required to gain insight into periods of highly variable hydroclimate conditions and to refine our understanding of their implications for climate models.

The presence of phosphorus (P) in ponds and lakes is needed for normal algal and plant growth, however excess P can be harmful and overstimulate primary production leading to eutrophication (Carpenter et al. 1999, Carpenter 2008). A new P reducing agent called Phoslock®, a lanthanum-embedded bentonite clay, is being added to ponds and lakes to help decrease this harmful growth. We sought to evaluate the effects of Phoslock® treatments on biogeochemical processes of methanogenesis, respiration, and denitrification rates in ponds and lakes. Typically, in lakes and ponds, these biogeochemical processes are governed by environmental conditions such as temperature, moisture, oxygen, but the addition of P reducing agents like Phoslock® may alter the rates and degree of biogeochemical processing. The results of this study are still ongoing; however, we have determined the mineral composition of Phoslock® through an average of ten XRD scans. The gravimetric water content and bulk mass densities from each of nine sampled sites was calculated, and nitrous oxide, carbon dioxide, and methane gas levels produced from both Phoslock® and non-Phoslock® treated sediment samples have been analyzed.

Landslides are unpredictable geologic hazards composed of mass wasting of rock, soil, or debris down a slope. They pose threats to the local ecosystem, human lives and economic activity. We seek to measure Himalayan hillslope deformation by comparing pre- and post-landslide satellite imagery using geospatial image analysis software, COSI-corr (Co-registration of Optically Sensed Images and Correlation) integrated under ENVI (the Environment for Visualising Images). The images will be georeferenced and orthorectified to accurately reference their location and remove distortions. We expect to find incipient motion in the pre-landslide imagery through analysis of sub-pixel offsets. In understanding how this sub-pixel offset appears, we hope to be able to apply this to predictive modeling of future landslides.