δ¹⁵N as a potential proxy for anthropogenic nitrogen loading in Charleston harbor, South Carolina

Simple item page
dc.contributorDimova, Natasha T.
dc.contributorTobin, Thomas S.
dc.contributorZierden, Martha A.
dc.contributor.advisorAndrus, C. Fred T.
dc.contributor.authorPayne, Taylor Norris
dc.contributor.otherUniversity of Alabama Tuscaloosa
dc.date.accessioned2017-03-02T19:55:03Z
dc.date.available2017-03-02T19:55:03Z
dc.date.issued2016
dc.descriptionElectronic Thesis or Dissertationen_US
dc.description.abstractBivalve shell geochemistry can serve as a useful indicator of changes in coastal environments. There is increasing interest in developing paleoenvironmental proxies from mollusk shell organic components. Numerous studies have focused on how the δ15N obtained from bivalve tissues and shells can be used to trace present-day wastewater input into estuaries. However, comparatively little attention has been paid to tracing the impact of anthropogenic nitrogen loading into estuaries over time. By measuring historic levels of δ15N in the organic fraction of oyster shells (Crassostrea virginica) from archaeological sites around Charleston Harbor and comparing those levels to the δ15N content of modern shells, it is possible to assess how nitrogen has fluctuated historically in the area. Whole-shell samples from the Woodland Period (~1400-800 BP), 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries, and modern controls were measured for %N and δ15N. δ15N was found to not vary significantly with time. The highest δ15N values came from shells dated to the mid and late 19th century. Mean modern δ15N (8.6‰) were found to be similar to mean Woodland Period δ15N (8.5‰). This is in contrast to studies done by Black (2014), but similar to a study done by Darrow et al. (2016). This information could help understand how large-scale anthropogenic nitrogen loading has affected coastal ecosystems over time and guide future remediation. Furthermore, this project will help refine and improve this novel proxy of past environmental conditions.en_US
dc.format.extent48 p.
dc.format.mediumelectronic
dc.format.mimetypeapplication/pdf
dc.identifier.otheru0015_0000001_0002504
dc.identifier.otherPayne_alatus_0004M_12956
dc.identifier.urihttps://ir.ua.edu/handle/123456789/2782
dc.languageEnglish
dc.language.isoen_US
dc.publisherUniversity of Alabama Libraries
dc.relation.hasversionborn digital
dc.relation.ispartofThe University of Alabama Electronic Theses and Dissertations
dc.relation.ispartofThe University of Alabama Libraries Digital Collections
dc.rightsAll rights reserved by the author unless otherwise indicated.en_US
dc.subjectGeochemistry
dc.subjectPaleoclimate science
dc.subjectArchaeology
dc.titleδ¹⁵N as a potential proxy for anthropogenic nitrogen loading in Charleston harbor, South Carolinaen_US
dc.typethesis
dc.typetext
etdms.degree.departmentUniversity of Alabama. Department of Geological Sciences
etdms.degree.disciplineGeology
etdms.degree.grantorThe University of Alabama
etdms.degree.levelmaster's
etdms.degree.nameM.S.

Files

Original bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Thumbnail Image
Name:
file_1.pdf
Size:
1.26 MB
Format:
Adobe Portable Document Format
Download

Collections

Theses and Dissertations
Theses and Dissertations - Department of Geological Sciences