Dr. Rona Donahoe, Professor of Environmental Geochemistry

Title: Geochemistry:The Science and Some of its Applications

Abstract:This talk will provide an introduction to the field of geochemistry and an overview of the analytical instrumentation available for student use in the Department of Geological Sciences. Specific examples of the application of low-temperature geochemistry to address real-world problems will also be presented. These examples include the treatment and remediation of trace elements associated with coal fly ash using in situ chemical fixation and surfactant-modified zeolite, and the use of microwave-assisted acid digestion coupled with Pb-210 dating to identify the impact of coal surface mining on the Lake Harris watershed, as recorded in lake sediments.