Mineralogical Characterization of Subsurface Carbonate Rocks Located in Southeastern Minnesota
2023-08
Loading...
View/Download File
Persistent link to this item
Statistics
View StatisticsJournal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Title
Mineralogical Characterization of Subsurface Carbonate Rocks Located in Southeastern Minnesota
Authors
Published Date
2023-08
Publisher
Type
Report
Abstract
The geologic setting and agricultural land use of Southeastern Minnesota raises concerns about regional nitrate contamination. To better understand potential groundwater and contaminant flow pathways, mineralogical assessment of a core sampled near Bear Spring was conducted. Bear Spring is a perennial spring within the Ordovician age Galena-Spillville karst, approximately 3 km outside of Eyota, MN in Olmsted County. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis on 123 samples taken at varying depths revealed that the core was composed of four main minerals: calcite, dolomite, ankerite, and quartz. Dolomitization appeared to be present throughout most of the core, with less abundance at lower depths. This coincides with an increase in shale and quartz. Additionally, XRD analysis did not reveal an observed pattern of mineral alteration near suspected natural fractures as initially hypothesized due to visual observations of color shifts. Data from this study will be used in future hydrogeologic models that can predict groundwater flow and contaminant reactive transport.
Keywords
Description
Faculty advisor: Peter Kang
Related to
Replaces
License
Series/Report Number
Funding information
This research was supported by the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP).
Isbn identifier
Doi identifier
Previously Published Citation
Other identifiers
Suggested citation
Seltzer, Clara. (2023). Mineralogical Characterization of Subsurface Carbonate Rocks Located in Southeastern Minnesota. Retrieved from the University Digital Conservancy, https://hdl.handle.net/11299/256252.
Content distributed via the University Digital Conservancy may be subject to additional license and use restrictions applied by the depositor. By using these files, users agree to the Terms of Use. Materials in the UDC may contain content that is disturbing and/or harmful. For more information, please see our statement on harmful content in digital repositories.