STRATA

STRATA, the STudent Research, Academic, and Talent Archive, is a collection of selected Fort Lewis College student work, including undergraduate research, senior seminar papers, published works, conference presentations, and other creative and artistic projects. Search by name, subject, title, or academic department.

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The Effect of Fault Gouge On Fluid Flow, Lisbon Valley, UT
The existence of authigenic and reworked clays in fault zones is well understood to control the hydrologic and mechanical properties of faults. The net effect these clays have on fluid conductivity, reservoir quality, and fluid-derived mineralization is dependent on the origin of the gouge. To address this topic, I collected samples along four high-angle normal faults exposed within a copper mine in Lisbon Valley of Southeast Utah. The GTO, Lisbon Valley, Keystone, and Centennial faults were all sampled in gouge zones ranging from ~0.1 to ~5.5 meters across. Fault displacement ranged from 5 meters to 400 meters. Complementing field work was XRD analysis of all suitable samples to determine the quantity and type of clay in each gouge. We related the hydrologic properties affected by fault gouge with shale gouge ratio (SGR) and fault permeability computer modeling. SGR quantitatively estimates clay amounts in fault gouge that allow fault zone permeability estimates to be derived. Field interpretations suggest gouge zones are dominated by either maroon or green clays with most sites having lenses of the non-dominant component. Sampled gouge zones have grain sizes ranging from clay to fine sand and are poorly to moderately consolidated. Color of gouge samples does not seem to correlate with offset of faults, however, there is a correlation between grain-size and fault offset. XRD data shows high concentrations of illite and quartz in nearly all samples, and kaolinite present in samples with green/yellow hues. Modeling results predict high seal potential from SGR and very low permeability in nearly all sample sites. Understanding the effect on hydrologic dynamics will ultimately assist the team of geologists at the Lisbon Valley Mine further understand and predict copper mineralization along fault zones in the area along with constraints on fault-seal capacity when considering in-situ recovery.
14C age on wood from an alluvial ferricrete: preliminary, short-term incision rate estimate for Prospect Gulch, San Juan County, CO
A log encased in ferricrete 88.5 cm above the modern thalweg of Prospect Gulch yielded four possible radiocarbon dates, with the most probable (at 33.9%) being 1710.5 ± 14.5. An incision rate of 280 cm/ky was estimated. The incision rate for the Gunnison River basin is 253 cm/ky. Possible features that support our slightly higher incision rate are: • Bedrock is made up of highly fractured volcanic rock • Mining has stripped the drainage basin of vegetation • Bowl-like catchment upstream • Concave stream profile, with 30° slope at our site • First-order tributary • High elevation and precipitation events
3D Strain and Relative Viscosity of Clasts in the Vallecito Conglomerate, SW Colorado
Deformed cobbles in the Vallecito Conglomerate, a c. 1.7 Ga metaconglomerate found in the Needles Mountains of SW Colorado, show contrasting strain between different lithologies. Two-D finite strain ratios were calculated using the Rf/phi method for three clast populations: quartz/quartzite (including jasper and vein quartz), intermediate metavolcanic, and fine-grained mafic and/or pelitic clasts. Three-D finite strain and orientations of the long (x), intermediate (y) and short (z) directions were calculated using Adolf Yonkee's Strain3D program. Clasts were measured at five different sites in the drainage of Second Creek, west of the Middle Mountain anticline, near the stratigraphic base of the Vallecito Conglomerate. Each site contained exposures with three relatively orthogonal planes that represented deformed cobbles with the most strained, the intermediate, and the least strained orientations. Results show that quartz-rich clasts exhibited the least amount of strain, with Rs ranging from 1.24-1.56 in the x direction, 0.95-1.02 in the y direction and 0.63-0.81 in the z direction. Intermediate clast values were 1.65-1.78 in the x, 0.86-0.96 in the y, and 0.59-0.63 in the z direction. Mafic clasts showed the greatest finite strain with values of 1.78-2.97 in the x, 0.77-0.91 in the y, and 0.44-0.69 in the z direction. These strains imply that the clasts underwent constrictional strain. The x axes plunge moderately (45-57o) to the S-SW, the y axes plunge gently (5-30o) to the NW, and the z axes plunge gently to moderately (10-35o) to the NE. Comparing the relative strain of cobbles to those exhibiting the most intense deformation gives quantitative information on relative effective viscosity. Bulk finite strain was based off of the mafic clasts because of their large proportion at each site compared to the other lithologies. Relative effective viscosity ratios show that the quartz-rich cobbles have significantly more competent values ranging from 3.05 to 8.22, with an average of 4.67, while ratios of the intermediate clasts show values of 0.88-1.1. This study was modeled after Czeck-et al., (2009) in its methodology for calculating finite strain and effective viscosity and leads to similar results.
A 1H-NMR Study of Water Soluble Metabolites From Bread Yeast as a Model for Learning Bioinformatics and Metabolomics in the General Biochemistry Lab
Yeast cells, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, are microorganism essential for bread and beer production. Yeast cells have the capacity to utilize various pathways for the conversion of simple sugar molecules into CO2 and alcohol. Using metabolome-base research we characterized water soluble metabolites to characterize metabolites from S. cerevisiae using two different sugars dextrose and galactose. These metabolites were characterized by one-and two-dimensional NMR. We expect to see a difference in metabolome between yeast grown in galactose and those grown in dextrose. NMR will identify the small molecule metabolites and the YMDB database will assist us in identifying the frequency of their presence in the analyte. COSY-NMR is used to interpret correlation differences between functional groups in metabolite structures. 1H-NMR –based profiling identified the metabolites as products produced from S. cerevisiae organisms. The chemical-peak-shift values were integrated into a bioinformatics data base for metabolite-profiling analysis.
A Bright Future: Feasible Solar Energy for Fort Lewis College
The Earth's climate is warming due largely to the anthropogenic release of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide is the primary greenhouse gas emitted by human activities. Energy production accounts for 38% of all carbon dioxide emissions in the United States, and these could be reduced by increasing renewable energy production. Fort Lewis College has a total of 662,136 square feet of rooftop and parking lot space suitable for photovoltaic solar panels. If all available square footage were utilized, 6,621 kilowatts of electricity could be generated, replacing 33% of Fort Lewis's annual electricity purchases with renewable, locally-produced solar energy. This research paper proposes that Fort Lewis College enters into a solar power purchase agreement to avoid the large upfront costs of purchasing photovoltaic solar panels. By implementing large scale solar arrays on campus, Fort Lewis College can reduce annual energy costs and visually display commitment to the environment.
A Business Plan for the Durango Farmers Market
This senior thesis project will be focusing on my employment with The Gardens at James Ranch in Durango, Colorado. After working as an intern in The Gardens at James Ranch during the summer of 2010, I have been promoted to managing and operating the produce portion of the Durango Farmers' Market. I will be responsible for choosing, harvesting, transporting, marketing, and selling the products that are grown in The Gardens at James Ranch for the Durango Farmers' Market. With this recent promotion in mind, I have decided to prepare myself as much as possible to ensure that I will have a successful business at the Market. To achieve this I will write up a detailed business plan containing all of the tools that will help guide me to successfully manage and operate as a vendor at the Durango Farmers' Market.
A Cat, a Fish, and a Flower: Endangered Species and Urban Development
The Endangered Species Act (ESA) is one of the most recognizable pieces of environmental policy. Despite the Act's widespread reach, many species are still facing the threat of extinction, particularly due to development. One out of every three endangered species in the United States faces extinction due to urban development. This project examines the Florida panther (Puma concolor), coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch), and Navasota ladies tresses (Spiranthes parksii) as examples of organisms who face continual threats from urban development despite their listing status as endangered species. I find that the ESA has not adequately prevented habitat from becoming fragmented, considered metapopulation dynamics, and most importantly, protected critical habitat in the cases of these three examples. I discuss and recommend that designating critical habitat for these three species may better prevent them from future threats of urban development as well as provide protection for greater ecosystems as a whole.
A Comparative Study of Aquatic Invertebrates and Water Quality of the Animas River, the Los Pinos River and the La Plata River
With climate change and multiple other factors affecting our planet as a whole, water is likely the most fragile and finite resource available to us and we must make it a priority for our generation. Of the many water bodies scattered across Colorado, the Animas, Los Pinos, and La Plata Rivers are three of the larger rivers in La Plata County. I analyzed water quality on each of these using traditional water quality tests as well as invertebrate sampling. Due to differences in land use practices, I predict that of the three rivers sampled, that the La Plata River will have the best water quality, with the Los Pinos having the second highest, and the Animas having the lowest water quality. Sampling methods consisted of measuring invertebrate populations on three sites per river, each spaced one half mile apart, as well as other water quality data consisting of pH, dissolved oxygen, and turbidity. A Pollution Tolerance Index (PTI) value was also calculated based on the invertebrate samples. All water quality tests followed manufacturer instruction and invertebrates were sampled using the Kick-net method. Sample sites were chosen by similar site characteristics, for example dominant substrate and dominant vegetation type. Results showed a variety of invertebrate densities and species richness values which created PTI values for each of the rivers being 59.333, 213.917, and 292.125 for the Animas, Los Pinos, and Animas Rivers respectively (larger values indicate higher water quality). Dissolved oxygen, turbidity, and pH values were within a normal range for the most part with averages following the same trend as the PTI values with the La Plata having the highest quality values, followed by the Los Pinos, and the Animas River showing the lowest averages. Overall, the La Plata River showed the highest water quality followed by the Los Pinos River, and the Animas River showed the lowest water quality. Water conservation and preservation should be our top priorities and continuous monitoring is required to maintain this gift.
A Comparison of Glycosylated Hemoglobin and Fasting Blood Glucose as Indicators of Insulin Resistance in Native American Students
Fasting blood glucose and percentage of glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) are two known predictors of insulin resistance (IR). Although the incidence of diabetes is high in most Native American populations, IR indicators have not been studied. I examined fasting glucose and HbA1c in NA college students and their BMI-matched Caucasian (CA) peers. Fasting blood glucose was determined along with percent fat and waist-to-hip ratio. A whole blood sample from each subject was analyzed for percent HbA1c using the Diazyme Direct Enzymatic HbA1c Assay. Differences in HbA1c between matched NA and CA, as well as the correlations between HbA1c, body fat % and fasting blood glucose were determined. The trend shows a higher % HbA1c in the NA population than in the CA population, (6.26 + 0.85 and 4.96 + 0.95%, respectively), but the averages were not significantly different (p = 0.15). Interestingly, HbA1c was negatively correlated with fasting glucose in both NA and CA (r = -0.14 and -0.04, respectively), and with % body fat in NA (r = -0.065), but was positively correlated in CA (r = 0.298). These correlations were not significant. There was a small positive correlation between % dietary carbohydrates and % HbA1c in NA (r =.172). That correlation is not significant; However there was a significant negative correlation between % dietary carbohydrates and % HbA1c in CA (r = -.664). These results indicate that in our small sample, HbA1c did not differ in NA college students and their CA peers but there are interesting avenues for further research.
A Comparison of Serum TNF-Α Concentrations in Native American and BMI-Matched Caucasian Students at Fort Lewis College
TNF-α, a pro-inflammatory cytokine, is associated with insulin resistance, and may be the cellular instigator in the progression to Type II diabetes. Incidence of insulin resistance is higher in most Native American (NA) populations, but little is known about their cellular indicators. We examined TNF-α serum levels in NA college students who were matched by body mass index (BMI) to Caucasian (CA) peers. BMI, waist-to-hip ratio, and percent body fat were determined, as well as lifestyle parameters related to the incidence of insulin resistance. Ten ml of blood was collected and separated into serum and cells. Serum TNF-α concentrations were determined through the use of a quantitative sandwich ELISA. Results from 14 matched pairs showed a trend for higher TNF-α levels in NA students when compared to their CA counterparts (40.65pg/ml + 1.01 vs. 38.12pg/ml + 1.51, respectively), but were not significantly different (p=0.07). For this sample size, we conclude that NA college students do not have significantly higher levels of pro-inflammatory TNF-α than their BMI-matched Caucasian peers.
A Comparison of a Mean Field Theoretic Approach to Ferromagnetism with Experimental Results
Poster presented at the 8th Annual Natural & Behavioral Sciences Undergraduate Research Symposium, Fort Lewis College.
A Comparison of a Mean Field Theoretic Approach to Ferromagnetism with Experimental Results in Nd2Fe14B Magnets
Often, trying to describe how atomic interactions in a structure come to manifest themselves macroscopically is tedious if not impossible when large numbers of molecules or atoms are being considered. One way to more easily approximate the expected behavior of a large system of particles, such as magnetic dipoles, is to consider how the "mean field" produced by neighboring particles near a single particle affects it. In magnetic systems, there is an electromagnetic exchange between individual dipoles that extends only negligibly beyond the other dipoles immediately adjacent to them. By "tagging" an individual dipole in a tetragonal crystal lattice of ferromagnetic dipoles and then "freezing" the dipoles immediately near it, the mean field produced by the frozen dipoles can be calculated, and the net effect of the mean field on the tagged dipole can be seen. In the case of ferromagnetism (and all magnetic systems), the magnetization and orientations of dipoles are dependent on temperature. To see this, Nd2Fe14B magnets were cooled with liquid nitrogen and allowed to warm back up to room temperature while the strength of their magnetic fields were measured at a constant distance. The observed field strengths are then compared with theoretical results produced from the mean field approximation.

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