Cuban River Sediments: An X-Ray "Conversation"
Conference Year
January 2023
Abstract
The island of Cuba is particularly representative of a system deprived of extensive human impact. For this reason, analyzing Cuban river sediments has the potential to provide important information about watershed scale impact on natural river systems. Using X-Ray diffraction and fluorescence to characterize samples from 21 watersheds flowing over different bedrock, we showed how the techniques can dialogue to reveal specific fingerprints and information about the watersheds. This X-Ray “conversation” revealed a strong link between rock types. Elemental ratios and mineralogy were expressed differently depending on the technique employed for characterization
Primary Faculty Mentor Name
Nico Perdrial
Status
Undergraduate
Student College
College of Arts and Sciences
Primary Research Category
Physical Science
Cuban River Sediments: An X-Ray "Conversation"
The island of Cuba is particularly representative of a system deprived of extensive human impact. For this reason, analyzing Cuban river sediments has the potential to provide important information about watershed scale impact on natural river systems. Using X-Ray diffraction and fluorescence to characterize samples from 21 watersheds flowing over different bedrock, we showed how the techniques can dialogue to reveal specific fingerprints and information about the watersheds. This X-Ray “conversation” revealed a strong link between rock types. Elemental ratios and mineralogy were expressed differently depending on the technique employed for characterization