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Research Description
Research Description
Investigating anthropogenic pollution in urban environments
Heavy metal contaminants (e.g. Pb, Cr, As, and Zn) are a growing public health concern, and are frequently dispersed into urban environments by anthropogenic activities. Many of these elements resist degradation, allowing them to accumulate in the environment for long periods of time. This research examines the spatial distribution and magnitude of such contaminants within soils located in these environments. Mapping these pollutants is critical for identifying legacy issues and protecting the health and safety of residents. This research is in collaboration with the Metal Redlining Network, which is a multi-institutional research effort focused on characterizing the metal burden in urban environments within the context of structurally racist housing policies and practices.
K-feldspar megacrysts in granites as archives of igneous processes
For over a century, the origin of K-feldspar megacrysts in granites and granodiorites has remained an unresolved problem in igneous petrology. Traditionally, these megacrysts have been interpreted as having a magmatic origin. However, more recent hypotheses support a subsolidus or near solidus origin. The timing of megacryst formation bears on a fundamental issue in granite petrogenesis, namely whether the textural and chemical features preserved within granitoid intrusions reflect primary magmatic processes or whether these features represent final crystallization and subsolidus processes. This research employs traditional microscopy and high-spatial resolution in-situ elemental, isotopic, and chronologic techniques on K-feldspar megacrysts and their inclusions. This research aims to better characterize the petrogenetic processes operating during megacryst growth and to better constrain the timing of their formation.
Using arc magmatism/volcanism to interpret the tectonomagmatic evolution of the North American Cordillera
The North American Cordillera records an archetypal continental arc system that produced a protracted period of both marginal and inland magmatism. The principal record of this system’s evolution is a discontinuous alignment of deeply eroded batholiths that span from Alaska to Mexico. Constraining the age, origin, and evolution of magmas formed along this continental margin is important in understanding the evolution and architecture of western North America, and more broadly, the exchange processes operating between the crust and mantle in convergent margins settings.
Recent Research Projects/Scholarly Activities
Recent Research Projects/Scholarly Activities
Accepting Students! Potential projects include:
Investigating anthropogenic pollution in urban environments.
K-feldspar megacrysts in granites as archives of igneous processes.
Using arc magmatism/volcanism to interpret the tectonomagmatic evolution of the North American Cordillera
Click on the projects below to learn more about them...
Mapping our geochemical environment: Investigating anthropogenic pollution in urban environments
(2018-Present)
Student Collaborators: Caleigh Claar (ENV); Katelyn Adams (ENV); Kyra Copp (GEO); Lauren Cote (GEO); Zach Kitchens (ENV); Hannah Baker (ENV); Abby Cook; Kelby Stallings (ENV); Accepting students!
Publications (italics indicates student authors):
Claar, C., and Brown, K.L., 2025, An investigation of Road Paint Chemistry: an unrecognized source of heavy metal pollution in Terre Haute, IN. NC-SC Joint Sectional meeting, Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, 57(3), doi: 10.1130/abs/2025NE-407827.
Akinwole, P., Shaffer, N.G., Zabot Pasini, C., Carr, K. M., and Brown, K.L., Owojori, O.J., 2024 Ecotoxicology evaluation using the avoidance response of the oribatid mite Oppia nitens (Acari: Oribatida) in bioplastics, microplastics, and contaminated Superfund field sites, Chemosphere, 359, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.142301.
Wudke, H., Brown, K.L., Murchland, M., Gillis, M, Gokey, K, McLeod, C, and Krekeler, M., 2024, Nickel and chromium content in a bottle of Johnson’s Baby powder from 1985 designated for hospital use: An example of contamination, Applied Clay Science, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clay.2023.107252.
Adams, K., and Brown, K.L., 2024, Characterizing potentially harmful environmental legacy issues within a declining Midwest city: A street sediment study of northeastern Terre Haute, Indiana, NC-SC Joint Sectional meeting, Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, 56(3), doi: 10.1130/abs/2024NC-398974.
Copp, K., Brown, K.L., Bedwell, N., Brown, C., Dugan, V., Rivera, M., and Simmons, Q., 2024, A community-level investigation of heavy metal pollution in street sediments from Terre Haute, Indiana, NC-SC Joint Sectional meeting, Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, 56(3), doi: 10.1130/abs/2024NC-398841.
Cote, L., Brown, K.L., McCormmick, A., Schrump, M., Troutman, M., and Vanhaaren, E., 2024, Investigations of heavy metal pollution in street sediments from an urban community: a case study from Terre Haute, Indiana NC-SC Joint Sectional meeting, Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, 56(3), doi: 10.1130/abs/2024NC-398836.
Brown, K.L., Kitchens, Z., Emanuelson, N., Shrestha, K., Adams, K., Claar, C., Doyle, C., Keller, M., Martin, T., Oaks, S., Peats, M., Ruiz Amaya, A., Seitz, F., Sucher, T., Tiggleman, S., and Wolfe, C., 2023, Characterizing Airborne Particulate Matter from a Rural Limestone Quarry and Cement Manufacturing Facility in Greencastle, IN, Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, 55(3), doi: 10.1130/abs/2023NC-387769.
Everson, N., Zimmerer, M., Hernandez, V. Allen, A., Berry, N., Brown, K.L., Cleveland, D., Low, M., Schumacher, J., and Saxton, S., 2023, An initial mineralogical and geochemical investigation of stamp sand from Buffalo Reef, Keweenaw Bay, Michigan, Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, 55(6), doi: 10.1130/abs/2023AM-394681.
Fortner, S., Scherer, H., Diaz, M.A., Brown, K.L., Fadem, C., Nezat, C., Latimer, J., Ebanks, S., and Landsbergen, K., 2023, The Metal Redlining Network: Uniting Research, Education, and Community, The Handbook of Broader Impacts, eds. Van Egeren, L. and Renoe, S., Chapter 19, MSU Press.
Vest, J. Allen, A., Zimmerer, M., Amick, D., Micha Tegge, J., Velazquez, S. L., Brown, K. L., O’Connor, A., McLeod, C., and Krekeler, M., 2023, The first metal pollution investigation of road sediment from Boquerón, a coastal community in western Puerto Rico, Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, 55(6), doi: 10.1130/abs/2023AM-391228.
Allen, A., Gokey, K., Gillis, M., Mbindi, M.F., Brown, K.L., Argyilan, E., and Krekeler, M., 2022, The first pollution investigation of road sediment from Michigan City, Indiana: Initial findings, Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, 54(5), doi: 10.1130/abs/2022AM-379505.
Akinwole, P., Draper, M., Guta, A., Martin, M., and Brown, K.L., 2022, Evaluation of sedimentary bacterial community dynamics and contamination assessment of lower Des Plaines River, Journal of Hazardous Materials Advances, vol. 8, 100177, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hazadv.2022.100177.
Gillis, M., Gokey, K., Renkes, N. G., Brown, K. L., and Krekeler, M., 2022, A multi-analytical approach to identifying potential pollutants in street sediments using geoaccumulation, GIS, Electron Microscopy, and XRF, Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, 54(5), doi: 10.1130/abs/2022AM-382918.
Gillis, M., Gokey, K., Renkes, N., Brown, K.L., and Krekeler, M., 2022, Analysis of Heavy Metal and other Contaminants in Street Sediment from Boulder City, NV., Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, 54(4), doi: 10.1130/abs/2022NC-374710.
Gokey, K., Gillis, M., Brown, K.L., Renkes, N., and Krekeler, M., 2022, Textural and Geochemical Analysis of heavy metal contaminants present within Las Vegas, Nevada road sediments, Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, 54(4), doi: 10.1130/abs/2022NC-374656.
Krekeler, M., Wudke, H., Murchland, M., Brown, K.L., Gokey, K., and Gillis, M., 2022, Nickel and chromium content in a bottle of Johnson’s Baby Powder from 1985 designated for hospital use opens questions regarding product source and contamination, Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, 54 (4).
Cook, A., Roberts, W., Prince, E., and Brown, K.L., 2021, The Impact of Local Anthropogenic Activities on Soil Health Within a Retired Farm: Implications for Urban Gardens, Joint 55th Annual North-Central/South-Central Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, 53(3), doi: 10.1130/abs/2021NC-362661.
Fortner, S., Brown, K.L., Ebanks, S., Fadem, C., and Latimer, J., 2021, Communities of Practice Support Scientists and Community Through Trust-Building, Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, 53(6), doi: 10.1130/abs/2021AM-369229.
Gillis, M., Gokey, K., Renkes, N., Brown, K.L., and Krekeler, M., 2021, Exploring Naturally Occurring Asbestos in Road Sediment from Boulder City, NV., Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, 53(6), doi: 10.1130/abs/2021AM-365241.
Gokey, K., Gillis, M., Krekeler M., Brown, K.L., and Renkes, N., 2021, Preliminary Analysis of Textural and Geochemical Characteristics of Street Sediment Material from Las Vegas, NV., Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, 54(4), doi: 10.1130/abs/2022NC-374656.
Krekeler, M., Doepke, L., Wudke, H., Gillis, M., Gokey, K., Murchland, M, Brown, K.L., and McLeod, C., 2021, Electron Microscopy Investigation of Samples of Johnson’s Baby Powder Shows a Variety of Contaminants; Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, 53(6), doi: 10.1130/abs/2021AM-368159.
Stallings, K., Hennessey, S., Sukhu, R., McNeal, P., and Brown, K.L., 2021, An Assessment of Heavy Metal Pollution Within a Public Nature Park, Greencastle, IN, Joint 55th Annual North-Central/South-Central Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, 53(3), doi: 10.1130/abs/2021NC-362524.
Gokey, K., Brown, K., Mowery, C., Mates, E., Toth, R., 2019, Urban Legacies: Linking Glass Manufacturing to Soil Pollution in Morgantown, WV, Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, 51(5), doi: 10.1130/abs/2019AM-333198.
Steorts, E. B., Brown, K., Smith, B., Toth, R., Veldhuizen, H., and Latimer, J., 2019, Foundry Waste: A Profile of Heavy Metal Contamination in Reedsville, WV, Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, 51(5), doi: 10.1130/abs/2019AM-340737.
Schmitt, R., Brown, K.L., Veldhuizen, H., Latimer, J. C., 2018, The Distribution and Concentration of Heavy Metal Contaminants among Public Playgrounds in Morgantown, WV: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, 50(6), doi: 10.1130/abs/2018AM-318513.
Rex, N., Brown, K.L., Veldhuizen, H., Latimer, J.C., 2018, Tracking Heavy Metal Contaminants Along The Monongahela River, Morgantown, West Virginia: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, 50(6), doi: 10.1130/abs/2018AM-318962.
Crystals as archives of igneous processes: K-feldspar megacrysts in granites
(2014-Present)
Student Collaborators: Claire Wolfe (GEO); Peyton Dewaelsche (GEO); Laura Spasske (GEO); Accepting Students!
Publications (italics indicates student authors):
Wolfe, C., Brown, K. L., Loocke, M., McLeod, C. L., 2022, Megacrystic Potassium Feldspar Magmatism in the Southern Mojave Desert, California, Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, 54(5), doi: 10.1130/abs/2022AM-380460.
Curtis, J., Stitle, L., Sedaghat, A., McLeod, C., Shaulis, B.J., Brown, K.L., and Krekeler, M., 2023, An integrated petrological, geochemical, and geochronological, study of megacrystic K-feldspars from Cretaceous-aged intrusions, central Nevada: Insights into Earth’s magmatic record keepers, Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. 55(6), doi: 10.1130/abs/2023AM-391155.
Brown, K.L., Loocke, M., McLeod, C., and Dewaelsche, P., 2022, Using Microanalytical Techniques to Unravel K-Feldspar Megacryst Formation, Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. 54(4), doi: 10.1130/abs/2022NC-375266.
Dewaelsche, P., Brown, K.L., Loocke, M., and McLeod, C., 2022, Constraining K-Feldspar Megacryst Growth through Investigations of Plagioclase Inclusions, Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. 54(4), doi: 10.1130/abs/2022NC-375291.
Curtis, J., Stitle, L., Jenkins, N., McLeod, C., Brown, K.L., and Krekeler, M., 2022, Petrogenesis of late-stage quartz-rich, aplitic, and pegmatitic veins in the Shoshone Granite, central Nevada: Insights into Mesozoic arc magmatism, Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, 54(5), doi: 10.1130/abs/2022AM-381062.
Patrick, J., Spasske, L., McLeod, C., Brown. K., and Shaulis, B., 2020, Megacrystals From Magma: A Microanalytical Approach to Investigating Megacrystic Crystallization Processes, Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, 52(6), doi: 10.1130/abs/2020AM-357251.
Brown, K.L. and Pettus, H., 2018, Potassium Feldspar Megacrysts as Archives of Magmatic Systems and Processes: Abstract V33D-3901; 2018 Fall Meeting, American Geophysical Union, Washington D.C., 10-14th Dec., 2018.
Pettus, H., and Brown, K.L., 2017, Petrography and geochemistry of Megacrystic K-Feldspars from a granitoid intrusion, northwestern Nevada, Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, 49(6).
McLeod, C., Brown, K.L., Brydon, R. J., Haley, M., Hill,T., Shaulis, B., Tronnes, R., 2017, Crystal CargoCharacterization: Unravelling Granite Petrogenesis through Combined MicroXRF Imaging and In-situ Analyses, (V43C-0546 ed.), American Geophysical Union.
Brown, K.L. and Hart, W.K., 2014, A megacrystic K-feldspar intrusion in northwestern Nevada: Petrograhic and Pb isotope analyses: Geological Society of America Abstract with Programs (Cordilleran -110thmeeting; Rocky Mountain Section – 66th meeting), 46(5), p. 2.
Investigating the tectonomagmatic evolution of the North American Cordillera through arc magmatism and volcanism(2013-Present)
Student Collaborators: Dipson Pradhan (GEO); Kelsang Shrestha; Accepting students!
Publications (italics indicates student authors):
Pradhan, D., and Brown, K.L., 2025, An investigation of REE Mineral Potential within Exploratory Core Samples from the Southeastern Missouri Metallogenic Province. NC-SC Joint Sectional meeting, Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, 57(3), doi: 10.1130/abs/2025NE-407832.
Waterhouse, E., McLeod, C., Brown, K. L., and Shaulis, B. K., 2025, Precambrian crustal evolution as preserved in the Wyoming Craton: Insights from Torrey Canyon and South Pass NC-SC Joint Sectional meeting, Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, 57(3), doi: 10.1130/abs/2025NE-407494.
Zhang, H., Michelfelder, G.S., and Brown, K.L., 2024, Space-time evolution of Mesoproterozoic granites from the St. Francois Mountain Terrane, Southeast Missouri: Insights from Hornblende and Zircon, NC-SC Joint Sectional meeting, Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, 56(3), doi: 10.1130/abs/2024NC-398874.
Stitle, L., Curtis, J., Sedaghat, A., McLeod, C., Brown, K. L., and Krekeler, M., 2023, Insights into mafic magma contributions through study of amphibole-rich mafic enclaves in Mesozoic granite intrusions, Nevada, Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. 55(6), doi: 10.1130/abs/2023AM-390504.
Shrestha, K., Brown, K.L., and Loocke, M., 2022, Distal Exposures of the Miocene Peach Spring Tuff in the Marble and Ship Mountains of southern California, Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, 54(5), doi: 10.1130/abs/2022AM-380818.
Bollinger, A., McLeod, C., Blakemore, D., Shaulis, B., Brown, K., and Currie, B. S., 2019, Zircon U-Pb Chronology of Western Wyoming Crustal Basement using LA-ICP-MS, Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, 51(5), doi: 10.1130/abs/2019AM-338456.
Reinier, C. and Brown, K., 2018, Petrographic and geochemical investigations of the McCartney Mtn. Stock, SW Montana: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, 50(6),doi: 10.1130/abs/2018AM-318579.
Brown, K.L., Hart, W.K., and Stuck, R., 2018, Temporal and geochemical signatures in granitoids of northwestern Nevada: Evidence for the continuity of the Mesozoic magmatic arc through the western Great Basin: Lithosphere, 10(2), p. 327-350.
Brown, K.L., 2015, Geochronologic, Geochemical, and Isotopic Investigations into Cretaceous Granitic Magmatism of Northwestern Nevada: The Santa Rosa Range Granitoid Suite, Miami University, Doctoral Dissertation, 307 p.
Brown, K.L. and Hart, W.K., 2015, Cretaceous Granitic Magmatism in Northwestern Nevada: Petrogenetic Insights into Regional Cordilleran Arc Flare-Up: Geological Society of America Abstract with Programs Annual Meeting, 47(7), p. 580.
Brown, K.L. and Hart, W. K., 2013, Late Cretaceous Arc Flare-Up in Northwestern Nevada: Elemental, Zircon Hf, and U-Pb Zircon Geochronology of the Santa Rosa Range and Bloody Run Hills Granitoids, Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs (Cordilleran Section), 45(6).
Geoscience education: Improving IDEA (inclusion, diversity, equity, and access) in the geosciences
(2015-Present)
Many groups continue to be underrepresented within the geosciences, including historically underrepresented ethnic and cultural minorities, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and persons with disabilities. Removing the barriers to participation, especially among people who have multiple underrepresented or marginalized identities can have clear benefits for the geosciences. This research focuses on enhancing undergraduate geoscience education through inclusive pedagogies and experiential opportunities. These approaches allow all students to contribute to the scientific enterprise, provide the necessary space for them to build identities around science, and foster the skills necessary to pursue future geoscience careers.
Student Collaborators: Accepting students!
Publications (italics indicates student authors):
Brown, K.L., and Fisherkeller, P., 2024, Reimagining mineralogy education: building partnerships between museums and small liberal arts institutions, Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. 56(5), doi: 10.1130/abs/2024AM-401004.
Brown, K., Gokey, K., and Steorts, E., 2020, Mapping our geochemical environment: An Experiential Approach To Teaching Introductory Environmental Geology, Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, 52(6), doi: 10.1130/abs/2020AM-357388.
Brown, K., 2019, Using Gigapan and Google Earth Pro to Enhance Introductory Geoscience Education, Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. 51(5), doi: 10.1130/abs/2019AM-333332.
Brown, K.L., and Frier, P., 2017, Incorporating Local Issues: Exploring Service LearningProjects Within West Virginia University’s Core Arboretum: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, 49(6).
Brown, K.L., 2016, Developing effective learning exercises in the Geosciences: Utilizing online databases and repositories: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs Annual Meeting, 48(7).
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