About the Laboratory
The Quaternary Geology and Geoarchaeology lab focuses on stratigraphic and pedogenic descriptions from the Quaternary Period (2.6 ma years ago to present). Primary projects include sediments from eolian, alluvial, and/or archaeological contexts in the eastern United States.
A secondary focus of the lab includes measurement of stream forms and processes (e.g., discharge, gradient, bedload size, etc.).
The main purpose of the lab is to provide learning opportunities both in the field and lab for students at SUNY Fredonia.
Current Laboratory Capabilities
Stratigraphic and pedogenic description
Archaeological artifact analysis
Particle-size analysis (PSA) via pipette method
Loss-on-Ignition (LOI) (muffle furnace)
Soil Micromorphology (Leica DM750 and Leica S9i polarizing microscopes with camera modules)
Color determination (Konica Minolta CR-400 Chroma Meter)
pH determination (Fisherbrand accumet AE150 Benchtop pH Meter)
Microscopic imaging and Geochemical Elemental Mapping using a Tescan Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) equipped with an Oxford Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS)
Geochemical Elemental Mapping using a Shimadzu X-ray fluorescence (XRF)
Magnetic susceptibility using a Bartington MS3 meter equipped with an MS2B Dual Frequency Sensor
GIS mapping and interpretation
Suspended sediment sampling via filtration method
Conductivity testing (Solinst TLC meter)