Caroline Hung
introduction
I am interested in studying questions in geobiology with tools in geochemistry, and with a field and igneous petrology approach. Evolution is ultimately dependent on geologic processes, such as changes in redox conditions and biogeochemical cycles since deep time. The study of microbial mediation on Earth presents geochemical signals for our understanding of the origins of life and their metabolism in extreme environments. How did early tectonics and supercontinent assemblage and breakup relate to the major changes in Earth’s biogeochemical cycles and limitations on life-essential nutrients? These studies also set important constraints on our search for life on other planets. I am especially interested in the Neoarchean-Paleoproterozoic boundary when atmospheric oxygen rose for the first time, and arguably, related to the timing of the initial evolution of oxygenic photosynthesis by cyanobacteria. Current projects involve, but are not limited to: 1) the usage of redox-sensitive trace metal isotopes as proxy for the local basinal to global oceanic environment during the falling limb of the Lomagundi on 2.1 Ga old black shales from Gabon, Africa and 2) the calibration of these proxies in a modern natural setting, the Salton Sea within the Coachella Valley, Ca.
For my undergraduate background, I used geochemistry (18O and 87/86Sr isotopes) and petrology to study volcanic processes and tectonics on the ocean floor. Specifically, I focused on a field site at Taieri Mouth, S. Island, New Zealand, which presents fossilized records of low-temperature hydrothermal alteration. As an ongoing focus, I am also studying erosional processes and the effects of mussel and flora diversity for buffering erosion at the coasts, specifically, in salt marshes in the New England area. Photo (left) was taken at Fayetteville Green Lake in Syracuse, NY.
Graduate Student
email: chung041@ucr.edu
B.A. Williams College (2019)
P.h.D. University of California-Riverside (expected degree in 2024)
If you are interested in my research, have any question, and/or looking for collaboration opportunities, please send me an email at chung041@ucr.edu! I look forward to your message.
ongoing research interests
Francevillian basin
Gabon, Africa
In 2010, Dr. El Albani published a controversial, but important paper in Nature that may have changed our knowledge on the earliest fossilized evidence for multicellular life. In collaboration with Dr. El Albani's team at the University of Poitiers, France, we aim to establish a detailed chemostratigraphy of carbon and sulfur isotopes, Fe speciation, and redox-sensitive trace mental concentrationsn data correlated with known fossil-containing layers. We will further apply thallium, molybdenum, and chromium isotopes as novel approaches to the promising dataset to better understand local v. global redox environments in the oceans during the falling limb of the Lomagundi.
Salton Sea, Ca
united states
In this hypersaline, eutrophic terminal lake, rapid evaporation and wind entrainment have transported toxic dust from exposed lake margins and playa to surrounding communities. We aim to build a time-series of the chemostratification of the lake and use sulfur, selenium and triple oxygen isotopes to better understand the biogeochemical cycling of this dynamic system. We hope our efforts not only allow us to calibrate these novel isotopic proxies in the modern, but also, provide incentives for local authorities to act on remediation efforts for the drying Salton Sea and reduce harmful health impacts on local communities.
Taieri Mouth
south island, new zealand
Thermal contraction of pillow basalts and tectonic faulting leads to an overall fracture-mesh on the upper surface of the oceanic crust. Such water-rock interactions in veins on the seafloor have significant impacts on the oceanic geochemical budget, and composition/density of the upper oceanic crust. These studies may have implications for the mechanics of oceanic crustal obduction and factors influencing subduction rates. Because of sampling difficulty, one of the best ways to study the tectonic origin and alteration history of these hydrothermal systems would be to look at relict low-temperature alteration veins on preserved and emplaced MORBs in the field site. Three weeks of intensive field work and then focuses on a variety of petrographic and geochemical methods in the following months led to a culmination of an undergraduate senior thesis, and publication (in revision).
barn island marsh
stonington, Ct united states
As an alumna of the Gilbert research lab at Williams-Mystic, the Barn Island Marsh holds a special place in my heart. Summers spent doing field work and research on the erosional processes at the marsh at time of rapid sea-level rise as a result of anthropogenic climate change inspired me to pursue a career in the geological sciences. Students at Williams-Mystic continue to conduct impactful research on this field site, bringing together a variety of geological surveying, geophysical, and geochemical methods to explore how dynamics between flora diversity, mussel settlements, and the erosional stages of marsh edge cliffs are impacted during times of increased erosion- and decreased accretion- rates.
Curriculum Vitae
Caroline Hung
Graduate Student, Lyons Biogeochemistry Lab
University of California, Riverside
Email: chung041@ucr.edu
Website: https://sites.google.com/ucr.edu/carolinehung
Education
Williams College Williamstown, MA
B.A. (Awarded June 2, 2019), Degrees in Geosciences and Biology
Highest Honors in Geosciences Thesis: The Tectonic Origin and Alteration History of Metabasalts Preserved on South Island, New Zealand (Co-advised by Lisa Gilbert and Bud Wobus)
Sigma Xi
Cumulative GPA: 3.54
Dean’s List: Fall 2016, Fall 2017, Fall 2018, Spring 2019
Williams Biology Class of 1960s Scholar, Spring 2017- Spring 2019
University of California, Riverside Riverside, CA
Ph.D Program (Starting Fall 2019- Expected Graduation 2024), Lyons Biogeochemistry Lab
Research Experience
Research Assistant Williamstown, MA & Mystic, CT
Department of Geosciences, Williams College 2016-2019
Work Experience
Library Assistant Williamstown, MA
Schow Science Library, Williams College 2016-2019
Research and computer support for student and faculty at front desk
Mineralogy TA for Prof. Bud Wobus Williamstown, MA
Department of Geosciences, Williams College Spring, 2019
Topics included crystallography, phase relations, identification, and optical mineralogy
Executive Secretary
NASA Panel September, 2020
Presentations
An Integrated Approach to Erosional Processes at a New England Salt Marsh, GSA Annual Meeting in Seattle, WA October, 2017
Metamorphic Processes Recorded in Delaminated Metabasalts Preserved on South Island, New Zealand, NEGSA Section Meeting in Portland, ME March, 2019
Evidence for Seafloor Hydrothermal Alteration in Delaminated MOR-Type Metabasalts of the Chrystalls Beach Complex, South Island, New Zealand, AGU Annual Meeting in San Francisco, CA December, 2019
Fellowships & Grants
Sherman Fairchild Summer Research Fellowship
($4,400 per summer +$1,000 for research-related expenses) May-August, 2016
May-August, 2017
GSA Kenneth N. Weaver Student Travel Grant ($130) October, 2017
NEGSA Stephen A. Pollock Research Grant ($1,344) April, 2018
Williams College Summer Science Research Fellowship ($4,400 per summer) May, 2018
Williams College Geosciences Department Matching Fund for Thesis ($2,500) May, 2018 - May, 2019
NEGSA Kenneth N. Weaver Student Travel Grant ($100) March, 2019
UC-Riverside Chancellor’s Distinguished Fellowship ($19k stipend & tuition/fees)
Sept, 2019-June, 2020
Lewis and Clark Fund for Exploration and Field Research in Astrobiology ($4,950) June, 2020
Honors & Awards
Dunbar Student Life Writing Award ($2,500) May, 2018
Skills & Certifications
-GIS (ArcMap), Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop, ImageJ, IgPET, EndNote, and Microsoft Office softwares. I am mildly proficient with R, MatLab, and cGenie Earth Systems Modelling.
-I am skilled/have used the following lab techniques and associated sample preps: X-ray diffraction, SEM, optical microscopy, reflected light microscopy, Cs137and Pb210 geochronology of cores, carbon and sulfur analyse with Eltra elemental analyzer, Agilent 7900 ICP-MS, techniques in Fe speciation of ancient and modern samples, Cr-reduction, column works for novel trace metal isotopes work like thallium.
-I have extensive field work experience in the marsh, lake environments as well as at rock outcrops on a rocky coastline.
Additional Topics
Dancer, Kusika African Dance & Percussions Ensemble 2016-2019
Student Leader, Williams College Chaplain's Office 2017-2019
Carillonneur, Thompson Memorial Chapel 2017-2019