Student research

Thesis

Analysis of Microplastics in Costal Sediments

Using FTIR instrument analysis techniques, I am identifying the type of microplastics that are scattered along Staten Island's coast. This speciation of microplastics might help develop a point source of contamination and lead to engineering controls to prevent the spread of microplastics.

Internship project

How Geochemistry Illustrates our Past

Our project is centered on investigating the origins of the sediments composing the rocks in Japan's Boso Peninsula, utilizing major, trace, and rare earth elements. Additionally, we aim to collect data to validate our hypothesis of potential volcanic activity in the region. By studying carefully mapped rock samples gathered from various locations, we are analyzing their mineralogy and geochemistry through thin section observations, which involve examining thin, flat rock pieces under a microscope.

Thesis

Rare earth elements in the accretionary prisms of Barbados, Cascadia, and Costa Rica  and their relationship to provenance

Ocean Drilling Program (ODP) cores from Barbados, Cascadia, and Costa Rica were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma techniques to distinguish element chemistry. These were compared to a previously analyzed core from Nankai, which showed enrichment in heavy REEs and calcium.

Thesis

Thesis

Coastal Stability on the Eastern and Southern Coastlines of Staten Island,  New York

Staten Island is New York City's second smallest borough and has experienced rapid urbanization after the construction of the Verrazano Bridge in the 1960s. The vulnerability of Staten Island's coastal zone was made abundantly clear during Hurricane Sandy in 2012, resulting in the deaths of 23 residents. The purpose of this study was to analyze the stability of the Eastern and Southern Coastlines on Staten Island to understand the amount of coastal growth and retreat between 1990 and 2016. Utilizing Google Earth Engine Landsat data, which spanned from 1990 to 2016, the coastlines were classified and extracted for each year in ArcGIS. Utilizing the USGS Digital Shoreline Analysis System Extension, the Net Shoreline Movement, Endpoint Rate, and linear regression rate were determined for the eastern and southern coastlines on Staten Island along equally spaced transects. The Eastern Coastline is eroding at a rate of 0.54 m/yr, as determined by linear regression, and is moving inland at an average of 13.7 m for each transect between the analyzed years. The Southern Coastline is also eroding at a rate of 0.16 m/yr, as determined by linear regression, and is moving inland at an average of 16.9 m for each transect between the analyzed years. Future work is being geared toward understanding coastline changes for individual neighborhoods on the Eastern and Southern Coastlines to provide residents and city officials with current information on coastline stability to guide future efforts in protecting infrastructure in vulnerable coastal regions

Thesis