Impact of mangrove ecosystems on carbonate sediment: integration of carbonate chemistry and petrography.

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Project Description

Sedimentologists have long observed that mangroves have the ability to retain sediment and increase sedimentation rate in comparison to vegetation-free intertidal zones like mudflat and tidal creeks. Recently, in the context of climate change and ocean acidification, mangrove areas have become of interest to researchers as they can act as a sink for carbon/carbonate (blue carbon). However, there are few multidisciplinary studies that directly correlate the quantitative carbonate budget in mangroves to the nature of carbonate sediments, early diagenetic features and microbial erosion. This project aims to fill this gap by investigating both the changes of pore water carbonate chemistry between mangrove and tidal creeks (Red Sea coast; KSA) as well as sedimentological and diagenetic changes in sediments (petrography). The focus will be on both the meter (i.e., forest, marsh, mudflat) and centimeter (i.e., sedimentary structures) scales. For this project, we are looking for a motivated student/recent graduate, with a strong background in carbonate sedimentology, carbonate chemistry, fieldwork (in-situ analysis pH, pore water sampling…), and laboratory work (ICP-MS).
Program - All Programs
Division - All Divisions
Field of Study - Carbonate ; Sedimentology; Chemistry

About the
Researcher

Volker Vahrenkamp

Volker Vahrenkamp

Desired Project Deliverables

Sediment (thin section, sieving) and pore water analysis (pH, TA, DIC, OM...). Heterogeneities maps and petrographic images.

RECOMMENDED STUDENT ACADEMIC & RESEARCH BACKGROUND

Carbonate sedimentology
Carbonate sedimentology
Field and lab work
Field and lab work
Diagenesis
Diagenesis
Chemistry, in-situ environmental measurements
Chemistry, in-situ environmental measurements