Skip to Main Content
 

Global Search Box

 
 
 

ETD Abstract Container

Abstract Header

Analysis of Landscape Variability through the Pennsylvanian and Permian Monongahela and Dunkard Groups, Southeastern Ohio, USA

McFadden, Connor J.
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1556620696409382

Abstract Details

2019, Master of Science (MS), Ohio University, Geological Sciences (Arts and Sciences).
Paleosols and ichnofossils of the Late Pennsylvanian to Early Permian Monongahela and Dunkard groups of southeastern Ohio provide significant paleoenvironmental data related to the Late Paleozoic climatic transition. The purpose of this study was to better understand how increased drying and seasonality during this time affected terrestrial paleolandscapes on a local scale and climatic variability on a regional scale. Forty paleosol profiles from three outcrops in southeastern Ohio were investigated. Methods included the description of paleosol profiles in the field and the analysis of thin sections. Clay mineralogy and bulk geochemistry were used to assess weathering processes and paleoprecipitation. Results, such as the distribution, abundance, and size of physical features including slickensides, pedogenic carbonates, and rhizoliths suggest erratic fluctuations between mildly seasonal wet environments and strongly seasonal dry environments throughout the studied section which are supported by oscillations in calculated paleoprecipitation values. Paleosols of the Monongahela Group are interpreted as mildly to strongly seasonal, wet to wet-dry, sparsely to heavily vegetated fen, dry woodland, clastic marsh, early successional vegetation, and brakeland ecosystems forming on proximal to distal floodplain and shoreline lacustrine environments. Paleosols of the Lower Dunkard Group are interpreted as a mildly to strongly seasonal, wet to wet-dry, sparsely to heavily vegetated, clastic marsh, early successional vegetation, and brakeland ecosystems forming on proximal to distal floodplain and distal levee environments. Two adjacent outcrops with coeval paleosols allowed the assessment of lateral variability resulting from autogenic processes. Little lateral variation occurred in the lower portion of these sections, but variation increased up section suggesting a greater influence in autogenic processes. The overall vertical pattern of environmental change, however, remained the same. Variability in climate has occurred throughout geologic time having profound effects on paleolandscapes. By investigating changes in paleosols through episodes of climatic transition, we can better understand the impact these changes have on soils and soil ecosystems of the past and future.
Daniel Hembree (Advisor)
186 p.
Geology; Paleoclimate Science; Soil Sciences
Paleoclimate; Paleolandscape; Paleosols; Ichnofossils

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • McFadden, C. J. (2019). Analysis of Landscape Variability through the Pennsylvanian and Permian Monongahela and Dunkard Groups, Southeastern Ohio, USA [Master's thesis, Ohio University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1556620696409382

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • McFadden, Connor. Analysis of Landscape Variability through the Pennsylvanian and Permian Monongahela and Dunkard Groups, Southeastern Ohio, USA. 2019. Ohio University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1556620696409382.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • McFadden, Connor. "Analysis of Landscape Variability through the Pennsylvanian and Permian Monongahela and Dunkard Groups, Southeastern Ohio, USA." Master's thesis, Ohio University, 2019. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1556620696409382

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

ohiou1556620696409382
262
© 2019, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Ohio University and OhioLINK.