Hydroclimatic Study of Plio-Pleistocene Aquatic Sites in Meade County
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Hydroclimatic study of Plio-Pleistocene aquatic sites in Meade County, Kansas A thesis submitted to the Kent State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science by Marissa J. Tomin August 2020 Thesis written by Marissa J. Tomin B.S., The University of Akron, 2017 M.S., Kent State University, 2020 Approved by _________________________, Advisor Alison J. Smith _________________________, Chair, Department of Geology Daniel K. Holm _________________________, Dr. Mandy Munro-Stasiuk, Interim Dean, College of Arts and Sciences TABLE OF CONTENTS………………………………………………………………………... iii LIST OF FIGURES……………………………………………………………………………… vi LIST OF TABLES……………………………………………………………………………. ....vii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS…………………………………………………………………… .viii CHAPTERS I. INTRODUCTION 1.1 Statement of Problem/Hypothesis to Test…………………………………………... 1 1.2 Pliocene-Pleistocene Paleoclimate and the Southern Great Plains of North America 4 1.3 Previous Work in Meade County, KS 10 II. METHODS 2.1 Fieldwork, Stratigraphy and Chronology…………………………………………….14 2.2 Sediment Processing Methods……………………………………………………….18 2.3 Vitris Benchtop Research Freeze Dryer Operation…………………………………..20 2.4 Sample Picking and Ostracode Identification………………………………………..20 2.5 Older Collections……………………………………………………………………..21 2.6 Species Identification……………………………………………………………….. .22 2.7 Statistical Analysis…………………………………………………………………...22 2.7.1 Diversity Analysis…………………………………………………23 iii 2.7.2 Classic Modern Analog Method…………………………………………... 24 2.7.3 Cluster Analysis……………………………………………………………25 2.7.4 NANODe and Neotoma databases…………………………………………26 III. RESULTS 3.1 Stratigraphy and Chronology………………………………………………………...28 3.2 Ostracode Species, stratigraphic location, and ecological significance……………...31 3.3 Constrained Cluster Analysis………………………………………………………...36 3.4 Unconstrained Cluster Analysis……………………………………………………...36 3.5 Distribution of ostracode species assemblages in solute space ………………..........39 3.6 Shannon’s Diversity Index………………………………………………………….. 41 3.7 Modern analog estimates of precipitation with NANODe sites…………………….. 43 3.8 Summary of Results…………………………………………………………………. 45 DISSCUSSION………………………………………………………………………………….. 48 CONCLUSIONS………………………………………………………………………………... 55 REFERENCES………………………………………………………………………………….. 56 APPENDICES A. Ostracode Counts from the Tomin 2019 Collection………………………………. 65 B. Ostracode Counts from the Gutentag and Benson (1962) Collection……………... 69 C. Ostracode Counts from the Hibbard (195-) Collection…………………………….77 iv D. Shannon’s Diversity Index………………………………………………………… 82 E. Cluster Analysis…………………………………………………………………… 83 F. Modern Analogue…………………………………………………………………. 96 v LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1. Study region and hydroclimate-sensitive proxies of Ibarra et al. (2018)………………. 3 Figure 2. The LR04 from Lisiecki, & Raymo (2005)…………………………………………….. 7 Figure 3. The extent of glaciation in North America……………………………………………... 8 Figure 4. Stratigraphic column from Gutentag and Benson (1962)……………………………...12 Figure 5. Stratigraphic columns from Layzell et al. (2017)……………………………………... 13 Figure 6. Map showing sample location sites in Meade County, Kansas………………………..15 Figure 7. Stratigraphic column depicting 2019 sample site locations…………………………... 29 Figure 8. Photomicrographs of 8 common species in this study………………………………... 32 Figure 9. Constrained Cluster Analysis…………………………………………………………. 37 Figure 10. Unconstrained Cluster Analysis……………………………………………………... 38 Figure 11: Modern distribution in solute space of species assemblages………………………... 40 Figure 12: Percent Abundance of fossil ostracode species……………………………………… 47 Figure 13: Summary of Results…………………………………………………………………. 54 vi LIST OF TABLES Table 1: Sample names, locations, ages and formations in Meade County, KS…………………16 Table 2: Names, stages, labels, and ages of ostracode sample slides…………………………… 30 Table 3: Ostracode species and their ecological significance…………………………………… 34 Table 4: Ostracode species in stratigraphic order……………………………………………….. 35 Table 5. Shannon’s Diversity Index……………………………………………………………...42 Table 6: Modern analog of NANODe sites……………………………………………………... 44 vii AKNOWLEDGEMENTS Ever since I was little, I have been drawn to geology. Specifically, I have been drawn to shiny, smooth rocks that I would find in our driveway. As I grew up, I began to have an appreciation for the natural world around me, so when the time came to pick a major in undergrad, geology felt like the natural choice. As I completed my studies, I became fascinated with the world of paleontology, not only for its cool fossils, but also for how it could be used to help with modern-day environmental problems. This fascination followed me into graduate school at Kent State University, and I could not be more grateful for the opportunity be a part of this program. I would like to thank the Kent State Geology Department for giving me this opportunity, which has allowed me to become a better geologist and a better person. To my parents, Michael, and Barbara, for their unending love and support that allowed me to be here today. No matter how difficult things became, you never let me give up on myself, and for that I will be forever grateful. To my advisor, Dr. Alison Smith, who showed me the wonderful world of ostracodes. Your patience, passion, and seemingly infinite knowledge of ostracodes not only inspired me but also gave me the confidence I needed to complete this thesis. I can truly never thank you enough! To my “field advisor” Dr. Tony Layzell, who worked tirelessly to help me collect my field samples. I would never have found my field sites without you, and you made my trip to Kansas a memory that I will never forget. To Catherine Opalka, who helped with fieldwork and was an absolute joy to work with. Thank you so much for coming to Meade County with me! I would also like to thank the Kansas Geological Survey for providing the field support needed to complete this thesis. viii I would also like to thank my committee members, Dr. Jefferson, and Dr. Hacker. Thank you so much for allowing me to participate in this program, and for all the help and advice you have given me. Finally, I would like to thank my geology colleagues Jacob Bradley and Angela Lewis. You guys have been such good friends throughout my time at Kent State, and I know that you will go on to achieve all that you set your mind to! ix 1. Introduction 1.1 Statement of Problem/ Hypothesis to Test One of the most pressing issues in science today is the cause and consequences of a changing global climate. Climate change itself is a hot-button topic, not just in the scientific sphere but in the political, social, and economic spheres as well. A changing climate can have long-term effects, such as rising sea level, the rapid decline of numerous plant and animal species, and negative effects on agriculture, human health and society (Change, et al., 2006; Karl et al., 2009). More immediate effects of climate change include the frequency and dispersion of infectious diseases and the increased intensity of hurricanes, tornadoes, droughts, and wildfires (Karl et al., 2009; Kolivras & Comrie, 2004; Hurteau et al., 2014). One of the more serious effects of climate change that impacts society are changes in precipitation patterns. These precipitation changes, both locally and regionally, not only increase the likelihood of disaster events such as flash floods, but can also negatively impact transportation, water systems, ecology, and society (Karl et al., 2009). Decreases in precipitation can affect food security and drinking water systems for municipalities, causing water shortages in areas where freshwater is already in short supply (Mullin, 2020). An area in the United States that is increasingly concerned about changing precipitation patterns is the southern Great Plains. This area has a Holocene history of megadroughts and dune activation at the eastern margin of the Great Plains, north-central Kansas, USA (Hanson et al., 2010). Climate change simulations show that these dry periods could become more frequent and 1 intense in the future (Cayan et al., 2010). These intense dry periods and higher temperatures would decrease the snowpack in the Rocky Mountains, which would then decrease the meltwaters that would enter the Colorado River Basin the following spring (Cayan et al., 2010; Karl et al., 2009). This would mean less water available for drinking, agriculture, and the economy in the Southern Great Plains of the United States. Therefore, it is vital that planning for the future water budgets in these areas occurs at the federal, state and local level in order to manage future water resources. An important method used in planning for future water resources is the examination of paleo climates and their corresponding precipitation patterns. Recent studies indicate that isotopic evidence exists of wetter than modern conditions during episodes of the Pliocene and Pleistocene (Winnick et al. 2013; Ibarra et al. 2018; Lukens et al. 2019). For Pliocene time, the increased precipitation is hypothesized to be sourced in a persistent El Niño-like state, referred to as “El Padre” (Shukla et al., 2009), that would have dominated the eastern Pacific until mid-Pliocene time (Wycech et al., 2020). In the northern hemisphere, glacial advances began to intensify in the late Pliocene, with a notably large glacial event known as M2 which is recorded in marine records (Lisiecki & Raymo, 2005). The terrestrial record of the Pleistocene glacial/interglacial cycle is often associated