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On the Origin and Paleoclimate Implications of Paleosols from the Blackwater Draw Formation at Bushland Playa Near Amarillo, Tx by Colton Mallett, B.S. A Thesis In Geosciences Submitted to the Graduate Faculty of Texas Tech University in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of MASTER OF SCIENCE Approved Dr. Branimir Šegvić Chair of the Committee Dr. Dustin Sweet Dr. Neo McAdams Mark Sheridan Dean of the Graduate School May, 2021 Copyright 2021, Colton Mallett Texas Tech University, Colton Mallett, May 2021 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The realization of this project is the results of many hours of work, contributed by many people. I would like to acknowledge and articulate my utmost appreciation for the assistance of these individuals. I would like to extend my greatest appreciation to my advisor Dr. Branimir Šegvić, who supplied unmatched academic and personal support throughout my time as his student. His unparalleled understanding of the intricacies of the project were instrumental in its success. I am beyond thankful for his understanding of my personal circumstances and the motivation he provided me. Truly, the success of this project would not have been possible without his unwavering support. I would like to extend my appreciation and admiration to Giovanni Zanoni for his support in this project. I am incredibly appreciative for his willingness to provide hours of instruction and guidance. He has been an amazing friend and mentor. I would like to thank my committee members, Dr. Neo McAdams and Dr. Dustin Sweet for their valuable guidance and advice. Dr. Dustin Sweet’s willingness to share his expertise and understanding of the Blackwater Draw Formation and Southern High Plains was invaluable. I would like to acknowledge Dr. Melanie Barnes and Dr. Kevin Werts for their instructions and assistance with my geochemical analysis conducted in the Texas Tech University Geoanalytical Lab. I would like to acknowledge and thank the Desk and Derrick Educational Trust Fund for their generous grant. I would also like to recognize and thank Mr. Michael B. Portnoy ii Texas Tech University, Colton Mallett, May 2021 for his generous funding. Lastly, I would like to acknowledge the Texas Tech University Department of Geosciences Scholarship for their generous financial assistance. These funds were instrumental in financing this project. Lastly, I would like to thank my friends and family for their unwavering support during this endeavor. iii Texas Tech University, Colton Mallett, May 2021 TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ......................................................................................................... ii ABSTRACT ................................................................................................................................. vi LIST OF TABLES .................................................................................................................... vii LIST OF FIGURES ................................................................................................................. viii 1. INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................. 1 2. BACKGROUND ..................................................................................................................... 6 2.1 Current Landscape and Climate of the Southern High Plains ................................... 6 2.1.1 Modern Geomorphology .................................................................................... 6 2.1.2 Modern Climate .................................................................................................. 9 2.2 Geomorphic Evolution and Pertinent Strata of the Southern High Plains .............. 10 2.2.1 Development of the Southern High Plains (SHP) ............................................ 10 2.2.2 Ogallala Formation ........................................................................................... 13 2.2.3 Lacustrine Strata ............................................................................................... 15 2.3 Blackwater Draw Formation ................................................................................... 16 2.3.1 Physical Characteristics of the Blackwater Draw Formation ........................... 16 2.3.2 Depositional Models ......................................................................................... 18 2.3.3 Age Estimates ................................................................................................... 19 2.3.4 Recent Observations ......................................................................................... 21 3. MATERIALS AND METHODS ....................................................................................... 24 3.1 Core Procurement .................................................................................................... 24 3.2 Core Preparation ...................................................................................................... 25 3.3 Sampling .................................................................................................................. 26 3.4 Optical Microscopy ................................................................................................. 28 3.5 Loss on Ignition ....................................................................................................... 28 3.6 Glass Disc Fusions .................................................................................................. 29 3.7 X-Ray Fluorescence ................................................................................................ 29 3.8 Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry ........................... 30 3.9 X-Ray Powder Diffraction ...................................................................................... 31 3.10 Interpretation and modeling of XRD patterns ....................................................... 31 3.11 Scanning Electron Microscopy – Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy ......... 32 3.12 K-Ar Dating of Illite .............................................................................................. 33 4. RESULTS ............................................................................................................................... 35 iv Texas Tech University, Colton Mallett, May 2021 4.1 Optical Petrography ................................................................................................. 36 4.2 X-Ray Diffraction of Whole-rock Fraction ............................................................. 38 4.3 X-Ray Diffraction of Clay Fraction ........................................................................ 45 4.3.1 Qualitative Identification of Phases in the Clay Fraction ................................. 46 4.3.2 Grouping Clay Mineral Assemblages............................................................... 48 4.3.3 Modeling and Qualitative Description of Clay Minerals ................................. 51 4.4 Scanning Electron Microscopy – Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy ....................... 56 4.5 X-Ray Fluorescence ................................................................................................ 61 4.6 Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry ........................... 67 4.7 K-Ar Dating of Illite ................................................................................................ 70 5. DISCUSSION ........................................................................................................................ 72 5.1. Clay-Mineralogy-Based Pedogenetic Scheme ....................................................... 72 5.1.1. Surface Soil...................................................................................................... 77 5.1.2. Paleosol I ......................................................................................................... 77 5.1.3. Paleosol II ........................................................................................................ 78 5.1.4. Paleosol III ....................................................................................................... 79 5.1.5. Paleosol IV ...................................................................................................... 79 5.1.6. Paleosol V ........................................................................................................ 80 5.1.7. General Remarks ............................................................................................. 80 5.2. Paleosols Geochemistry ......................................................................................... 85 5.2.1. Major elements signature................................................................................. 86 5.2.2. Minor elements signature ................................................................................ 86 5.2.3. General Remarks ............................................................................................. 87 5.3. Paleosols and Inferences on Quaternary Climate Across the Southern High Plains ................................................................................................................................ 88 5.4. Implications of K-Ar Ages of Detrital Illite and Whole-Rock Trace Element Chemistry .............................................................................................................. 91 5.5. Final Remarks .......................................................................................................