Prof. Laura Triplett, Carson Smith (’11), Todd Kremmin (’12) and Dr. Karin Kettenring (Utah State University) visited the Platte River in July to investigate how one non-native species of reed, Phragmites australis, is changing the biogeochemical cycling of silica there. The dense stands of phragmites, seen in the photo, are causing silica-rich soils to accumulate both via physical trapping mechanisms and biological processes. It was hard, muddy work, but we collected over 100 sediment samples along a 60-mile stretch of the river.
Prof. Laura Triplett and Carson Smith ('11) collecting sediment
As Carson’s Uncle, I can testify that he has always been sedimental concerning sediment. He is most assuredly your man.
Sincerely, Jay Alan Christianson