Yolanda Veliz ’27, Civil and Environmental Engineering

Yolanda Veliz ’27

Major

Civil and Environmental Engineering

Project Title

Tracking Ocean Circulation Patterns in the Late Cretaceous Southern Ocean

Presentation Link

View Yolanda's Presentation

Minor(s): Materials Science and Engineering

Neodymium (Nd) isotope values can be used as a proxy for ocean circulation because neodynium isotopic signatures are imprinted into a water mass at its source and then carried throughout the ocean. Ancient neodynium signatures are recorded in fossilized fish debris found in deep sea sediments, so studying these sediments can provide insights into ocean circulation throughout geological history and help us understand how changing climates influenced ocean circulation patterns. I analyzed some previously collected deep sea sediments that were deposited on Agulhas Plateau near the coast of South Africa during a period of cooling in the Late Cretaceous. Lab work included breaking down sediments and separating fish debris under a microscope. The fish debris was then acidified in a clean lab to measure rare earth element concentration on an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS) to determine if enough neodynium was present for isotopic analysis. Through this research experience I learned versatile lab skills relating to acidifying samples, pipetting and using an ICP-MS. I also learned about different proxies that can be used to better understand natural processes such as ocean circulation, which has helped solidify my interest in lab-related research and my desire to pursue graduate school.