Morgan Jowett

Morgan Jowett and Dr. Anthony Chappez research Investigating Rhenium Systems in a Modern Analogue of the Proterozoic Ocean; Advancing the Paleo Redox Proxy during the McNair Research Institute 2025.
Mentor: Dr. Anthony Chappez
Research: Refining the Use of Rhenium as a Paleo-Redox Proxy by Analyzing its Enrichment Factor in Relation to Burial and Diagenesis

In this study, we explore Re geochemistry at the sediment-water interface (SWI) of the Lake Huron Middle Island Sinkhole (MIS), a 23 m deep karst feature with low-oxygen bottom waters. There is a unique feature of the MIS takes place on the floor of the sinkhole, where groundwater seeps up from the ground, creating a thin layer of an anoxic and sulfate rich environment on the bottom. In 2024, a short core sediment and porewater samples were collected. All sediments were analysis for major, minor and trace element concentrations via ICP-MS.. We will present the sedimentary and porewater profiles for the MIS and discuss potential reactions involved during Re fixation. Our new insights will contribute to refine the use of Re as a paleo-redox proxy.