Geochemistry at SUNY Brockport

Mark R. Noll

Department of the Earth Sciences

327 Lennon Hall

Brockport, NY 14420

(585)-395-5717

mnoll@brockport.edu

Courses

GEL 201 Introductory Physical Geology

GEL 312 Mineral Science

GEL 457 Geochemistry

GEL 462 Hydrogeology

Research

Ongoing Projects

Stormwater P Contributions and Sources

Northrup and Larkin Creek Watersheds

Monroe County, NY

Stormwater runoff carries dissolved and particulate constituents into nearby streams untreated. Constituents in the runoff may impact water quality within the stream during storm events. Within the two watersheds studied, excess phosphorus has been identified as a concern. Segment analysis within the two watersheds shows three segments with increasing P concentrations. This indicates sources within the segments that might benefit from the application of best management practices. Analysis of base flow also suggests non-stormwater sources such as poorly maintained septic systems near the stream. This project was funded in part by a grant from the Stormwater Coalition of Monroe County and the Monroe County DES.

Phosphorus Speciation and Sources of P Export within the Graywood Watershed of Conesus Lake

Livingston County, NY

Phosphorus sources within the Graywood Gully subwatershed of Conesus Lake have been investigated as to their spatial distribution and the P speciation within the various segments of the watershed. Spatial distribution shows of P sources shows that the built environment overlaps the natural watershed boundaries resulting in P sources from outside the natural boundary being diverted to the stream.

Within the watershed, the P speciation of field soils, stream sediments and near-shore lake sediments using sequential extraction methods is revealing systematic changes that may provide information on P mobility and bioavailability. This information may link to management issues associated with macrophyte and metaphyton communities near stream mouths.

These projects are funded by a USDA CREES grant investigating the effects of entire watershed manipulation and BMPs.

http://www.envsci.brockport.edu/Conesus_Project/index.htm

Links Between Regional Environmental Contaminants and Developmental Diabilities

While on sabbatical during 2006, I worked with researchers at the University of Rochester School of Medicine. This project is an outgrowth of that work, and looks to use GIS analyses to evaluate environmental conditions and possible links to variation in rates of developmental disabilities, in particular autism, in children. An apparent increase in developmental disabilities is being observed, and, for many, the causes are still unknown. Medical research, however, is investigating links between human genetics and environmental factors to which we are exposed. I am continuing to collaborate on this project.

Recently Completed

Impact of Anoxia on P Cycling in Irondequoit Bay, NY

Irondequoit Bay, with a long history of impact from regional waste water treatment plants, is currently managed to minimize P cycling using hypolimnetic oxygenation. This project looked at P cycling under the current managed condition. Results revealed that cycling of P correlates well with Mn cycling during summer thermal stratification. Iron does not appear to play a role in the cycling as the oxygenation process maintains low dissolved oxygen levels.