2022 Participants
Romit Aggarwal
The main aim of this research study was to observe the layers of calcite deposited in Howden Burn to try determining variability in depositional conditions where the Consett Steel factory’s steel slag waste was dumped. Evidence from physical and chemical analyses in this study along with support from existing literature indicates that calcite mineral formation in an anthropogenic carbonate sedimentology is complex – varying with time. Using Loss on Ignition (LOI) and X-ray Diffraction (XRD) analyses in this study, a correlation between water content in certain layers of calcite to the proportion of calcite present is seen, with relatively less calcite in layers having more water. These layers also seem to possess a higher proportion of organic matter. Such variations in layers indicates different depositional conditions on site, which could be associated with weather or climate cycles to produce a timeline of deposition, opening avenues for studies in carbon sequestration.
Funding source: Newcastle University
Project supervisor: Mr Cees van der Land