Recovery of soft tissues, such as original cells, blood vessels, and proteinaceous fibers, from fossil bone is becoming more frequent, but the factors that control such exceptional preservation are not well understood. This study assesses the influence(s) exerted on soft tissue preservation by several possible controlling factors. Specifically, this study assesses biomechanical function, apatite recrystallization, bone tissue density, taxonomic identity, and depositional environment as possible controls on the quantity and quality of preservation of endogenous microstructures. Six bones derived from three taxa from the Paleogene White River Group of South Dakota and Nebraska – namely an oreodont from the Oligocene Brule Formation and a brontothere and tortoise from the Eocene Chadron Formation – were subsampled for cortical and trabecular bone, which were then assessed via demineralization, thin sectioning, transmitted light and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). Bones belonging to each clade were acquired from bonebeds to minimize intraspecific variation in taphonomic history, and (where possible) similar skeletal elements were selected from each skeleton to similarly minimize differences in biomechanical function between corresponding samples. Initial demineralization analyses showed high yields of potentially endogenous cells and soft tissues in all three taxa: only two subsamples lacked structures morphologically consistent with osteocytes, and microstructures visually consistent with vertebrate blood vessels and fibrous matrix were recovered from all 12 subsamples pf the six fossils. Variation in the dominant tissue type corresponded with taxonomic identity and bone type and was independent of biomechanical function, as defined in this study, but this assertion requires a larger dataset to be conclusive. Apatite crystallinity loosely correlated with osteocyte preservation, but the association was less robust than the taxonomic identity. Transmitted light microscopy of histological thin sections revealed varying levels of histological alteration among the bones. SEM-EDS analyses of demineralized microstructures identified apparent zeolite mineralization and zeolite crystals within the majority of blood vessel fragments, although some examples of hollow vessels were found which were identified to be composed primarily of silicon, oxygen, and carbon. Elemental mapping of thin sections via SEM-EDS revealed evidence of double-medium diffusion through Haversian canals and trabecular voids, as well as a dominance of enlarged, recrystallized bioapatite crystals. Observed variations in thin section and SEM also suggest different taphonomic histories for the three clades, particularly the oreodont samples, as certain features observed in thin sections were not observed in SEM. The demineralization data indicate a potential correlation between taxonomic identity and soft tissue preservation, but geochemical and thin section analyses suggest geochemical processes controlling mineralization may have a greater influence on the abundance of microstructures recovered through demineralization assays. / Geology

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / The transport of excess nutrients, sediment, and other contaminants to surface waters has been shown to cause a number of environmental and human health concerns. An understanding of the export pathways that these contaminants follow to surrounding water bodies is crucial to the anticipation and management of peak concentration events. Several studies have demonstrated that the majority of annual contaminant loading in the Midwest occurs during periods of elevated discharge. However, many studies use a limited number of sampling points to determine concentration patterns, loadings, and fluxes which decreases accuracy. Through high-resolution storm sampling conducted in a 2945 km2 (1137 mi2) area of central Indiana’s Upper White River Watershed, this research has documented the complex concentration signals and fluxes associated with a suite of cations, nutrients, and contaminants and isolated their primary transport pathways. Additionally, by comparing the results of similar studies conducted on smaller areas within this watershed, differences in concentration patterns and fluxes, as they relate to drainage area, have also been documented. Similar to the results of previous studies, NO3- concentrations lacked a well-defined relationship relative to discharge and was attributed to primarily subsurface contribution. DOC was exported along a shallow, lateral subsurface pathway, TP and TSS via overland flow, and TKN through a combination of both. Near or in-channel scouring of sediment increased DOC, TKN, TP, and TSS concentrations during Storm 2. Atrazine export was attributed to a combination of overland and subsurface pathways. 2-MIB and geosmin derived from different sources and pathways despite being produced by similar organisms. 2-MIB concentration patterns were characterized by dilution of an in-stream source during Storm 1 and potential sediment export during Storm 2 while in-stream concentrations or a sediment source of geosmin was rapidly exhausted during Storm 1. Many of the concentration patterns were subject to an exaggerated averaging effect due to the mixing of several larger watersheds, especially during Storm 1. This research illustrates the need for high-frequency sampling to accurately quantify contaminant loads for total maximum daily load (TMDL) values, developing best management practices (BMPs), and confronting the challenges associated with modeling increasingly larger-scale watersheds.

This creative project has culminated in a design solution to a water quality problem in the City of Indianapolis, Indiana. Pogues Run is a stream that has been buried in an underground culvert for almost a century. It has a long history of water quality problems including high bacteria levels and nonpoint source pollution. In addition, it has long been a flood threat to neighboring communities.To address the issue, a master plan was created for the last 1400' of Pogues Run before it emptied into the White River. The stream was removed from the culvert, brought back up to grade, a series of wetlands were developed to slow and filter stream flow, and an urban revitalization project was developed centering on the stream. The design solution provided flood control, stormwater storage and treatment, mixed-use redevelopment of historical buildings, a recreational area, and a high-density residential community. / Department of Landscape Architecture

Ball State University LibrariesLibrary services and resources for knowledge buildingMasters ThesesThere is no abstract available for this thesis.

This study was conducted from June, 1976, to May, 1977 on the White River in Muncie. Data were collected to provide information concerning the effects that changes in discharge had on various water chemistry parameters. The following parameters were measured: alkalinity concentration, dissolved oxygen concentration, specific conductance, hydrogen ion concentration, turbidity, temperature, nitrate concentration, nitrite concentration, ortho- and meta-phosphate concentrations. At the time of each sample, discharge measurements were calculated and averaged.At the conclusion of sampling, the 34 measurements for each parameter were graphed and statistically analyzed. The parameters appeared to separate into two groups: Group A, which contained those parameters which seemed to be affected by discharge, and Group B, which contained those parameters which seemed to be unaffected by discharge. Group A parameters included nitrate concentration, nitrite concentration, turbidity, ortho- and meta-phosphate concentrations. Group B parameters included dissolved oxygen concentration, hydrogen ion concentration, specific conductance, and alkalinity concentration.Ball State UniversityMuncie, IN 47306

A survey of the Upper White River Valley located 76 new sites additional information on 6 previously recorded sites. After a preliminary literature review, artifacts from the Ball State University Archaeology Laboratory were reanalyzed and local artifact collectors were contacted to obtain additional knowledge survey area. The fieldwork focused on the floodplain and the location of Woodland sites in regards to Ross soil. Surface manifestations of Woodland-affiliated sites indicated that 33% of the sites in the project area were located in the floodplain and all Woodland components were represented on or adjacent to Ross soil. Results from the fieldwork indicate a positive correlation between Woodland sites and Ross soil in the Upper White River Valley of east-central Indiana. / Department of Anthropology

This is a general regional research design for the prehistoric archaeological resources of the Upper White River Drainage region of east-central Indiana. Following the example of McGinsey, Davis, and Griffin (1968), this design consists primarily of research problems, questions, and hypotheses suggested by the current state of the regional data base and the pertinent literature. These research problems are organized into three basic groups which represent the goals of the discipline of archaeology (that is, the study of culture history, extinct lifeways, and culture process). These groups are themselves expressed as a hierarchy to demonstrate the relative significance of the problems expressed in each. When used as part of a greater research design process (including more specific designs) this design has the potential to contribute to the scientific rigor as well as the efficiency of archaeological research carried out in this region.

Thesis (M.A.)--Indiana University, 2009. / Title from screen (viewed on August 27, 2009). Department of History, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI). Advisor(s): Philip V. Scarpino. Includes vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 165-173).

Thesis (M.S.)--Indiana University, 2009. / Department of Earth Sciences, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI). Advisor(s): Gabriel Filippelli, Kathy Licht, Pierre Jacinthe. Includes vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 74-77).

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / This study explores the shared history of West Indianapolis and the White River and reveals an interdependent, yet conflicted, relationship between the people and the river. This relationship was part of a broader set of attitudes that natural resources were unlimited and that humans must master the landscape. From the founding of Indianapolis in 1821 until the flood of 1913, a series of uncoordinated human actions related to settlement and growth of the city took place. Despite noble intentions of progress and improvement, the cumulative effect of these actions resulted in unintended and undesired consequences in the form of a flood disaster in 1913, an unhealthy environment in West Indianapolis, and a negative identity for that community. One might argue that these results occurred because nineteenth century settlers in the Indianapolis area lacked an understanding of the nature of rivers or that scientists had not yet proven the germ theory. As shown in this study, however, the historical sources support an argument that the relationship between the people and the river dictated the fate of the river and the community of West Indianapolis, which suffered significant damage when White River overflowed its banks in the “Great Flood” of 1913.