Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Chicago, 1929. / Lithoprinted. "Private edition, distributed by the University of Chicago libraries, Chicago, Illinois."

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Montana State University--Bozeman, 2007. / Typescript. Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Gill G. Geesey. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.E.S.)--Baylor University, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 101-106).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--School of Computing and Engineering and Dept. of Geosciences. University of Missouri--Kansas City, 2006. / "A dissertation in engineering and geosciences." Advisor: Anil Misra. Typescript. Vita. Title from "catalog record" of the print edition Description based on contents viewed Oct. 30, 2007. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 210-220 ). Online version of the print edition.

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Large Igneous Provinces (LIPs) represent geologically rapid emplacements of vast quantities of igneous material into/onto Earth's crust. There is a marked correlation in the known ages of LIPs and Mesozoic extinctions and other environmental perturbations, suggesting a possible causal link between these events. However, uncertainties in matching LIP basalt ages to the stratigraphic record of Mesozoic events mean that a sedimentary tracer of volcanism would better indicate a precise coincidence between the two phenomena. Mercury (Hg) has shown potential as such a proxy. Volcanism is a major source of Hg to the natural environment, and its relatively long atmospheric residence time (0.5–2 years) allows global distribution of the element before it is deposited to sediments. However, questions remain about how the manner of LIP emplacement might influence its impact on the Hg cycle, as well as how sedimentary processes may locally overprint any global signal. Here, the Hg records of three Mesozoic events are investigated: the end-Triassic extinction (TJ: ~201.5 Ma), Cretaceous Oceanic Anoxic Event 2 (OAE 2: ~94 Ma), and the latest Cretaceous (K–Pg: ~67–66 Ma). These events coincided with markedly different LIPs: OAE 2 with multiple submarine LIPs; the K–Pg and TJ with subaerial LIPs; with the TJ also featuring release of additional thermogenic volatiles from intrusion of organic-rich lithologies by LIP sills. Additionally, mercury is used with osmium and carbon isotopes to study the temporal relationships between volcanism, weathering, and the carbon cycle during the Toarcian Oceanic Anoxic Event (~183 Ma). This work highlights the links between LIP volcanism and other surface processes, and shows that subaerial LIPs featuring thermogenic emissions are most likely to perturb the global Hg cycle, with the record of such perturbations dependent on the nature of the sedimentary archive.

Contents of mercury were determined using AAS method (instrument AMA-254) in 109 fruiting body samples of 14 edible mushroom species. The mushrooms were collected from a forest of a historical area of silver mining. The highest mercury accumulation was observed in samples of Boletus aestivalis, Maccrolepiota procera and Boletus edulis. Mercury content was highly comparable with concentrations observed in unpolluted sites.

Mercury is a serious hazard to humans, mammals and fish, which when emitted into the atmosphere reaches back to the earth. Coal-fired plants in the U.S. emit mercury upon the burning of coal in the particulate, oxidized and elemental state. Of these, elemental mercury is the most difficult to capture. U.S. coal-fired plants emit approximately 48 tons of mercury per year. Based on the U.S. EPA Clean Air Mercury Rule, these emissions need to be capped by 90%. This project deals with the Development of Bamboo Derived Sorbents for the capture of elemental mercury in gas phase. Raw bamboo is used to process sorbents using carbonization, activation and acidulation techniques. These sorbents are tested in a Batch Test, which includes a mercury permeation assembly, sampling bags, and uses nitrogen as a carrier gas. Many tests are conducted on sorbent samples with varying masses, samples with the presence or absence of skin material found on the bamboo stem along with various treatments, and varying initial concentrations of mercury. Other studies conducted also include Three-Point Bending tests for structural integrity, Surface Area Measurements, and Scanning Electron Microscopy for microstructure studies. Results and analyses of these sorbents depict successful capture of mercury in nitrogen atmosphere. Treatments such as carbon dioxide activation and hydrochloric acid functionalization are very effective in enhancing mercury adsorption. This project acts as a stepping stone for the development of bamboo derived material. Major recommendations include the optimization of the sorbents for adsorption properties, and the scaling up of experiments. Eventually, a bamboo derived sorbent could be applied in coal-fired plants on a large scale for the capture of mercury.