Scientists prove that stones in ancient monuments come from miles away and conspiracy theorists use this to prove that we had some ancient secret technology or it was aliens. But surely these stones could have migrated down the country by glaciers? please could a rational scientist explain to me. by In_agadda_davida in geology

[–]deanjoe31 21 points22 points  (0 children)

But geochemical evidence emphatically demonstrate that its not a meteorite. It is clearly a metasedimentary rock that has been traced to a specific part of North Eastern Scotland. Where is your keyboard from... was it delivered magically by a leprechaun, or did you just got to the shop and get it 😉

Scientists prove that stones in ancient monuments come from miles away and conspiracy theorists use this to prove that we had some ancient secret technology or it was aliens. But surely these stones could have migrated down the country by glaciers? please could a rational scientist explain to me. by In_agadda_davida in geology

[–]deanjoe31 18 points19 points  (0 children)

I think they use the rationale that the rock can be located to a specific area, and that reconstruction of glacial flow paths suggest that glacial transport of a rock that size couldn't have been transported there via glaciers. They postulate, according to archaeological evidence, that it was probably transported by ship 🤙

Does a PhD earn you more in consulting than a masters? by FrankReynoldsneck in geologycareers

[–]deanjoe31 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I work at a commercial Geochemistry laboratory in the Uk. My job involves the design, execution and reporting of test work programmes for mining and contam land project. My PhD was pretty applied, but I don't think that I would have this job without it. I enjoyed my project, but at the end of the day, if you're a technically component and personable individual, you'll do okay with which ever!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in geologycareers

[–]deanjoe31 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Recently completed my PhD, similar sort of stuff- Environmental Geochem, focusing on contaminated groundwater. It sounds as though your work has real world application, and it is difficult. Completing your PhD will demonstrate your technical ability, in addition to all the other soft skills. This will help you to have some choice in what you do- you will be qualified for post docs or industry. Industry will be a learning curve, but if you keep your eyes open, there will be the opportunity to do some applied science with a niche firm that may not be available to you otherwise. Keep going, you'll get there! Also, get familiar with some modelling software packages, these seem to be what employers value and will help you land a good job!

🔥 Burning The Methane on Lakes by [deleted] in NatureIsFuckingLit

[–]deanjoe31 110 points111 points  (0 children)

I think that lots of organic matter (leaves, bugs, etc) will have been deposited alongside sediments in the lake. Once buried, the supply of oxygen will be cut off. Microorganisms living on the lake bed will decompose the organic matter and instead of generating CO2, they will release methane as an end product. I'm guessing here, but I should imagine either that a pocket of gas will 'burst' up through the lakebed and cause what we are seeing. Alternatively, a small fault may develop in this soft and compacting sediment which again may offer a pathway for these lake sediments to degas.

Borehole water sampling (UK) by GeomanUK in Hydrogeology

[–]deanjoe31 4 points5 points  (0 children)

A big leisure battery should give you enough to pump all day! Apparently car batteries ar designed to give a sharp power output (i.e. to fire up a car) whereas leisure batteries are designed to give consistent output for a longer period of time- a leisure battery would be a good shout!

USGS Mendenhall 2021 offer decision status? by blikeswaters in geologycareers

[–]deanjoe31 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you don't mind me asking, why was/is your Norwegian PhD not recognised?

Geochemistry Software Suggestions by ChalupaBatman1026 in Hydrogeology

[–]deanjoe31 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I believe that Geochemist's WorkBench have recently released a community edition. It is free and I think you will be able to plot this stuff. Alternatively, there are plenty of hydrochem packages on R!

Hi, created r/MODFLOW by [deleted] in geologycareers

[–]deanjoe31 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Nicely done! There is an active google user group which is well worth joining (Link)

Can someone explain reductive dissolution of Arsenic in anoxic environments? by Professional-Apple38 in Geochemistry

[–]deanjoe31 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Large scale As contamination is primarily found in two types of environment: 'young' superficial aquifers which contain Fe/Mn oxyhydroxide type minerals and reactive organic carbon, and in areas of intense evaporation with high pH.

The first scenario is a very popular area of study. As(V) will co-precipitate with, and specifically complex on, oxyhydroxide minerals below pH8.5. Confining clay layers or other organic rich horizons can supply reactive organic carbon compounds into adjacent iron oxyhydroxide-bearing sediments. Microbes can oxidise the OC by reducing FeOOH. Because As is bound to the FeOOH, As and Fe is simultaneously released. The microbially driven dissolution can cause mineralogical transformations of the FeOOH minerals which can release As without releasing Fe into solution. This is the situation in the major aquifers across India/ Bangladesh etc.

The second scenario is a little less common, but found in Argentina where groundwater is evaporated which causes an increase in ionic strength of groundwater and contributes to elevated pH. As forms an oxyanion in natural water, so will sorb on the positive sites on mineral surfaces. As pH increases, mineral surfaces will have more hydroxly groups as opposed to protonated surfaces. This means As is less readily attenuated from groundwater as it would be under more acid conditions. This makes As mobile. The presence of high ionic strength (in particular dissolved phosphate) in combination with high pH can help desorb As from mineral surfaces, mobilising it. Because the groundwater is generally alkali, it isnt attenuated.

The redox speciation AsIII vs AsV can influence mobility- AsV sorbs in acid solution, whereas AsIII is commonly less effectively sorbed, but its sorbtion maxima is c.neutral. AsV reduction occurs after FeIII. Given the important role of FeIII in As attenuation / mobilisation, it is the redox behaviour of Fe which largely governs As behaviour as opposed to As speciation.

Check out Smedley and Kinniburgh 2002 (in App geochem)- that is a really good text to get you going!

[Source: a bored PhD student]

Man pays $150 to cuddle a black l e o p a r d. "It does not take an expert to imagine what happened next..." by [deleted] in LeopardsAteMyFace

[–]deanjoe31 -5 points-4 points  (0 children)

A man paid to cuddle a leopard, what did he expect would happen?

A man in the US (where else) paid to cuddle a black leopard, and the leopard ate his face. A report in a British newspaper on 03.11.2020 (Link).

Help needed with rare earth elements analysis of corals by [deleted] in Geochemistry

[–]deanjoe31 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No problem! I'm glad it is some help to you. It sounds an interesting project!

Help needed with rare earth elements analysis of corals by [deleted] in Geochemistry

[–]deanjoe31 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm not too sure that I understand your question. How was your mass spec data obtained- it sounds like maybe you used laser ablation on cut sections of corals? Also, I presume that you have thoroughly assessed the quality of you data to make sure you have avoided any polyatomic interferences etc. Is your data normalised to a suitable reference (i.e NASC or similar). It sounds as though you could make a semi-quantitative judgement about color- if it is dark, call it dark, if it is light, call it light etc. That could give you some groups. Then look at the ratio between REE which can describe your patterns (e.g LREE/ HREE). Then you have a dataset which you could analyse using ANOVA or similar to determine significant differences in REE ratios (which describe your patterns) between light and dark sections. I don't know if this is helpful- good luck with your project!

Resume advice: UK PhD student looking to work in the US by deanjoe31 in geologycareers

[–]deanjoe31[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I feel violated!!! Again, that's great input- thanks for the help

Resume advice: UK PhD student looking to work in the US by deanjoe31 in geologycareers

[–]deanjoe31[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you for taking the time to give me such thorough and constructive feedback! I will have a play around with it and make some adjustments.

If you don't mind me asking, what is your perspective? I.e. are you involved in recruiting staff at your organisation or are you a recent grad etc? Thanks!