Paleo-Depositional Reconstruction of Cockspur Island, Fort Pulaski National Monument.

Faculty Mentor

Dr. Edward Lo

Location

Russell Union Ballroom

Type of Research

Proposed

Session Format

Poster Presentation

College

School of Earth Environment & Sustainability

Department

SEES

Abstract

Sediments of the Coastal Plain at Fort Pulaski National Monument contain a valuable archive of archeological and geochemical conditions in the Savannah River estuary. Although this site holds considerable environmental and historical importance, the lack of detailed subsurface sedimentological data has limited understanding of how tidal, estuarine, and storm driven processes have influenced the evolution of this estuary marsh system. This study evaluates whether sediment physico-chemical properties including grain size, elemental geochemistry, and total organic carbon can be used to identify historic anthropogenic activities such as shell middens. We further suggest that zones dominated by natural processes retain sedimentary records that reflect coastal evolution and relative sea-level changes over time. To achieve these objectives, one longer (2 m) sediment core will be analyzed for grain size distribution to evaluate depositional energy processes, and elemental geochemistry to assess environmental conditions. By integrating sedimentological and geochemical data, this study aims to reconstruct paleo-depositional environments and help locate historic resources that have not been surveyed at Fort Pulaski. The results will provide new insight into environmental change in the Savannah River estuary and have broader implications for the preservation of Civil War era and potentially Native American cultural resources that are increasingly vulnerable to coastal erosion. This research is conducted in collaboration with the Fort Pulaski Chief of Resource Management.

Program Description

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Start Date

4-23-2026 2:00 PM

End Date

4-23-2026 4:00 PM

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Apr 23rd, 2:00 PM Apr 23rd, 4:00 PM

Paleo-Depositional Reconstruction of Cockspur Island, Fort Pulaski National Monument.

Russell Union Ballroom

Sediments of the Coastal Plain at Fort Pulaski National Monument contain a valuable archive of archeological and geochemical conditions in the Savannah River estuary. Although this site holds considerable environmental and historical importance, the lack of detailed subsurface sedimentological data has limited understanding of how tidal, estuarine, and storm driven processes have influenced the evolution of this estuary marsh system. This study evaluates whether sediment physico-chemical properties including grain size, elemental geochemistry, and total organic carbon can be used to identify historic anthropogenic activities such as shell middens. We further suggest that zones dominated by natural processes retain sedimentary records that reflect coastal evolution and relative sea-level changes over time. To achieve these objectives, one longer (2 m) sediment core will be analyzed for grain size distribution to evaluate depositional energy processes, and elemental geochemistry to assess environmental conditions. By integrating sedimentological and geochemical data, this study aims to reconstruct paleo-depositional environments and help locate historic resources that have not been surveyed at Fort Pulaski. The results will provide new insight into environmental change in the Savannah River estuary and have broader implications for the preservation of Civil War era and potentially Native American cultural resources that are increasingly vulnerable to coastal erosion. This research is conducted in collaboration with the Fort Pulaski Chief of Resource Management.