Michael L. Brennan

Sedimentology and geochemistry of mud volcanoes in the Anaximander Mountain Region from the Eastern Mediterranean Sea

Investigations carried out on surface sediments collected from the Anaximander mud volcanoes in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea to determine sedimentary and geochemical properties. The sediment grain size distribution and geochemical contents were determined by grain size analysis, organic carbon, carbonate contents and element analysis. The results of element contents were compared to background levels of Earths crust. The factors that affect element distribution in sediments were calculated by the nine push core samples taken from the surface of mud volcanoes by the E/V Nautilus. The grain size of the samples varies from sand to sandy silt. Enrichment and Contamination factor analysis showed that these analyses can also be used to evaluate of deep sea environmental and source parameters. It is concluded that the biological and cold seep effects are the main drivers of surface sediment characteristics from the Anaximander mud volcanoes.

A brief look at the free-living Nematoda of the oxic/anoxic interface with a new genus record (Trefusia) for the Black Sea

Abstract In order to provide the first comparative source of nematofaunal data at the oxic/anoxic interface off the Sinop Peninsula, the southern Black Sea, a survey of meiofauna and nematode fauna was conducted in August 2011 aboard the exploration vessel (E/V) Nautilus with ROV during the Black Sea Expedition NA012. Higher meiofaunal taxa and nematode composition were investigated. Free-living marine nematodes were the most abundant group at each site. A total of 84 species were found, belonging to 23 families. The suboxic zone was dominated by the nematode Trefusia aff. longicauda (42%). This is the first record of the genus Trefusia De Man, 1893 for the Black Sea. Although many factors are likely to influence the changes in the meiofaunal abundance and the composition of nematode assemblages, we suggest that oxygen reduction indeed affected the meiofaunal abundance and the nematode composition, however, a particular preference of several taxa for extreme conditions may be suggested.

Geological Survey of Historical Cemeteries, Jamestown, Rhode Island, 1693–1900

Studies of historical burial practices may be hindered by the effects of weathering on gravemarkers. A survey of nine historical-period cemeteries on Conanicut Island, Jamestown, Rhode Island, examined the variety of stone types used in gravestone construction between the 17th and 19th centuries. The focus of this study is the date, rock type, and graphic design of the headstone markers, in order to develop a pattern of stone use on the island. The results of the cemetery survey illustrate the shift from slate to marble gravestones during the 19th century. A combination of rock type and design attributes is applied to give rough dates to historical-cemetery headstones that have become illegible due to weathering.

IN SITU PRESERVATION OF A DEEP-SEA WRECK SITE : SINOP D IN THE BLACK SEA

Abstract The deep seabed of the Black Sea is a major untapped archaeological resource. Its overlying anoxic waters preserve in some form most, if not all the perishable deposits left during its long history of maritime use. In 2007, using advanced robotic technology, researchers from the Center for Ocean Exploration and Archaeological Oceanography at the University of Rhode Island began a multi-year site assessment of Sinop D, a fifth century ad wreck site located at a depth of 325 meters off the north central coast of Turkey. Site characterization, the first step toward IN SITU preservation, was implemented with the use of remotely operated vehicles. The design of two types of decay-rate tests containing proxy artifact samples is described. These were deployed in 2007 as multi-sample units and will be retrieved and analyzed in future years to predict the types of perishables that future researchers may expect to encounter in the deep Black Sea and the condition in which they may be expected to survive.