This Science in Developing Countries Program award will support a group of U.S. researchers headed by Professor Robert Ginsburg of the University of Miami to collaborate with a group of Bahamian scientists headed by Dr. R. V. Cant, Chief Hydrologist of the Bahamian government. The purpose of the proposed research is to provide a detailed case study of the meteoric diagenesis of a Holocene sediment deposit. This sand body occurs as a large pocket-beach strandline deposit that abuts against Pleistocene limestones at Great Exuma Island, Bahamas. The research will document all relevant aspects of the hydrogeology, hydrogeochemistry and petrography of the sand body. The proposed study will contribute to our understanding of the relationship between early meteoric carbonate diagenesis and the physical and chemical hydrology of ocean islands. The hydrogeologic aspects of the study will be applied to define the quantity and quality of a potentially important water resource of immediate interest to the Bahamian government. By bringing together a team of geologists with interests in sedimentology, geochemistry and hydrogeology, and allowing them to collaborate with Bahamian water-resources scientists who best know the occurrence of fresh ground water and the hydrogeologic framework of the islands,this award fulfills the objectives of the Science in Developing Countries Program.
