Southeastern Arkansas experienced a so-called 100-year flood in spring of 2008. The historic origin and frequency of such flooding in this region is poorly understood. Floodplain lake sediments extending back to pre-human times may hold clues for understanding the role of humans versus natural climatic variability in flooding. The 2008 flood provides a unique opportunity to study a modern flood sediment layer. Scientists in this project will sample a transect of surface sediment cores of oxbow lakes in the White River Wildlife Refuge in order to determine size distribution of sediment grains. The cores will be dated using an isotope of lead. In addition, the investigators will be able to determine changes in water chemistry and diatom assemblages over time from the cores.
This study will enable identification and dating of flood layersand from them reconstruction of a long term flood history for the lower Mississippi valley. Historically, flooding was a natural disaster that disproportionately impacted low income families. A better understanding of long term flood dynamics may be useful in improving urban planning and reducing flood damage in the future. The fieldwork will provide experience for two female graduate students from India and the U.S.
