Geochemistry and Early Diagenesis of the Monterey Formation, Shell Beach, California. Research will study the geochemistry and early diagenesis of the Monterey Formation at Shell Beach, California. The Monterey Formation was highly productive biologically in newly forming marginal basins during times of high eustatic sea level. The result is organically rich, calcareous, phosphatic, siliceous sediments typical of upwelling areas. The resultant rocks are very different from the original sediments. The goal of this study will be to understand the associated diagenetic reactions and the mineral by-products. The same reactions and products can occur in many types of sediments, conditioning them for later diagenetic change. A second goal is to investigate the secular variations of paleoceanographically important components such as organic and organic C, PO4, and SiO2, and the insights for past ocean circulation, productivity, and climate.
