Project Info
*How does global warming affect rivers?
Piret Plink-Bjorklund
pplink@mines.edu
Rivers are an important source of fresh water and food, and river floods are the most common and most costly natural hazards. How will rivers change in future global warming conditions, where it is predicted that at unabated greenhouse gas emissions the global climate will be by 2150 similar to that of an Early Eocene climate ca 56-50 Ma. In this project we will explore what Early Eocene and other past global warming ancient river deposits tell us about changes in river discharge, flood magnitude and frequency, and droughts, based on published literature and field examination.
More Information:
Grand Challenge: Provide access to clean water
Please contact Piret Plink-Bjorklund pplink@mines.edu for further information
Primary Contacts:
Piret Plink-Bjorklund pplink@mines.edu
Student Preparation
Qualifications
A course in sedimentology, stratigraphy or geomorphology is helpful but the student can also be trained in necessary skills.
TIME COMMITMENT (HRS/WK)
the hours are flexible, up to 4-5 hrs per week
SKILLS/TECHNIQUES GAINED
The student will learn how to set up and conduct research projects, including scientific questions and testable hypothesis, how to plan and conduct work that ensures results, and how to disseminate the results by conference presentations or publications. The student will learn what characterizes different climate types and how they change during global warming, and how do different climates affect river discharge and flooding. The student will also develop techniques for spatial and temporal data analyses.
MENTORING PLAN
The student will closely work with a PhD student, as well as have regular biweekly meetings with Piret Plink-Bjorklund
PREFERRED STUDENT STATUS
Freshman
Sophomore
Junior
Senior