Date of Award
5-1-2026
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
M.S. in Engineering Science
First Advisor
Jennifer Gifford
Second Advisor
Brian Platt
Third Advisor
Lance Yarbrough
School
University of Mississippi
Relational Format
dissertation/thesis
Abstract
This study characterizes the soil–sediment transition from one upland site and one lowland site within two adjacent catchment basins in Lafayette and Panola Counties, Mississippi, that drain toward the Mississippi Alluvial Plain (MAP). The research integrates stratigraphic, geochemical, and mineralogical data from one continuous core at the upland site—the University of Mississippi Field Station (UMFS) and one non-continuous core from Goodwin Creek Experimental Watershed (GCEW)—to evaluate depositional environments and natural element distributions. Field descriptions, core descriptions, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and major and trace element geochemistry were used to identify lithologic units, dominant mineral phases, and depth-dependent variations in major, minor and trace element concentrations.
Results reveal contrasting grain-size trends between the two study sites. GCEW exhibits upward-fining successions, consistent with fluvial and overbank depositional processes, whereas UMFS displays downward-fining intervals, reflecting differences in sediment supply, depositional energy, and local stratigraphic controls. At UMFS, a succession of gray to tan silty sand underlies a reddish interval of sand and gravelly sand. Soil development is mainly restricted to the uppermost interval of core. This soil contains a clay-enriched B horizon with Fe–Mn mottles from periodic saturation, all of which indicate moderate pedogenic development. The GCEW core exhibits a thick, gray silty sand overlain by a succession of multiple red-brown, dominantly sandy fining-upward intervals. The red-brown sandy succession contains multiple soil profiles at different depths. Soils contain pervasive Fe–Mn staining, reflecting periodic redox conditions, features produced by fluctuating water tables and episodic saturation. These characteristics suggest weak horizon development in hydromorphic floodplain soils, reflecting ongoing sediment input and dynamic redox conditions rather than prolonged pedogenesis typical of stable upland settings. Geochemical enrichment of Fe, Al, and REEs within deeper intervals likely results from natural groundwater-driven mobilization rather than anthropogenic inputs.
These findings demonstrate that geologic substrate and drainage position influence sediment composition and the distribution of naturally occurring metals, contributing to geogenic background conditions within the Mississippi Alluvial Plain. The study provides baseline insight into natural pollutant sources, supporting future environmental monitoring and geochemical modeling in the region.
Recommended Citation
Babalola, Ayotunde Oluwadamilare, "Characterizing the Soil-Sediment Transition Within Two Adjacent Catchment Basins That Drain to The Mississippi Alluvial Plain, Lafayette and Panola Counties, Mississippi, USA" (2026). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 8798.
https://egrove.olemiss.edu/etd/8798