Article by Melanie McCalmont, 6 October 2006

Only in Science Hall could a physical geography student peer intently into a state-of-the-art laser particle-size analyzer—and then stow their lab equipment in a century-old glass-front storage cabinet.

Only in Science Hall will a student begin to feel so connected to past generations of science—hearing the old wooden floors creak beneath their feet while they, too, look for new answers.

Four renovated labs

Four newly-renovated physical geography laboratories opened in September, the result of a 2-year project in the Department of Geography. The updates to the labs' equipment, workspace, and safety was the first major renovation of these facilities in at least 30 years.

Upgraded were the Soil and Sediment Analysis Laboratory and the Particle Size Analysis Lab for Prof. Joe Mason and the Luna B. Leopold Geomorphology Laboratory for Prof. Jim Knox. Geomorphology is the study of landforms and the processes that shape them. The labs serve as the core for all physical geography research in the department.

Additionally, a classroom was converted to a new Paleovegetation Lab for Prof. Jack Williams. This lab analyses the pollen, charcoal, and sediments found in lake sediment cores to study vegetation, fire, and landscape history since the last glacial period.  This group also uses vegetation models to predict ecological responses to past and future climate changes.

While still under construction, several visiting undergraduate students were working in the Paleovegetation Lab this summer as part of the Summer Research Undergraduate Program, which is designed to increase the diversity of the scientific workforce by providing research experiences to interested undergraduates.

See a photo album of the physical geography labs >

The Leopold Lab

Prof. Jim Knox explains that the Geomorphology Lab took on a new name this year to honor Luna B. Leopold (at left), a fluvial geomorphologist who took undergrad classes in Science Hall and went on to do an extremely important lifetime of work in earth sciences.

In a letter to Leopold's family, Prof. Knox related the story of painting Leopold's name on the lab room door:

"When I asked the physical plant personnel in charge of name plates to paint Luna's name on the Room 217 Lab wooden door, the sign painter objected. He said that I should reconsider because people come and go, and he added that Professor Leopold might not always be assigned to that particular lab room. I really confused him when I told him that Luna probably would not do ANY work in the lab. After letting him scratch his head for a bit, I went on to explain the real purpose was to honor Luna B. Leopold and the standards that he set for fluvial geomorphology. At that point, he understood and immediately started painting with enthusiasm. I'm sure Luna would have enjoyed this sequence of events with the painter."

The lab doors all have handpainted names and numbers in keeping with the style of the building. Leopold's handpainted name can be seen in the renovation photo album.

Workspaces renovated

Other new equipment and workspace improvements include:

• a new, up-to-code set of fume hoods
• an improved air handling system
• installation of a walk-in cold-storage room for sediment samples
• microscopes for fossil plant and pollen grain identification
• a coulometer for measuring the amount of inorganic and organic carbon components in sediments
• repainting of the high ceilings, walls and refinishing the wood floors
• re-configuration of workspace lighting
• new phone and internet lines
• additional chilled-water piping for better air conditioning in the north wing

Some people may have noticed a platform and fan being installed on the high back roof of Science Hall, said Prof. Williams." This is part of the hood system in the labs that safely disperses chemical fumes away from the building.  It's probably a case of engineering overkill," he said, "but its location is to make sure that waste fumes are shot high enough to clear the Science Hall towers before they disperse laterally."

Open House visits

The laboratories were open for visits and demonstrations during the 2006 Science Hall Open House on October 11. Copies of this article, along with articles by faculty and student authors, will be available near the labs.

Prof. Jack Williams works in the Paleovegetation Lab in 201 Science Hall.

Click here to see a photo album of the physical geography labs renovation >

Recent PhD graduate Lindsay Theis talked about the upgrades to the fume hoods (center), internet access, and student worktables.

The cold-storage room holds racks of lake-bottom samples and cores at steady temperature to preserve organic materials during analysis.

Thanks to Jack Williams, Jim Knox, Joe Mason, and Lindsay Theis for their contributions to this article.

Click here to see a photo album of the physical geography labs renovation >

A sediment core from 10 meters beneath Lake Appleman in Indiana. According to Prof. Williams this core will be analyzed for charcoal, pollen, and loss of ignition to learn the history of the lake and to look for sporomiella, a fungal spore that is a tracer of megafauna.

In the Soils and Sediment lab, other new equipment and facilities include a deionized water supply system and a laser particle-size analyzer. Students say the high ceilings and natural lighting is a great atmosphere for long experiments.