The Madison-Hills Paleoecology Project ("MPEP")

Introduction

The MPEP is a privately funded endeavor that will drill and sample the layers of soft sediment that have accumulated in the deepest part of Big Pea Porridge Pond ("BPPP") in Madison, New Hampshire during the past +/- 14,000 years. The purpose of the work is to scientifically analyze, technically describe/catalogue, and radiocarbon/proxy date these progressively deposited materials to establish the ecologic change-sequence history of the Pond's basin since the departure of the last ice sheet. The work described above will begin in late January or early February 2008 and be completed by late Spring or Summer 2008.

Scientific Basis of the MPEP

Lake-bottom sediments represent the most continuously detailed records of post-glacial (Pleistocene to Holocene) climate and environmental change available, and such records provide the best long term context for the dramatic physical and biological/ecological changes that have occurred during what has become to be known as the "Anthropocene" period (time since the beginning of extensive human habitation).

Who's Involved

The scientific staff of MPEP includes the following individuals, all of whom are donating their professional expertise to the project:

P. Thompson Davis, Ph.D., Dept. of Natural & Applied Sciences, Bentley College.
Brian Fowler, Quaternary Scientist, Project Director.
Lee Pollock, Ph.D., Dept. of Biology, Drew University.
Lisa Doner, Ph.D., Center for the Environmental, Plymouth State University



Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Scientific Information Posting No. 4

DRILLING & SAMPLING ON SATURDAY, MARCH 8, 2008

The drilling and sampling portion of the project is now set to be completed on Saturday, March 8th at very close to the deepest spot in the Pond's basin. The work will begin in the early morning and likely take most all day. There will be a new "Social Posting" here on the blog soon that will reschedule the non-technical project activities previously postponed from 2/23.

There will be site preparation work done on Friday, March 7th by Project's staff (Brian & Lee), with the help of any volunteers who may have time to help. This work will include flattening/compacting the surface around the drill hole site (+/- 500 sq.ft.), drilling several holes through the ice for possible drilling equipment insertion (in case we hit boulders or other types of refusals...?), and other preparations at the project beachhead (Pollock property) so equipment and supplies can be conveniently assembled and delivered to the site the next day.

Please give Brian or Lee a call if you can give us a hand on the 7th. We'll post a report of the drilling's field activities soon after the 8th and add later postings of analytical results as they become available. We are apparently now "off and running"...stay tuned.
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