Analysis and Description of the Iridescent Film on Calcites in Eastern Iowa

During the Devonian Period, eastern to central Iowa experienced multiple transgressive and regressive intervals. This study focuses on the Cou Falls and Gizzard Creek Members of the Coralville Formation, deposited during the Eifelian Stage. Sometime after the formation of the limestone, the interiors of various brachiopods, gastropods, and other fauna began to weather out, creating vugs within the limestone, which gave rise to the first of three growth phases of calcite in the form of rhombohedrons and scalenohedrons. After these primary calcites were formed, new fluids flowed through these vugs, depositing a previously misidentified iridescent film on the calcite crystals, observed in multiple locations in the region. Prior to this study, this iridescent film was being classified as stilpnosiderite, a pseudomorph of limonite. After the thin-film formed, two more phases of calcites grew: a secondary growth of large, white rhombohedrons and a tertiary growth of large scalenohedrons. These differences in morphologies are probably related to progressive changes in elemental concentrations of the groundwater. The focus of this research is to determine the thin-film composition and identify geochemical conditions of precipitation on the primary crystals. Based on SEM analysis, the film’s composition is a mix of aluminum, calcium, nitrogen, silicon, and sulfur. When vugs are exposed to the natural elements (sunlight, rain, and groundwater), the film begins to disappear. Through experiments to simulate the natural environments of sunlight, rain, and groundwater for 100 days, it is evident that the film does not deteriorate within that time frame

Sinning as Empowerment: Reclaiming God as a Black, Queer Woman in Alice Walker’s The Color Purple

In this paper, the author embarks on the task of re-imagining the seven sins of Christianity in the context of Alice Walker\u27s The Color Purple, specifically in relation to the character Shug Avery

Thomas Tredway Library 2023-2024 Annual Report

The 2023-2024 annual report from the Thomas Tredway Library, Augustana College

Dating Apps as an Outlet to Promote Sexual Autonomy Among Disabled Individuals: An Intersectional Approach to Change

As disabled individuals are forced into the social other and an asexual narrative, dating apps provide an outlet for this demographic to engage in their sexuality in a format that is more easily accessible. In an age of rising technology, the destigmatization and usage of dating apps highlights the self-expressive potential of an underrepresented and misunderstood demographic. This issue is addressed through historical perspectives of “crip sex,” a comparison between the disabled dating experience and the able-bodied dating experience, and a description of the significance of a dating app designed for individuals with disabilities

Social Commentary in Charlotte Murray Russell\u27s The Message of the Mute Dog

This paper analyzes how Charlotte Murray Russell\u27s cozy mystery The Message of the Mute Dog supports patriotism while criticizing anti-German sentiment during World War II