Lardner Vanuxem
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Birth: 7/23/1792
Death: 1/25/1848
Background: American
Field: GeologyContents |
Early Life
Born on July 23, 1792
Background and early life
The American geologist born on July 23, 1792 originally did his studies in Columbia, South Carolina, where he was a professor at Columbia College. It was there that he was recognized for his great studies done in the field of geology. He also was acknowledged as a renowned chemist and mineralogist. He spent time all over the country and did various geologically based studies. The professor received the most recognition in the time that he spent time in Albany, New York. It was there that he did a geological survey and was also in charge of arranging a geological cabinet that resulted in the establishment of The New York State Museum.[1]
In addition he was also awarded into the Philadelphia Academy of Natural Sciences. Where he as well gained esteem from his work in Albany as well work done in Kentucky and Tennessee. He did geological research much of his life up until his death on January 25 1848.
Green Lakes State Park
Vanuxem is noted with the naming of Green Lakes State Park in Fayetteville Manlius, New York. Lardner Vanuxem in his journey around the country, and while living in Albany, New York, made observations around the Lake now known as Green Lakes. There is also another lake with the name Round Lake that as well has the same characteristics. Vanuxem, while observing had noticed a Green hue in the water. Upon his observation he correlated this discovery with the other lakes and concluded that the lake gets its distinct color from deep clear waters and minerals that reflect their green tones to the surface.
The more Scientific explanation states that Lake water has a high concentration of minerals that come from the high concentration of snow and rain that the area is so heavily known for. The most prominent minerals found in the water were discovered to be magnesium and calcium, both of which account for the green color that reflects off the water. It has been found that “whiting” occurs yearly due to these high levels of calcium and magnesium. “Whiting” refers to the crystallites of calcite that form as precipitates from the water. Often when “whiting” is occurring the lake appears even more green. When this process is happening the small white crystallites are being deposited deep into the water, at the bottom of the lake waters.
Documentation
Lardner’s observation of the Lake has been documented and in so the text begins to describe the geological rationality behind the naming of the Lake. “The lake is escavated in the second deposit, and is in the red shale. It’s sides and bottom are covered with lake marl. The trees that have fallen into it are whitened by it. The shore on all sides shelving to a depth of twenty feet at a distance of a few yards. The water is remarkably transparent, and of a greenish tint common to such waters” (1839). He then further describes the lake, referencing in full detail the geological reasoning behind why the lake water is green.
Meromictic
After Lardner's lifetime Green Lakes was categorized with the rare title of being called meromictic. The term meromictic is referring specifically to the layers of water that do not intermix. This occurs in water that is usually deeper than 55 feet. When the surface water and the water deep at the bottom of the lake do not mix, it strips the deep water of oxygen. The lakes then have a high level of calcium, magnesium, and sulfur as well. Pairing Lake depth coupled with a large surface area and high precipitation allows Green Lakes to be a well sought out example of a meromictic lake and thus further justifies Vanuxem’s theories.
Related Pages
Green Lakes State Park Recreation
Green Lakes State Park Golf Course
Notes
- ↑ "Lardner Vanuxem". Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 19 April 2010. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lardner_Vanuxem <http://www.jstor.org/pss/3223965>
