Physical Geology was responsible for analyzing soil samples for composition traits and how they reacted to water. In addition, we were in charge of planning the Malheur kegger/orgy. Sadly, only four Sage Grouse attended. Note for next year- start AFTER dawn.  Our testing consisted of 1. sifting the samples through a variety of screen sizes, 2. measuring how fast water travels through the samples (flow velocity); and 3. measuring how much water the sample could hold (water porosity).

    Our samples were collected from backyards in suburban Burns, some complete with angry dogs and kiddie pools. In addition, samples from Mickey Hot Springs, Borax Lake, and Clearwater Lake made it in there somehow. All valid sample sites are eastward of the Steens Mountain Range, a large fault-block mountain of the Northern Basin and Range Territory.

    The Mickey Hot Springs sample appeared mainly to consist of precipitates (PRE-SIP-UH-TATES). The size range was mainly between one-half and two millimeters, possibly because the salt precipitates form at about that size range. This soil was initially very dark, but upon drying, turned a light cream color, proving the existence of God.
 
 

    Clear Water Lake provided a soil that looked a lot like sand. It was mostly between 0.125 and 0.5 millimeters in particle size. The soil had a high silt content, which caused water to move through it slooooooowly, unlike sand. It held approximately 40% of it's volume in water, like sand. We're pretty sure, after this extensive analysis, that it's sand.
 
 

    The Borax Lake sample was wierd. It seemed to consist completely of organic material. The lack of flowing water would explain why no mineral sediments were flowing into the area, leaving the soil to be completely made up of decaying plant matter. The soil team found a very acidic Ph reading on this sample, which is completely opposite of what was expected.We think they peed in it. The soil here had a high porosity (70%) and water moved fairly quickly through it.
 
 

    (Written By Alaric and Amy)

    Hi, I'm studying history. That's why I know excactly what all of this means. Amy is studying sociology. Yes, we peed in the samples. Karen had a long day. She knows more than we do and that's why she is making us walk on our own four feet for a change. She's done enough for chrissakes!!!This is what we think ............. Nitrogen is gollygoshdarn important because it is necessary for plants' amino acids, nucleic acids, enzymes and stuff. Phosphorous is necessary for plant growth and cell activity. That's why there were no monkey colonies flourishing at Borax Lake. Well, not counting the Clark College crew. Here's the basics. In the saturated soils close to the mineral lakes there were no plants. The fabulous desert sun quickly evaporates the mineral laden water and leaves deposits uninhabitable for plant life. further away from the lakes the same old plants grew happily. Listen to this : potassium is needed in plants for ion pumps, which aid in photosynthesis...turgor pressure, and ozzy osmotic balance. That means they are able to balance out Sabbath records with a little Pat Boone.Desirable is 200 pounds per acre. Wait, it gets even better! Don't change your channel. pH measures the amount of free ions in the water. Imprisoned ions are nooooo good. Usually rather alkaline in the desert due to high salt accumulation from water evaporation. This really saves money on drinking, one drink goes three times as far when you're dehydrated. One might expect the level to be 8-9, Borax Lake is inexplicable. The acidity, that is.oh, clear lake was really clear. The two Forster's Terns semmed to appreciate Clear over Borax

(Written By Amy)

    A more scientific take on the data involves the chemical building blocks of all living things. Nitrogen and phosphorus are necessary for production of nucleic acids, the building blocks of DNA and RNA and amino acids, which are used to build proteins. Nitrogen, in the form of NADP+ and NAD+, is an energy carrier for the processes of photosynthesis and cell respiration. pH level of the soil is also essential to the living community of the lakes and springs. Most living organisms attempt to maintain a pH level of 7. It is predictable that many plants would not survive at Borax Lake and Mickey Hot Springs due to the pH, nitrogen and phosphorus levels.

    For the next field study, we would suggest getting samples at Borax Lake from the crust/surface as the last two trips have done, and from 12-18 inches below the surface. We never were able to explain the very low pH level of Borax Lake.
 

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