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Jane Alexander

Assistant Professor

My research objectives revolve around the themes of low-temperature geochemistry and sedimentology, particularly the interpretation of natural chemical cycles within the Earth and the application of such processes to the evaluation and remediation of contaminated sediments. Recent projects include the modelling of pore fluid chemistry in subduction zone fluids, and interpretation of rare earth elements in sedimentary rocks from different tectonic environments, including the identification of volcanic events in sedimentary rocks from the Newark Basin (NJ). Recent work on Staten Island includes a study of the origin of glacial sediments in Charleston, mapping microplastic distribution on Staten Island beaches, and coastal changes resulting from storms and sea level rise.

In fall 2019 I began working on an NSF funded project to attract and retain minority students, particularly Hispanic students, in the Earth and Environmental Science B.S. The program uses marine science and Spanish language education, international and national teaching experiences, and co-mentoring tools to enhance number, diversity, and professional development of undergraduate Hispanic students in Earth Sciences.

Starting in 2012, I oversaw the writing, approval and introduction of two new B.S. programs that launched in 2016 - a B.S. in Earth and Environmental Science and a B.S. in Earth Science for educators in grades 7 - 12. These programs now serve over 50 undergraduate students from a diverse range of backgrounds, and I was coordinator for the B.S. and Geology minor until 2022.

Degrees

Ph.D., Geology, University College, London, Great Britain

B.Sc. (Hons), Geology, University of Edinburgh, Scotland

Scholarship and Publications

Alexander J. L., Acevedo A. and Rieszel J. (2022) Understanding the vulnerability of Staten Island’s Eastern Coastline from a beach morphology perspective. Field Guide and Proceedings Geological Association of New Jersey Thirty Eighth Annual Meeting

Alexander, J. L., Tobon, J., Thatcher S. and Rivelli V. (2022) Geochemical evidence for the origin of Triassic fluvial sediments and their remobilization during intrusion of the Palisades Sill. Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. 54, (5), doi: 10.1130/abs/2022AM-383244

Alexander, J. L. (2022) Career Week – Taking time out to focus on career activities. Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. 54, (5), doi: 10.1130/abs/2022AM-383284

Alexander, J. L. (2022) Are provenance interpretations from major, trace and rare earth element data accurate? Results from four active margins. Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, 54 (3), doi: 10.1130/abs/2022NE-375336

Alexander, J. L., Chen, T. T., Fiero, A., Vaserman, E., Lindo-Atichati, D., Callaghan, R., Kominoski, S. and Kozyra, M. (2020) Developing a reliable method for separating microplastics from a variety of beach sediments. Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, 52 (2)

Alexander, J. L. (2020) Introducing students to the work of local geologists at the Geological Association of New Jersey annual meeting. Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, 52 (2)

Desai M., Seijo-Ellis G. G., Lindo-Atichati D., Jalon-Rojas I., Alexander J. L., Montero P. and Miro M. (2020) Influence of microfiber properties and environmental processes on their dispersal in estuaries. AGU Ocean Sciences Meeting, February 2020.

Alexander, J. L., and Avilla Sanchez, J. (2019) Staten Island beach morphology - implications for shoreline response to storm events. GSA Abstracts with Programs, 51 (1)

Alexander, J. L., Thatcher, S. T and Rivelli, V. (2018) Geochemical variation in metasedimentary rocks adjacent to the Palisades Sill – metamorphic influence or original sediment composition? GSA Abstracts with Programs, 50 (2), doi: 10.1130/abs/2018NE-311245
 
Alexander, J. L. (2018) Interpretation of local rocks in the context of regional events in undergraduate student labs. GSA Abstracts with Programs, 50 (2), doi: 10.1130/abs/2018NE-311340

Alexander, J. L., Afonja, R. and Rubin, S. (2016) Modeling Pore fluid chemistry in accretionary wedge sediments - New interpretation of ODP data. GSA Abstracts with Programs, 48 (2), doi: 10.1130/abs/2016NE-272763

Alexander J. L. (2015) Laboratory investigations of online databases to enhance student understanding of energy resources. GSA Abstracts with Programs, 47 (3), 100
 
Alexander J. L., Thatcher, S. and Rivelli, V. (2015) Geochemistry of sedimentary rocks affected by contact metamorphism from the intrusion of the Palisades Sill. GSA Abstracts with Programs, 47 (3), 134

Alexander J. L., Rivelli, V. and Thatcher, S. (2014) Sedimentary structures in the Lockatong Formation adjacent to the base of the Palisades Sill. GSA Abstracts with Programs, 46 (2), 105
 
Alexander J. L., Thatcher, S., Rivelli, V. and Bond, V. (2014) Origin and age of fluvial sediments, Charleston, Staten Island. GSA Abstracts with Programs, 46 (2), 45
 
Alexander J. L., Puffer J. H., Benimoff A. I. (2013) New evidence of volcanic ash in the Lockatong Formation of the Newark Basin. GSA Abstracts with Programs, 45 (1), 127
 
Alexander J. L. (2013) Environmental Geology lab exercises using local data from Staten Island. GSA Abstracts with Programs, 45 (1), 69
 
Alexander J. L. (editor) (2012) Field Guide and Proceedings Geological Association of New Jersey Twenty Ninth Annual Meeting
 
Rollizo A. and Alexander J. L. (2012) Soil survey of Crooke’s Point, Gateway National Recreation Area as a guide for vegetation management. Field Guide and Proceedings Geological Association of New Jersey Twenty Ninth Annual Meeting
 
Alexander J. L., Alicia, S., Gunderman, D. and Saltos, J. (2012) Groundwater response to unusual weather events – a case study from Staten Island. GSA Abstracts with Programs, 44 (2), 61
 
Alexander J. L. (2012) Introducing elementary school children to geologic fieldwork – from formulating the hypotheses to analyzing the data. GSA Abstracts with Programs, 44 (2), 45

Valsami-Jones E, Baltatzis E, Bailey E H, Boyce A J, Alexander J L, Magganas A, Anderson L, Waldron S, Ragnarsdottir K V. (2005) The geochemistry of fluids in an active shallow submarine hydrothermal system: Milos island, Hellenic Volcanic Arc. Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, 148, 130-151.

Schrag D P, Adkins J F, McIntyre K, Alexander J L, Hodell D A, Charles C D and McManus J F. (2002) The oxygen isotopic composition of seawater during the Last Glacial Maximum. Quaternary Science Reviews, 21, 331-342.

Alexander J L, Pickering K T and Bailey E H. (1999) Hydrothermal sediments associated with a relict back-arc spreading centre in the Shikoku basin, recovered from the Nankai accretionary prism, Japan. The Island Arc, 8, 281-292.

Alexander J L.  (1998) Rare earth element anomalies in the Nankai Accretionary Prism, Japan. In: Cramp A, MacLeod C J, Lee S V and Jones E J W (eds.) Geological Evolution of Ocean Basins: Results from the Ocean Drilling Program. Geological Society, London, Special Publication, 131, 273-285.

Sims R, Lawless T A, Alexander J L, Bennett D G and Read D.  (1996) Uranium migration through intact sandstone: Effect of pollutant concentration and the reversibility of uptake. Journal of Contaminant Hydrology, 21, 215-228.

Photo of Dr. Jane Alexander

Contact Information

Office: Building 1N Room 116
Fax: 718.982.2830