Selected Project List - 1995-2009

"Dr. Palacios-Fest and TNESR have carried out projects throughout the Americas."

SELECTED PROJECTS

2009

1. Upper West Amarillo Creek Valley, Amarillo, Texas. TNESR was responsible for paleoecological studies of an archaeological site (41PT185). The study allowed the identification of the Medieval Climatic Anomaly and the Little Ice Age in an arid region where such signature is rarely observed. Project sponsored by TRC Solutions, Inc. San Antonio under supervision of Michael Quigg.
2. Land Snails of Travis and Bastrop Counties, Texas. TNESR was responsible for paleoecological studies of archaeological sites 41TV540/41TV410. The studies allowed establishing modern analogs for the prehistoric use of land snails in central Texas. Project sponsored by the Center for Archaeological Research, University of Texas- San Antonio.
3. Multiple research projects in Arizona, California, Nevada, New Mexico and Texas. During the past year, TNESR has conducted numerous studies on the paleoecology of micro-invertebrates in irrigation canals, springs, wetlands, and lakes in the North American Southwest.

2007-2010

4. Ash Meadows Natural Wildlife Refuge, Nevada. TNESR was responsible for paleoecological studies of springs and reservoirs to reconstruct the history of environmental change for the past 300 years. The overall goal of this project is to provide the client with a model of environmental change since Anglo-American settlers established in the area. The project is conducted for Otis Bay, Inc. and the Ash Meadows Natural Wildlife Refuge administration under supervision of Robert Andress.

2008

5. Short course: Paleoecología y química de ostrácodos de aguas continentales: Su aplicación en Arqueología, National University of Tucuman, Tucuman, Argentina (March 3-31). Sponsored by the Fulbright Commission (PR-2817), TNESR provided training for graduate students and professionals on the uses and applications of ostracode analysis associated with archaeological sites in northern Argentina.
6. Proyecto Jícaro (G-439 Ji), Península de Nacascolo, Costa Rica (February 9-22). TNESR assisted Asesorías Arqueológicas, S.A. de C.V., Liberia, Guanacaste, Costa Rica, for identifying human occupation horizons at a coastal archaeological site in Bahía Culebra, Gulf on Nicoya. The project consisted of analyzing soil samples across the area of study in a temporal-spatial context.
7. Atacama Desert Center, Universidad Católica de Chile (Jan. 11-15). TNESR participated in the workshop on research, conservation, and public policy for the protection of archaeological sites in northern Chile. Dr. Palacios-Fest presented the justification for scientific research at the Ramaditas Site, Pampa del Tamarugal: “Water, a Resource for Sustainability and Development in the Atacama Desert: Cultural and Paleoenvironmental Implications”. Project sponsored by Universidad Católica de Chile.

2006*2009

8. Coring and Pollution Study of Patagonia Lake, Arizona . TNESR assisted Dr. Floyd Gray of the United States Geological Survey in coring this man-made lake searching for evidence of pollution from upstream mining areas. The project consisted of obtaining several short cores using a Universal Head Core to conduct sediment and micro-invertebrate studies, as well as chemical analyses to identify potential pollutants to the lake.
9. The resiliency of prehistoric Hohokam and historic Akimel O’odham Societies in the Middle Gila River Valley. TNESR was a consultant to the Gila River Indian Community Cultural Resource Management to reconstruct the history of canal irrigation in the Lower and Upper Santan Village archaeological sites. The study demonstrated the adverse conditions the Hohokam faced during occupation of the site. The Akimel O’odham society was exposed to an analogous situation in historic time in the same area.
10. Tonto Natural Bridge Spring site. TNESR assisted EcoPlan, Inc. to reconstruct the environmental history of this area with special interest to prehistoric occupation. Alternating species indicated episodes increasing and decreasing groundwater discharge.

2006

11. Geoarchaeology in Chile. TNESR is providing the scientific coordinator for the Archaeological, Paleoenvironmental, and Educational Research Project in Northern Chile (from the coast of Iquique to the Altiplano through the Pampa del Tamarugal). The project, led by Dr. Mario A. Rivera, includes archaeologists, geologists, architects, engineers, and social and education specialist to conduct the multidisciplinary aspects of the study.
12. Paleoenvironmental Reconstruction of Tulare Lake, California (Part 2). Dr. Palacios-Fest, was Co-PI with California State University professors Dirk Baron and Robert M. Negrini, and conducted a second season of coring, sampling and science career mentoring for high school students and their teachers. Curricula was developed around geoscience topics and fieldwork. Project sponsored by NSF Grant No.0303324.

2004-2010

13. Chaco Canyon Archaeological Project. TNESR was a consultant for Dr. Wirt Wills from the Department of Anthropology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque. TNESR provided fieldwork, analysis, and report preparation on the topic of canal system dynamics during the A.D. 900-1150 era. Project sponsored by an NSF Grant to Dr. Wills.

2000-2004

14. Rio Nuevo Project, Tucson, Arizona. TNESR assisted Desert Archaeology, Inc. with sedimentological and micropaleontological studies of historic and prehistoric irrigation systems of the archaeological sites west of I-10 in downtown Tucson for the construction of the Rio Nuevo Cultural Complex, west of downtown Tucson. Sponsored by the City of Tucson and Desert Archaeology, Inc., Tucson, Arizona.

2002

15. Zuni Wetlands Project, Zuni, New Mexico. . TNESR assisted Western Cultural Resource Management (WCRM) with the sedimentological and micropaleontological studies of prehistoric irrigation systems of the Zuni Pueblo. Zuni Pueblo. Project sponsored by WCRM, Zuni, New Mexico.

2000

16. Shannon Business Park, Marana, Arizona.TNESR assisted Desert Archaeology, Inc. with the sedimentological and micropaleontological studies of prehistoric irrigation systems. Project sponsored by a private developer and Desert Archaeology, Inc., Tucson, Arizona.

2000

17. GLAD800 (Global Lake Drilling 800 Program). TNESR provided the staff scientist, and scientific liaison for testing drilling capabilities of limnological portable platform and rig at the Great Salt Lake and Bear Lake, Utah. Drilling, Observation and Sampling of the Earth's Continental Crust Programme (DOSECC); and Past Global Changes, International Geosphere Biosphere Programme (PAGES); Salt Lake City, Utah.

2000-2001

18. IMMSA Soil Characterization and BRA, San Luis Potosi, Mexico. TNESR prepared the work plan and translation to Spanish of all documents. IMMSA, Coahuila, Mexico. Project sponsored by IMMSA, Mexico, and Hydrometrics, Inc., Tucson, Arizona.

1999-2001

19. Port of Guaymas EIS, Guaymas, Sonora, Mexico. TNESR was responsible for the elaboration of a marine-sediment- and water-sampling plan. Assisted other scientists with the interpretation of results and helped with the translation of the report into Spanish. Mexicana de Cobre, Sonora, Mexico.

1999-2002

20. Modern Analog Studies, Sacaton, Arizona. Dr. Palacios-Fest from TNESR in collaboration with Dr. Karen R. Adams and Ms. Susan Smith were responsible for developing the work plan and study of microinvertebrates from modern irrigation systems within the limits of the Gila River Indian Community, Sacaton, Arizona.The data produced the modern analog for comparison with historic and prehistoric records collected from irrigation systems. Sponsored by the Gila River Indian Community.

1999-2000

21. Sky Harbor Airport, Phoenix, Arizona. TNESR was responsible for the sedimentological and micropaleontological studies of prehistoric irrigation systems discovered in the area where expansion of the runway will take place. Sponsored by Archaeological Consulting Services, Ltd. and the Sky Harbor Airport Authority.

PROJECTS DR. PALACIOS-FEST CONDUCTED BEFORE FOUNDING TNESR:

1999

22. Design of a freeze-corer (independent research). Dr. Palacios-Fest developed a high-efficiency freeze-corer to collect 40-50 cm of sediments and the bottom 10 cm of the water column from shallow marine and nonmarine environments for pollution analysis.

1998-2000

23. Shell chemistry and pollution (independent research). Dr. Palacios-Fest developed a mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) strategy to analyze heavy metals and REE's accumulated in the calcareous skeletons of microinvertebrates from aquatic systems.

1998-2000

24. Lake Tanganyika Biodiversity Project. Dr. Palacios-Fest was a post-doctoral researcher, cruise co-leader, and scientific coordinator for collecting cores on the east coast of the lake to reconstruct the history of environmental change using sedimentological and paleoecological analysis. He was involved in sampling, sample processing, data interpretation and preparation of the final report and academic publications. Global Environment Facility, United Nations (GEF-UN), Washington, D.C.

1997-1998

25. Murray Smelter, Salt Lake City, Utah. Independent consultant responsible for field investigations including well logs and surface soil and water samples. Participated in the data analysis, constructing stratigraphic columns using GINT software (geotechnical integrator). Also responsible for the interpretation and reporting of high metal concentrations on site. Federated Metals, Inc.

1997-1998

26. Tacoma Smelter, Tacoma, Washington. Independent consultant responsible for the interpretation of ground-penetrating radar data to determine concrete thickness and fractures covered by soils on exiting facility. Also participated with the analysis of chemical data and the elaboration of remediation alternatives. ASARCO, Inc., Phoenix, Arizona.

1997-1998

27. Ray Mine, Winkelman, Arizona. Independent field geologist on major monitoring well-sampling event, recording and analyzing data. ASARCO, Inc., Phoenix, Arizona.

1995-2000

28. Playa Vista Paleoecological Study. Independent consultant for Statistical Research, Inc., responsible for reconstructing the paleoenvironment of the Ballona Lagoon, southern California, for the past 7,000 years. Sedimentological and micropaleontological analyses were used in this investigation to integrate the biological record with the physical environment, prior to development of the site. Playa Capital, Los Angeles.