February 1999 ACS Meeting

"Caves - Worlds Within the World:
An Introduction to the Chemistry, Geology, and Ecology of Caves"

Date:  Friday, February 19, 1999

Location:  Holiday Inn North Shore,   5300 W. Touhy,   Skokie, IL 60077

Cost:  $25.00 for members of ACS/ $27.00 for non-members

Reservation Deadline:  Wednesday, February 17, 1999
Phone:   (847)647-8405

Cave science or speleology, offers an important means of learning about the earth's geological history from the inside out. Caves are three-dimensional worlds within our two-dimensional surface world -- worlds within the world. Caves can be aesthetically beautiful, challenging, and sometimes fearsome. Professor Marquart has been exploring and studying caves for several decades. He will take you on a slide-show tour of a number of fascinating caves across the country. Particular attention will be given to caves in the Midwest and Southwest.

The earth's geological history has led to the formation of differing types of caves around the country. The role of chemistry and geology in creating these wonders of nature will be emphasized. Examples of how speleology can tell us things about the ancient history of our planet will be explored. As an example, analysis of the chemical makeup of formations within the cave offers some surprising revelations about the climate at the earth's surface hundreds and even thousands of years ago.

This presentation is designed for an audience of varied interests and experiences technical and non-technical. It is interdisciplinary in content, combining chemistry with geology, hydrology, and earth history to show how and where caves are formed and why environmental concerns are particularly serious in cave (karst) regions.

We will examine environmental problems in the karst areas of southwestern Illinois (in Monroe and St. Clair Counties - across from St. Louis) and along the Illinois River in north-central Illinois (in LaSalle County) and work underway to remedy them.

Biographical Sketch - John R. Marquart

John R. Marquart is a Professor of Chemistry at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, IL. His area of research involves Analytical and Physical Chemistry as applied to environmental problems. His laboratory-based research involves development and applications of analytical methods for monitoring common environmental pollutants, such as heavy metals, pesticides, and herbicides. He is also active in a wide variety of field-based conservation and restoration projects involving subterranean environments (caves and mines). Ongoing projects include restoration and protection of environmentally sensitive mines and caves throughout the mid-West, especially within Illinois and at Mammoth Cave National Park, KY. He is past President of the Near Normal Grotto, the mid-Illinois grotto (chapter) of the National Speleological Society, a Director of the Illinois Speleological Survey, and is a member and consultant to Bat Conservation International. He is also President-Elect of the East-Central Illinois Section of the American Chemical Society.

He is a native of Benton Harbor, Michigan. His interest in caves dates from his early childhood when his family took summer vacations in cave areas of Indiana and Kentucky where he and his older brother explored caves. His interest in caves as a challenging recreation has broadened into application of his background as a physical scientist to the scientific and technical aspects of caves.

He holds a B.S. in Chemistry from the University of Arizona in Tucson and an M.S. and Ph.D. from the University of Illinois in Urbana/Champaign. After his Ph.D., he worked as a research chemist for Shell Development Company in Emeryville, CA (five years), taught at Mercer University in Macon, GA (10 years), and currently teaches at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston (20 years). He also regularly teaches summer classes in Physical Chemistry at the University of Illinois in Urbana/Champaign and collaborates on research with this institution.

*Coming from the North on I-94 (Edens Expressway)

Take the Touhy Avenue west exit (#39A). The Holiday Inn is 3 to 4 blocks west on the right hand side.

*Coming from the South on I-90/94 (Kennedy Expressway)

Make sure that when the 90-94 split you take I-94 west "to Milwaukee", then exit at Touhy Avenue west (#39A). The hotel is 3 to 4 blocks on the right hand side.

*Coming from the south on the I-294 (tollway)

Exit at Touhy Avenue east. The restaurant is about 7-8 miles east of the 294 expressway. The hotel will be on the left hand side.

*Coming from OHare Airport on the 190 expressway/I-90 (Kennedy expressway)

Take 190 east to Chicago to merge with the 90. 2 miles down will be an exit for Harlem Ave. Exit on Harlem Ave. Turn left at the first street light at which time you will be heading north on Harlem Ave. After about 3 miles turn right on Touhy Avenue and the hotel will be 2 miles down on the left hand side.

*Coming from the I-55 (Stevenson expressway)

Take the I-55 to the I-90/94 expressway west to Wisconsin (Milwaukee) then take the I-94 after the split to Touhy Avenue west, then exit west on Touhy Ave. (#39A)

Parking:   Free parking available

Main Entree: Sliced London Broil, Teriyaki Style
Tempura Vegetable Kabobs
Deluxe Garden Salad with Italian or Herb French Salad Dressings
Stir Fry Oriental Vegetables
Blended Wild Rice
Rolls and Butter
Flourless Chocolate Cake
Coffee and Tea

Fish Entree:   Grilled Halibut with Basil Butter.   (To be requested when make reservation.)