Metal concentrations in soil, water, and sediment in the Rodeo Lagoon Watershed

CHED 1108

Karen L. Butler, klbutler@wesleyancollege.edu1, Shanice D Dyer1, Sarah J. Crim1, Darren Fong2, and David C. Edwards, dedwards@wesleyancollege.edu3. (1) Department of Chemistry and Physics, Wesleyan College, 4760 Forsyth Road, Macon, GA 31210, (2) Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Building 1061, Fort Cronkhite, Sausalito, CA 94965, (3) Chemistry and Physics, Wesleyan College, 4760 Forsyth Road, Macon, GA 31210
The Rodeo Lagoon Watershed in Sausalito, California has been subjected to many human impacts, most notably the building of a weir that separated the lagoon from the upstream watershed. Due to this ecosystem alteration, eutrophication, along with high toxic metal concentrations, has been found within the watershed. The National Parks Service is considering removing the weir to help restore the area, and the objective of this study was to analyze the concentrations of a variety of micro and macronutrients and trace contaminants in water, soil and sediment cores to evaluate the condition of the ecosystem using atomic absorption spectroscopy. Initial results show high concentrations of Pb and Cd in the water and soil samples. The sediment cores indicate varying metal concentrations with depth and correlate well with deposition rates. These results will aid in the remediation of the area and demonstrate the effects these metals have on the ecosystem.
 

Undergraduate Research Poster Session: Environmental Chemistry
2:00 PM-4:00 PM, Monday, April 7, 2008 Morial Convention Center -- Hall A, Poster

Division of Chemical Education

The 235th ACS National Meeting, New Orleans, LA, April 6-10, 2008