leach creek water quality analysis: levels of heavy metals found in the leach creek holding basin
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Leach Creek Water Quality Analysis: Levels of Heavy Metals
Found in the Leach Creek Holding Basin
Emily Britt, Latisha Cain, Nicholas Davis, Regina Doria, Hannah Holly, Nathan Huff, Spencer Jenks, Ayanna Jordan, Hannah Pena, Krystie Roth, Evan Schueler, Madeline Stauffacher, Lenzi Stowers, Kyle
Tank, Stone Ward, Yimin Zeng, and Nicholas Stephens
Curtis Senior High School, 8425 40th Street West, University Place, 98466
Chum Salmon Population is Low
Earlier Reports of Heavy Metals in Chambers, Leach Creeks
• Some samples contained mercury, copper levels that exceeded EPA limits
• Samples indicated that holding basin was at or near source(s)
Purpose of our Project
• Learn about water quality, salmon populations
• Gain experiences in field studies, scientific method
• Locate source(s) of pollutants in order to focus on solutions
Water Sample Locations
North Site
East Site
Outlet Site
Groundwater
Landfill
Water Sample LocationsNorth Site
East Site Groundwater Site
Holding Basin Outlet
Using the Drive Point Piezometer
Environmental Scientists at Work!
Tour of Spectra Laboratories
Metal Data
Analyte 11/19 Result 12/3 Result Units MethodArsenic 1.6 6.0 ug/L EPA 200.8Barium 4.8 12.2 ug/L EPA 200.8
Cadmium <0.5 <0.5 ug/L EPA 200.8Chromium <0.5 <0.5 ug/L EPA 200.8
Copper 1.1 <0.5 ug/L EPA 200.8Lead <0.5 <0.5 ug/L EPA 200.8
Nickel 1.0 2.0 ug/L EPA 200.8Selenium <0.5 <0.5 ug/L EPA 200.8
Silver <0.5 <0.5 ug/L EPA 200.8Zinc 5.7 5.0 ug/L EPA 200.8
Mercury <0.2 <0.2 ug/L EPA 245.1
Analyte 11/19 Result 12/3 Result Units MethodArsenic 1.5 6.2 ug/L EPA 200.8Barium 10.6 29.9 ug/L EPA 200.8
Cadmium <0.5 <0.5 ug/L EPA 200.8Chromium 0.7 0.8 ug/L EPA 200.8
Copper 3.0 6.9 ug/L EPA 200.8Lead 2.0 24.8 ug/L EPA 200.8
Nickel 1.8 2.0 ug/L EPA 200.8
Selenium <0.5 <0.5 ug/L EPA 200.8Silver <0.5 <0.5 ug/L EPA 200.8Zinc 15.9 83.5 ug/L EPA 200.8
Mercury <0.2 <0.2 ug/L EPA 245.1
East Sample Site
Holding Basin Outlet
Metal DataAnalyte 11/19 Result 12/3 Result Units Method
Arsenic 11.0 190 ug/L EPA 200.8Barium 1590 1510 ug/L EPA 200.8
Cadmium 5.8 5.2 ug/L EPA 200.8Chromium 5.0 272 ug/L EPA 200.8
Copper 14.2 485 ug/L EPA 200.8Lead 44.2 867 ug/L EPA 200.8
Nickel 571 2220 ug/L EPA 200.8Selenium <0.5 15 ug/L EPA 200.8
Silver <0.5 14.4 ug/L EPA 200.8Zinc 356 1630 ug/L EPA 200.8
Mercury 10.0 0.4 ug/L EPA 245.1
Analyte 11/19 Result 12/3 Result Units MethodArsenic 4.6 3110 ug/L EPA 200.8Barium 5920 6230 ug/L EPA 200.8
Cadmium 9.8 73.6 ug/L EPA 200.8Chromium 10.3 457 ug/L EPA 200.8
Copper 18.6 1220 ug/L EPA 200.8Lead 1.8 928 ug/L EPA 200.8
Nickel 1090 14700 ug/L EPA 200.8
Selenium <0.5 48.4 ug/L EPA 200.8Silver <0.5 22.8 ug/L EPA 200.8Zinc 127 1300 ug/L EPA 200.8
Mercury 0.7 0.5 ug/L EPA 245.1
North Sample Site
Groundwater Sample Site (nearest to Landfill)
Conclusions
• Groundwater that enters holding basin from north (Fircrest area) is potential source of mercury, copper.
• Water entering from eastern side of holding basin (nearest to landfill) contains low levels of mercury.
• Large discrepancy between sample collection dates; further testing needed
Future Work
• Return to north, groundwater sites; obtain water using piezometer and test for metals in an attempt to get repeatable results.
• Test well water of residents to north of holding basin for mercury, other metals.
• Investigate other potential causes of chum decline (storm water discharge, water temperature, etc…)
• Incubate chum eggs, release into creek
Acknowledgements
• Chambers-Clover Creek Watershed Council• Calvin Taylor and Karen Bartlett (City of
Tacoma)• Steve Hibbs and Marie Holt (Spectra Labs) • Al Schmauder and Don Russell