Date Presented

Spring 5-2020

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science

Department

Environmental Science

First Advisor

Priscilla Gannicott, PhD

Second Advisor

David Perault, PhD

Third Advisor

Jennifer Styrsky, PhD

Abstract

This research analyzed the origin, distribution, and contamination levels of eight potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in order to identify if industrial sites adjacent to the James River were releasing Zn, Cd, Ni, Cu, Pb, Mn, Co, and/or Cr into the environment. The results indicated that there were significant differences between sites, layers, and elements. A statistical analysis indicated that one of the target locations had significantly higher concentrations in regard to all of the selected metals found in its lower layers, therefore suggesting that it may have been a previous source of metal pollution in the past. An additional study must be conducted with a larger sample size in order to verify the results from this research.

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