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.
Recommended Citation
Wason, Hope, "The Distribution of Potentially Toxic Elements (PTEs) in Core Sediments from Industrial Areas Along the James River in Lynchburg, Virginia Using Microwave Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectrometry (MP-AES)" (2020). Undergraduate Theses and Capstone Projects. 185.
https://digitalshowcase.lynchburg.edu/utcp/185