Heavy Metal Concentrations in Water and Surface Sediments of Wilgreen Lake, Madison County, Kentucky
Department
Environmental Health Science
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
12-2010
Abstract
Heavy metal pollution remains problematic in natural waters, particularly for localities near plausible anthropogenic sources. We assayed the level of heavy metals in surface waters and within surface sediments of Wilgreen Lake, whose watershed drains industrial, urban, agricultural, and residential areas near Richmond, Kentucky. Water samples were treated according to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) protocols and digested with trace-metal-grade nitric and hydrochloric acids. Sediment samples were collected with a grab sampler and digested using established EPA procedures with hydrogen peroxide and trace-metal-grade nitric acid. Both water samples and sediment samples were sent to Activation Laboratories for analysis, and were measured via ICP/MS and ICP/OES, respectively.
All water samples had heavy metal concentrations far below the safety limit for drinking water as determined by the EPA and Kentucky Division of Water (KDW). Lead and nickel were elevated above chronic criteria for aquatic habitat as established by the KDW. Several metals lead, thorium, and thallium showed increases in concentration in deeper, anoxic waters compared to oxygenated, surface samples, implying their diffusion out of the sediments. In surface sediments of the lake, heavy metal concentrations show no systematic increase or decrease at stations distributed across the lake. However, two stations M-2 and TF-1 located near the inflow of Taylor Fork showed considerably higher concentrations of lead, chromium, and cobalt than other grab samples. Elevated metal concentrations within sediments in the upper reaches of Taylor Fork can occur from two very different sources. Metals may have originated in the watershed from industrial sources and accumulated within sediments, or they may have entered the lake from septic systems or runoff from the residential areas.
Recommended Citation
Von Gruenigen, Chad, 2010, Heavy metal concentrations in water and surface sediments of Wilgreen Lake, Madison County, Kentucky, Report, EKU Independent Study Project.
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Comments
Report of undergraduate Independent Studies Project