Title
Anthropogenic Effects on Soil and Stream Chemistry in the Middle Schuylkill River Watershed, Montgomery County, PA
Start Date
13-11-2015 8:00 PM
End Date
13-11-2015 9:59 PM
Description
On July 10th, 2015, surface water samples were taken as part of a comparison of the Perkiomen Creek’s and the Schuylkill River’s water quality and soil chemistry to show the effects of different types of land use. We collected surface water samples and in situ data near the confluence of the two streams just East of Phoenixville, PA. We collected six samples total, three cross sectional samples, one on each bank and the middle from both streams. At each sample site in situ data included pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, and conductivity. Conductivity of both streams fell between 262 to 444 µS/cm. The pH of both streams were near neutral (between 7-8). Temperatures of the streams were between 24°C to 26° C on the sampling day. After being put on ice, samples were filtered and analyzed in the field in triplicate for alkalinity and acidity. Turbidity was analyzed on each unfiltered sample in the field then triplicate unfiltered subsamples collected for later analysis of selected metals (Al, As, Ba, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Pb, Mn, Ni, and Zn). Samples were filtered in the field and triplicate subsamples collected for later metal analyses and additional triplicate samples collected and frozen for analysis of major cations and anions. Nitrite, nitrate, chloride and sulfate were detected in those subsamples. Na and Mg were the major cations present above detectable limits. On July 23rd, 2015, sediment samples were taken from two locations on two islands upstream of the surface water sampling sites in each stream. They were preserved and brought back to the lab to be analyzed. Samples were dried at 75°C in an oven for more than 24 hours. Later they were powdered and analyzed using an X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometer. Samples for bulk density were taken using a 98.125 cm3 cylinder. The bulk densities ranged from 1 to 2 g/ cm3.The pH of the soils in the Perkiomen ranged from 5.09 to 5.23 and the Schuylkill River had values ranging from 5.52 to 6.38. The comparison of these two streams shows significant differences in soil chemistry that may impact water chemistry of the streams in the future.
Type
Poster
Language
eng
Anthropogenic Effects on Soil and Stream Chemistry in the Middle Schuylkill River Watershed, Montgomery County, PA
Elaine Langone Center, Terrace Room
On July 10th, 2015, surface water samples were taken as part of a comparison of the Perkiomen Creek’s and the Schuylkill River’s water quality and soil chemistry to show the effects of different types of land use. We collected surface water samples and in situ data near the confluence of the two streams just East of Phoenixville, PA. We collected six samples total, three cross sectional samples, one on each bank and the middle from both streams. At each sample site in situ data included pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, and conductivity. Conductivity of both streams fell between 262 to 444 µS/cm. The pH of both streams were near neutral (between 7-8). Temperatures of the streams were between 24°C to 26° C on the sampling day. After being put on ice, samples were filtered and analyzed in the field in triplicate for alkalinity and acidity. Turbidity was analyzed on each unfiltered sample in the field then triplicate unfiltered subsamples collected for later analysis of selected metals (Al, As, Ba, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Pb, Mn, Ni, and Zn). Samples were filtered in the field and triplicate subsamples collected for later metal analyses and additional triplicate samples collected and frozen for analysis of major cations and anions. Nitrite, nitrate, chloride and sulfate were detected in those subsamples. Na and Mg were the major cations present above detectable limits. On July 23rd, 2015, sediment samples were taken from two locations on two islands upstream of the surface water sampling sites in each stream. They were preserved and brought back to the lab to be analyzed. Samples were dried at 75°C in an oven for more than 24 hours. Later they were powdered and analyzed using an X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometer. Samples for bulk density were taken using a 98.125 cm3 cylinder. The bulk densities ranged from 1 to 2 g/ cm3.The pH of the soils in the Perkiomen ranged from 5.09 to 5.23 and the Schuylkill River had values ranging from 5.52 to 6.38. The comparison of these two streams shows significant differences in soil chemistry that may impact water chemistry of the streams in the future.