Thesis
Atmospheric deposition of heavy metals, and their impact on diatoms and diatom communities
Washington State University
Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
2018
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/100766
Abstract
The anthropogenic introduction of heavy metal particulates into freshwater ecosystems from nearby smelting facilities is cause for concern. Freshwater ecosystems provide many functions they recycle nutrients, are a source of freshwater, recharge ground water aquafers, and provide habitats to wildlife (Loeb, S. L. 1994). In this study five lakes within 130 km (~81 miles) radius from Teck Metals in British Columbia (B.C.) and Le Roi metallurgical facilities were selected. The lakes are located in Washington State's northeast quadrant. Sediments from each lake was cored, dated, and tested for heavy metal concentrations along with observing the diatom fauna present. Both metallurgical facilities began operations in 1896 with the Le Roi smelter ending processing in 1921, and Teck Metals still in operation today. The emissions emitted from these facilities were influenced by the local weather, prevailing wind patterns, and the topography. These influences thereby funneled emissions to nearby ecosystems where the heavy metals can adversely affect organisms present. To test if selected lakes in the study were impacted by the particulates from atmospheric deposition this study focused on observing how the centric diatom community and composition had changed. The Simpson diversity index in the deepest/oldest sediments available from each lake ranged between 0.57 to 0.73. The study revealed that all the lakes including the reference lakes experienced some level of heavy metal exposure. The diversity in three of the lakes which included one reference lake and two impacted lakes had a little to no loss, while the second reference lake and one impacted lake had a significant loss in diversity. Most of the lakes by the end of the study were largely dominated by either one or two species. The total number of individual species present in most lakes stayed fairly consistent throughout the study, the only exception occurred in South Twin lake an impacted lake that lost half of the species. The results from the study did not imply that the heavy metal particulates impacted the diatom communities and their structure.
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Details
- Title
- Atmospheric deposition of heavy metals, and their impact on diatoms and diatom communities
- Creators
- Yessica Lewis Carnley
- Contributors
- James R. Pratt (Degree Supervisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Washington State University
- Academic Unit
- Environment, School of the (CAHNRS)
- Theses and Dissertations
- Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
- Publisher
- Washington State University; [Pullman, Washington] :
- Identifiers
- 99900525181101842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Thesis