Calcium and Magnesium in the Sediment of the Little Spokane River Watershed
Faculty Sponsor
Dr. William Ntow
Session Type
Poster Presentation
Research Project Abstract
The aim of this study was to analyze the content of calcium and magnesium in the sediment of the Little Spokane River catchment area in order to ascertain their influence in surface water and their accumulation in bottom deposits. River-bed sediment samples were collected from 3 sites on the Little Spokane River catchment at the Verbrugge Environmental Center, near Newport, WA and assessed for their calcium and magnesium content. Samples were processed by an HCl acid digestion technique. Analysis was carried out using flame furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS), and results are expressed in milligram/kilogram. The mean concentration of Ca (436 ± 1.0 mg/kg ) remained within the levels of sediment quality guidelines given by Washington State. The samples which were analyzed for magnesium metal concentrations were unusable due to a percent yield of over 100%. Continuous monitoring of calcium and magnesium content in the sediment are proposed to detect seasonal changes.
Session Number
PS2
Location
HUB Multipurpose Room
Abstract Number
PS2-p
Calcium and Magnesium in the Sediment of the Little Spokane River Watershed
HUB Multipurpose Room
The aim of this study was to analyze the content of calcium and magnesium in the sediment of the Little Spokane River catchment area in order to ascertain their influence in surface water and their accumulation in bottom deposits. River-bed sediment samples were collected from 3 sites on the Little Spokane River catchment at the Verbrugge Environmental Center, near Newport, WA and assessed for their calcium and magnesium content. Samples were processed by an HCl acid digestion technique. Analysis was carried out using flame furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS), and results are expressed in milligram/kilogram. The mean concentration of Ca (436 ± 1.0 mg/kg ) remained within the levels of sediment quality guidelines given by Washington State. The samples which were analyzed for magnesium metal concentrations were unusable due to a percent yield of over 100%. Continuous monitoring of calcium and magnesium content in the sediment are proposed to detect seasonal changes.
