Published on Sep 28, 2024
The objective:
My objective was to determine whether Newport Bay boatyards were a point source for the heavy metal copper.
15 bottles (small) Filter 2 Large Ziploc bags
30 small plastic bags 5% HNO(3) Sharpie Marker
30 sets of clean plastic disposable gloves 30 pipettes Plastic Cup
HF acid 2N HCl Centrifuge 7 clean plastic spatulas
A. Using "clean" procedures, two sets of seven water samples were taken at various locations in Newport Bay, and each location was recorded using a Global Positioning System.
B. Ocean water taken at a location off of Dana Point was used as a control for the experiment.
C. Unwanted particles and organic matter were removed through filtration.
D. The concentrations of copper were measured using an Argon Plasma Mass Spectrometer, and were calculated using the "Isotope Dilution" method.
E. 6 sediment samples were taken using a clean plastic cup at various locations around the bay. Each location was recorded using a Global Positioning System.
F. Sediment taken off of a relatively pristine sandy beach was used as a control.
G. The sediment was dissolved in acid, and the concentration measured using an Argon Plasma Mass Spectrometer. The concentration was then calculated using the "Isotope Dilution" method.
The concentrations of copper in the water are two to three times higher around boatyards than they are in other areas of Newport Bay, and roughly 20 times that of the control.
The concentrations of copper in the sediment are as much as 27 times higher in the areas adjacent to the boatyards than off of the relatively pristine sandy beach. The concentrations of copper in samples taken at the boatyards are also roughly 10 times as much as those taken near the marina.
Boatyards are a point source for copper in Newport Bay. The concentrations of copper in both the sediments and in the water are significantly higher in the areas surrounding the boatyards than in other parts of Newport Bay or in the nearby ocean.
This project is to determine whether boatyards are a significant point source for copper in Newport Bay by taking water and sediment samples; I found that the concentrations of copper were significantly higher around boatyards than elsewhere in the bay.