Variation in Trace Metal Concentrations in a Fluvial Environment, Ottawa River, Toledo, Ohio
VARIATION IN TRACE METAL CONCENTRATIONS IN A FLUVIAL ENVIRONMENT, OTTAWA RIVER, TOLEDO, OHIO. Mitra B. Khadka A Thesis Submitted to the Graduate College of Bowling Green State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF SCIENCE December 2010 Committee: Sheila J. Roberts, Advisor James E. Evans Enrique Gomezdelcampo ii ABSTRACT Sheila J Roberts, Advisor Surface sediment samples were collected from a 1000 m meander reach of the Ottawa River, Ohio and analyzed for trace metals (Zn, Pb, Sr, Mn, Cu, Cr, Co, Ba, Ti, Cd, and Hg) by Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometer (ICP-OES) to determine the local variability in their concentrations between geomorphic features. Eight metals (Zn, Pb, Sr, Mn, Cu, Cr, Co, and Ba) show significantly different concentrations between five fluvial geomorphic features namely, flood plains, point bars, lateral bars, pools, and riffles. Among the features, flood plains and lateral bars are places where flows are decelerated due to surface roughness and vegetation cover, promoting the deposition of fine-grained sediments and organic matter. Thus, flood plains and lateral bars consistently exhibit the highest metal concentrations. The lowest metal concentrations in point bars are attributed to relatively coarse-grained sediment and low organic matter content. The difference in mean metal concentration between flood plains and point bars ranges from 5 times for Co to 12.5 times for Pb. It was found that Zn, Sr, Mn, Cu, Cr, Co, and Ba are influenced by similar transport and interaction processes, and possibly have common sources, while Pb shows a weak to non-significant association with other metals indicating either a different mode of transport or separate anthropogenic sources.
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