Graduation Year
2015
Document Type
Campus Only Senior Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelor of Arts
Department
W.M. Keck Science Department
Second Department
Biology
Reader 1
Donald McFarlane
Reader 2
Colin Robins
Terms of Use & License Information
Rights Information
© 2014 Moriah I. Lerner
Abstract
Heavy metals can serve as a significant component of pollution in watersheds. In this study, ICP-MS analysis was used to determine the heavy metal content (Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Pb, and U) in water and sediment of three different Costa Rican watersheds: the Tarcoles River, the Terciopelo Creek, and the Cacao Creek. While the metal content of each the Terciopelo Creek and Cacao Creek was expected to be lower than that of the Tarcoles River, the results showed that this held true only for Cr and Pb. Elevated levels of the other four metals (Cd, Cu, Mn, and U) in the Terciopelo and Cacao Creeks are likely due to natural, lithogenic origin instead of anthropogenic input.
Recommended Citation
Lerner, Moriah I., "An Analysis of Heavy Metals in Sediment and Water of Southwestern Costa Rican Watersheds Using ICP-MS" (2015). Scripps Senior Theses. 569.
https://scholarship.claremont.edu/scripps_theses/569
This thesis is restricted to the Claremont Colleges current faculty, students, and staff.
