Release of VOCs, gases, and bacteria from contaminated landings and creeks of Ogeechee river
Location
Poster Session 2 (Henderson Library)
Session Format
Poster Presentation
Your Campus
Statesboro Campus- Henderson Library, April 20th
Academic Unit
Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health
Research Area Topic:
Natural & Physical Sciences - Environmental Sciences & Sustainability
Co-Presenters and Faculty Mentors or Advisors
Faculty Advisor/Co-author: Atin Adhikari Ph.D., Associate Professor of Environmental Health Sciences
Advisor/Mentor: Melanie Sparrow MA, Education and Outreach Coordinator at Ogeechee Riverkeeper
Abstract
Introduction
River landings are common public grounds, visited by many people every day. The aftermath of visiting these places may be unsettling since most trash is left behind and scattered throughout. The litter collects and with each rain or high wind, have a better chance of ending up in our streams, rivers, creeks, and eventually our oceans. The quality of the water would generally be the first concern however, the main purpose of this study is to measure both air and water quality to determine how each is impacted by trash and which is of greater concern. Some environmental gasses being measured are ammonia, methane, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which can be released into the air during the decaying process after being exposed to sunlight.
Methods
Water quality parameters for this study were derived from the Georgia Adopt-A-Stream method. This type of sampling is a method of citizen science monitoring through the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Locations sampled included Rocky Ford Landing along the Ogeechee River, Rocks River Landing on the Canoochee River, and Little Lotts Creek located in the center of Statesboro, Georgia and leads into the Canoochee River. Each Monday, starting on January 17, 2022, air measurements were sampled ten times at each location and is still ongoing through May 2022.
Results
Little lotts creek has shown higher trends in air and water pollution where trash was found the second highest with an average monthly pickup of 19.02 lbs. just behind Rocks River at 19.92 lbs. Rocky Ford Landing had an average of 4.48 lbs.
Conclusion
The potential contamination of river landings and creeks may contribute to increased levels of airborne and waterborne gas levels and microbial loads near the river water surfaces.
Program Description
Air and water are connected and environmental monitoring on both simultaneously can illustrate this. The main purpose of this study is to measure both air and water quality at contaminated river landings and creeks of the Ogeechee River to determine how each is impacted by trash and which is of greater concern.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Presentation Type and Release Option
Presentation (Open Access)
Start Date
4-20-2022 1:30 PM
End Date
4-20-2022 3:00 PM
Recommended Citation
Clower, Victoria Antoinette, "Release of VOCs, gases, and bacteria from contaminated landings and creeks of Ogeechee river" (2022). GS4 Georgia Southern Student Scholars Symposium. 91.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/research_symposium/2022/2022/91
Release of VOCs, gases, and bacteria from contaminated landings and creeks of Ogeechee river
Poster Session 2 (Henderson Library)
Introduction
River landings are common public grounds, visited by many people every day. The aftermath of visiting these places may be unsettling since most trash is left behind and scattered throughout. The litter collects and with each rain or high wind, have a better chance of ending up in our streams, rivers, creeks, and eventually our oceans. The quality of the water would generally be the first concern however, the main purpose of this study is to measure both air and water quality to determine how each is impacted by trash and which is of greater concern. Some environmental gasses being measured are ammonia, methane, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which can be released into the air during the decaying process after being exposed to sunlight.
Methods
Water quality parameters for this study were derived from the Georgia Adopt-A-Stream method. This type of sampling is a method of citizen science monitoring through the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Locations sampled included Rocky Ford Landing along the Ogeechee River, Rocks River Landing on the Canoochee River, and Little Lotts Creek located in the center of Statesboro, Georgia and leads into the Canoochee River. Each Monday, starting on January 17, 2022, air measurements were sampled ten times at each location and is still ongoing through May 2022.
Results
Little lotts creek has shown higher trends in air and water pollution where trash was found the second highest with an average monthly pickup of 19.02 lbs. just behind Rocks River at 19.92 lbs. Rocky Ford Landing had an average of 4.48 lbs.
Conclusion
The potential contamination of river landings and creeks may contribute to increased levels of airborne and waterborne gas levels and microbial loads near the river water surfaces.
