Presentation Abstract
Student's Name: Emily Emerson '24
Co-registrant Names:
Type of Presentation: Poster
Presentation Title: "Impact of Rapid Infiltration Beds on Total Phosphorus in Surface Water of Streams and Wetlands."
Abstract:
This study aimed to see if the rapid infiltration beds (RIB), which are part of Franklin Pierce University’s wastewater treatment system, are leaching into the local wetlands and causing high total phosphorus (T.P.) levels. The hypothesis was that the closer a location was to the RIB, the higher the T.P. The wastewater treatment center released treated wastewater into the local watersheds from 1968 to 2009, causing high levels of T.P. When the Rapid Infiltration Bed was installed, the phosphorus levels decreased. However, it is believed that phosphorus is still being leached from the RIB. Ten different sites were sampled at varying distances downstream from the RIB, water depth was measured, and a water sample was taken at each site. Professor Stroble then analyzed the samples in a lab for T.P. using EPA method 365.5 and a UV-visible spectrophotometer. Results showed that there was no clear trend in phosphorus levels as a function of distance from the RIB; some of the highest phosphorus levels were at sites farthest from the RIB. These results may be explained by prior precipitation levels, or because stagnant water levels in the wetland caused phosphorus to leach out of the soil.
Return To Schedule