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Contaminants, such as trace metal pollutants, introduced by anthropogenic activities into Utah Lake are sequestered in major sinks and may bio-accumulate in sport fish consumed by citizens, thereby posing a health risk. This research will assist state officials increase the utility of Utah Lake by lowering these risks through effective and holistic management practices.
Potential Research Questions + Student Activities:
Year 1- What are the anthropogenic sources of heavy metal discharge into Utah Lake? Utah Lake will be divided into different sections based on anthropogenic activities and mapped using ArcGIS. Students will collect water and sediment core samples in triplicates at each location. Samples will be acid digested analyzed in the ICP-OES for trace metal content. Students will tabulate, interpret & present the data to regulatory agencies to help limit or reduce trace metal discharge.
Year 2- What impact does the discharge of heavy metals have on fish species in Utah Lake? (samples of major sports fish collected, and their liver, muscles,skin and gills analyzed)
Year 3- Could the invasive species, Phragmites australis (reeds), be used to rejuvenate Utah Lake via phytoremediation of heavy metal pollutants? (reed root sediment samples collected & analyzed)
Faculty Mentor: Eddy Cadet, Associate Professor, Department of Earth Science Partnering Agencies: Utah Division of Water Quality; Utah Division of Wildlife Resources
