Document Type

Thesis

Abstract

Increase in population density in many areas of southeastern Virginia forces change in land use for many watersheds. The Lake Matoaka and Jolly Pond drainage basins are approximately the same size (~600 ha) but differ significantly in the level of development. The Matoaka basin is more urbanized (63% forested, 12% low population density residential and 22% high population residential or commercial), while the Jolly Pond basin is relatively undisturbed and largely forested, zoned as a general agricultural district with only small scattered parcels of low-density residential land. Because of their persistence as an aquatic pollutant, heavy metal concentrations were measured to determine the impact of anthropogenic activities and the relative health of the basins. Cores were extracted from Lake Matoaka and Jolly Pond using a Russian peat corer, and measurements were made of the extractable metals lead, cadmium, and chromium. It was found that Lake Matoaka has relatively high lead concentrations, exceeding 315 ppm at its peak while Jolly Pond lead concentrations peak at 80 ppm. Cadmium and chromium concentrations were near baseline for both sites. Carbon and nitrogen ratios were determined to describe the organic matter input over time and '°’Cs dating was performed on Jolly Pond to determine sedimentation rates. These data indicate that more urbanized drainage basins contain significantly higher concentrations of heavy metals. Retention ponds in southeast Virginia provide a unique historical record of the impact human activity can have on small watersheds. The studied ponds are in the James River basin and eventually flow into the Chesapeake Bay. Taken together, our data demonstrate the significant impact that development and other anthropogenic activity can have on small watersheds.

Date Awarded

2007

Department

Geology

Advisor 1

Rick Berquist

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