1. Leach Creek Water Quality Analysis: Levels of Heavy Metals Found in the Leach Creek Holding Basin Emily Britt, Latisha Cain, Nicholas Davis, Regina Doria, Hannah Holly, Nathan Huff, Spencer Jenks, Ayanna Jordan, Hannah Pena, Krystie Roth, Evan Schueler, Madeline Stauffacher, Lenzi Stowers, Kyle Tank, Stone Ward, Yimin Zeng, and Nicholas Stephens Curtis Senior High School, 8425 40 th Street West, University Place, 98466

2. Chum Salmon Population is Low

3. Earlier Reports of Heavy Metals in Chambers, Leach Creeks Some samples contained mercury, copper levels that exceeded EPA limits Samples indicated that holding basin was at or near source(s)

4. Purpose of our Project Learn about water quality, salmon populations Gain experiences in field studies, scientific method Locate source(s) of pollutants in order to focus on solutions

5. Water Sample Locations North Site East Site Outlet Site Groundwater Landfill

6. Water Sample Locations North Site East Site Groundwater Site Holding Basin Outlet

7. Using the Drive Point Piezometer

8. Environmental Scientists at Work!

9. Tour of Spectra Laboratories

10. Metal Data Analyte11/19 Result 12/3 Result UnitsMethod Arsenic1.66.0ug/LEPA 200.8 Barium4.812.2ug/LEPA 200.8 Cadmium<0.5 ug/LEPA 200.8 Chromium<0.5 ug/LEPA 200.8 Copper1.1<0.5ug/LEPA 200.8 Lead<0.5 ug/LEPA 200.8 Nickel1.02.0ug/LEPA 200.8 Selenium<0.5 ug/LEPA 200.8 Silver<0.5 ug/LEPA 200.8 Zinc5.75.0ug/LEPA 200.8 Mercury<0.2 ug/LEPA 245.1 Analyte11/19 Result 12/3 Result UnitsMethod Arsenic1.56.2ug/LEPA 200.8 Barium10.629.9ug/LEPA 200.8 Cadmium<0.5 ug/LEPA 200.8 Chromium0.70.8ug/LEPA 200.8 Copper3.06.9ug/LEPA 200.8 Lead2.024.8ug/LEPA 200.8 Nickel1.82.0ug/LEPA 200.8 Selenium<0.5 ug/LEPA 200.8 Silver<0.5 ug/LEPA 200.8 Zinc15.983.5ug/LEPA 200.8 Mercury<0.2 ug/LEPA 245.1 East Sample Site Holding Basin Outlet

11. Metal Data Analyte11/19 Result 12/3 Result UnitsMethod Arsenic11.0190ug/LEPA 200.8 Barium15901510ug/LEPA 200.8 Cadmium5.85.2ug/LEPA 200.8 Chromium5.0272ug/LEPA 200.8 Copper14.2485ug/LEPA 200.8 Lead44.2867ug/LEPA 200.8 Nickel5712220ug/LEPA 200.8 Selenium<0.515ug/LEPA 200.8 Silver<0.514.4ug/LEPA 200.8 Zinc3561630ug/LEPA 200.8 Mercury10.00.4ug/LEPA 245.1 Analyte11/19 Result 12/3 Result UnitsMethod Arsenic4.63110ug/LEPA 200.8 Barium59206230ug/LEPA 200.8 Cadmium9.873.6ug/LEPA 200.8 Chromium10.3457ug/LEPA 200.8 Copper18.61220ug/LEPA 200.8 Lead1.8928ug/LEPA 200.8 Nickel109014700ug/LEPA 200.8 Selenium<0.548.4ug/LEPA 200.8 Silver<0.522.8ug/LEPA 200.8 Zinc1271300ug/LEPA 200.8 Mercury0.70.5ug/LEPA 245.1 North Sample Site Groundwater Sample Site (nearest to Landfill)

12. Conclusions Groundwater that enters holding basin from north (Fircrest area) is potential source of mercury, copper. Water entering from eastern side of holding basin (nearest to landfill) contains low levels of mercury. Large discrepancy between sample collection dates; further testing needed

13. Future Work Return to north, groundwater sites; obtain water using piezometer and test for metals in an attempt to get repeatable results. Test well water of residents to north of holding basin for mercury, other metals. Investigate other potential causes of chum decline (storm water discharge, water temperature, etc…) Incubate chum eggs, release into creek

14. Acknowledgements Chambers-Clover Creek Watershed Council Calvin Taylor and Karen Bartlett (City of Tacoma) Steve Hibbs and Marie Holt (Spectra Labs) Al Schmauder and Don Russell