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Research Team
Research Team
Mallorie Tharp
Mallorie Tharp
Environmental Earth Science
Dr. James Leong
Dr. James Leong
The Department of Environmental Earth Science & Geology
Abstract
Abstract
Conductivity shows how well a body of water can conduct an electrical current. The presence of inorganic dissolved solids can influence stream conductivity, impacting the overall health of the ecosystem. A healthy stream typically has a conductivity range between 150 and 500 μS/cm. Levels above this range can negatively affect the health of invertebrates and other organisms that rely on the stream. In this study, I examined the conductivity, as well as the concentrations of cations and anions in streams, using an Ion Chromatograph (IC).
Research Questions
Research Questions
How does seasonality effect the conductivity of streams?
How will the concentrations of each cation and anion change due to seasonality?
How does location of the stream effect the conductivity and concentrations?
Methods
Methods
Samples are collected from 13 streams in Southwestern, OH. They are filtered through 47mm filters and then kept refrigerated until analysis. Once ready, 600 microliters of the samples are transferred to container and diluted with 5.4 milliliters of deionized water. The samples are mixed and plugged before getting placed in the IC machine. In the IC machine 3 samples are drawn from each original sample. The cations and anions are separated and the concentrations are recorded. After, the averages of each concentrations are derived in Excel.
Findings and Discussion
Findings and Discussion
Upon analysis some of the standout cation data was the change in sodium and chloride concentrations. They were much higher in February presumably because of de-icing measures taken on roads. Some location factors also show an effect on concentrations with urban streams having higher fluoride concentrations and rural streams having higher nitrate/nitrite concentrations. This could be a result of agricultural runoff and treatment of water. The more urban streams did have an "unhealthier" conductivity range with Beaver, Little Beaver, and Holes (the most urban streams) consistently being within the 800-1000μS/cm. These streams tend to have higher concentrations of inorganic materials due to runoff and drainage from these urban areas surrounding them. This can affect invertebrates living in these streams and general stream health.
Conclusions
Conclusions
In conclusion, seasonality does have some effect on the concentrations of certain cations and anions. Seasonality doesn't show much of an effect in conductivity in some of the streams. However, some teeter between a healthy and unhealthy range. With March seeing the lowest conductivites of the 3 months. Whether the stream is more rural or urban does have an effect on the concentrations of certain cations and anions. Typically, more urban streams have a higher conductivity.
Crawfish found at Canopy Creek 3/8
The following is an image of poster presented at the 2026 Undergraduate Research Forum
Acknowledgements
Acknowledgements
I would like to acknowledge Lauren-Grace Ballenger's research with her gradate advisor Dr. Bartosz Grudzinski on volatile and non-volatile suspended sediments in Southwestern, OH streams. This research allowed me to acquire samples to analyze.
References
References
Mathur, A. (2015). Conductivity: Water Quality Assessment. International Journal of Engineering Research & Technology. Conductivity: Water Quality Assesment
Wu, Jiayu. (2015). Watershed features and stream water quality: Gaining insight through path analysis in a Midwest urban landscape, U.S.A. Elsevier Landscape and Urban Planning. p. 219-229. Watershed features and stream water quality: Gaining insight through path analysis in a Midwest urban landscape, U.S.A.
NACE Career Readiness Competencies
NACE Career Readiness Competencies
Communication- I had to develop communication skills because working with different professors and students required time management and compromises. Articulating what goals there are for the project and how you are going to accomplish those goals is crucial.
Critical Thinking- I had to complete analysis of cation & anion data which required further critical thinking and analysis to find outside stressors and causes.
Technology- I learned how to use technology such as the Ion Chromatographer. I also gained useful skills regarding Microsoft Excel.
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