Evaluation of Nonpoint Source Pollution in Stormwater Run-Off in Neighborhoods in San Francisco, California
Abstract
This is the San Francisco Bay watershed encompasses 40% of California. When precipitation occurs, nonpoint source pollutants such as fertilizers, heavy metals, pesticides, gas and oil, enter the San Francisco Bay through this watershed. These pollutants contain dangerous chemicals that can potentially impact people and local ecology. The goal of Project Watershed is for high school students to design a study that investigates nonpoint source pollution in their own neighborhood and correlate these findings to the human activity in the neighborhood. Fifteen high school students participating in this study designed a stormwater collection devise that was installed in the public storm drain near each students home. Stormwater samples where collected from each device during the period of December 2006 to April 2007. Students assessed the samples for nitrates, heavy metals, oil and grease, total petroleum hydrocarbons, toluene and methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE). This study outlines the methods students used to design the study and a summary of results found.
- Publication:
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AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2007
- Bibcode:
- 2007AGUFMED41A0082B
- Keywords:
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- 6630 Workforce