EVALUATING THE IMPACT OF HUMAN ACTIVITIES ON THE CONCENTRATION OF TRACE AND MAJOR ELEMENTS IN THE FARMINGTON RIVER DRAINAGE SYSTEMS, WINDSOR CT

Much of the land adjacent to the Farmington River in Windsor, CT is designated for agricultural activities. These activities may have contributed to the anthropogenic release of trace and major elements into the river. This research focused on examining the impact of agricultural activities and other land use on the concentration and transportation of fourteen chemical elements (Al, As, Ca, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, P, Pb, Zn) on the downstream section of the Farmington River drainage systems. Twenty (20) sediment samples were collected along the river, starting at the Rainbow Dam in Windsor and extending south to the Connecticut River confluence. The sampling locations were spaced at even intervals of approximately .5 miles. Samples were collected from multiple sections at each location using a clean shovel. After air drying the sediment samples, they were homogenized and sifted through a 2 mm sieve. The samples then underwent particle size analysis (PSA) using the hydrometer method and Organic Matter (OM) analysis using the loss on ignition method. Fractions of the samples were acid digested using the EPA 3052 method with a CEM Mars 6 microwave and analyzed for trace and major elements using an Inductive Couple Plasma-Optical Emission Spectrometer (ICP-OES). The resulting spatial variability in the stream sediments was consistent with the OM fractions and fine grain particles found. Using GIS maps with overlays of hydrology and land use activity, correlations between the concentrations of chemical elements and agricultural activities within the drainage systems were examined. The results provided timely data on the impact of human activities on the concentration and distribution of chemical elements along the Farmington River in Windsor, CT.