ASSESSING THE PRESENCE AND CONCENTRATION OF TRACE METAL CONTAMINANTS IN CHINCOTEAGUE BAY SEDIMENTS AND WILDLIFE

Increased trace metal deposition in aquatic ecosystems has been attributed to several human activities, including agriculture, urbanization, and metal-based industrial activity. This study aims to assess the concentration of anthropogenically-deposited trace metals in Chincoteague Bay, a 72.4 square mile lagoon bordered by the Maryland-Virginia coastline and Chincoteague and Assateague Islands. Little research has been done to identify and quantify trace metal contaminants in water, sediments, and wildlife within this ecologically significant area. As such, this study examined the concentrations of Al, As, B, Ca, Cd, Cu, Fe, Pb, Mg, Mn, Se, and Zn in sediment grab samples for spatial analysis, in sediment core samples for temporal analysis, and in banded killifish (Fundulus diaphanus), mummichogs (Fundulus heteroclitus), daggerblade grass shrimp (Palaemon pugio) to assess bioaccumulation. Samples were extracted, processed, and analyzed via ICP-OES (inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry). In addition, eDNA (environmental DNA) samples were collected to assess fish species diversity using MiFish primers. Preliminary results have indicated significant enrichment of As, B, Cd, Cu, and Pb in surface sediments in various locations across Chincoteague Bay. Future analysis will determine the change in trace metal enrichment over time, its accumulation in wildlife, and its effect on fish diversity.