My interests in environmental chemistry result from a collaborative
project with Dr. Michel Boudrias of Marine and Environmental Studies.
This collaboration has lead to exciting work in Bahia Magdalena, Baja California,
Sur, and locally in Mission Bay.
Bahia Magdalena is an important ecosystem, particularly with respect
to grey whales, sea turtles, and other charismatic megafauna. However,
a portion of Bahia Magdalena is impacted by the organic and inorganic waste
dumped on to the beach by a cannery. The decomposition (or remineralization)
of the organic matter has led to high concentrations of nutrients (such
as nitrate and phosphate) in both the soil and sediment. Indicators of
organic pollution, such as Ulva, are prevalent in the vicinity of
the cannery. The Ulva washes up onto the beach and decomposes,
adding more organic material to the waste fish scales, oils, and skeletons.
The large amount of organic material on the beach leads to remineralization
under anoxic conditions (without oxygen). This anoxic decomposition leads
to high concentrations of sulfide in the sediment.
Our goal is to quantify the impact of the cannery on Bahia Magdalena,
and assist our colleagues at the Center for Coastal Studies (a site run
by the School for Field Studies ) in
preparing a feasible remediation plan, acceptable to the residents of Puerto
San Carlos, and the owners of the cannery.
Students participating in this project will travel to Puerto San Carlos
and assist in the collection of field samples, and carry out field based
quantitative analysis of water quality. Samples from Bahia Magdalena are
also analyzed at the University of San Diego for heavy metal content and
other potential pollutants.
Las Dunas, Magdalena Bay
Isla Magdalena
The Cannery, Magdalena Bay
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