Abstract

Spatial Analysis of Heavy Metals in Los Angeles Harbor Sediments
Track: Teaching with GIS in Schools
Author(s): Dominique Evans-Bye

The purpose of analyzing the marine sediments in the Los Angeles Harbor was to investigate and document CAM-17 heavy metal contamination. Public safety divers routinely subject themselves to prolonged exposure to the water and sediments in the LA harbor. Two of the CAM-17 metals found to be at dangerous levels, lead and mercury, are able to be absorbed through the skin and are known to cause severe health issues. Sediment samples were collected and tested for contaminates. ArcGIS was used to map the study area. The spatial analysis extension was used for interpolation of the results with an ordinary kriging spherical prediction map to show probable values of contamination levels in areas not sampled. The contaminant levels were manually classified to the four NOAA SQUiRT table threshold limits for marine sediments. Lead and mercury levels were found to be above the Threshold Effects Level throughout the LA Harbor.

Dominique Evans-Bye
Clark Magnet High School
13165 Mira Mar Dr.
Sylmar , California 91342
United States
Phone: 818 248-8324
E-mail: devans-bye@gusd.net