Is car runoff polluting the lake by lot 45 at Montclair State University?
Presentation Type
Abstract
Faculty Advisor
Greg Pope
Access Type
Event
Start Date
25-4-2025 10:30 AM
End Date
25-4-2025 11:29 AM
Description
With progressive urbanization, natural water bodies become increasingly influenced by civilization. Urbanization brings runoff, habitat destruction, and increased pollution. Snowmelt and rainfall wash pollutants found on roadways into water systems. Increased car traffic around water bodies poses a higher risk for pollution like oil, heavy metals, and microplastics to be carried into water systems. Parking lots and roads also disrupt existing drainage systems which can lead to extreme cases of sedimentation which reduces water quality. These collective factors disrupt natural biodiversity in freshwater ecosystems within close proximity to car traffic. The research being conducted determines the degree of pollution on the lake located on Montclair State University’s Campus. The lake is located in between two parking lots and next to a roadway at a lower elevation than the parking lots. Soil and water samples are being collected to determine concentrations of vital elements. Analysis expects to find phosphate, pH, metals, salinity, turbidity and nitrate will be elevated, along with other organic compounds. Mitigation techniques should be implemented to reduce the amount of pollutants advancing towards water bodies located near urbanization.
Is car runoff polluting the lake by lot 45 at Montclair State University?
With progressive urbanization, natural water bodies become increasingly influenced by civilization. Urbanization brings runoff, habitat destruction, and increased pollution. Snowmelt and rainfall wash pollutants found on roadways into water systems. Increased car traffic around water bodies poses a higher risk for pollution like oil, heavy metals, and microplastics to be carried into water systems. Parking lots and roads also disrupt existing drainage systems which can lead to extreme cases of sedimentation which reduces water quality. These collective factors disrupt natural biodiversity in freshwater ecosystems within close proximity to car traffic. The research being conducted determines the degree of pollution on the lake located on Montclair State University’s Campus. The lake is located in between two parking lots and next to a roadway at a lower elevation than the parking lots. Soil and water samples are being collected to determine concentrations of vital elements. Analysis expects to find phosphate, pH, metals, salinity, turbidity and nitrate will be elevated, along with other organic compounds. Mitigation techniques should be implemented to reduce the amount of pollutants advancing towards water bodies located near urbanization.
Comments
Poster presentation at the 2025 Student Research Symposium.