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Methods
Standard area measurements of three USC Aiken parking areas will be made along with the latitudinal and longitudinal coordinates using a global positioning system (GPS). Determining the exact coordinates will allow us to correctly model the direction and route of water runoff through local streams and then into the Savannah River.
During rainfall events, samples of runoff will be gathered during the first flush every 30 minutes. When a rapid flush is expected during sudden heavy rain, samples will be gathered every 10 minutes. All the samples will be analyzed for total petroleum hydrocarbons using commercial immunoassay kits purchased from the HACH company. We hope to sample during three to five rainfall events.
The precipitation will be recorded by USC Aiken’s on-site weather station and the flow rate will be measured manually with a flow gauge at the mouth of the storm drain where the samples will be gathered. My role as the researcher will be to prepare for sampling events, anticipate rain showers, take samples and make the necessary measurements during the duration of the rain storm, and analyze the samples for petroleum hydrocarbons in the laboratory.
Soil toxicity tests will also be will performed using Eisenia fetida (earthworms) and Caenorhabdtis elegans (nematode).