Here is what I have written so far for our poster in a google doc. I will add to/modify it as we have more text to add and a clearer idea of our goals.

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Methods (can be turned into bulletpoints if too wordy)

Methods Grab Samples Samples from the middle of the pond were taken by boat using a ponar-type grab sampler and samples from the edge were taken using a peat corer or by hand. These samples were then plated in petri dishes and left to dry in a furnace. Dry samples were ground using a (name of instrument) and divided into samples to be analyzed via XRF analysis. Core Samples Core samples were taken by students in earlier years by using a Russian peat corer. The peat corer is pushed into the sediment and twisted to collect a cylindrical core, which is then removed, photographed, measured, sliced into sections, and left to dry. Dry samples were ground using a mixer mill and prepared for XRF analysis. X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) Analysis Methods Photons are shot at sample, causing inner-shell electrons to be ejected. Outer-shell electrons fill vacancy and emit more photons. Each element has a different signature, which is picked up by the XRF detector. XRF Analysis can show both ...
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Bulleted List of Analysis, to go before conclusion

Analysis Different heavy metals showed variable concentrations both throughout the pond system and into the pond’s core. The different trends suggest that these metals were likely deposited from different sources and through different processes. Manganese and Iron Higher concentration at Silver Thread source shows these metals may be externally sourced and cannot travel farther downstream High levels of manganese (above 0.05 mg/L) can cause a bad taste in water which may discourage animals from using Paramecium Pond as a drinking source Zinc, Copper, Chromium Concentration also higher at Silver Thread source, trends diverge in rest of system Could be product of runoff or specifically from college road Likely sourced from Paintshop Pond Paintshop Pond is contaminated with toxins and heavy metals due to dumping of paint factory waste from 1848-1920 Likeliest source of zinc , copper , and chromium in Paramecium Pond Heavy metals found in the pond an...
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Hopefully a Money Graph

Image
Hello! Here's my "money graph", and I can certainly make more, but this one raises questions that I hope we can draw conclusions about: why does Silver Thread, especially at the source, contain more manganese than the pond? Is manganese being trapped in ST sediment? Why is zinc concentration so high at the ST source, drop off in the rest of the ST, and get higher again in the pond? Where is zinc coming from? Chromium and copper are only present at detectable levels in the pond and not in the stream, which is interesting-- why? And finally, why are lead concentrations higher in the pond than in the silver thread? So many good questions to be explored!
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