Graduate Abstract

Rosangela Gomes Brazao
Summer 2003

The distribution of phosphorous in the nature preserve at the Clark County wetlands Park, Las Vegas

by

Rosangela Gomes Brazao

B.S in Industrial Chemistry
Universidade Tecnico Educacional Souza Marques-Brazil
1987

M.S. Technology
Centro Educacional Celso Suckow da Fonseca-Brazil
1997

A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment
of the requirements for the

Master of Science Degree in Environmental Science

Department of Environmental Studies
Greenspun College of Urban Affairs

Graduate College
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Summer 2003

Dr. Krystyna Stave, Examination Committee Chair
Associate Professor of Environmental Science
University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Dr Jacimaria Batista
Assistant Professor
Dept of Environmental and Civil Engineering

ABSTRACT

The main objective of this thesis was to investigate the distribution of phosphorous among three different compartments of the Upper Pond at the Nature Preserve at the Clark County Wetland Park in Las Veags, NV: influent and effluent water, sediments, and plants. Samples were collected from September 2002 to January of 2003 and analysed for phosphorous content. Results showed that the Upper Pond removed 55% of the orthophosphate (OP) and 39% of the total phosphorous (TP) loadings during the study period. Sediment results showed that the East outflow concentrated the most P (644.85±120.26 mg P kg -1 ), followed by the Edge of the Island (576.00± 151.38 mg P kg -1 ) and the inflow (468.55±298.99 mg P kg -1 ). Results are showed that the sediment is accumulating mostly in the middle of the pond followed by the east edge of the island and the east outflow area. Typha and Scirpus plant species were analyzed for P content and results showed that Typha accumulated more P than Scirpus during this study. Only Scirpus showed significant difference in P content between above and below ground tissues. Belowground tissues had more P content.