Matthew D. Cacopardo
Heavy Metal Data in New Haven Harbor
Have students collect information on sediment and bivalve tissue metal concentration data in New Haven Harbor. This information can be obtained at the websites of:
NOAA's Status and Trends Mussel Watch Program
Dr. Breslin http://www.southernct.edu/programs/utpp/breslin/
Long Island Sound Study www.longislandsoundstudy.net
Connecticut Department of Agriculture Aquaculture Division
Students should be given a map of New Haven Harbor. Have them place the sediment and tissue metal concentration values at the locations on the map. They can then create a table and a graph, which displays the trends that the data shows. A conclusion should be drawn from this information. Students should begin to see that the metal concentrations for both sediment and bivalve tissue are higher in the inner harbor and decrease in values as you move toward the outer harbor.
