Pond Sediment Metal Concentrations in the Vicinity of the Space Shuttle Launch Pads at The Kennedy S

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Pond Sediment Metal Concentrations in the
Vicinity of the Space Shuttle Launch Pads at The
Kennedy Space Center

• David Ishiyama
• The University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

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Initial Description

• The National Aeronautics and Space
  Administration (NASA) is concerned with how its
  activities impact environment surrounding the
  Kennedy Space Center (KSC). One such activity is
  the Space Shuttle launch and the metal deposition
  resulting from its plume. This study measures
  metal concentration (Zn, Al) in the ponds
  surrounding Space Shuttle Pads 39-A and 39-B.
  Sediment samples were analyzed by the Inductively
  Coupled Plasma Optical Emissions Spectrometer
  (ICP OEM) according to the Standard Method 3051.
  Results show that, although slightly more
  elevated than the control, aluminum concentration
  is decreasing at both pads while zinc is
  increasing at Pad 39-B but decreasing at Pad
  39-A. Many factors, such as the number of
  launches, intensity and direction of plume
  deposition, amount of rainfall, and circulation
  of the water at each pond, can play a significant
  impact on the metal concentrations at each site.
  Future research on metal bioaccumulation on the
  local flora and fauna will show any overall
  ecosystem impact.

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Data
Figure 4. Annual Concentrations of Al near Pad
39-A, 39-B, and a Control Site in the Banana RIver
Figure 5. Annual Concentrations of Zn near Pad
39-A, 39-B, and a Control Site in the Banana River
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Results

• The concentrations of Al and Zn are greater
  around Pad 39-A and Pad 39-B when compared to the
  Al and Zn concentrations of the control site in
  the Banana River. The concentration of Al metal
  in the sediments surrounding launch pads 39-A and
  39-B fluctuates periodically but the basal
  concentration of Al decreases as a function of
  time. The concentration of Zn metal in the
  sediments surrounding Pad 39-A also fluctuates
  periodically but the basal concentration of Zn
  decreases as a function of time in the vicinity
  of Pad 39-A. However, the concentration of Zn
  metal in the sediments surrounding Pad 39-B
  fluctuate periodically and increase as a function
  of time. These data refute the increasing metal
  basal concentration hypothesis. Many factors,
  such as the number of launches, intensity and
  direction of plume deposition, amount of
  rainfall, and circulation of the water at each
  pond, can play a significant impact on the metal
  concentrations at each site.