*WINNER* Geochemical Fingerprinting of Natural Waters in Tennessee

Abstract

Geochemical fingerprinting is an analysis of the chemical species, present within natural waters, to determine both the source and alteration of these systems. These chemical fingerprints are defined as specific patterns of chemical species unique to each body of water. This research examines the presence of chemical species in surface waters that are located on two distinct physiographic regions of Tennessee: the Highland Rim and the Cumberland Plateau. Water bodies from these regions were chosen due to differences in local geology and land use patterns that each respective system are subjected to. Grab samples were obtained from various locations in order to obtain a true identity of each respective system. Multi variate analysis of variance (MANOVA) was then utilized to determine ratios of chemical species so that a comparative analysis could then be performed. These ratios of chemical species should indicate how local geology and land use patterns affect the chemical identity of natural waters within Middle Tennessee.