YELLOW SPRINGS — The fall class of environmental chemistry students at Wright State University will present results Wednesday, Dec. 13 of their water quality monitoring project in and around Glen Helen Nature Preserve in Yellow Spring.

Students measured nutrients, pH, E. coli and other parameters in Yellow Springs and Birch Creeks and in the Little Miami River into which they flow. Students also captured samples of storm water runoff immediately following the Nov. 5-6 historic deluge.

The presentation is at 3:30 pm in the Vernet Auditorium of the Glen Helen Building at 405 Corry St.

“We have collected seven years of water quality data that shows how land use affects water quality in the area” said Audrey McGowin, associate professor of chemistry at Wright State University and director of the course. “Students sampled a dozen different sites on three separate occasions. When the data are added to the results from previous students’ work, there are over two dozen data points at each site that shows trends in the quality of water flowing through the nature preserve.”

Students also sampled sediments at selected sites to measure lead contamination from leaded gasoline used in the mid-1900s and from lead chromate that was found in old road paint. The presentation is free and open to the public.