Making Mountain Island Lake (LPNP) EarthCache
Making Mountain Island Lake (LPNP)
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Welcome to Latta Plantation Nature Preserve! This is one of our favorite parks in Charlotte, not only because we live nearby, but also because there's so much to do here. There are miles of hiking and horseback riding trails, several canoe launches, a nature center, the Carolina Raptor Center, the Plantation house, and of course, Mountain Island Lake.
Congrats to LEDGEO on FTF!
Mountain Island Lake was formed by the damming of the Catawba River, and is named for the island in the lake that looks like a mountain coming out of the water. It follows the course of the river, and is a popular place for fishing and boating. It was formed in 1924 to supply drinking water to Mecklenburg/Gaston counties, as well as to supply hydroelectric power through the Riverbend Steam Station.
The steam station was itself powered by coal dug from the surrounding area. The impact of this coal mining on the geology of the area, and especially the lake, has been tremendous. The lack of proper safety linings in the older coal ash ponds has resulted in high levels of heavy minerals being leeched out, contaminating local groundwater.
One of the two main minerals leeched out is cobalt. It is found mainly in the earth's core and is a part of vitamin B12. It is stable in air and unaffected by water. Arsenic is the other main mineral. It is mainly transported by water. It's effect on the environment is not so innocuous, and the severity of these effects, some of them being the inhibition of growth/photosynthesis/reproduction, as well as death, depends on the plant species and time/length of exposure. It is also a known carcinogen in humans.
The coordinates for this cache puts you about 20-30 feet into the woods from the lake's shoreline. To receive credit for this cache, please e-mail me your answers to the following:
1. Describe the terrains and landscape of this area. What effect has the arsenic had on the plant life?
2. Look into the woods, away from the shoreline. How does the landscape evolve or change further away from the shoreline?
Now step out into the clearing. There is a beach of sorts, and near the shoreline, about halfway to the woods along the beach, are two tall "skeletons".
3. What were these skeletons before they became what you now see, and how long do you think it took for them to get in this shape? Is there evidence that there are others in the immediate area undergoing the same transformation? Lastly, do you think these skeletal transformations are a result of the normal life cycle, or by arsenic's "assistance"?
Photos are not required, but may add to your observations.
Bibliography: Mountain Island Lake- website mountainislandlake.org.
Cobalt- from the Ontario Ministry of the Environment's March 2001 fact sheet.
Arsenic- Greenfacts and Facts on Health and the Environment web sheet.
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