I’m unsure where to begin with the updates/recaps, because all of the projects are really quite different and unique. However, I’d decided to start with the earliest project and that really lead to the birth of another. With many thanks (and a ton of guidance from) to an older and wiser student, I was applied for a SERP position at Wellesley towards the end of first year. SERP, early sophomore research program, is designed to get sophomores involved with research during the academic year. I highly recommend getting involved in research if you are interested (feel free to email me if you’re unsure how to go about it). Anyways the lab I applied to focuses on in short geohealth (mainly with respect to lead). Geohealth is a little difficult to explain because of its fluidity and expanse but it’s a field that pairs geosciences (earth sciences) and public health. It’s very applied, which I love. I also love my lab (which is why I’ve stayed here since joining) and my members, they’re all fantastic humans
I started out analyzing lead in compost, which consisted of sifting compost to separate the soil by grain size and then making cups or burritos. (side note: I didn’t know lead in compost was an issue before joining// this would be the first of many learning experiences in the lab) We’re interested in these finer particles because of their effect on human (especially kids) health. These finer particles are easier/more likely to be inhaled (and absorbed) by people when they’re outside playing and the ground is dry. If you’re unaware about why this is dangerous, lead is extremely toxic to people; it causes neurological and developmental issues in children and adults. If you’re also wondering where all this lead came from/how it ended up in the environment, there were/are multiple sources beyond the obvious lead paint and leaded batteries (which please properly recycles bad boys//do not throw them out with your regular trash, in some states like Texas that is illegal). Another major factor was leaded gasoline. The gas you put in your used to be leaded to prevent engine knocking, I believe, and for other mechanically reasons. After people realized how terrible and detrimental lead was, it was removed from gas, hence why gas at the gas station is label unleaded. However, all that lead doesn’t just go away once we stop using it. It sticks around, and it loves to stick to many things.
Anyways, after sifting the compost (and there were few steps before we are able to begin sifting process) we made cups or burritos depending on the analysis method we were using. The analysis depended on what we were looking for in the compost, because we mostly analyzed lead levels in compost sometimes, we were after other information on different elements. Cups were made for mainly for lead analysis and the burritos (which are tiny miniscule aluminum cylinders of compost/soil) were used for very specific elements (Carbon Hydrogen Sulfur Nitrogen). Sometimes the results were worrisome and frightening, because often times the compost or soils we are analyzing readily available to everyday people. Sometimes it was compost or soil from people’s homes other times it was compost that was available for purchase for consumers. It’s a serious cause for alarm when think about people using them around children or in-home gardens.
Side note: I actually posted this right before leaving for a 3 week codesign project in Colombia, I probably won’t see any comments or respond rather quickly