Nine Westminster College chemistry and biochemistry majors presented their findings at a monthly meeting of the Slippery Rock Watershed Coalition (SRWC) Oct. 9 at Jennings Environmental Education Center.

Students tested the efficacy of the Erico Bridge restoration site, where a passive treatment unit was installed by the SRWC to correct an acid mine drainage problem. They visited the site, performed field testing, and collected water samples with the help of two SRWC volunteers. The samples were brought back to the lab at Westminster for further chemical testing.

Gavin Buckholtz, a Westminster junior chemistry major, said, "The passive treatment system at Erico Bridge is working to correct the acid mine drainage problem and is a great visual example of chemistry at work in the environment."

This is the third year the service learning project has been implemented in the advanced lab class section taught by Dr. Helen Boylan, a 1995 Westminster graduate and associate professor of chemistry.

"The watershed professionals were very impressed with the quality of work presented by the students," Boylan said.

The student data confirmed the passive site, which treats over 200 million gallons of water annually, is still working and has restored a healthy ecosystem where there was once a dead zone.

Boylan, who has been with Westminster since 2001, earned her Ph.D. from Duquesne University.

Contact Boylan at (724) 946-6293 or e-mail boylanhm@westminster.edu for more information.

Chemistry and biochemistry majors at presentation