Presentation Type
Poster
Faculty Mentor’s Full Name
George Furniss
Faculty Mentor’s Department
Geology, Bitterroot College
Abstract / Artist's Statement
The natural mineral lick at Lick Creek in the Bitterroot National Forest was studied to determine the types and concentrations of minerals found in the licks and what the potential source for the minerals may be. Soil samples were taken from seven different “lick pits” that were formed by elk and deer, as well as three different dig sites. Samples were also collected from the two proposed sources of the minerals, Mazama and Challis volcanic ash. An experiment was performed on the soil and ash samples to determine the amount of dissolved electrolytes in the solution and how that amount may change over time. This was accomplished by adding 30 mL of sample to 120 mL of distilled water in jars. The first test was conducted 10 minutes after the samples were mixed and the second test was conducted 24 hours later. The concentration of electrolytes was measured using a Total Dissolved Solid/Electrical Conductivity meter in units of parts per million. Solutions from one mineral lick soil sample and samples of Mazama and Challis ash were sent to Energy Laboratories for further analysis of the specific mineral composition. The laboratory results indicate that there are notable quantities of calcium, magnesium, sodium, and potassium present in all three samples. The ratios of the minerals from each sample indicate that Mazama ash is the most likely source for the natural mineral lick at Lick Creek. This research brings to light how geological events of the past created an environment that provides a valuable resource to elk and deer in the present, in the form of electrolyte supplementation for proper biological functioning.
Category
Physical Sciences
An Investigation Into the Natural Mineral Lick at Lick Creek
The natural mineral lick at Lick Creek in the Bitterroot National Forest was studied to determine the types and concentrations of minerals found in the licks and what the potential source for the minerals may be. Soil samples were taken from seven different “lick pits” that were formed by elk and deer, as well as three different dig sites. Samples were also collected from the two proposed sources of the minerals, Mazama and Challis volcanic ash. An experiment was performed on the soil and ash samples to determine the amount of dissolved electrolytes in the solution and how that amount may change over time. This was accomplished by adding 30 mL of sample to 120 mL of distilled water in jars. The first test was conducted 10 minutes after the samples were mixed and the second test was conducted 24 hours later. The concentration of electrolytes was measured using a Total Dissolved Solid/Electrical Conductivity meter in units of parts per million. Solutions from one mineral lick soil sample and samples of Mazama and Challis ash were sent to Energy Laboratories for further analysis of the specific mineral composition. The laboratory results indicate that there are notable quantities of calcium, magnesium, sodium, and potassium present in all three samples. The ratios of the minerals from each sample indicate that Mazama ash is the most likely source for the natural mineral lick at Lick Creek. This research brings to light how geological events of the past created an environment that provides a valuable resource to elk and deer in the present, in the form of electrolyte supplementation for proper biological functioning.