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Abstract
The purpose of this project was to better understand if geochemical fingerprintingcould determine sediment provenance for catchments with and without USDA ForestService Roads. Sediment source ascription is valuable because sediment is one of themost important non-point source pollutants affecting surface waters in the southeasternUnited States. Gravel roads represent surfaces of geologically fresh material, rich inweatherable minerals, some of which are preserved in transport, and distinguishable insediment deposits. Sediment samples were collected from sources of active erosion aswell as within the channel near watershed outlets. Analysis for 33 elements, along withstatistical separation allowed provenance to be determined for roads and stream banks.Discriminant analysis shows that road sediment is differentiated by P, Mo, and Na. Banksediment can be distinguished by Pb. Road sources accounted for 39 to 61% of bedloadsediment and the remainder was from banks.