Playground Park Metal Concentration Analysis

Conducted an environmental justice focused research project at the University of San Diego, examining the intersectionality of heavy metal contamination and socioeconomic disparities within the Bay Point formation. Through a comprehensive geospatial analysis, the study leveraged handheld X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectroscopy and public datasets to map concentrations of lead, zinc, copper, and arsenic, critically correlating these environmental hazards with local median household income. During the senior capstone presentation, I demonstrated how these metal distributions potentially reveal systemic environmental inequities, highlighting the disproportionate environmental burdens faced by economically vulnerable communities. The research utilized advanced spatial analysis techniques in R-Studio and ArcGIS to provide compelling visual evidence of the complex relationships between environmental contamination and social marginalization.