“Maeve,” a group of 13, became known as “Western Skunk Cabbage.” We subdivided into 3 smaller groups to study different things around our field sight at Rock Point. One Group studied Zebra Mussels and water quality, another studied the history of the Thrust Fault, and our last group of boys studied poisonous plants. A slight mix-up of words established our new name “Poisonous Pants.” Each sub-group was led by an expert in their field to help us understand the different natural features of Rock Point. ~Maeve, Heather, Mike, Britney, Sydney, Brianna, Sylvia, Sawyer, Ben, Rose, Ellen, Peter and Alan

Geologic History million years ago Sediment was deposited million years ago Sediment was deposited million years ago mountains form, Thrust Fault pushes older rock on top of younger rock million years ago mountains form, Thrust Fault pushes older rock on top of younger rock. Glacial period, carved out Lake Champlain. Ice shaped the outcrops of sedimentary rocks seen today. Glacial period, carved out Lake Champlain. Ice shaped the outcrops of sedimentary rocks seen today. The Champlain Thrust is preserved along the lake shore. The Champlain Thrust is preserved along the lake shore.

Geology Thrust Fault Hydrochloric acid test Tree Core -82 years old Algae Line Dolostone Erosion Iberville Shale Dunham Dolostone Dolostone Pieces Lone Rock Originally deposited as limestone, but through a chemical exchange of calcium to magnesium became Dolostone. Shale is a gray thinly layered class of fine grained sedimentary rock deposited as mud. Iberville Shale

SEM-Iberville Shale Shows significant amounts of Calcium

Poisonous Plants Poison IvyWhite Baneberry Red Baneberry Black Nightshade Stinging Nettles Poisonous to eat- slows the muscles in your heart Doll’s eyes is a fruit which contains toxins that will cause cardiac arrest and death Many symptoms when consuming toxins. Makes a person very sick, stomach pain, dry mouth, headache, attacks central nervous system etc.. Urishiol the main poison in the plant, reacts with your body’s immune system as it tries to defend itself from the Urishiol oil on your skin. Barbs that stick into your skin and release a chemical that reacts with the oils of your skin causing a “stinging, itching and numbing” feeling.

Zebra Mussels in Lake Champlain Zebra Mussels are invasive species to Lake Champlain. -Clog water lines -Destroy Habitats -Very Sharp, Bad for tourism Zebra Mussels on Melosira Found In brought over on bottom of large ships Able to live and reproduce almost anywhere Because the zebra mussels filter out so much plankton, there are now 14 endangered species in Lake Champlain Zebra Mussels absorb pollution in the lake. Each is able to filter up to 2 liters of water a day

Testing Water Quality Brianna and Ellen at Lone rock point taking water samples Conductivity at Eagle’s Bay and Lone Rock Water quality was tested in areas where zebra mussels were found and compared to the water quality in areas where there were no zebra mussels.