Amy investigated the possibility that heavy metals form two sites of known contamination near the Kalamazoo River may be reaching river.  She analyzed numerous samples of river sediment and found evidence for sporadic, low level contamination.  Amy went on to investigate the possibility that the metals may be transported to the river by solution in groundwater, constructing hydrologic and geochemical models of transport.

Amy presented her work at a meeting of the Geological Society of America, in Madison Wisconsin, where her work was formally recognized as an "outstanding student paper" by the society.

One of Amy's maps, showing sample locations and Zn abundances of sediments up and down stream from possible sources of contamination.