Miranda R Thornton, Robert LaCount , Jack Halow
Department of Chemistry, Waynesburg University, Waynesburg, PA 15370
Results
pH- on site
12
30
8/25/2010
15
8/30/2010
10
9/14/2010
5
9/27/2010
9/27/2010
2
2-H
3-T
4-P
Sample site
5-S
1-M
2-H
3-T
4-P
Sample Site
5-S
1400
350
300
8/26/2010
9/1/2010
9/14/2010
10/12/2010
9/1/2010
600
9/15/2010
400
10/12/2010
[DO] mg/L
800
8
2-H
6
9/1/2010
9/14/2010
4
2
2-H
3-T
4-P
Sample Site
5-S
1-M
2-H
3-T
4-P
Sample Site
5-S
Fe
10
NO3
1
NH4+
Cl
10000
Ca
1000
Mn
100
Fe
3-T
Sample Site
4-P
5-S
NO3
NH4+
2-H
3-T
Sample Site
4-P
5-S
Cl
Hardness as Magnesium Carbonate
8/26/2010
9/1/2010
9/15/2010
10/12/2010
10/7/2010
5-S
Mine Run up stream
off
Sample Site
[MgCo3] mg/L
2000
1800
1600
1400
1200
1000
800
600
400
200
0
300
1050
1000
950
900
850
800
750
700
650
600
550
500
450
400
350
300
250
200
150
100
50
0
8/26/2010
250
8/26/2010
200
9/1/2010
150
9/15/2010
100
10/12/2010
50
10/7/2010
9/1/2010
0
5-S
9/15/2010
10/12/2010
Mine Run off
Sample Site
up stream
10/7/2010
Hardness as Calcium Carbonate
1-M
2-H
3-T
4-P
5-S
140
Mine
up
Run off stream
120
Sample Site
[CaCO3] mg/L
Discussion/Conclusions
Greene County is located in Southwestern
Pennsylvania. It Borders Washington(north)
and Fayette(east) counties of Pennsylvania
and Monongalia(south), Wetzel(southwest)
and Marshall(west)Counties of West Virginia
2-H
Mg
Sample Site
McCourtney Run, Hargus Creek, Ten mile Creek, Pursley Run, Smith Creek
10/12/2010
unknown
1-M
Clˉ (mg/L)
Mn
100
[Total salt] mg/L
[TDS] mg/L
Mg
9/14/2010
1-M
Chloride
unknown
1000
100
0
5-S
1
Salinity
Ca
9/1/2010
350
Na
10000
5-S
4-P
4-P
10
0
Total Dissolved Solids
100000
150
Na
Smith Creek Investigation
3-T
3-T
Sample Site
100000
8/26/2010
10/12/2010
1-M
8/26/2010
50
1000000
1200
8/26/2010
200
10000000
10
1000
250
Average Total Dissolved Solids
12
1600
200
180
160
140
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
1-M
Dissolved Oxygen
1800
Sample Sites
2-H
9/14/2010
0
At each sample site, the conductivity, temperature, and
pH were measured on-site. A water sample was then
collected for laboratory analysis of chloride, ammonium,
calcium, nitrate using Vernier Ion Selective Electrodes.
Dissolved oxygen and turbidity were also measured.
Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy was used to determine
the concentration of Iron, Magnesium, Sodium, and
Manganese.
Location
4
Salinity
Methods
Abstract:
8/30/2010
0
1-M
200
1-M
8/25/2010
6
[CaCO3] mg/L
20
pH
Temperature ̊C
8
0
[Total Salt] mg/L
This project was undertaken to establish a baseline of the
water quality within the South Fork of Ten Mile watershed.
Water samples collected from five tributaries over a two
month period were analyzed for a variety of water quality
markers. The results were compared to typical stream
values. When issues were discovered, further investigation
of the stream occurred to determine where the
contamination originated.
10
25
Hardness as Magnesium
Carbonate
Hardness as Calcium Carbonate
[MgCO3] mg/L
Water Temperature- on Site
TDS mg/L
Introduction
*Red line indicates EPA MAX
100
8/26/2010
80
9/1/2010
60
9/15/2010
40
10/12/2010
20
10/7/2010
0
5-S
Mine Run off
Sample Site
up stream
With the exception of Smith Creek, the streams all fell within an acceptable range for most water quality
markers tested. Pursley Run had a higher than EPA accepted pH but it stayed regular throughout sampling.
Minimal to no flow on both August 30 and September 14 caused an increase in almost all test factors except
for Smith Creek (it always had flowing water). It became apparent that Smith Creek was having contamination
issues, so to determine the possible source of contamination two additional sites were chosen to be tested
upstream from the original site. The first site was a run off stream from the coal mine along SR 218; the second
was approximately ¼ of a mile upstream from the first site. After testing all parameters, it became evident that
the primary source of contamination came from the mine run off. TDS levels were significantly lower for the first
two samplings on Smith Creek; most likely cause by the lack of discharge from the mine. DEP-PA was informed
about this problem and conducted a study as well and determined that the mine was the source of
contamination. They are taking actions to see that this problem is corrected.
Greene County, located in Southwestern Pennsylvania, is a major area impacted by the Marcellus Shale drilling industry. Previously, this area
has been subjected serious water quality issues; therefore preserving the natural water quality is vital for the future. A project was
undertaken to establish a baseline of the water quality within the South Fork of Ten Mile watershed. Water samples collected from five
tributaries over a two month period were analyzed for a variety of water quality markers including pH, conductivity, dissolved oxygen,
chloride, nitrate, calcium, ammonium and turbidity. Metals such as iron, sodium, and manganese were analyzed using Atomic Absorption.
These results were compared to typical stream values. When issues were discovered, further investigation of the stream and area were
examined to determine where the contamination originated. These problems were reported to the Pennsylvania Department of
Environmental Protection with hopes that corrective actions would be taken.
Acknowledgements
•Barbra Kirby, Center for
Economic Development
•Ken Dufalla, Izaak Walton
League of America- Harry
Enstrom Chapter