Celebration of Scholars
Monitoring Chloride Concentrations of the Pike River and Pike Creek In Southeastern Wisconsin
Name:
Katherine Jones
Major: Biology
Hometown: Kirkland, IL
Faculty Sponsor:
Other Sponsors:
Type of research: Independent research
Name:
Marissa Gardner
Major: Chemistry
Hometown: Westfield, WI
Faculty Sponsor:
Other Sponsors:
Type of research: Independent research
Name:
Thomas Teadt
Major: Chemistry
Hometown: Vicksburg, MI
Faculty Sponsor:
Other Sponsors:
Type of research: Independent research
Abstract
Run off of road salt contaminates aquatic ecosystems with chloride which can be detrimental for aquatic life at acute levels. The US Environmental Protection Agency classifies chloride contamination as chronic at 230ppm, and acute at 860ppm.1 Since the fall of 2007, chloride ion concentrations of six sites on the lower Pike River have been measured with a chloride ion selective electrode. Additional analysis of chloride levels at other sites on the Pike river, Pike creek, and Lake Michigan are currently being done. The lower river data for fall 2012 shows a mean chloride ion concentration of 90.7±10.9 ppm for late September into early December. This concentration is ~25 ppm above the baseline of 65 ppm. Dry weather conditions could play a large role in the chloride levels remaining above the baseline level. During the winter when road salt is applied to the roads, the runoff drains into the river causing the chloride levels to increase dramatically; this increase is apparent in the spring when the snow melts and the chloride levels rise. As of current spring 2013 sampling data, the highest mean river chloride concentration has been 325.3±17.9ppm, which has surpassed the chronic level of contamination. Chloride levels in the Pike creek have surpassed the chronic level for four consecutive weeks.
Submit date: March 15, 2013, 12:41 p.m.