Chloride Contamination in Natural Water Sources
Abstract
Chloride contamination in natural water sources is a prominent problem throughout the United States. In Midwestern and Northeastern regions of the country, the most snowfall is experienced along with the highest rates of chloride contamination. With expanding levels of infrastructure development and ever-growing human population there is an increasing need to use de-icing road salts during icy or snowy months. Run off due to rising spring temperatures transfers salt into nearby bodies of water where it dissolves and breaks up into free sodium and chloride ions. A consumable level of chloride in water is 250 ppm, any specimen assessed above this value is considered to be impaired. Weekly samples were taken from 15 varying locations along Burns Valley Creek, Pleasant Valley Creek, and Garvin Brook over the duration of February and March. A chloride ion selective electrode was used to obtain measurements from these specimens with the addition of an ISAB. Examination of these samples displayed stable values of chloride across all individual testing sites due to the lack of snowfall this winter. The collected data further suggests consistent use of de-icing road salt in winter months is responsible for chloride contaminated run-off recorded in past years.
College
College of Science & Engineering
Department
Chemistry
Campus
Winona
First Advisor/Mentor
Jeanne Franz
Location
Ballroom - Kryzsko Commons
Start Date
4-18-2024 9:00 AM
End Date
4-18-2024 10:00 AM
Presentation Type
Poster Session
Format of Presentation or Performance
In-Person
Session
1a=9am-10am
Poster Number
27
Chloride Contamination in Natural Water Sources
Ballroom - Kryzsko Commons
Chloride contamination in natural water sources is a prominent problem throughout the United States. In Midwestern and Northeastern regions of the country, the most snowfall is experienced along with the highest rates of chloride contamination. With expanding levels of infrastructure development and ever-growing human population there is an increasing need to use de-icing road salts during icy or snowy months. Run off due to rising spring temperatures transfers salt into nearby bodies of water where it dissolves and breaks up into free sodium and chloride ions. A consumable level of chloride in water is 250 ppm, any specimen assessed above this value is considered to be impaired. Weekly samples were taken from 15 varying locations along Burns Valley Creek, Pleasant Valley Creek, and Garvin Brook over the duration of February and March. A chloride ion selective electrode was used to obtain measurements from these specimens with the addition of an ISAB. Examination of these samples displayed stable values of chloride across all individual testing sites due to the lack of snowfall this winter. The collected data further suggests consistent use of de-icing road salt in winter months is responsible for chloride contaminated run-off recorded in past years.
