A Pilot Study of the Potential Effects of Pennsylvania State University at Altoona’s Deicer Storage Pile on Spring Run Stream in Altoona, Blair County, Pennsylvania

Pollution originating in headwater streams, such as Spring Run that flows next to the Penn State Altoona campus, can negatively affect the water quality of the Chesapeake Bay. The Chesapeake Bay is located on the Atlantic coast of the United States, and is home to diverse flora and fauna. In addition, commercial fishing and tourism industries contribute to the economies of neighboring states, including Maryland and Virginia. Thus, it is important to monitor headwater streams located within the Chesapeake Bay watershed for sources of point pollution. Spring Run flows next to parking lots where commercial deicers containing chloride, potassium, and sodium ions are routinely applied in the winter months. Given the proximity of Penn State Altoona’s deicer storage shed to Spring Run, we hypothesized that it could be a source of ion pollution for this headwater stream. Chloride, sodium, and potassium levels were measured at various locations near and within Spring Run. Our results indicate that ion levels close to the location of the deicer storage pile are greater than levels upstream, suggesting that runoff from the deicer pile is contributing to increased ion levels in Spring Run. Alternate locations to relocate the deicer storage shed are suggested.

This is the accepted version of the article published in the 2021 issue of BIOS (published by TriBeta). BIOS 92(4) 154–158, 2021

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Work Title A Pilot Study of the Potential Effects of Pennsylvania State University at Altoona’s Deicer Storage Pile on Spring Run Stream in Altoona, Blair County, Pennsylvania
Access
Open Access
Creators
  1. Michelle A. Smithbauer
  2. Laura Palmer
  3. Carolyn G. Mahan
License In Copyright (Rights Reserved)
Work Type Article
Publisher
  1. BIOS
Publication Date January 1, 2021
Publisher Identifier (DOI)
  1. https://doi.org/10.1893/BIOS-D-20-00029
Deposited January 09, 2023

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Version 1
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  • Created
  • Added BIOS-D-19-00029_accepted.pdf
  • Added Creator Michelle A. Smithbauer
  • Added Creator Laura Palmer
  • Added Creator C G Mahan
  • Published
  • Renamed Creator Carolyn G. Mahan Show Changes
    • C G Mahan
    • Carolyn G. Mahan
  • Updated Work Title Show Changes
    Work Title
    • Effects of Pennsylvania State University at Altoona’s Deicer Storage Pile on Spring Run Stream in Altoona, Blair County, Pennsylvania
    • A Pilot Study of the Potential Effects of Pennsylvania State University at Altoona’s Deicer Storage Pile on Spring Run Stream in Altoona, Blair County, Pennsylvania
  • Updated Related URLs Show Changes
    Related URLs
    • https://doi.org/10.1893/BIOS-D-20-00029
  • Updated Publisher Identifier (DOI), Related URLs Show Changes
    Publisher Identifier (DOI)
    • https://doi.org/10.1893/BIOS-D-20-00029
    Related URLs
    • https://doi.org/10.1893/BIOS-D-20-00029
  • Updated