Comparing Water Samples from the Albany Pine Bush to Average Water Contaminants

Comparing Water Samples from the Albany Pine Bush to Maximum Water Contaminants

Intro:


Using the same method as my soil blog, I am comparing the data sets I collected on water to EPA standards found in a table. Because I could not find average water contaminants I will be comparing the water to the maximum set standards instead. Below are the tables: one is on aquatic life standards and the other on drinking water. The water samples collected came from natural wells within the Albany Pine Bush.

On a side note: the charts does not list Sb, but I looked it up and drinking water should be at .006 ppm and naturally there can be up to 5 ppm. I also found the Cr can be as high as 20 ppm in rivers, but most often around 5 ppm. Ba can actually be as high as 2 ppm in drinking water. Lastly, I could not find a set standard for Pb, but it appears the EPA is pushing for 0 ppm as a goal.

On another note: ND appearing in a box means the data is inconclusive, but most likely the trace elements are low.

Source:

http://www.water.ncsu.edu/watershedss/info/hmetals.html (tables)
www.epa.gov (info on elements)
http://www.lenntech.com/index.htm (info on elements)

Data:

Sample 1

• by shrubs
• near houses

Referring to both charts we can see that the natural well water is high in Sb and Cr for both drinking an naturally occurring concentrations. Cr is fine in aquatic standards though.

Sample 2

• by shrubs and woods
• recent control fire
• not as close as 1 to urban development

I could not find anything on Cl, but I am going to assume it is high. Sb is as well high.

Sample 3

• wooded area
• recent control fire
• near highway
• note: water was vey cloudy

CR and Ba levels are to high for drinking water. Both seem fine to be in water for aquatic life.

Sample 4

• same as sample 3

Cr is above drinking water standards. Although it would pass standards for aquatic life.

Sample 5

• low shrubs
• very close to landfill

Cr and Sb levels are above drinking standards. Sb is also above aquatic life standards.

Sample 6

• low shrubs
• very close to landfill
• also near wetlands

Cr are to high for drinking standards, but not aquatic life standards. Ba most likely is fine for aquatic life standards. Pb is most likely a problem for drinking standards.

Sample 7

• same as sample 6

Sb is too high for both standards. Ba is at maximum level for being acceptable in drinking water. Cr is acceptable only for aquatic life standards.

Sample 8

• same as sample 6

Cr is too high for drinking levels, Sb is too high for everything.

Sample 9

• closest sample to landfill

Cr is too high for drinking standards, but sine for aquatic life standards. Pb is most likely an issue for drinking standards.

Sample 10

• in swamp area

Sb levels are high for both standards.

Sample 11

• same as sample 10

Sb levels are high for both standards. Pb might also be an issue. Cr is too high only for drinking standards.

Sample 12

• near parking lot of Albany Pine Bush Center

Sb is an issue for both standards. Cr is high only for drinking water.

Conclusions:

It appears that antimony is a serious issue for the Albany Pine Bush. As well, it looks like lead might be an issue. I will in a future study compare the water to the soil to see if there is a correlation.