Defense Date

6-21-2016

Graduation Date

Summer 1-1-2016

Availability

One-year Embargo

Submission Type

thesis

Degree Name

MS

Department

Environmental Science and Management (ESM)

Committee Chair

Brady Porter

Committee Member

Beth Dakin

Committee Member

John Stolz

Keywords

3 Rivers QUEST, abandoned mine drainage, hydraulic fracturing, road salt

Abstract

The Kiskiminetas River system, a major tributary of the Allegheny River, has a history of water quality impacts due to industrial activity. In conjunction with the program 3 Rivers QUEST, a comprehensive analysis was conducted on the water quality of the Kiskiminetas system and its impacts on the Allegheny River. Samples were collected biweekly from 8 sites in the Kiskiminetas watershed and the Allegheny River, from 2013 to 2015, and sent to a certified lab for analysis. Data was analyzed for concentrations of several anions and dissolved metals and for the chemical ratios between sites and compared to historic data. These parameters were analyzed in comparison to known potential pollutants to evaluate impacts on water quality of surface water. The data suggests an improvement in water quality from a reduction in abandoned mine drainage, but increases in bromide, chloride, and strontium indicate increasing impact from unconventional gas development.

Format

PDF

Language

English

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