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You are presently viewing the 2nd day of a series of 7, day-long field trips exploring the geoscience of Massachusetts. Use the navigation area to the left to view the entire series. For more information about this site, please visit the Geoscience Tour Overview.
As time passes, I will be adding content to this site in the form of
HTML presentations, digital photographs, and reference materials & sites. I hope you find this information of value.
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The Blackstone River
Non-Point Source Pollution (NPS) is a widespread problem in Massachusetts, with surface water being affected in both urban (predominately in the eastern portion of the state) and more rural areas (predominately in the western of the state). NPS is hard to regulate because of its distributed nature and becomes most apparent when rainwater and snowmelt flow through areas disturbed by agriculture, urbanization, etc. This flow transports contaminants (fertilizer, automobile residues, animal waste, etc.) and deposits them into surface waters and/or groundwater where the flow terminates. NPS also comes from old sediment deposits in streams and lakes once used by industry (for example, the Blackstone River) as well as from atmospheric fallout (e.g., coal-fired electric generation to the west).
The EPA’s empowerment of the states to tackle polluted waters (Clean Water Act) has effectively addressed the "point sources" of pollution such as outflow from wastewater treatment plants. However, the authority granted by the federal government to identify and control point sources of pollution can’t stop all of the pollution all of the time. For example, the Upper Blackstone Water Pollution Abatement District will discharge untreated effluent during times of high spring melt, heavy rain events, or when power outages cause the plant to shutdown. The recent (June 2006) ~12-inch rainfall, as well as similar weather events of October 2005, are examples of the plant being overwhelmed by huge volumes of flow through its system.
This geoscience tour of selected areas in the Blackstone Valley will discuss the effect of both Non-Point Source and Point-Source Pollution on the river. This tour includes related background science, as well as a virtual field trip, available via the links (located to the left) as follows:
Background
The Blackstone River has had a long history with pollution, beginning in 1635. Increasing population densities, construction of hydropower dams, and other human activities have impacted water quality and resulted in toxic sediments emplaced by waterworks in several locations. The evolution of use of the Blackstone River, and the associated impact of said use, will be examined, inclusive of an on-going study evaluating the science of a $1 Billion Dollar (US) upgrade. The background information and references provided will not only better prepare you for the Field Trip itself, but will help you act as a guide to others as well (either in situ or elsewhere).
Field Trip
Building upon the provided background information, I have put together a
virtual (or actual) field trip highlighting key features demonstrative of
the environmental status of the Blackstone River. Specific locations and directions are also included for those who live in the general area and would like to explore the area first-hand.
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FIGURE 1: Travel Map