TRACKING HEAVY METAL CONTAMINANTS ALONG THE MONONGAHELA RIVER, MORGANTOWN, WEST VIRGINIA

Heavy metal contaminants (e.g. Pb, Cr, As, and Zn) are a growing public health concern, and are frequently dispersed into urban environments by anthropogenic activities. Many of these elements resist degradation, allowing them to accumulate in the environment for long periods of time. This research examines the spatial distribution and magnitude of such contaminants within soils located in Morgantown, WV. This city is located within a region with a well-documented legacy of coal-burning and coal-mining operations. The inextricable link between coal operations and West Virginia has become an integral part of the economic, political, and social fabric of the state. By analyzing the chemistry of soil samples collected along the banks of the Monongahela River in Morgantown WV, we hope to gain a better understanding of the mobility of these elements in this urban environment.

Soil samples were collected from seven stations along the banks of the Monongahela River. Samples collected at these stations span ~4.2 km upstream to 4.3 km downstream, passing through the downtown area. At each of the seven stations, five subsamples (less than 5 cm depths) were collected and amalgamated from a 1x1-meter grid. Soils were dried and sieved to <75µm before being analyzed by p-XRF (handheld XRF) to determine the chemical composition of the soils. The results showed concentrations of Pb (21 - 101 ppm), Cr (102 – 145 ppm), Zn (82 - 551 ppm), and Fe (20,329 - 45,090 ppm) in addition to other elements (Cu, Ni, As, Mn, Ti, and V). The concentrations of these elements gradually increase toward the downtown area, decreasing incrementally upstream and downstream. The overall pattern indicates that the downtown area has the greatest concentrations of these heavy metals.

Using this data, we hope to gain a better understanding of the origins of these contaminants. Potential point sources of interest include Morgantown’s Industrial Park as well as several confluence points along the Monongahela River that are associated with mining operations. In addition, there is increased traffic and a large population in the downtown area. These factors may contribute to the higher concentrations within the city, and ongoing research will help elucidate the origins of these contaminants.