Skip to main content

Research explores fire, mercury link

Atmospherically Deposited Mercury

Researchers recently received federal funding to continue a study aimed at exploring high levels of mercury found in fish at Vallecito Reservoir, which a researcher at the University of Colorado thinks might be the result of the 2002 Missionary Ridge Fire.

The San Juan Generating Station in Waterflow and the Four Corners Power Plant in Fruitland are believed to be the primary sources of atmospherically deposited mercury in La Plata and Montezuma counties.

CU's lead researcher Joseph Ryan thinks that a large wildfire could volatilize latent mercury that stuck to the top layer of soil.

The Missionary Ridge Fire burned more than 70,000 acres north of Durango in June and July 2002. Ryan said a fire of that intensity could have oxidized sulfur molecules that bind mercury in organic matter in the soil.

Ryan said a large wildfire could also introduce mercury into the water another way, by speeding erosion and allowing the mercury to wash into a water source.

"Nobody's really looked at this before," Ryan said. "That's probably why the National Science Foundation is funding us."

… read more

Comments

Post a Comment

Erosion Control Forum.com

Erosion Control, and Nanotechnologies (NT)

Erosion Control Forum – Information on erosion control devices and resources Skip to content Abstract Nanotechnology (NT) The National Nanotechnology Initiative defines nanotechnology as understanding and controlling matter at dimensions between approximately 1 and 100 nanometers, where unique phenomena enable novel applications. Introduction Nanotechnology offers the potential to effectively treat contaminants in situ, avoiding excavation or the need to pump contaminated water out of the ground. The process begins with nanoparticles being injected into a contaminated aquifer via an injection well. Role of Nanotechnology Nanotechnology plays a crucial role in improving wind turbine performance...
2 comments
Read more

Environmental Issues

Erosion Control Forum – Information on erosion control devices and resources Skip to content Bioventing Description Bioventing is an in situ remediation technology that uses microorganisms to biodegrade organic constituents adsorbed on soils in the unsaturated zone. Bioventing enhances the activity of indigenous bacteria and simulates the natural in situ biodegradation of hydrocarbons in soil by inducing air or oxygen flow into the unsaturated zone and, if necessary, by adding nutrients. During bioventing, oxygen may be supplied through direct air injection into residual contamination in soil. Bioventing primarily assists in the degradation of adsorbed fuel residuals, but also assists in the degradation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) as vapors move slowly through biologically active...
1 comment
Read more

An Ecological Niche:
Concepts, Models, Applications.

Erosion Control Forum.com Blog / Skip to content Erosion Control ...
Post a Comment
Read more