Susky River Pollution Facts

[afishinado]

Interesting graphic on nitrogen sources polluting the river >

https://wbng.com/2021/01/18/digging-deeper-time-running-out-to-clean-up-susquehanna-river/?fbclid=IwAR0wImTScGA5okwxLkmHKtvdZgYhk37lc2qWZcUri9I9Qup5VfsNFffzP3A

 

[Dave_W]

Good article - thanks for the link - supports much of the conventional wisdom about Susky pollutants and sources.

Short version: Nearly half of the nitrogen (N) comes from agro run-off.

The article appears to imply that these stats are for the NY section of the river but this is unclear. My guess would be that these stats would be much the same for the PA section of the North Branch and main stem.

The article talks a lot about outdated sewage plants (a common problem here in PA) but storm water run-off contributes slightly more N to the river and auto emissions and air pollution are even a bit higher still. My guess would be that air pollution is the source that has decreased its N contribution the most over time.