Emily Huff, an undergraduate student at West Liberty University, collects water chemistry data for 3RQ.
A recent article written by 3RQ partners at West Liberty University takes a closer look at summer water chemistry in the upper Ohio River basin. The paper, entitled Conductivity increased in Upper Ohio River Valley streams during the hot and dry summer of 2020, was published to the West Virginia Academy of Science in August of 2021.
Emily Huff, undergraduate student, and Dr. James Wood, Assistant Professor, utilized data collected as part of 3RQ to determine if there were any significant differences in key water chemistry parameters between the summer of 2019 and the summer of 2020, which was exceptionally hot and dry. The paper explains, "As the climate changes, extreme weather is becoming more common. Of particular concern for aquatic ecosystems are prolonged droughts and extreme heat waves. Droughts can lead to low flow conditions and increased concentrations of dissolved salts in stream water, which can stress aquatic organisms." The study found conductivity to be significantly higher at 14 of the 24 sites in 2020, while water temperature was significantly higher in only one of the 24 sites.
To access the article through the West Virginia Academy of Science, click here.
To learn more about this study and more, click here.