Dung (Danny) Trinh

009049391
05/20/15
Homework Week #11
Our U.S. waterways are in a bad shape during last decade. That bad shape was caused by
many factors but majorly and directly from us. We recklessly consume the Mother Natures
resources and continuously eject the pollutant right back to the environment without any
treatment. The recent report from Environment America Research and Policy Center shows that
industry discharged about 226 million pounds of toxic chemical into Americas rivers and
streams in 2010. The pollution included dead-zone-producing nitrates from food processors,
mercury and others heavy metals from steel plants, and toxic chemicals from various kinds of
refineries. Within the overall waste, the researchers identified 1.5 million pounds of carcinogens,
626,000 pounds of chemicals linked to developmental disorders and 354,000 pounds of those
associated with reproductive problems.
One of the most polluted waterway is Ohio River. The Ohio River is 981 miles long,
starting at the confluence of the Allegheny and the Monongahela Rivers in Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania, and ending in Cairo, Illinois, where it merges into the Mississippi River. It flows
through as many as 6 states. It provides drinking water for more than 3 million people and almost
10% of U.S. population live in its basin. It has about 20 dams which are running along
throughout its long body, so its flow runs slower compare to other free flowing rivers, so the
water became muddier which creating an uncomfortable living condition for bottom-dwelling
organisms. Raw sewages are discharged directly into the river during the rainstorms at over
numerous points along the river. As the result, it is closed to swimming. Non-point source
pollution from urban runoff and agricultural activities contributes significant amounts of
contaminants to the river. Acid mine drainage (AMD) from old mines is a major source of water
quality problems for the upper Ohio River and its tributaries. Many sections of the Ohio River do
not meet water quality standards because it contaminated with bacteria and pathogens, PCBs,
lead, mercury, metals, organics and other pollutants. Approximately 164 species of fish have
been found in the Ohio River. However, the dams have drastically altered the habitat for river

organisms, as they prevent fish and other organisms from moving up and down the river in their
natural cycles. 80 species of mussels once lived in the Ohio River. Currently only 50 species
occur and 5 of those are in danger of extinction. There are fish consumption advisories in place
for the entire length of the river. Carp and catfish should not be eaten at all, and limited
consumption advisories are in place for other types of fish including smallmouth buffalo (1
meal/month) white bass, drum, sanger, black bass (1 meal/week).
Its current condition has improved since 17,000 volunteers from 6 bordering states has
come together to clean up around 3000 miles of its shoreline in one day event hosted by Orsanco,
an interstate water pollution agency for the Ohio River Valley. An estimated 7,000 tons of trash
and debris from its banks. Besides the government has regulated the level of toxic waste going
into the river.