Presenter: Charlotte Klein − Environmental Science, Spatial Data Science and Technology
Faculty Mentor(s): Matt Polizzotto
Session: (In-Person) Poster Presentation
Stormwater runoff occurs when rainfall encounters impervious surfaces such as pavement and rooftops, instead of being absorbed into the ground. As runoff travels over these surfaces, pollutants are picked up and eventually make their way into natural waterways. In the Eugene-Springfield metro area, a specific stormwater pollutant of concern is zinc, which has been notably rising in local ambient water quality measurements taken by the city of Eugene over the past 20 years. As such, the causes and extent of elevated zinc levels within waterways in the Eugene-Springfield metro area are the focus of this study. Using 2019 as a case study year, data aggregation revealed similar zinc concentration patterns within the waterways of Springfield and Eugene. Literature review and spatial analysis identified zinc-based moss control products, tire and brake wear, and industrial discharges, as likely sources of zinc to the environment. This work adds to the understanding of municipal stormwater pollution in the Pacific Northwest and can lead to informed strategies for minimizing zinc loading to the environment.