04/28/2025
In addition to excess nutrients and sediment, 12,531 pounds of toxic metals flow through the Susquehanna each day, according to EPA's Chesapeake Bay management study. Toxic metals in the river include cadmium, chromium, copper, nickel, and zinc. Industry and municipal wastewater treatment plants discharge toxics including metals and chlorinated organic compounds into the water while the atmosphere and urban stormwater runoff from city streets can add lead and zinc to the toxic mix. Farms also can con- tribute toxics to the Susquehanna in the form of pesticides and herbicides.Toxics in water tend to attach to suspended particles, drop to the bottom, then re -suspend during storms. Toxics lower reproductive success and stress the health of aquatic animals. When toxics accumulate in the tissues of fish and shellfish, they pose a threat to human health. Toxics may also seep into the water table and contaminate vast amounts of groundwater. // stormwaterpa.com
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