Toxic Algae Re-emerges Near Dunkard Creek, Site of Fish Kill
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
18 June 2011
By Olivia Garber
Golden algae found in a pond 100 feet away from Dunkard Creek has
prompted environmental officials to monitor the creek, fearing a repeat
of the 2009 waterway crisis in which toxins released from the algae
triggered a massive fish kill.
The Pennsylvania and West Virginia Departments of Environmental
Protection began testing the 43-mile stretch of water along the
Pennsylvania-West Virginia border after staff from Consol Energy made
the discovery during a routine sampling on June 9.
So far, the golden algae has yet to have a toxic effect on the unnamed
pond, nor has it spread to Dunkard Creek.
Both departments will continue to monitor the bodies of water.
Although the DEP has had experience stemming from the 2009 outbreak,
the circumstances surrounding the pond in Greene County, Pa., are
somewhat puzzling. Experts determined that discharge from a Consol mine
treatment facility contributed to the toxic outbreak in 2009, but no
discharge flows into the pond.
An agreement with the DEP requires Consol to test Dunkard Creek
periodically, and workers noticed that the nearby pond had a golden
hue, prompting them to test it.
Ron Schwartz, assistant regional director of the southwest regional
office for the Pennsylvania DEP, said that because the pond is not
hydraulically connected to Dunkard Creek, it's unlikely the golden
algae would spread. But if there is a heavy rain, the pond could
overflow into Dunkard Creek.
The DEP is working to make sure the algae does not reach a point where
it starts releasing toxins, although it is not quite sure what that
point is.
Kathy Cosco, spokeswoman for the West Virginia DEP, said there is not
one trigger for golden algae toxins.
Still, Mr. Schwartz does not think the golden algae poses much threat.
Because of the lack of stream flow and low pH levels necessary for the
algae's survival, "I don't think the algae will survive very long," Mr.
Schwartz said. Unlike the flowing Dunkard Creek, the isolated pond is
small and stagnant.
This would allow the sun to degrade the toxins.
Mr. Schwartz calls golden algae an "invasive species" since it's not
native to the Northeast and hypothesized that the current bloom was
carried in by wildlife or the wind.
Olivia Garber: 412-263-1985 or ogarber@post-gazette.com