Ava Cully, STEM Ex Final Project by Ava Cully https://padlet.com/ac34543/5cfabt7rt6hatfpg Reducing Nitrogen Pollution in the Potomac River en-us 2021-06-16 14:35:24 UTC 2021-06-16 14:53:11 UTC hello@padlet.com Main Pollutants in the Potomac River ac34543 https://padlet.com/ac34543/5cfabt7rt6hatfpg/wish/1610128561 The top three pollutants in the Potomac are nitrogen, phosphorous, and sediment. Although these all occur naturally there is an excess amount in the river and it is causing harm to aquatic life, and other wildlife habitats.]]> 2021-06-16 14:37:21 UTC https://padlet.com/ac34543/5cfabt7rt6hatfpg/wish/1610128561 Past Progress ac34543 https://padlet.com/ac34543/5cfabt7rt6hatfpg/wish/1610133655 Over the last 20 years there was some progress in decreasing the amount of nutrient and sediment pollution, but because of runoffs from urban areas into the river the numbers are rising again.

]]> 2021-06-16 14:39:22 UTC https://padlet.com/ac34543/5cfabt7rt6hatfpg/wish/1610133655 EPA's Target Goal ac34543 https://padlet.com/ac34543/5cfabt7rt6hatfpg/wish/1610134794 The EPA set a target goal of decreasing the amount of nitrogen in the Potomac to 48.01 pounds by 2025 and there is data to show that the target goal can be reached but not all sources of nitrogen are decreasing.The nitrogen that comes from urban and suburban storm water is still increasing because of more development in the area. My idea would be to help decrease the amount of nitrogen that comes from urban and suburban storm water drains.

]]> 2021-06-16 14:39:51 UTC https://padlet.com/ac34543/5cfabt7rt6hatfpg/wish/1610134794 Sources of Nitrogen that come from Urban / Suburban Areas ac34543 https://padlet.com/ac34543/5cfabt7rt6hatfpg/wish/1610140715 Agricultural fertilizers, pet waste, live stock waste, lawn fertilizers, detergents, and car exhaust are all sources of nitrogen.

]]> 2021-06-16 14:42:16 UTC https://padlet.com/ac34543/5cfabt7rt6hatfpg/wish/1610140715 Idea on How to Reduce Nitrogen Levels in the Potomac ac34543 https://padlet.com/ac34543/5cfabt7rt6hatfpg/wish/1610144807 A way to reduce nitrogen levels in the Potomac could be by using filters in residential areas where runoff is going into the Potomac. It could potentially be done by installing a semipermeable membrane in the storm drains that the water / runoff will potentially go through. The water / runoff will then be forced to go through the filter before it can reach the river. The membrane would separate the nitrogen from the water, it could also help with other pollutants like straws or other trash, because the filter would catch it before it went into the Potomac. 

]]> 2021-06-16 14:43:56 UTC https://padlet.com/ac34543/5cfabt7rt6hatfpg/wish/1610144807 Cites: ac34543 https://padlet.com/ac34543/5cfabt7rt6hatfpg/wish/1610152294 “How to Remove Nitrates from Water.” Fresh Water Systems, www.freshwatersystems.com/blogs/blog/how-to-remove-nitrates-from-water.
“2020 Potomac River Report Card.” Potomac Concervancy, potomacreportcard.org/pollution/#:~:text=Nitrogen%2C%20phosphorus%2C%20and%20sediment%20are,Potomac%20River%20and%20its%20tributaries. ]]> 2021-06-16 14:47:08 UTC https://padlet.com/ac34543/5cfabt7rt6hatfpg/wish/1610152294