COG’s freshwater salinization syndrome project monitors for significant changes in salinity in various bodies of freshwater, including streams, rivers and reservoirs in the region because of human activities. An increase in salt content can have negative impacts on aquatic life, riparian ecosystems overall, and drinking water quality.
The project is a partnership among three scientific agencies: Virginia Tech’s Occoquan Water Monitoring Lab (VT-OWML), the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), and the Department of Geology and Earth System Science Interdisciplinary Center at the University of Maryland (UMD), all of which are actively involved in monitoring efforts across the region.
The 10 to15-year project will have three phases. In the initial phase, researchers will analyze data already available. In Phase 2, researchers will conduct field and laboratory studies at several sites to better understand the fate and transport of various salts in the environment and their interaction with other contaminants. In Phase 3, researchers will use their findings to help determine if mitigation efforts are having an impact in the region.
A technical advisory committee will help guide the project. Staff will coordinate the monitoring initiative with various ongoing efforts to minimize salt application, such as the Northern Virginia Salt Management Strategy coordinated by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality and similar efforts by the Maryland Department of the Environment.
COG Contacts
Steve Bieber (COG)
Katie Dyer (COG)
Project Contacts
Stanley Grant (OWML)
John Jastram (USGS)
Sujay Kaushal (UMD)