Ecosystem Impacts of Increased Coal Transport Across the Northwest
Region
USGS NW Region
Robert Black (Washington Water Science Center, Tacoma, WA)
Elena Nilsen (Oregon Water Science Center, Portland, OR)
Collin Eagles-Smith (Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, Corvallis, OR)
Is Coal Transport a Potential Environmental Concern?
– Very little data/information– In 2007 finding related to transport of coal by rail
from MT and WY to western WA, Army Corps determined that transport of coal could be harmful aquatic resources
– Coal dust / spills– Recent study in WA
Environmental Impact Statement
• 2 Lead Agencies: Army Corps and State/County– Corps: scope is limited to area around terminals and meets NEPA
regulations– State/County scope is focused around terminal for Bellingham
site, but also hopes to perform “detailed assessment of rail transportation on other representative communities in Washington and a general analysis of out-of-state rail impacts”. This meets SEPA regulations
– State/County scope for Longview site not developed – Letter from Director of Washington Department of Ecology to U.S.
Department of Transportation and U.S. Surface Transportation Board has specifically asked these groups to conduct assessments of the effects of coal on the environment along rail lines.
Public Interest in Coal Transport and Export
• Washington and Oregon - Scoping process for permitting of transfer terminals has produced ~400,000 specific comments.
• Idaho – “Coal Exports Pack a Big Carbon Punch”• Idaho – “Coal Trains Threaten Environment and Public
Health”• Montana - “Surface Transportation Board: BNSF can require
coal-dust suppression”• Montana- “Groups rally for Montana inclusion in Army
Corps' environmental assessment”• Numerous public meetings and rallies throughout the region
Currently Unanswered Questions • Are there measurable levels of coal transport related
chemicals along rail corridors in water, soil/sediment, and/or biota and do they change in relations to there location to the rail lines?
• What is spatial pattern of contamination along proposed route(s)?
• What are most vulnerable areas?– Wetlands, parks, ESA, GW/drinking water, population
• What are mechanisms of transfer, accumulation, persistence of contaminants in environment and food web?
Currently Unanswered Questions (cont.)
• How might future traffic or spills influence concentrations / distribution of contaminants?
• What is influence of hydrodynamic/sediment transport processes in distributing contaminants in riverine and coastal environments?
• What is influence of climate/land use change on hydrology/sediment transport on contaminant impact pathways?
Is Coal Transport an Environmental Concern?
• Potential Environmental Contaminants Associated with Coal – PAHs (Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons)– Mercury– Chromium– Selenium– Lead– Arsenic
• Nervous system damage, impaired reproduction, cardiovascular issues, urinary tract and lung cancers
• Coal dust during transport– Each train car can loose up to 500 pounds of coal dust– 120 cars per train– ~60,000 lbs of coal dust lost per train– 28-30 times increase in coal train traffic
Aquatic Resources Adjacent to Rail Lines
Wetlands Public LandsWetlands
Provisional WetlandsPublic Lands
Proposed Coal Terminals, Rail Lines and National Wildlife Refuges
Rail linesProposed coal terminal
Ridgefield NWR
Steigerwald NWR
Pierce NWR
McNary NWR
Columbia NWR
Turnbull NWR53 mil Tons
~8 mil Tons
49 mil Tons
5 mil Tons
Horsethief SP
Questions and Methods• Are there measurable levels of coal transport related chemicals
along rail corridors in water, soil/sediment and/or biota and do they change in relations to there location to the rail lines? – Soil/sediment – Biota (Fish and insects)
• Established methods-focus on Hg and PAH• Levels of concern (chronic vs. acute) for targeted
contaminants • Hg source fingerprinting (Hg stable isotopes)• PAH from dust vs. combustion (forensic ratios)
Study DesignCurrent Coal Rail Line
CoalLoading
CoalTerminal(Canada)
Wetland/lake
Sample Point :SedimentTissue (insects, fish)
Columbia River
Horsethief
Steigerwald
Methods-Focus on Hg and PAH-Levels of suspected concern -Hg source fingerprinting (Hg stable isotopes)-PAH from dust vs. combustion (forensic ratios)
Methylmercury is produced by some bacterial groups found in the environment…
Inorganic
HgSO4/Fe-reducing
Bacteria Methyl
Hg
How Is Methylmercury Created?
Project Status
• Field work complete• Samples have been sent to their
respective labs• USGS National Water Quality Lab• Krabbenhoft mercury lab • USGS-FRESC Corvallis• NOAA
Conclusion
• Current study is a pilot study• Approach and methods development• Not intended to be definitive
• Future work being pursued:• Location and extent of vulnerable aquatic resources due to dust AND
potential spills (aquifers, drinking water, ecosystems)• Hydrologic transport mechanisms• Spatial factors that may influence potential impacts
• Weather• Point along rail corridor• Train speed
• Ecological impacts• Transfer, accumulation, persistence of contaminants in environment and food web• Ecological health
Continued Outreach and Collaboration
• NOAA• All States – WA Department of Ecology• US Fish and Wildlife Service• University of Washington - Bothel• Tribes• Army Corps • US Department of Transportation• Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission• Columbia River Toxics Reduction Strategy
Workgroup