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HomeMy WebLinkAboutUpstream Analysis of the Pinebrook River 6/1/1983 id UPSTREAM ANALYSIS OF THE PINEBROOK RIVER SUMMER 1983 ' "'-i- . 1'''t't, ‘V 7 Pa A ,; i� 4 3 ::y4� ,, lr� .s4 e'er : ' ,. a $ +rs • s By Robert P. Hohberg, B.S. , M.A. ,P.D. • UPSTREAM ANALYSIS OF THE PINEBROOK RIVER Introduction The Premium Marsh Study of 1980 provided data indicating the particle carrying capacity (turbidity) and salinity of the Pinebrook River downstream from the Post Road outfall. However, there was inadequate data for these parameters in the underground waters upstream of the outfall. Since almost all of the Pinebrook River is underground up to Beechmont Lake, New Rochelle, it was important to investigate not only turbidity and salinity but also emulsified oil in these waters. Data on oil content is important because of recent oil spills in the Pinebrook into the Premium Marsh and a long history of oil concentrations. Impending construction will also affect the inclusions of the Pinebrook Water Shed and eventually the Premium Marsh. Therefore, a study of the upstream waters of the Pinebrook River was accomplished and included analysis of: 1. Turbidity (particle carrying capacity) 2. Salinity 3. Emulsified Oil 4. ph The project established a minimum of nineteen (19) sampling stations and included turbidity (19 tests) ; ph (19 tests) ; emulsified oil (19 tests) and salinity (19 tests) . Independent laboratory analysis for this project would have cost $8,350.00 plus manhole removal, sampling and travel expenses. My consultant's fee for this work was $2,500.00. U • Station: la Date: 8/23/83 3 meters under the Post Road fTh (in culvert) Depth: subsurface Time: 7:57 a.m. Conditions: one hour & fifty one Water Temperature: 22 C minutes after low tide; the high level of water indicates that the outflow Air Temperature: 20 C is impeded! Tests: Turbidity: 9.8 N.T.U. • Salinity: -0.0% Emulsified Oil: 0.2 ppm -6.2 Station: lb Date: 8/22/83 Depth: 0.5 m Time: 7:44 a.m. Conditions: Three hours & sixteen Water Temperature: 19 C minutes before high tide; the high level of water indicates that the Air Temperature: 17 C culvert does not flush out adequately at low tide. Tests: Turbidity: 8.4 N.T.U. Salinity: 0.0 Emulsified Oil: -0.5 p.p.m. pH: -6. 1 U • Station: #2 Date: 7/11/83 Pinebrook Drive & Kilmer Road Depth: Surface Time: 9:26 a.m. Conditions: Low Tide; Water Temperature: 24 C gaseous odor; slow flow Air Temperature: 18 C Tests: Turbidity: 13.0 N.T.U. - Salinity: 0.9 0/00 Emulsified Oil: 0.5 p.p.m. pH: 6.2 Station: #3 Date: 7/13/83 Depth: Surface Time: 8:23 a.m. Conditions: low tide; Water Temperature: 18 C still water; musty odor Air Temperature: 24 C Tests: Turbidity: 17.0 N.T.U. • Salinity: 0.4 0/00 Emulsified Oil: 1.0 p.p.m. pH: 6.0 Station: #4 Date: 7/15/83 Pinebrook Drive & Brook Place t k Depth: Surface Time: 8:00 a.m. Conditions: low tide; Water Temperature: 17 C oily odor; swift flow Air Temperature: 11 C Tests: Turbidity: 17.0 N.T.U. • Salinity: 0.4 0/00 Emulsified Oil: 0.5 p.p.m. pH: 6.0 Station: #5 Date: 7/18/83 Palmer Ave. & Pinebrook Park Depth: Subsurface Time: 8:15 a.m. Conditions: one hour past Water Temperature: 18 C high tide; very oily appearance; oily odor; oily suspended particles Air Temperature: 24 C Tests: Turbidity: 100.0 N.T.U. Salinity: 0.1 0/00 Emulsified Oil: 5.5 p.p.m. ; with particles- 14.0 p.p.m. pH: 6.0 Coliform: 16 organisms/160 ml. Date: Station: #6 7/20/83 Palmer Ave. & Pinebrook Park- DM6 Depth: Subsurface Time: 8:16 a.m. Conditions: Very slow flow; one Water Temperature: 19 C hour & four minutes before high tide; very slippery rungs within the manhole. Air Temperature: 22 C Tests: Turbidity: 14.0 N.T.U. Salinity: 0.1 0/00 Emulsified Oil: 0.5 p.p.m. pH: 6.0 Station: #7 Date: 7/22/83 Palmer Ave & Getty Station Depth: Subsurface Time: 8:11 a.m. Conditions: two hours & forty eight Water Temperature: 19 c minutes before high tide; heavy rain the previous day; rapid flow. Air Temperature: 18 C Tests: Turbidity: 28.0 N.T.U. Salinity: 0.1 0/00 Emulsified Oil: 2.0 p.p.m. pH: 6. 1 Station: #8 Date: 7/25/83 Palmer Ave. & Shopwell Parking Lot . _off Depth: Subsurface Time: 8:05 a.m. Conditions: Low tide; slow flow; Water Temperature: 19 C musty and oily odor Air Temperature: 18 C Tests: Turbidity: 19.0 N.T.U. • Salinity: 0.1 0/00 Emulsified Oil: 0.5 p.p.m. 2.11) 6.0 Station: #9 Date: 7/27/83 65 5th Ave. , T. of M. Depth: Subsurface Time: 8:03 a.m. Conditions: Low tide; Water Temperature: 18 water seemed to back flow; oil stains on side of culvert were Air Temperature: 19 C very heavy. Tests: Turbidity: 68.0 N.T.U. Salinity: 0.0 0/00 Emulsified Oil: 2.0 p.p.m. pH: 6.0 Station: #10 Date: 8/1/83 Last station in T. of M. Depth: Subsurface; low water depth Time: 7:57 a.m. but brisk flow Conditions: four hours and twenty Water Temperature: 23 C minutes after high tide; culvert converts to two parallel pipes Air Temperature: 24 C (one for streetdrains) Tests: Turbidity: 15.0 N.T.U. Salinity: 0.0 0/00 Emulsified Oil: 0.0 p.p.m. PH: 6.0 Station: #11 Date: 8/3/83 Short of #559 5 Ave. , N.R. Depth: Subsurface Time: 8:10 a.m. Conditions: three hours after Water Temperature: 15 C high tide; a third pipe joins the system (apparently from the apartment Air Temperature: 21 C project) . Tests: Turbidity: 25.0 N.T.U. Salinity: 0.0 0/00 Emulsified Oil: 0.0 p.p.m. pH: 6.0 Station: #12 Date: 8/5/83 539 5 Ave. , N.R. • Depth: Subsurface Time: 8:20 a.m. Conditions: two minutes after Water Temperature: 19 C high tide; two pipe system persists; one small blocked lead in pipe. 4 Air Temperature: 25 C blockage upstream in Pinebrook pipe; gaseous odors. Tests: Turbidity: 12.5 N.T.U. . Salinity: 0.0 0/00 Emulsified Oil: 0,0 p,p,m. 6.0 • • • Station: #13 Date: 8/8/83 535 5 Ave. , N.R. Depth: Surface Time: 8:05 a.m. • Conditions: three hours & twenty four Water Temperature: 19 C minutes before high tide; blockage seen from upstream is rubble from Air Temperature: 22 C connection of lead in pipe; silting occurring in build up before block; • blockage should be removed. Tests: Turbidity: 18.0 N.T.U. Salinity: 0.0 0/00 • Emulsified Oil: 0.2 p.p.m, pH: 6.0 Station: #14 Date: 8/10/83 Portman Rd off 5th Ave. inside Park, N.R. Depth: Time: p subsurface 8:15 .m. Conditions: one hour and twenty four Water Temperature: 18.5 C minutes after low tide; two pipes return to a single large culvert Air Temperature: 19 C running under park; much debris in one small pipe; a third pipe enters. Tests: Turbidity: 22.0 N.T.U. Salinity: 0.0 0/00 Emulsified Oil: 0.2 p.p.m. pH: 6.0 Station: 415 Date: 8/11/83 Ashland St. , N.R. Depth: Subsurface Time: 6:49 a.m. Conditions: low tide; at the inlet Water Temperature: 21 C to the underground culvert from Beechmont Lake, New Rochelle Air Temperature: 21 C Tests: Turbidity: 5.5 N.T.U. Salinity: 0.0 0/00 Emulsified Oil: 0.0 p.p.m. pH: 6.1 Station: #16 Date: 8/15/83 620 5 Ave. , T. of M. Depth: Surface Time: 8:12 a.m. Conditions: two hours and three Water Temperature: 25 C minutes after high tide; oily odor Air Temperature: 17 C Tests: • Turbidity: 23.0 N.T.U. • Salinity: 0.0 0/00 Emulsified Oil: 4.5 p.p.m. pH: 6.0 Station: #17 Date: 8/17/83 Myrtle Blvd & 5 Ave, T. of M. Depth: Surface Time: 8:01 a.m. Conditions: four minutes after Water Temperature: 16 C high tide Air Temperature: 18 C Tests: Turbidity: 29.0 N.T.U. Salinity: 1.0 0/00 Emulsified Oil: 0.9 p.p.m. 211; 6.1 Station: ##18 Date: 8/19/83 Lead to point of oil pollution Downstream Washington Square, T. of M. Depth: Subsurface Time: 9:04 a.m. Conditions: forty four minutes Water Temperature: 21 C before high tide; rained previous day; heavy oil slicks on surface. Air Temperature: 23 C Tests: Turbidity: 5.0 N.T.U. Salinity: 0.0 0/00 Emulsified Oil: 4.5 p.p.m. pH: 6.15 I Station: #19 Date: 8/18/83 Well Larchmont W.W. Chatsworth & Myrtle Depth: Time: 8:24 a.m. Subsurface Conditions: thirty one minutes before Water Temperature: 19.5 C high tide Air Temperature: 22 C Tests: Turbidity: 28.0 N.T.U. Salinity: 1 .0 0/00 Emulsified Oil: 7.0 p.p.m. pH: 6. 1 Station Date Emulsified Oil p.p.m. 19 8/18/83 7.0 5 7/18/83 5.5 18 8/19/83 4.5 16 8/15/83 4.5 9 7/27/83 2.0 7 7/22/83 2.0 3 7/13/83 1.0 17 8/17/83 0.9 8 7/25/83 0.5 6 7/20/83 0.5 lb 8/22/83 0.5 4 7/15/83 0.5 2 7/11/83 0.5 0 14 8/10/83 0.2 la 8/23/83 0.2 13 8/8/83 0.1 12 8/5/83 0.0 15 8/11/83 0.0 11 8/3/83 0.0 10 8/1/83 0.0 Mean: 1.52 Range: 7.0 (7.0-0.0) Median: 0.5 Mode: 0.5 0 Station Date PH 2 7/11/83 6.2 la 8/23/83 6.201 18 8/19/83 6.15 19 8/18/83 6.1 7 7/22/83 6.1 17 8/17/83 6. 1 lb 8/22/83 6.1 15 8/11/83 6.1 5 7/18/83 6.0 16 8/15/83 6.0 9 7/27/83 6.0 3 7/13/83 6.0 8 7/25/83 6.0 6 7/20/83 6.0 • 4 7/15/83 6.0 14 8/10/83 6.0 13 8/8/83 6.0 12 8/5/83 6.0 11 8/3/83 6.0 10 8/1/83 6.0 Mean: 6. 1 Range: 0.2 (6.2 - 6.0) Median: -6.0 Mode: 6.0 44 Station Date Turbidity N.T.U. 5 7/18/83 )100.0 9 7/27/83 68.0 17 8/17/83 29.0 7 7/22/83 28.0 19 8/18/83 28.0 11 8/3/83 25.0 16 8/15/83 23.0 14 8/10/83 22.0 8 7/25/83 19.0 13 8/8/83 18.0 3 7/13/83 17.0 4 7/15/83 17.0 10 8/1/83 15.0 6 7/20/83 14.0 2 7/11/83 13.0 12 8/5/83 12.5 la 8/23/83 9.8 lb 8/22/83 8.4 15 8/11/83 5.5 18 8/19/83 5.0 Mean: 23.86 Range: 95 (100-5.0) Median: 17.5 BiModal: 28.0 17.0 Station Date _S inity%0 17 8/17/83 1.0 41 19 8/18/83 1.0 2 7/11/83 0.9 3 7/13/83 0.4 4 7/15/83 0.4 8 7/25/83 0.1 6 7/20/83 0.1 7 7/22/83 0.1 5 7/18/83 0.1 11 8/3/83 0.0 14 8/10/83 0.0 13 8/8/83 0.0 10 8/1/83 0.0 12 8/5/83 0.0 la 8/23/83 0.0 lb 8/22/83 0.0 15 8/11/83 0.0 18 8/19/83 0.0 9 7/27/83 0.0 16 8/15/83 0.0 Mean: 0.2 Range: 1.0 (1.0 - 0.0) Median: 0.05 Mode: 0.1 0 Summary & Conclusions: It should be noted that not only was the Pinebrook River analyzed but also the Garden Lake fish kill was solved by the author. This entailed much additional analytical work, which fortunately found its way into the local press raising the level of consciousness of our fellow citizens. Since most of the Pinebrook River is underground, I am indebted to Charles Crowley for his assistance with manhole identification and entry into the Pinebrook Culvert. Because the system had not been entered in many years, we had to spend much time and energy in accessing this project. I am also grateful to Tom Leddy and the men of his Highway Department who so aptly functioned as guardian angels in a task which was by no means without danger. These men kept close tabs on me while I was underground to minimize my exposure to fumes and to be available for my bodily retrieval in the event of mishap. Turbidity analysis indicates that the upstream waters of the Pinebrook River (mean 23.86 N.T.U.) carry more particulate matter than the downstream waters (mean 13.6) . The range in N.T.U. readings are much wider in the upstream waters (95 [00-549 ) than the downstream (28.4 62.0-3.@ ) which would suggest more varied velocities and depths in the upstream system. The range (0.2 g.2-6. ) of pH readings shows a consistantly slightly acid (mean 6.1) underground river which does not easily emulsify oil spills and contributes to keeping pollutant oil floating on the water's surface. Therefore, my parts per million analysis of emulsified oil Ciange 7.0 (7.0-0.0) ; mean 1.511served as a means of tracking trace remnants of oil pollution. Even so, following this concentration gradient I was able to lead the State and Coast Guard authorities right to the doorstep of the oil pollution source at Washington Square. Salinity readings show a fresh water system with a mean of 0.2o/oo and a range of 1.0o/oo (1.0-0.0) . The median (0.05o/go and the graphing of salinity readings portrays mostly fresh water which is impinged on by the road saltings at one end and the sound water at the other. Recommendations: Since the underground Pinebrook River is so vulnerable to oil pollution (both intentional and accidental) , I strongly recommend the installation of a filter trap within the culvert system itself. Failing the feasability of a Fram Industries type filter trap, there should be an alarm system in place to immediately notify the authorities of any oil spills.. I am also in agreement with Chuck Crowley's recommendation that velocity studies be executed within the culvert system. In addition, the appropriate authorities should review my field notes in order to initiate repair of the system where collapses and breakdowns have been noted. • U +ro_:..:..:w.. R ..M ..�.�'3�x ?7sM,°'h,x"r ;a !e ,L'fi�, ��' �'�,^T� c�r'�1-•,y x ..Larchmont gets gnats Protests rock i . Giants u v eaostnasert. 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' By Adam Gorfain Staff Writer x y ' � .* „„ , (��Robert Hohberg, a Larchmont scien- if-,-,,,,r; � i%„ V k/, May ver well have i e dreams. ,1?: y, ”' Literally. ..,44z->:",,.. `f," '',..,,,,;#' . 4,,t,, "tl'i,,,. -.,'s The bespectacled, mustachioed bi _.%,,,/,i,,—;'''' z", .,,' H f � ,ffit ology and chemistry teacher has been �°s ' x% , , -/-� f ,`� .. y� S crawling into manholes this summer to � `�' `� explore a musty, subterranean culvert W where footsteps have probably not 4, 3 . - rt � ' I echoed for a half century or more. ,,� �T� /, "Sometimes it's very quiet and all y' , :1,-, ,P.-4„, 4 , ' you hear is just a trickle of water," '‘ v 3 if ,, c< r r r• ,�✓ /i Y '/ E Hohberg says. Sometimes you can i� hear the boom-boom of the cars over- .J 4° r head." Y zz-,• ,, � `� ,4 , ef Hohberg, a teacher at Mamaroneck ,, ,,fis R` ' /.1 ,t; dy ti High School, has been spending about i f y,,• � n ^` * ., , "� ,, - in the Pine Brook River as it wanders Robert Hohberg three mornings a week sloshing about „ g g Adam Gorlain t# at work in his `laboratory' underground in a 7-foot-wide pipe built - k in the 1930s as a WPA project. panied by•men from the Mamaroneck It also has its dangers: gases that . Wearing thigh-high boots and a hard- Town's highway department. He says may have built up in the pipe over the • hat with a miners' lamp, Hohberg has that walking around in the .somewhat years may be noxious, and the rungs of • claustrophobic, flat-topped, round-walled been testing water samples to determine p PP the ladder leading into the culvert can the environmental quality of the river concrete culvert reminds him of being in be slippery or rotten. flowing beneath Larchmont and Mama- a foxhole. roneck. "I don't want to be down there too Please see SCIENTIST As he explores the pipe he is accom- long," he says,"but it's fascinating." on back page of this section ■w► r{ <t . ,1'SCIENTIST/ page one But Hohberg hopes that his studies this," Hohberg says. The lab contains — will help preserve or improve the qual- among other things — a spectropho- ity of the water that courses through tometer, a turbidimeter, an incubator the community in complex and often for bacteria, glass bottles, plastic con- unseen k ways. tainers, chemicals, a tide table, a calcu- Sampling local waterways, he says, lator,and a nail clipper. "is like taking a blood tap from a Much of the equipment, Hohberg human body — the waterways pick up says, belongs to the town for which he the good and the bad of a community conducts the water quality tests. He is a p, and show whether people care enough member of the town's Conservation or don't." Advisory Commission. . Hohberg doesn't want people to He also uses the equipment for , flush and forget. What they put into demonstrations in his biology and storm drains often ends up in streams chemistry classes. Students are always and rivers, he says, and what goes down welcome to come along on his water- the drain may end up on the beach if ways studies and learn,he says. elderly pipes crack and leak. The Brooklyn-born Hohberg said he • He wants to know what is in the wanted be a physician, and took pre- waters of the Pine Brook — how much med courses at Fordham University, salt or oil and other pollutants may be from which he graduated in 1953. present. He wants to understand more After serving in Korea, he went into • about what effect development in the the pharmaceutical industry, where he area would have on the river and how was "making money but I was kind of the culvert is linked to other local miserable." waterways. After earning a masters' degree at He is concerned about the Premium Columbia, Hohberg taught in the New Marsh, which he says is becoming York City public schools in the mid clogged with silt and pollution, but 1960s and in a school in the Dominican pleased with his studies that indicate Republic. In 1971 Hohberg joined the the Larchmont Reservoir is in good staff of MHS. . environmental health. Because of his interest in conserva- i Last summer, Hohberg conducted a tion and the environment, Hohberg study of the downstream waters of says, he was first appointed to the Mamaroneck's Sheldrake River. When conservation commission to represent - hundreds of fish died last month in the the board of education. Larchmont Gardens Lake, also known Hohberg does not limit himself to as the Duck Pond, in the Town of scientific studies. He spends a lot of Mamaroneck, Hohberg was there taking time with his 10-year-old son, Paul, water samples. swims and does repair work around his He says high levels of chlorine may vintage house. be to blame for the fishkill and last Though he is paid for his work as a week he found a pipe in an embank- consultant to the town, he says, "I don't ment near the lower Larchmont Reser- look to make a big bundle of money." voir that might be the source. He tested What is more important to him, he • the runoff and says it contained the says, is keeping the environment chemical. healthy: "I would like my son to have a He conducted the tests in an infor- nice neighborhood. To have nice mal lab he has set up off his living beaches. I'd like to keep the waterfront room. at least as lovely as it is now and "I've given up Fart of my home to maybe even make it better." v I ` H1; , . 1 : , . . . , m {.ces 17,1ci, 0- G : Co- ,C 71-tr,a7'/ ors . 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