Impacts of a chemical dust suppressant/soil stabilizer on the physical and biological characteristics of a stream

ABSTRACT: Commercially available chemical dust suppressants have been used by industry and government to control fugitive dust, particularly in the western United States. A number of these chemicals have been studied to determine their cost and effectiveness. With exception of Ca and NaCl, which are also used extensively for roadway deicing, and ligninsulfonates, waste products of the pulp and paper industry, the environmental effects of dust suppressants largely are unknown. Coherex, a petroleum resin dust suppressant/soil stabilizer, was accidentally introduced into a stream in southeastern Pennsylvania in May 1979. The chemical imparted a greenish-orange film to the water9s surface and a pronounced tackiness to the stream bottom. Although the tackiness was present 3 days later, it was absent on the tenth day. Chemical analysis of stream bottom sediment revealed a sharp reduction in chemical concentration over the 7-day period. The fish and benthic macroinvertebrate communities in the effected reach were damaged, but both communities recovered within 10 days. This recovery was attributed to flushing of Coherex-laden sediment from the stream during peak flows.