Using side-scan sonar and sediment sampling to identify concentrated areas of coal ash within a recreational lake

Abstract

Backstrom JT, Burdette KM, Connell PM. 2024. Using side-scan sonar and sediment sampling to identify concentrated areas of coal ash within a recreational lake. Lake Reserv Manage. 40:36–42.

Coal ash is a globally recognized legacy pollutant associated with coal-powered electricity generating stations, containing numerous heavy metals. These include arsenic, mercury, selenium, and cadmium, which are known to cause significant impacts on aqueous and benthic environments. In this pilot study, side-scan sonar surveys, coupled with sediment sampling and chemical analysis, were used to map and identify areas of contaminated coal ash in and around Sutton Lake, a recreational waterbody located adjacent to the Sutton coal-fired power plant, near Wilmington, North Carolina. Preliminary results are promising with this innovative and cost-effective survey method of mapping and locating legacy coal pollution, which may ultimately assist with monitoring, management, and remediation of coal ash waste locally and nationally.

Keywords:

• Heavy metals
• legacy contaminants
• North Carolina
• pollution
• remote sensing
• Sutton Lake

Acknowledgment

The authors thank Stephen Skrabal (UNC Wilmington) for helpful discussions regarding coal ash and heavy metals.

Disclosure statement

The authors have no conflicts or competing interests to declare.

Additional information

Funding

This pilot study was partially funded by the NC Water Resources Research Institute.