Professional Activities
Dr. Patrick M. Eggleston (Biology) presented his research findings on the Ashuelot River on April 18 at the Northeast Algal Symposium held at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst, Mass. About 120 phycologists and 30 guests were in attendance.
His research has shown increased acidity at several sites on the Ashuelot River over eight years of observations, which may be the result of acid rain and could have a serious effect on many species living in the river. Two Ashuelot River sites showed a pH decline of 1.93 pH units, which means that there is about 80 times as much acidity now as compared to 8 years ago – a drastic increase in the acidity of those portions of the river. The Ashuelot River is 64 miles long and flows from its headwaters in Pillsbury State Park to the Connecticut River in Hinsdale, N.H.
The data for this research was collected by many volunteers working with the Ashuelot River Local Advisory Committee. Members of this group include Barbara Skuly and retired KSC chemistry professor, Dr. Steve Stepenuck, both of whom have spent years studying many aspects of the Ashuelot River.
