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Two scientists collecting water samples at a tributary of Oak Creek in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in winter

Detailed Description

Owen Stefaniak and Kathryn Johncock collect water samples of a tributary of Oak Creek, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The tributary is locoated at the southeast corner of General Mitchell International Airport property, just outside the perimeter fence.

Samples are analyzed for a variety of water quality parameters, but the main parameters are propylene glycol (the active freezing point depressant in aircraft deicers/anti-icers), acetate (a component in pavement deicers), and chemical oxygen demand (which helps us determine how pollution will impact the oxygen levels in the stream).

Sources/Usage

Public Domain.