2020 INSPIRE Student Research and Engagement Showcase

View Video

Click image to view lecture:

Presentation Type

Video Presentation (UNI Access Only)

Keywords

Soil pollution--Iowa--Waterloo; Groundwater--Quality--Iowa--Waterloo;

Abstract

The legacy of a community’s industrial past can have environmental implications for current residents. Waterloo, Iowa experienced rapid industrial growth around the turn of the 20th century, with 28 factories in 1881 expanding to 144 factories by 1914. Unfortunately, this industrial activity may be a source of groundwater and soil contamination. Our research investigates potential environmental contamination linked to several paper mills and other industrial sites that operated in the downtown area prior to environmental regulations. This initial research includes documenting the historical locations and possible pollutants linked these industries that may persist within the environment today.

Start Date

17-4-2020 12:00 PM

End Date

17-4-2020 4:00 PM

Faculty Advisor

Alexa Sedlacek

Department

Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences

Student Type

Undergraduate Student

File Format

audio/mp4

Additional Files

Copy of SchulerGlueckPoudel_WaterlooPhaseI_Inspire - Alexa Sedlacek_otter_ai.srt (29 kB)
Closed Captioning SRT File

Off-Campus Access

Share

COinS
 
Apr 17th, 12:00 PM Apr 17th, 4:00 PM

An Assessment of Waterloo, Iowa’s Industrial History and Its Potential Links to Environmental Contamination

The legacy of a community’s industrial past can have environmental implications for current residents. Waterloo, Iowa experienced rapid industrial growth around the turn of the 20th century, with 28 factories in 1881 expanding to 144 factories by 1914. Unfortunately, this industrial activity may be a source of groundwater and soil contamination. Our research investigates potential environmental contamination linked to several paper mills and other industrial sites that operated in the downtown area prior to environmental regulations. This initial research includes documenting the historical locations and possible pollutants linked these industries that may persist within the environment today.