Tuesday, November 16, 2004
ERIN ALBERTY THE SAGINAW NEWS
Dow Chemical Co. is charting flow patterns of the Tittabawassee River at Imerman Memorial Park in Saginaw Township to learn how dioxin-contaminated soil disperses over the floodplain.
Scientists are placing markers to measure riverbed and bank elevations at the park this week to try to determine the area in which the river deposits sediment. Surveyors will check measurements once a year for the next 10 years. A similar study already is in place near Dow's headquarters in Midland.
Other tests will date soil and tree samples to discover how deep and how long contaminated sediment has remained buried.
"If it's been in the same place for a long time and it's covered up, it becomes less of an issue of exposure," said Ben Baker, Dow's senior environmental project leader.
Scientists from Michigan State University also are conducting their own dioxin-related study at Imerman Park. Researchers are placing nesting boxes and platforms for song birds, wood ducks and great horned owls to aid in studying dioxin concentrations in their bodies.
The MSU study is a continuation of an overall study of the effect of dioxin on wildlife. Earlier testing looked at animals lower on the food chain, such as rodents, fish and insects. v
© 2004 Saginaw News. Used with permission
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