Pollution in the Delaware River Term Paper

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This designation has been challenged by the DuPont Company, which discharges wastewater from its chemical plants on each side of the river. The company feels there has not been enough evidence presented to earn the designation, and "warned that businesses could face unjustified restrictions on wastewater permits because of the designation (Montgomery)."

Officials argued that "recent research confirmed previous warnings to 1996 that the river only partially supported aquatic life between the Pennsylvania line and Killcohook National Wildlife Refuge in New Jersey (Montgomery)."

Protectors

There are groups which are dedicated to preserving the river. One group is the Delaware Riverkeeper which "is the voice of the Delaware River and its streams, championing their rights as living members of the community, and is leader for the Delaware Riverkeeper Network. The Delaware Riverkeeper and the Delaware Riverkeeper Network stand as vigilant protectors and defenders of the River, it tributaries and its watershed committed to restoring the natural balance where it has been lost and ensuring its preservation where it still exists (www.delawareriverkeeper.org/)." These groups have brought legal actions when necessary, to uphold state and federal environmental laws, in their efforts to reduce the amount of pollutants in the river.

Recent Problems

The pollution problems of the Delaware River continue to occur. On November 26, 2004, a stretch of the river was closed due to a 20-mile oil slick from a leaking tanker. The tanker "spilled 30,000 gallons of heavy crude oil into the Delaware River between southern New Jersey and Philadelphia, leaving the slick that threatened fish and birds (Rubinkam).

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: The spill is reported to be the worst on the river in the past decade. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service officials "said 50 birds were dead from the spill and 300 injured. Two snapping turtles also washed up dead "

While the tanker officials are not sure what caused the leak, they were extremely concerned about the incident and vowed to do all they could to protect the environment of the river. While it is predicted it will take two to three months to cleanup the spill, experts feel it will take over six months for the residual effects to subside. The authorities state "they don't just want the river cleaned up, they want it fully restored "

Previous spills on the Delaware River occurred in 1995, "when strong winds pushed a tanker away from a dock at a refinery, snapping a fuel line that spilled 40,000 gallons, and in 1989, a tanker ran aground, spilling 300,000 gallons of heating oil into the river "

Conclusion

The Delaware River is currently being polluted from industries along its banks, and from runoff from rainwater. While it is cleaner than it has been in years, the fish from it are still unsafe to eat due to high levels of PCBs in the water. Although efforts are currently underway to reduce the amounts of pollutants in the river, oil spills like the one which just occurred, undermine these efforts and kill or sicken large numbers of wildlife in the area. It is crucial for the environment that everyone works to.....

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Latest APA Format (6th edition)

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"Pollution In The Delaware River" (2004, December 01) Retrieved May 15, 2024, from
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/pollution-delaware-river-59080

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"Pollution In The Delaware River" 01 December 2004. Web.15 May. 2024. <
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/pollution-delaware-river-59080>

Latest Chicago Format (16th edition)

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"Pollution In The Delaware River", 01 December 2004, Accessed.15 May. 2024,
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/pollution-delaware-river-59080
   

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