Anions in the Pennypack Data
The Urban Critical Zone project examines how geology, urban infrastructure, and human activities shape water quality in urban streams along the Eastern Seaboard. This dataset focuses on Pennypack Creek in Philadelphia, PA, where synoptic sampling was conducted in March 2022 along a 30 km stretch of stream. By collecting water samples under low-flow conditions, researchers aimed to assess groundwater contributions with minimal precipitation influence, providing insight into spatial variations in stream chemistry.
The dataset includes concentrations of chloride, nitrate, and sulfate—key indicators of human and natural influences on water quality. Sampling extended beyond the mainstem to two tributaries, including a wastewater treatment plant discharge point. Laboratory analyses at Temple University quantified these chemical constituents, offering data to understand the impact of urbanization on stream ecosystems and critical zone processes.