# Dan River core samples show coal ash in sediment 40 miles from spill site

- Link: https://greenlivingguy.com/2015/02/dan-river-core-samples-show-coal-ash-in-sediment-40-miles-from-spill-site/
- Published: 2015-02-10T18:04:31-05:00
- Author: greenlivingguy

January 30, 2015 — MILTON, NC — Samples from the Dan River bottom in Milton, about
40 miles from the site of a massive [coal ash spill](https://greenlivingguy.com/2011/07/coal-ashgroundwater-contamination-report-33-active-toxic-dumps-in-19-states-endangering-water/)
one year ago, show a thick, gray layer of coal ash in the river’s sediment.

## Introduction

Representatives from Waterkeeper Alliance and Neuse Riverkeeper Foundation took 
the core samples in anticipation of the state Department of Environment and Natural
Resources’ water testing at a boat ramp northwest of Milton in Caswell County.

Duke Energy only retrieved about 7 percent of the 39,000 gallons of ash. That’s 
as it spilled into the Dan River last February. I mean so there’s no question that
the other 93 percent remains in the river. That in part was said by Peter Harrison.
For Peter is the staff attorney for Waterkeeper Alliance.

![River spill created coal ash from Coal power plants. ACE](https://i0.wp.com/greenlivingguy.
com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/150526storynew-hires-coal.jpg?resize=780%2C513&quality
=52&ssl=1)

For even one year after the spill, there’s still a lingering danger to downstream
communities. Especially since the contaminants remain in the sediment. Thereby exposing
people and aquatic life to toxic heavy metals.

### Long Term Impact

The spill’s long-term impact on the ecological health of the [Dan](https://greenlivingguy.com/2024/05/environmental-impact-of-oilfield-wastewater-disposal-in-the-texas-pecos-river-basin/)
River is unknown. There’s also concern over the potential harm to people as toxic
heavy metals move up the food chain. This fish bioaccumulation study by researchers
at the Oak Ridge National Laboratories and the Tennessee Valley Authority showed
elevated levels of arsenic and selenium in fish downstream of the Kingston coal 
ash spill in Tennessee. This study published in Integrated Environmental Assessment
and Management showed that arsenic and selenium remained in river sediment at levels
that impacted aquatic life after the Kingston spill.

For the entire story from [Waterkeeper](https://web.archive.org/web/20151022172402/http://waterkeeper.org/2015/01/30/dan-river-core-samples-show-coal-ash-sediment-40-miles-spill-site/)

![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/df91669667126e1290c21ee0342c386e2da19d588d4d9ca6560bd82ed59a9641?
s=300&d=monsterid&r=g)

 greenlivingguy

 The Green Living Guy, Seth Leitman is an independent power producer, a green living
expert, and Editor of the McGraw-Hill, TAB Green Guru Guides. Seth is also an Author,
Radio Host, Reporter, Writer and an Environmental Consultant on green living. The
Green Living Guy writes about green living, green lighting, the green guru guides
and more. Seth's books range from: # Build Your Own Electric Vehicle by Bob Brant
and Seth Leitman (2nd and 3rd editions) # Build Your Own Plug-in Hybrid Electric
Vehicle by Seth Leitman # Build Your Own Electric Motorcycle by Carl Vogel # Green
Lighting by Seth Leitman, Brian Clark Howard and Bill Brinsky # Solar Power For 
Your Home by David Findley # Renewable Energies For Your Home by Russel Gehrke #
Do-it-Yourself Home Energy Audits by David Findley # Build Your Own Small Wind Power
System by Brian Clark Howard and Kevin Shea # and more green living books to follow.

 [See Full Bio](https://greenlivingguy.com/author/greenlivingguy/) [  ](https://greenlivingguy.com/author/greenlivingguy/)