Tracking chemical plume from East Palestine spill through Ohio River
Officials throughout Ohio continue to monitor the Ohio River's water quality after trace amounts of chemicals spilled from a train derailment in East Palestine.
On Tuesday, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine gave an update on the derailment and spill.
Crews are tracking the contaminant plume in as it moves at a mile an hour down the Ohio River.
Currently, it is nearing Huntington, West Virginia, and officials report the more it travels downstream, the more it dissipates.
University of Cincinnati assistant professor Patrick Ray, Ph.D., closely follows the plume and educates his students about the ever-changing situation.
"It's a big concern up near East Palestine, but the level of concern has been decreasing as it goes down the river," Ray said.
Health concerns started to spike after reports of 3,500 fish died.
"There is a little stream [near East Palestine], it might have been quite intense in its concentration that it could have hurt animals and plants and things in this area, but by the time it entered into the Ohio River, which is huge, it's diluted a lot," Ray said.
Government and environmental teams continuously track the plume's path. Crews are testing river samples and monitoring any potential health concerns.
Greater Cincinnati Water Works officials are also keeping an eye on the situation.
According to GCWW, it has been working, looking at how they would detect the chemical and how they'd handle the treatment process in Cincinnati.
Ray explained the Ohio River has its safety valves, including 19 locks and dams. He added that Cincinnati has two reservoirs right next to the river that crews could pull water from if needed.