Preliminary Summary Report from Water, Sediment and Fish samples collected at the 

TVA Ash Spill by Appalachian State University, Appalachian Voices, Tennessee 

Aquarium and Wake Forest University

Background

At 1 AM on December 22, 2008 a sixty‐foot earthen dike securing five decades of coal fly 

ash in a retention pond at the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) Kingston Fossil Plant gave 

way.   Most of an estimated 4.1 million cubic meters (1.1 billion gallons) of saturated coal fly 

ash fluidized and flowed catastrophically from the pond covering a total land and former 

aquatic area of ≈300 acres with deposits up to 10 meters deep. This ash spill is the largest 

volume industrial spill in US history. Approximately 90% of the catastrophic flow entered the 

Emory River1 where the force of the flow pushed a large wave of ash, stranding and burying 

unknown numbers of fish and mussels on the shoreline and under mounds of ash. From the 

point of the spill the Emory River flows into the Clinch River two river miles downstream. The 

combined flows of the Clinch and Emory Rivers then flow into the impounded Tennessee 

River at Watts Bar Reservoir four river miles further downstream. 

Executive Summary

We have estimated that the initial ash flow into the Emory River contained ~3830 tons of 

the 10 most toxic elements present in fly ash. Preliminary analyses of ash, water, sediments, 

and fish tissues collected from near the spill site 18 days following the dike failure revealed

the following: 

1) The total recoverable toxic elements arsenic, barium, cadmium, lead, and selenium 

were at elevated levels below the ash spill.

2) Ash and ash‐laden sediments from the river had arsenic levels that exceeded the 

EPA residential removal action limits; while selenium levels were increased 

dramatically downstream of the spill. 

3) Fish body burdens of selenium were at and beyond the thresholds of toxicity for 

reproduction and growth. 

4) Histological study of fish gills shows a normal organization in the reference site fish. 

However, fish exposed to ash related toxic elements show several histological 

alterations indicative of toxic element stress.

The preliminary data suggest the selenium in the fish tissues may be the result of legacy 

selenium.

2,3 Within the next few months dissolved selenium concentrations in water can be 

expected to increase as a result of the spill.  Selenium body burdens in fish will probably

                                                        1 Roane County Community Meeting,  March 5, 2009, Chuck Head, Tennessee Department of Environment & 

Conservation , Powerpoint presentation on soil and ash monitoring .

(http://www.state.tn.us/environment/kingston/pdf/comm_guid/030509RoaneCoMtgSoilAsh.pdf)

2 The TVA Phase I Emory River Dredging Plan indicates that normal plant operations discharge 2.84 lb of 

dissolved selenium per day, equivalent to >41,000 pounds over the service life of the plant through December 

2008.(Attachment 1‐ KIF Dredging Material Flow Analyses Summery, normal ash pond discharge of selenium in 

both tables included on page 5 of 7). 

3 TVA 2007 Toxics Release Inventory states that 1111 lbs of selenium compounds were released in 2007, which 

is equivalent to 3.04lbs per day (http://www.tva.gov/environment/air/kingston.htm#tri)
increase as the selenium released into the aquatic system is absorbed and bioaccumulated in 

the food web. 

Methods

Seven locations were sampled for 17 elements on the Emory, Clinch and Tennessee Rivers 

on January 8 and 9, 2009 by a combined team of investigators from Appalachian State 

University, Appalachian Voices and the Tennessee Aquarium (see Figure 1). Conductivity and 

dissolved oxygen were collected in the field using a calibrated Orion 5 Star Plus Portable 

Multimeter.  Turbidity was also analyzed in the field using a calibrated Hach 2100P portable 

turbidimeter that meets ISO 7027 turbidity measurement standards. Grab samples of surface 

water were collected and analyzed for total and dissolved toxic elements. Sediment samples 

were collected using an Ekman dredge sampler.

FIGURE 1. Appalachian State University /Appalachian Voices/Tennessee Aquarium Sampling Sites

January 8 and 9, 2009. Tennessee River sampling location at TRM 567 not depicted.
Fish were collected using a boat electrofisher. The following report provides the summary 

results of water, sediment and fish tissue testing that was conducted on January 8 and 9, 2009.

WATER QUALITY

Surface water grab samples were obtained and analyzed by ICP‐AES for total and dissolved 

elements using EPA Standard Methods SW‐846‐6010C and 200.7(Determination of Metals 

and Trace Elements in Water and Wastes by Inductively Coupled Plasma – Atomic Emission 

Spectrometry). The results from the water samples for dissolved metals (samples were 

filtered in the field and acidified) indicated no exceedances for the toxic elements of concern. 

Table 1 illustrates the results for total recoverable metals in which five toxic elements were 

found at levels above water quality standards and/or water quality criteria. It should be noted 

that these standards are based on dissolved metal water levels not total recoverable metals.

TABLE 1. Total recoverable elements summary observations of Jan 8 and 9 surface water samples, reported in 

ppm (mg/L). Water quality standards are based on either drinking water (DW) or Tennessee acute or chronic 

aquatic life criteria levels (all of which are based on dissolved values, not total recoverable).

Note 1: BDL = Below detection limits of lab instruments

Note 2: Yellow highlighted values indicate an exceedance of a water quality standard.

Water Chemistry

Exceedingly high levels of turbidity were recorded at Emory River mile 2.2 (ERM 2.2) on 

January 8 (see Table 2 below).  A visible plume of ash filled surface water was observed

TABLE 2. Turbidity, dissolved oxygen and conductivity: summary observations of Jan 8 and 9 surface water samples.

Metals ERM 

3.3

ERM 

2.2

ERM 

1.6

ERM 

0.1

CRM 

4.6

CRM 

3.3

TRM 

567

WQ Standard

(based on 

dissolved metals 

fraction only)

Comments

Arsenic BDL 2.667 0.009 BDL BDL BDL BDL 0.010

260x DW standard at spill site, 

diminishes downstream

Barium 0.030 7.313 0.120 0.079 0.075 0.066 0.083 2.0

3.65x DW standard at spill site, 

diminishes downstream in 

Emory River

Cadmium 0.0005 0.0151 0.0004 0.0004 0.0005 0.0005 0.0005 0.005

3x for DW standard at spill site, 

diminishes downstream

Lead BDL 0.243 0.006 0.003 BDL 0.005 BDL 0.015

16x DW standard at spill site, 

diminishes downstream

Selenium BDL 0.038 0.004 BDL 0.009 0.007 BDL 0.020 and 0.005

1.9x TN acute aquatic life 

criteria, 7.6 x TN chronic 

aquatic life criteria

ERM 

3.3

ERM 2.2 ERM 

1.6

ERM 

0.1

CRM 

3.3

Comments

Turbidity

(NTU) 21 40,550 152 44 No data

ERM 2.2 had turbidity levels that 

were 266 times higher than ERM 1.6 

and > 2000 times higher than the 

upstream reference site at ERM 3.3

Dissolved

Oxygen (%) 88.1 78.6 95.6 98 82 Lowest dissolved oxygen level 

occurred at ERM 2.2

Conductivity 

(μS/(cm) 54.4 263‐289 58.2 54.7 188 Turbidity fluctuated between 263 

and 289 at ERM 2.2. 
flowing through the ash on land and into the Emory River, likely as a result of recent rainfall. 

Ash was fully suspended throughout the water column at this sample location. To see images 

(video) of this highly turbid water, please go to

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ykwcQPf_9fc&feature=channel.

When the research team returned to the same location the next day (January 9), a much lower 

volume of water flow was observed entering the Emory River from the accumulated ash. 

Unlike the previous day, the runoff water was stratified with a layer of clear water at the 

surface and an ash filled layer of highly turbid water at the bottom.  

Water quality conclusions:  High levels of turbidity and conductivity and five of seventeen 

toxic elements were found at levels that were elevated in comparison to water quality 

standards or aquatic life criteria, including arsenic, barium, cadmium, lead and selenium. All of 

these occurred at ERM 2.2, the sampling location directly in the area of the ash spill. 

Samples collected upstream and downstream of the ash spill area did not exhibit water 

quality violations for toxic elements. This suggests that the most elevated levels of toxic 

elements are localized in the area of the ash spill. In order to quantify the impact of toxic 

elements on water quality, it is imperative for samples to be collected in the immediate area of 

the ash spill.

Due to the stratification of ash observed in the Emory River on January 9, future water 

samples should be collected at several depths in the water column.  During low flow 

conditions the ash seems to remain close to the bottom of river.   Under higher flow conditions 

the erosive energy of the water will disturb and distribute the ash throughout the water 

column.

RIVER SEDIMENT

River sediment was collected in 6 locations using an Ekman dredge grab sampler. Ash was 

observed in all samples except the upstream sample collected at Emory River mile 3.3 (ERM 

3.3).  The sediments were analyzed for seventeen toxic elements by ICP‐AES following 

microwave assisted nitric acid digestion (EPA Standard Methods SW‐846‐6010C and 200.7). 

Table 3 contains sample results that are a cause for concern or exceed residential removal 

action limits.

TABLE 3. Sediment sample total metals summary observations, reported in mg/kg dry sediment (ppm).

Metals ERM 

3.3

ERM

 2.2

ERM 

1.6

ERM 

0.1

CRM 

3.3

TRM 

567

Comments

Arsenic 4.073 111.897 65.985 27.360 42.254 12.437 2.86 times the residential removal 

action limit for arsenic at ERM 2.2

Selenium 0.513 3.859 6.385 3.816 2.82 1.828

Test sites below the ash spill had 

selenium levels in sediment that ranged 

between 3.5 to 12.4  times higher than 

the upstream reference site at ERM 3.3 

River sediment conclusions: Arsenic and selenium are accumulating at high levels in river 

sediment in the vicinity of the ash spill and downstream of the spill site. Emory River 

sediment at ERM 2.2, 1.6 and 0.1 contained arsenic levels that ranged between 455 to 6.7 
times higher than arsenic levels in sediment upstream of the spill at the ERM 3.3 ‘reference 

site’. Although we are using the ‘clean’ sediments we found near the shore at ERM 3.3 as a 

sediment reference sample, we have subsequently found ash in the main channel at this 

location. Therefore, the true reference values for sediment levels of toxic elements could be 

even lower. In contrast, sediment samples collected from the Tennessee and Clinch rivers 

exhibited arsenic levels that ranged between 3 and 10.3 times higher than the arsenic levels at 

the ERM 3.3 reference site. For sediment levels of selenium at ERM 2.2, 1.6, and 0.1 the levels 

were 7.5, 12.4, and 7.4 times higher, respectively, than the ERM 3.3 reference samples (0.5 

ppm). Sediment collected downstream at CRM 3.3 and TRM 567 showed elevated levels of 

selenium that were 5.5 and 3.5 times higher than the reference site, respectively. 

Interestingly, the highest level of selenium was observed downstream of the spill site at ERM 

1.6 which had twice the selenium as the actual spill site at ERM 2.2. 

FISH COMMUNITY ASSESSMENT 

The Emory River fish community was sampled using a boat electrofisher.  Four locations were 

shocked for 500 shocking seconds each (see table 4). The majority of collected specimens 

were returned to the Emory River unharmed after being identified to genus and species and 

briefly inspected for external morphological anomalies.

TABLE 4. Number of fish species and number of fish collected from the Emory River: summary observations of 

Jan 8 and 9 samples. Fish were collected for 500 shocking seconds at each location.

ERM 3.3 ERM 2.2 ERM 1.6 ERM 0.1

# Species Found 9 5 8 6

# Fish Found 55 13 32 111

In addition, ERM 2.2 was shocked for another 1000 shocking seconds during the afternoon of 

January 9.  Nine individuals from 3 species were caught, bringing the total at that site to 7 

species and 22 individuals.  Three dead fish were observed downstream of the spill, but we 

were not able to discern a cause of mortality due to their advanced state of decomposition.

Fish Community Conclusions:  Even with 3 times more shocking seconds at ERM 2.2, the site 

still had the fewest number of individual fish.  In addition, several fish at and downstream of 

the spill site were observed with scrapes and lost scales. Both are conditions that may be 

attributed to physical abrasion from ash exposure or to stress from degraded water quality.  

Figure 2 illustrates that the gut, intestines and anal cavity of one channel catfish was filled 

with ash that accounted for almost 8% of its body weight (34 grams of ash). 

FIGURE 2. A channel catfish 

collected from ERM 2.2 weighed 

439 grams and contained 34 grams 

of ash in the gut, intestines and 

anal cavity, which means 7.7% of 

the body weight of the catfish was 

ash. 
FISH TISSUE ANALYSIS

Largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides), channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) and red ear 

sunfish (Lepomis microlophus) were retained for laboratory analysis from two locations in the 

Emory River (ERM 3.3 and ERM 2.2) and a reference site at TRM 568. Each fish was dissected 

with the liver, spleen (not sunfish), muscle, gastric caecum (not catfish), stomach and 

reproductive organs analyzed separately for seventeen toxic elements. Each sample was 

freeze dried before microwave assisted nitric acid digestion and analysis by ICP‐OES, the 

results are reported in mg of element per kg of dry tissue weight (ppm). Fish gills were 

removed and fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde in phosphate buffer. Gills were paraffin 

processed and microtome sectioned at a thickness of 7 microns.  Sections were stained in 

hematoxylin and eosin and examined under a light microscope. 

The gill morphology of the fish collected from the reference site is similar to that of other 

teleost fish species4 (Figure 3A). The gill is made up of rows of filaments from which vertically 

arise the lamellae. The lamellae are the site of oxygen absorption and are lined by a very thin 

epithelium composed of mainly pavement cells. Below that epithelium are lamellar blood 

sinuses, where oxygen is transported by the red blood cells to the systemic circulation. 

Between the lamellae, the filament is lined by a layered epithelium composed of several cell 

types (chloride, mucous and pavement cells). This tissue is responsible for ion exchange and is 

considered to function in a similar manner as the human kidney maintaining water and ion 

balance. Bass and catfish collected from the ERM 2.2 and 3.3 sites showed clear evidence of 

altered gill morphology such as a marked lifting of the lamellar epithelium, edema (swelling) 

in the filamental epithelium and an intense lamellar vasodilation (expansion of the blood 

vessels). The gills of the catfish also exhibited lamellar fusion in numerous areas as a result of 

filamental epithelial cell proliferation (abnormal tissue growth)(Figure 3B‐D). This 

morphological finding has previously been described in numerous studies in which catfish 

have been exposed to environmental metal and pesticide pollution. 5,6

Interstitial edema is one of the more frequent responses observed in gill epithelium of fish 

exposed to heavy metals. The lifting of lamellar epithelium is another histological change 

observed, probably induced by the incidence of severe edema. Edema with lifting of lamellar 

epithelium could serve as a mechanism of defense, because separation of epithelium from the 

lamellae increases the distance across which waterborne pollutants must diffuse to reach the 

bloodstream. Also edema, epithelial lifting, and lamellar fusion are thought to be defense 

mechanisms that reduce the branchial superficial area in contact with the external water and 

toxic elements.5 Both of these defense responses would also greatly reduce the efficiency of 

the gills to absorb oxygen.

                                                        4 Wilson J. M. & Laurent P. 2002. Fish gill morphology: inside out. J. Exp. Zool., 293:192‐213.

5 Figueiredo‐Fernandes A., Ferreira‐Cardoso J.V., Garcia‐Santos S., Monteiro S.M.,Carrola J., 

Matos P. & Fontaínhas‐Fernandes A. 2007. Histopathological changes in liver and gill 

epithelium of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus, exposed to waterborne copper. Pesquisa 

Veterinária Brasileira 27(3):103­109.

6 Ortiz, J B, Gonzalez de Canales, M L, Sarasquete (2003) Histopathological changes induced by 

lindane (γ‐HCH) in various organs of fishes. Sci. Mar., 67 (1) 53‐61.
FIGURE 3. Histological sections of catfish gills (10x magnification) from, (A) the reference site at TRM 568 and, 

(B‐D) the ash spill site at ERM 2.2. The reference gill (A) shows normal tissue arrangement, while the gills from 

the 3 ash exposed catfish (B‐D) all express pathology consistent with toxic element exposure including edema, 

vasodilation (VD), epithelial proliferation (EP), lamellar epithelium lifting (LEL), and lamellar fusion (LF).

Importantly, elevated levels of selenium were observed 18 days after the spill even though it 

usually takes at least 30 days for bioaccumulation of this trace element to occur (Table 5).

7

From the elevated levels of selenium found in fish tissue at the spill site and the upstream 

reference site, it would appear that selenium has been bioaccumulating in the aquatic 

environment surrounding the Kingston coal plant prior to the ash spill. Based on the levels of 

selenium observed, the fish community is approaching a toxic threshold level for selenium 

assimilation. The levels of selenium in the fish are nearing a point at which reproductive 

failure begins. These reproductive impacts can begin at the toxic thresholds for selenium 

which are known to occur at approximately 8 ppm in muscle, 10 ppm in ovaries, 12 ppm in 

the liver and spleen, and 4 ppm in whole‐body samples (all as dry weight).  There is 100 % 

reproductive loss when ovaries contain 50‐70 ppm selenium. Selenium levels at 2.5 ppb in 

100μM 100μ

M

100μ

M

100μM

A B

C D

Lamellae

Filament

epithelium

VD

VD

edema

EP

EP

LE

L

LF

edema

blood sinuses

edema
water can be converted to 25 ppm selenium in fish through biomagnification.7 Elevated levels 

of lead were also found in some fish samples (bass testes and spleen) although accumulated 

arsenic levels were not a concern.

TABLE 5. Mean tissue burdens (n=3) of selenium in fish collected Jan. 8 and 9. Note that spleens from redear 

sunfish were not large enough for analysis.

Due to this surprising result, additional fish tissue analysis is needed upstream and 

downstream of the TVA ash spill in order to quantify the breadth and scope of elevated 

selenium levels in fish surrounding the Kingston coal plant. Additionally, fish should be 

collected from much further upstream of the ash spill in order to find a reference fish 

population that has not been impacted by decades of discharges from the ash ponds at the 

Kingston coal plant.

Fish Tissue Conclusion: Selenium concentrations in important fish species in the Emory 

River are already at toxic thresholds (the tipping point).  This means that the river ecosystem 

cannot tolerate further assimilation of selenium from the ash spill. There is no margin of 

safety and additional selenium uptake will result in bioaccumulation to levels that severely 

impact fish reproduction. At the site of the spill, we observed numerous fish with clogged gills. 

Healthy fish gills will look feathery and display a dark red color, but the fish closest to the spill 

site had gills that were dark brown, clumped and filled with ash and mucus.  Fish absorb 

oxygen directly from the water across their gills, so if the gills are bunched and coated with 

sediment or ash, the fish will suffocate.  Histopathology of fish gills demonstrated that edema, 

epithelial proliferation, and lamellar epithelial lifting and fusion had occurred in ash exposed 

fish, which may serve the fish as a defense response to waterborne toxins but will reduce the 

efficiency of oxygen absorption as well.

Scanning Electron Microscopy Analysis of Floating Ash Particles (Cenospheres)

Plumes of floating coal ash waste (cenospheres) were observed downstream of ERM 2.2. 

Surface water samples containing these floating ash particles were collected for further 

analysis by scanning electron microscopy.  Some of the sample was digested in nitric acid and 

dried while the other was left in its raw state as it existed in the Emory River and dried.  The 

acid washed sample consisted of relatively homogeneous, smooth round particles of silicon

                                                        7 Lemly, A. D.; Selenium Assessment in Aquatic Ecosystems: A Guide for Hazard Evaluation 

and Water Quality Criteria; Springer‐Verlag New York, April 2002.

ERM 3.3

Mean Selenium (mg/kg or ppm) 

ERM 2.2

Mean Selenium (mg/kg or ppm)

Fish 

Species Largemouth Bass Redear Sunfish Channel Catfish

Liver 5.12 7.92 4.81

Spleen 19.57 ‐ 11.45

Muscle 4.90 5.17 3.19

Gonad 8.63 8.64 11.86
and aluminum oxide glasses that ranged in size from 5‐100 microns in diameter (see Figure 

4).

The untreated sample contained a heterogeneous mixture of miscellaneous coal ash particles, 

organic river materials (such as leaf debris), and cenospheres that appeared to have an iron 

oxide coating (see Figure 5).  This coating is less than 5 microns thick, and easily fractures and 

sloughs off during spot analysis with the electron beam.   

FIGURE 4. Acid washed 

cenospheres collected 

from the Emory River 

below the TVA ash spill.

These have no iron oxide 

coatings to which toxic 

elements can adhere.

FIGURE 5. Untreated 

cenospheres with 

secondary mineralization 

gel  coating containing 

elevated levels of  arsenic. 

Collected from the Emory 

River 18 days after the spill 

occurred.
Analysis of the coating by Energy Dispersive X‐ray analysis (EDS) revealed detectable levels of 

arsenic (see Figure 6).  Analyses of cenospheres without this iron oxide coating do not show 

detectable arsenic.  It appears that the arsenic is adhering to the iron oxide coatings on the 

cenospheres, which are likely to be the products of weathering in wet ash ponds.  

Due to analytical limitations of the SEM and a lack of appropriate arsenic standards, it is not 

possible at this time to quantify the exact amount of arsenic adhering to these coatings, but 

the relatively high detection limit of the SEM indicates that the average concentration is in the 

range of one part per hundred (1% or 10,000 ppm).  Approximately 10% of the cenospheres 

collected from the river surface sample have these iron oxide coatings.  These coatings are 

hypothesized to be the byproducts of many years worth of degradation and breakdown 

processes in wet ash basins.  At this time, the physical characteristics of this iron oxide coating 

in an aquatic environment are not known.  It is likely that in a wet environment these coatings 

are in the form of an iron oxide gel, which toxic elements can easily adsorb onto.  

Conclusion electron microscopy: Further analysis of cenospheres and the iron oxide coating 

is continuing at the Appalachian State University electron microscopy lab. It is likely that 

arsenic is not the only heavy metal that adheres to the iron oxide coating on the ash particle, 

and further study using instrumentation with lower detection limits will be used to confirm 

this.  Depending on the outcome of ongoing  research, it may be determined that in contrast to 

the uncoated “young” cenospheres recently created by the combustion process, “old” 

cenospheres that come from aged wet ash basins are coated by this iron oxide gel.  These gel 

coatings on floating cenospheres are analogous to microscopic rafts that can transport toxic 

elements into the aquatic environment upon their accidental release and/or washing into the 

river during high water events. However, it is clear from this initial analysis that further study 

of aged coal ash particles stored in a wet environment is needed before any solid conclusions 

can be drawn. 

FIGURE 6. EDS spectrum of 

iron oxide coating showing 

detectable arsenic (AsK) in 

the lower right part of the 

image (analysis taken at 

30kV, high vacuum, 

uncoated sample).
Overall Summary: 

Eighteen days after the TVA ash spill, elevated levels of five toxic elements continued to seriously 

contaminate water, sediment or fish in the Emory River. Of all the tested constituents, arsenic 

and selenium appear to be the pollutants of greatest concern. Considering the baseline levels of 

toxins present and the amount released to the aquatic environment from the ash spill, further 

study of water quality, sediment and aquatic life is needed to evaluate the environmental 

impacts likely to unfold over time. The impacts are expected to be severe and persistent, 

especially for selenium. Fish are showing external signs of stress by way of gill and scale 

epithelial pathologies and body burdens of selenium are cause for great concern. The SEM 

images have demonstrated that the ash particles (cenospheres) that were released from the TVA 

ash ponds may have changed significantly since they were deposited there, specifically the 

mineral gel coatings that form on ash stored in ponds seems to be the main source of toxic 

elements measured in water and sediment samples. It should be noted that, to date, there has 

been no exploration of the impact of the TVA ash spill on phytoplankton, zooplankton, benthic 

macroinvertebrates, aquatic birds and small mammals. We conducted another and even more 

extensive collection of water, sediments and fish samples on March 20 and 21, 2009. This 

includes fish sampling from all collection sites, and bank to bank and vertical transects of water 

and sediments at all sites. The report on those data will be available in June.

For additional information, please contact:

Dr. Carol Babyak at 828‐262‐2756 or babyakcm@appstate.edu

Dr. Anna George at 423‐785‐4171 or alg@tnaqua.org

Dr. Dennis Lemly at 336‐758‐4532 or lemlyad@wfu.edu

Donna Lisenby at 828‐262‐1500 or donna@appvoices.org

Dr. Bryce Payne at 215‐234‐2580 or  intensepayne@comcast.net

Dr. Shea Tuberty at 828‐262‐6857 or tubertysr@appstate.edu

Samples collected by: 

Dr. Carol Babyak, Dept. of Chemistry, Appalachian State University

Lee Friedlander, Tennessee Aquarium Conservation Institute

Dr. Anna George, Tennessee Aquarium Conservation Institute

Donna Lisenby, Watauga Riverkeeper, Appalachian Voices

Robert Mottice, Tennessee Aquarium

Dr. Dave Neely, Tennessee Aquarium Conservation Institute

Dr. Shea Tuberty, Dept. of Biology, Appalachian State University

Note: to see the sampling crew, observe the electrofishing and sediment sampling process, please go to 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ykwcQPf_9fc&feature=channel

Samples prepared and analyzed by: 

Dr. Carol Babyak, Dept. of Chemistry, Appalachian State University

Dr. Sarah Carmichael, Dept. of Geology, Appalachian State University

Dr. Susan Edwards, Dept. of Biology, Appalachian State University

Dr. Shea Tuberty, Dept. of Biology, Appalachian State University

Jasmin Ammon, Salvatore Blair, Daniel Jackson, and Yosuke Sakamachi, Appalachian State University

Report written by:

Dr. Carol Babyak, Dept. of Chemistry, ASU, Boone, NC

Dr. Sarah Carmichael, Dept. of Geology, ASU, Boone, NC

Dr. Susan Edwards, Dept. of Biology, ASU, Boone, NC

Dr. Anna George, Tennessee Aquarium Conservation Institute, Chattanooga, TN

Dr. Dennis Lemly, Dept. of Biology, Wake Forest University, Winston‐Salem, NC

Donna Lisenby, Watauga Riverkeeper, Appalachian Voices, Boone, NC

Dr. Bryce Payne, Wilkes University, Wilkes‐Barre. PA

Dr. Shea Tuberty, Dept. of Biology, ASU, Boone, NC