North Carolina Ash Coal Spill

   

       According to North Carolina police, arsenic and other dangerous toxins have been flowing into the Dan river from the Duke Energy coal ash dump, which began February 2nd. The state Department of Environment and Natural Resources reported that a second pipe caved in without warning February 2nd, flooding the Dan River with toxic ash spreading seventy miles throughout the lake.

"Federal authorities expressed concern for what long-term effect the contaminants will have on fish, mussels and other aquatic life." HuffingtonPost

Fox 8 on the turtles dying and in danger

          There are two endangered species in the Dan River which flows through North Carolina and Virginia. The Roanoke Logperch fish and the James spinymussel, and the green floater mussel (which is under evaluation to be added to the federal endangered species list). In addition, the turtles that have been hibernating at the bottom of the river have been crawling to the beaches and dying. The coal ash is suffocating the animals underneath the bottom of the river and clogging the gills on the fish and mussels.

       Although officials will not know the full impact of the spill for some time, the Duke energy coal ash dump has been working on treating and testing the water. According to water treatment authorities the water is ridded of all dangerous toxins and safe to drink, but the arsenic levels are still high. Officials mention the risk of rain, which will carry the left over toxins and arsenic downstream.