I created this map to explore processing tools in QGIS, explore EPA datasets, and gain more familiarity with Mapbox's datasets, tilesets, and style tools.
Data
After looking over the EPA data I found I could use it to determine which toxic release sites in North Carolina were within a certain distance of polluted waterways. I further found I could visualize which of these sites were the 'worst' offenders (ie, by volume of pollutant released). In this manner one could identify sites of toxic release which could give the greatest return (decrease in releases, improvement of waterway health metrics) on investment (mitigation efforts)..
Top Ten Reported Waterborn Releases by Quantity in 2021
FACILITY | CITY | INDUSTRY | CHEMICAL RELEASED | POUNDS RELEASED |
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PILGRIM'S PRIDE CORP SANFORD FACILITY | SANFORD | Food | Nitrate compounds | 587904 |
INTERNATIONAL PAPER- NEW BERN MILL | VANCEBORO | Paper | Methanol | 397648 |
INTERNATIONAL PAPER RIEGELWOOD MILL | RIEGELWOOD | Paper | Nitrate compounds | 109182 |
TYSON FARMS INC. | HARMONY | Food | Nitrate compounds | 103967 |
BLUE RIDGE PAPER PRODUCTS LLC | CANTON | Paper | Nitrate compounds | 59887 |
BLUE RIDGE PAPER PRODUCTS LLC | CANTON | Paper | Methanol | 46602 |
INTERNATIONAL PAPER RIEGELWOOD MILL | RIEGELWOOD | Paper | Methanol | 38155 |
INTERNATIONAL PAPER RIEGELWOOD MILL | RIEGELWOOD | Paper | Manganese compounds | 35748 |
BLUE RIDGE PAPER PRODUCTS LLC | CANTON | Paper | Manganese compounds | 30224 |
INTERNATIONAL PAPER RIEGELWOOD MILL | RIEGELWOOD | Paper | Ammonia | 18403 |
INTERNATIONAL PAPER- NEW BERN MILL | VANCEBORO | Paper | Manganese And Manganese Compounds | 12003 |