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A Snapshot of Toxins and Waterways in North Carolina

University of Kentucky Geography, New Maps Plus, MAP671 Final Project

Check out the repository here!

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

FACILITYCITYINDUSTRYCHEMICAL RELEASEDPOUNDS RELEASED
PILGRIM'S PRIDE CORP SANFORD FACILITYSANFORDFoodNitrate compounds587904
INTERNATIONAL PAPER- NEW BERN MILLVANCEBOROPaperMethanol397648
INTERNATIONAL PAPER RIEGELWOOD MILLRIEGELWOODPaperNitrate compounds109182
TYSON FARMS INC.HARMONYFoodNitrate compounds103967
BLUE RIDGE PAPER PRODUCTS LLCCANTONPaperNitrate compounds59887
BLUE RIDGE PAPER PRODUCTS LLCCANTONPaperMethanol46602
INTERNATIONAL PAPER RIEGELWOOD MILLRIEGELWOODPaperMethanol38155
INTERNATIONAL PAPER RIEGELWOOD MILLRIEGELWOODPaperManganese compounds35748
BLUE RIDGE PAPER PRODUCTS LLCCANTONPaperManganese compounds30224
INTERNATIONAL PAPER RIEGELWOOD MILLRIEGELWOODPaperAmmonia18403
INTERNATIONAL PAPER- NEW BERN MILLVANCEBOROPaperManganese And Manganese Compounds12003

Map produced by Phillip Ashford 2022

Find me on Github