Journal article
Ion Clusters Reveal the Sources, Impacts, and Drivers of Freshwater Salinization
Environmental science & technology, Vol.59(27), pp.14053-14062
07/15/2025
DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.5c04512
PMCID: PMC12269075
PMID: 40521754
Abstract
Population growth, land use change, climate change, and natural resource extraction are driving the salinization of freshwater resources worldwide. Reversing these trends will require data-centric approaches that identify salt sources, environmental drivers, and ecosystem responses. In this study, we applied principal component analysis and hierarchical clustering to identify ion covariance patterns, or "ion clusters," in Broad Run, an urban stream in the Mid-Atlantic United States. These clusters correspond to distinct hydrologic regimes and reveal specific salinization risks: (1) phosphorus pollution mobilized during summer storms (Cluster 1); (2) elevated concentrations of sulfate and bicarbonate during baseflow (Cluster 2), likely reflecting groundwater discharge; and (3) elevated specific conductance and sodium, chloride, and potassium ion concentrations during snowmelt and rain-on-snow events (Cluster 3), driven by deicer and anti-icer wash-off. These ion fingerprints offer a transferable framework for diagnosing salt sources, assessing ecological risk, and identifying management targets. Our findings underscore the need for next-generation stormwater infrastructure and smart growth policies to protect aquatic life in rapidly urbanizing watersheds.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Ion Clusters Reveal the Sources, Impacts, and Drivers of Freshwater Salinization
- Creators
- Diver E. Marin - WatershedStanley B. Grant - WatershedShantanu V. Bhide - Virginia TechMegan A. Rippy - Virginia TechJesus D. Gomez-Velez - Oak Ridge National LaboratoryRobert N. Brent - James Madison UniversitySujay S. Kaushal - University of Maryland, College ParkHarold Post - Virginia TechSydney Shelton - University of Maryland, College ParkShalini Misra - Virginia TechErin R. Hotchkiss - Virginia TechAhmed Monofy - WatershedDongmei Alvi - WatershedBradley Schmitz - Inova Loudoun HospitalShannon Curtis - Fairfax County Public SchoolsChristina C. Davis - Inova Loudoun HospitalPeter Vikesland - Virginia TechAdmin Husic - Virginia Tech
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Environmental science & technology, Vol.59(27), pp.14053-14062
- DOI
- 10.1021/acs.est.5c04512
- PMID
- 40521754
- PMCID
- PMC12269075
- NLM abbreviation
- Environ Sci Technol
- ISSN
- 0013-936X
- eISSN
- 1520-5851
- Publisher
- Amer Chemical Soc
- Number of pages
- 10
- Grant note
- Laboratory Directed Research and Development Program of Oak Ridge National Laboratory 11635 / Loudoun Water 2021015; 2020814; 2312326 / National Science Foundation; National Science Foundation (NSF) Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments 21-001 / NSF Growing Convergence Research award Watershed Dynamics and Evolution (WaDE) Science Focus Area at ORNL
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 07/15/2025
- Academic Unit
- Civil and Environmental Engineering
- Record Identifier
- 9984962531202771
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