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DRBC Staff Perform Toxicity Monitoring in the Tidal Schuylkill River

Monitoring toxicity is an essential component of programs designed to protect water quality and assess compliance with regulatory standards. Based on DRBC's water quality regulations for the Delaware Estuary, no adverse effects on aquatic life should be observed in short-term and long-term toxicity tests with undiluted ambient water.

DRBC conducts periodic monitoring of ambient water toxicity in the Delaware Estuary. On August 11, 13, and 15, 2014, staff sampled the tidal Schuylkill River. DRBC's Executive Director, Steve Tambini, joined the monitoring team on August 15, 2014.

DRBC Executive Director Steve Tambini, P.E. (left) and DRBC Modeling, Monitoring, and Assessment Branch Manager Tom Fikslin, Ph.D. (right) sample the tidal Schuylkill River for ambient toxicity. Photo by DRBC.DRBC Toxicologist Ron MacGillivray, Ph.D. (left) and Tom Fikslin sample the tidal Schuylkill River for ambient toxicity. Photo by DRBC.DRBC's Tom Fikslin drives the sampling boat to the next monitoring station for ambient toxicity in the tidal Schuylkill River. Photo by DRBC.DRBC's Ron MacGillivray collects mid-depth water samples to monitor for ambient toxicity in the tidal Schuylkill River. Photo by DRBC.DRBC's Executive Director Steve Tambini assists with ambient toxicity monitoring in the tidal Schuylkill River. Photo by DRBC.