Approximately 80% of Virginians with private drinking water (PDW) sources are unaware of the quality of their drinking water. Strontium is a water quality contaminant gaining recognition at the federal level. At concentrations >1.5 mg/L, strontium substitutes calcium in the bones leading to bone density disorders (e.g. rickets). This is particularly problematic for children and individuals with low calcium and low protein diets. Because most Virginians do not know the quality of their PDW and since strontium poses a public health risk, this study investigates the sources of strontium in PDW in Virginia and identifies the areas and populations most vulnerable. Physical factors such as rock type, rock age, and fertilizer use have been linked to elevated strontium concentrations in drinking water. Meanwhile, social factors such as poverty, poor diet, and adolescence also increase social vulnerability to health impacts of strontium. Thus, this study identifies both physically and socially vulnerable regions in Virginia using water quality data from the Virginia Household Water Quality Program and statistical and spatial analyses conducted in RStudio 1.0.153 and ArcMap 10.5.1. Physical vulnerabilities were highest in the Ridge and Valley province where geologic formations with high strontium concentrations (e.g., limestone, dolomite, sandstone, and shale) are the dominant the aquifer rocks. The complex relationship between agricultural land use and strontium concentrations made it difficult to determine the impact of fertilizer use on strontium concentrations in PDW in Virginia. In general, the spatial distribution of social vulnerability factors was distinct from physical factors with the exception of food deserts. This study provides information and analysis to help residents of Virginia understand their risk of strontium exposure in PDW. / Master of Science / There are 1.7 million residents in Virginia that rely on private drinking water supplies in their homes. Those individuals are responsible for knowing how often to test their water, what to test their water for, and how to treat their water, if needed, to achieve safe drinking standards. Unfortunately, approximately 80% of Virginians with private drinking water sources (e.g., wells, cisterns, and springs) do not know if their water is safe to drink. Strontium, an element closely related to calcium, is a contaminant that the federal government recognizes as dangerous because in high quantities (>1.5 mg/L of water) it can replace calcium in bones making them brittle (e.g. rickets). These health impacts are more extreme in children and individuals with low calcium and low protein diets. Since strontium poses a public health risk, this study identified areas and populations in Virginia that have higher chances of being exposed to strontium and higher chances of their health being impacted by high levels of strontium. Physical factors such as rock type, rock age, and fertilizer use have been linked to elevated strontium concentrations in drinking water, indicating various physical vulnerabilities. Meanwhile, social factors such as poverty, poor diet, and adolescence also increase social vulnerability to the health impacts of strontium. This paper investigates regions in Virginia that are likely to contain high strontium levels and thus potential health impacts from strontium. Statistical and spatial analyses of water quality data from Virginia Cooperative Extension’s Virginia Household Water Quality Program combined with risk factor data identified vulnerable areas in Virginia. The highest chance of exposure was in counties near the western border of the state (e.g., Augusta, Fredrick, Highland, Montgomery, Shenandoah, and Wythe) due to the presence of limestone, dolomite, sandstone, and shale, all of which naturally contain high amounts of strontium. The land use data indicated that there were no strong patterns of strontium occurrence relative to fertilizer use. In general, the spatial distribution of social vulnerability factors was distinct from physical factors with the exception of food deserts occurring at high rates in the same areas as the samples with high strontium levels (e.g., Augusta, Fredrick, Highland, Montgomery, Shenandoah, and Wythe). The presence of food deserts prevents individuals from obtaining a high calcium and high protein diet, which makes them more vulnerable to the impacts of strontium. Overall, this study can help people in Virginia who are not on public water systems understand their risk of from being exposed to strontium.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:VTETD/oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/90572 |
| Date | 24 June 2019 |
| Creators | Scott, Veronica J. |
| Contributors | Geography, Juran, Luke, Ling, Erin, Benham, Brian L., Shao, Yang |
| Publisher | Virginia Tech |
| Source Sets | Virginia Tech Theses and Dissertation |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | ETD, application/pdf |
| Rights | In Copyright, http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ |
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