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6 January 2025 Anthropogenic Debris Concentrations in the Beargrass Creek Watershed, Louisville, Kentucky: Litter Amounts, Composition, and Potential Conservation Solutions
Allison Kling, Elijah Miller, Ella Swigler, Sam Howlett, David Wicks
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Abstract

Beargrass Creek is one of the largest watersheds in Louisville, Kentucky, draining over 60 square miles within Louisville and outpouring into the Ohio River. The creek consists of three branches – the South, Middle, and Muddy forks – each flowing through a variety of residential and commercial areas as well as a multitude of parklands. Despite this creek's prominence in the city, little research has been done documenting the concentration of anthropogenic debris within its watershed. This study documents man-made debris accumulation at 15 sites located within the Louisville metropolitan area as a continuation of the work conducted by the University of Louisville Aqlan Lab in summer of 2022. The study assesses the debris build-up within the creek and establishes debris patterns in hopes of diminishing future buildups and improving conditions within this Louisville watershed. The amount of litter increased from June 2022 to July 2023, and litter amounts also increased during the summer of 2023. Middle Fork contained the highest total amount of debris, closely followed by South Fork. Plastic bottles, bags, and fragments made up over 70% of total litter, with glass (11%) and lumber (4%) being the second and third highest categories. The most common litter items were plastic bags, foam fragments, and food wrappers. Further analysis is still needed to investigate the magnitude, character, and sources of debris in Beargrass Creek across different seasons.

Allison Kling, Elijah Miller, Ella Swigler, Sam Howlett, and David Wicks "Anthropogenic Debris Concentrations in the Beargrass Creek Watershed, Louisville, Kentucky: Litter Amounts, Composition, and Potential Conservation Solutions," Journal of the Kentucky Academy of Science 85(1), 41-54, (6 January 2025). https://doi.org/10.3101/KYAC-85-01-04
Published: 6 January 2025
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