Helena Joyce
The town of Palmerton, Pennsylvania, has been subjected to extensive pollution due to its historical association with zinc mining and smelting operations. New Jersey Zinc's zinc smelting plants, operational from 1898 to 1980, left a toxic legacy, with pollution destroying vegetation and contaminating the surrounding environment. In 1983, the site was designated as one of the nation's first Superfund sites, triggering an EPA-mandated cleanup. Since then, significant progress has been made, with innovative restoration methods greening the area once more and compensating for the loss of natural resources. As of 2021, parts of the Palmerton Zinc Pile Site have been removed from the list of the nation's most contaminated hazardous waste sites, indicating a successful cleanup and a hopeful future for the town.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reason for Pollution | Zinc smelting plants |
| Pollutant | Toxic dust |
| Area Affected | 3,000 acres surrounding the town, including Kittatinny Ridge at Lehigh Gap, Stony Ridge, Blue Mountain, Cinder Bank, Aquashicola Creek, Lehigh River |
| Cleanup Activities | Grading, revegetation, cleaning of residences, cleanup of surface water, water treatment |
| Organizations Involved | U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Nature Center, Viacom International (now CBS operations), NOAA, National Marine Fisheries Services, Palmerton Natural Resource Trustee Council |
| Results | 117 properties cleaned up and removed from Superfund National Priorities list, native grasses established, ecological succession research underway, wildlife refuge established, town's growth and progress |
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What You'll Learn
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's clean-up efforts
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) clean-up efforts in Palmerton, PA, have been extensive and ongoing since the site was designated a Superfund site in 1983. The EPA has been working to remediate the environmental and health hazards caused by decades of zinc smelting operations in the area.
The New Jersey Zinc Company, once the largest zinc producer in the U.S., operated two zinc smelting plants in Palmerton from 1898 to 1980. The smelting process emitted toxic dust, destroying vegetation on 3,000 acres surrounding the town, including on Kittatinny Ridge at Lehigh Gap and in Carbon County. The pollution also likely impacted the health of the town's residents, as zinc smelting can release harmful substances such as lead and cadmium into the air and water.
The EPA's clean-up efforts have included grading, revegetation, cleaning of residences, surface water cleanup, and water treatment. In partnership with the Nature Center and Viacom International (now CBS Operations), the EPA has successfully established native, warm-season, zinc-tolerant prairie grasses on the Superfund site. This revegetation effort has helped to stabilize the soil and prevent further erosion, as well as providing a habitat for wildlife.
In 2013, the Palmerton Natural Resource Trustee Council acquired more than 300 acres for state game lands and the Cherry Valley National Wildlife Refuge, located just 30 minutes from Palmerton. This acquisition was part of a settlement for damages to natural resources, which included over $20 million in cash and property paid to the United States and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
As of 2021, the EPA has removed parts of the Palmerton Zinc Pile Site from the national list of most contaminated hazardous waste sites, indicating significant progress in the clean-up efforts. However, the site continues to be monitored and remediated to ensure the safety and well-being of the community and the environment. The restoration process is ongoing and is expected to take many years and significant financial resources to complete.
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Revegetation and ecological succession
Revegetation has been a key part of the cleanup process in Palmerton, PA, which was contaminated by zinc smelting operations. The pollution from these zinc smelters destroyed vegetation on 3,000 acres of land surrounding the town, including Stony Ridge and Blue Mountain/Kittatinny Ridge. The cleanup efforts in Palmerton have included activities such as grading, revegetation, cleaning of residences, and water treatment.
The Lehigh Gap Nature Center, in partnership with the EPA and Viacom International (now CBS Operations), has played a crucial role in revegetation and ecological succession in the area. They have successfully established native, warm-season, zinc-tolerant, prairie grasses on the Superfund site. These grasses have the ability to thrive in zinc-rich environments and provide a foundation for the re-establishment of a fully functioning ecosystem. The success of these grasses has turned the once barren landscape into a green expanse, supporting the growth of other plant species and attracting wildlife.
The introduction of zinc-tolerant grasses has kick-started an ecological succession, where the grasses gradually improve the soil conditions, making it possible for other plant species to take root and grow. Over time, these grasses and the subsequent plant growth will help to stabilize the soil, reduce erosion, and enhance the overall health of the ecosystem. This process is expected to take several years, but it is a natural and effective way to restore the area to its former glory.
The revegetation efforts have also provided habitat for endangered species such as the American Kestrel and the bog turtle. The new shrubby habitat on Stony Ridge is ideal for the American Kestrel, whose population has been declining in recent years. The acquisition of over 300 acres for the Cherry Valley National Wildlife Refuge, located just 30 minutes from Palmerton, provides a safe haven for the endangered bog turtle.
The cleanup and revegetation efforts in Palmerton, PA, have been a collaborative process involving various organizations and individuals. The success of these efforts has resulted in the removal of parts of the Palmerton Zinc Pile Site from the national list of most contaminated hazardous waste sites. Today, Palmerton is a growing town, moving beyond its toxic history and embracing a greener and more sustainable future.
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Impact on wildlife
The pollution in Palmerton, PA, has had a significant impact on the local wildlife. The town, nestled in the Lehigh Valley of eastern Pennsylvania, was once home to a thriving zinc smelting industry, with the New Jersey Zinc Company as its primary employer. However, the lack of pollution control technology at the time led to toxic dust emissions that destroyed vegetation on thousands of acres surrounding the town. This deforestation and environmental contamination had a profound impact on the local ecosystem.
One visitor to Palmerton noted the absence of mammals on Stony Ridge, with no sightings of chipmunks, squirrels, or deer. The mountain in front of the house, Blue Mountain/Kittatinny Ridge, also had large spots completely devoid of vegetation, indicating the severity of the pollution's impact. The contamination resulted in the site being designated as one of the nation's first Superfund sites in 1983, marking it as a priority for cleanup and restoration by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
The EPA, in collaboration with various agencies and organizations, has been working on the cleanup of Palmerton and the surrounding areas, including Blue Mountain and the Cinder Bank. This has involved activities such as grading, revegetation, cleaning of residences, surface water cleanup, and water treatment. The efforts have shown promising results, with native, warm-season, zinc-tolerant prairie grasses established on the Superfund site through innovative planting methods.
The Lehigh Gap Nature Center, in partnership with the EPA and responsible parties, has played a crucial role in the restoration process. The center has successfully introduced zinc-tolerant prairie grasses, allowing the area to turn green again after 50 years. This new habitat has benefited certain endangered species, such as the American Kestrel, whose population has been declining in recent years. Additionally, the acquisition of over 300 acres for the Cherry Valley National Wildlife Refuge, located just 30 minutes from Palmerton, provides a haven for the endangered bog turtle and other wildlife.
While the cleanup and restoration efforts in Palmerton have made significant progress, the impact on wildlife in the area has been long-lasting. The toxic legacy of the zinc smelting industry has disrupted the natural ecosystem, leading to the absence of certain mammal species and the decline of others. However, with continued restoration efforts and the re-establishment of a functioning ecosystem, there is hope for the revival of wildlife populations in the region.
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Zinc smelting and its toxic legacy
Zinc smelting is the process of converting zinc concentrates (ores that contain zinc) into pure zinc. Zinc has a low boiling point, so it typically escapes from the furnace as gas unless specific measures are taken. The most common zinc concentrate processed is zinc sulfide, obtained by concentrating sphalerite via froth flotation. Secondary (recycled) zinc material, such as zinc oxide, is also processed with the zinc sulfide.
There are two methods of smelting zinc: the pyrometallurgical process and the electrolysis process. The pyrometallurgical process involves reducing zinc oxide using carbon and then distilling metallic zinc from the resulting mix in an atmosphere of carbon monoxide. The major drawback of this process is that the zinc is only 98% pure, which is not pure enough for die-casting alloys. The electrolysis process, on the other hand, is more efficient and produces a better purity of zinc.
Zinc smelting can have toxic effects on the environment and human health. In the case of Palmerton, PA, two zinc smelting plants operated by New Jersey Zinc were the primary employers in the town from 1898 until 1980. The plants emitted toxic dust that destroyed vegetation on 3,000 acres surrounding the town and contaminated the soil with heavy metals. The site was designated a Superfund site by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 1983, making it a target for mandated clean-up.
The clean-up efforts in Palmerton, PA, have shown positive results. Through innovative methods of planting, native, zinc-tolerant prairie grasses have been established on the Superfund site, and the land is becoming green again. The EPA has removed parts of the Palmerton Zinc Pile Site from the list of most contaminated hazardous waste sites, indicating significant progress in the clean-up process.
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Restoration of natural resources
The restoration of natural resources in Palmerton, PA, has been a long and ongoing process, addressing the legacy of pollution from the town's former zinc smelting plants. The pollution destroyed vegetation on 3,000 acres surrounding the town, including on the Kittatinny Ridge at Lehigh Gap and in Carbon County. The cleanup efforts have focused on various aspects to restore the natural environment.
One of the primary approaches has been revegetation. Innovative methods of planting have been employed to establish native, warm-season, zinc-tolerant prairie grasses. These grasses have been successful in taking root in the Superfund site, turning the once barren land green again. The Lehigh Gap Nature Center has been instrumental in this effort, and research is now underway to study the progression of ecological succession and the re-establishment of a fully functioning ecosystem.
In addition to the ecological restoration, there has also been a focus on acquiring and protecting natural areas. In August 2013, the Palmerton Natural Resource Trustee Council announced the acquisition of more than 300 acres for state game lands and the establishment of the Cherry Valley National Wildlife Refuge. This refuge is home to the endangered bog turtle and is located just 30 minutes from Palmerton. Other properties designated for restoration include habitats along Aquashicola Creek and its tributaries, recognising the loss of natural areas and their benefits due to mining activities.
The cleanup efforts have also extended to grading, cleaning of residences, surface water cleanup, and water treatment. Over $20 million in cash and property have been paid as compensation for the natural resource damages to the Aquashicola Creek and Lehigh River watershed. The Lehigh River is now popular with rafters, and Blue Mountain is witnessing the regrowth of vegetation. The restoration of natural resources in Palmerton has been a collaborative effort involving various organisations and individuals, and it continues to be a work in progress.
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Frequently asked questions
The town of Palmerton was the site of two zinc smelting plants, in operation from 1898 until 1980. The plants emitted toxic dust, which destroyed vegetation in the surrounding area and contaminated the local water supply.
The site was designated for an EPA Superfund clean-up in 1983, with activities including grading, revegetation, cleaning of residences, and water treatment. In 2013, over 300 acres of land were acquired for state game lands and the Cherry Valley National Wildlife Refuge, and today, the Lehigh River is popular with rafters and Blue Mountain is lush and green once more.
A Superfund clean-up is a project undertaken by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to target hazardous waste sites. The EPA can clean the sites or force those responsible for the pollution to do so.
As of 2021, parts of the Palmerton Zinc Pile Site have been removed from the list of the nation's most contaminated hazardous waste sites. The town is growing again and moving beyond its toxic history.
