EMPORIUM -ðPersonnel from the Department of Environmental
Protection began preliminary work Thursday to determine the extent
of the impact of the chemical leak from last week’s train
derailment in Gardeau will have on the Portage branch of the
Sinnemahoning Creek.

In the morning, one team of DEP aquatic biologists, Scott Dudzic
from the Meadville office, and Rick Weber from the Williamsport
office, began collecting samples of macro-invertebrates, or bugs,
from the creek at Big Fill Hollow, about three-fourths of a mile
north of the accident site, and proceeded south. By the time they
had reached the Sears Hollow on the Gardeau Road, they had samples
from about five different locations. Dudzic said he and Weber had
hoped to collect samples from four or five more locations before
reaching Emporium by evening.

Meanwhile, two other teams, of four DEP aquatic biologists,
started similar preliminary work near Sterling Run, near Emporium,
and moved north. This effort will continue until the two groups
meet.

Weber explained the importance of macro-invertebrates such as
stone flies and mayflies.

“They are a main indicator of a health of a stream. They can
provide food for fish.”

Four train cars containing sodium hydroxide derailed last
Friday. DEP officials said that 48,000 gallons of sodium hydroxide,
or lye, spilled into the creek.

After the biologists enter a stream, they kick up the water and
dislodge any material on the creek bottom such as rocks and
sediment exposing any of the macro-invertebrates, which then float
downstream and are caught in a kicknet that, when opened, resembles
an ancient scroll.

North of the accident site, Dudzic and Weber found the
macro-invertebrates thriving. “We found a large diversity and an
abundance of the bugs. All were alive.”

South of the chemical spill, though, it was a different story.
Dudzic said, “There it was almost a total wipeout.”

The samples of the bugs are preserved in alcohol until they
reach the DEP laboratory in Meadville for further study.

By the time the biologists complete their collection of raw data
and make a detailed analysis of their collections, they will have a
better understanding of the scope of the environmental damage to
the creek.

That the macro-invertebrates will return to the polluted section
of the creek is something which will happen. Just when, however, is
difficult to predict, according to Dudzic and Weber. It hinges on
such factors as the volume of the chemical spill and amount of rain
in the future.

A representative from the Federal Railroad Administration in
Washington, D.C., was not available for comment Thursday.