Gowanus Canal Case Study

1. Introduction

1.1 History of the Gowanus Canal

The Gowanus Canal, located in the New York City borough of Brooklyn, is one of the most heavily contaminated bodies of water in the United States. The dimensions of the Gowanus canal are 100-feet wide and 1.8 miles long. The canal is built in the mid-1800’s as a major industrial transportation route. Historically was surrounded by heavy industries such as gas plants, concrete plants, industrial plants, chemical plants, tanneries and paper mills. According to the Brooklyn Daily Eagle, the busiest industrial and commercial canal in the United States. Over six million tons of cargo was being transported on the canal annually. The Gowanus Canal has a history of war, much harmful contamination has been dumped in the canal. This canal is consisting of heavy metal such as polycyclic hydrocarbons, raw sewage, typhoid, cholera and tuberculosis The Gowanus Canal has been a home to many industries that produced high manufacturing volumes such as its neighboring gas plants, oil refineries, coal yards, cement manufacturers, tanneries, paint and ink factories, machine shops, and chemical plants amongst other industries. Due to poor environmental practices over many years, large amounts of sewage and industrial waste have been copiously discharged within the canal.

One of the most difficult challenges that faces our society about water pollution is cleaning after a body of water have been contaminated. Our design team aimed to design a sufficient water filter that would improve the water quality in a body of water have been contaminated. An ideal body of water should be contaminant free, with a high potential Hydrogen (pH) and Nitrogen Dioxide (DO) level. Low pH and DO level which could cause health hazards to individuals who used the water as a drinking water.

2. Objectives and