Comment submitted by Teresa Delima

I just asked a question of AI. If coal ash was to be dumped in Fairbanks for one hundred years what geographical and maritime areas would be affected? The Tanana River, Yukon River, and the northern Bering Sea are the primary geographical and water areas that would be affected by long-term coal ash dumping in Fairbanks, Alaska. Because Fairbanks is located in a landlocked interior valley, any maritime or aquatic impact would travel through interconnected river basins before reaching the ocean. Surface Waters and River Basins •Chena River: This river flows directly through Fairbanks. It would absorb immediate local surface runoff and contaminants from the dumping site. •Tanana River: The Chena River empties directly into the Tanana River. This glacier-fed river flows westward, carrying dissolved heavy metals (like arsenic, lead, and mercury) and suspended solids downstream. •Yukon River: The Tanana River joins the Yukon River near the town of Tanana. Over a century, the Yukon River would serve as the main highway transporting toxic coal ash byproducts across the entire width of Alaska. Geographical Regions •Tanana Valley: Local wind patterns would create a serious air quality hazard, distributing fine coal ash dust across interior communities like North Pole and Nenana. •Yukon-Koyukuk and Yukon Delta: The vast wetlands and floodplains along the Yukon River would see heavy soil contamination and bioaccumulation in the local food chain. Maritime Areas •Bering Sea (Norton Sound): The Yukon River empties directly into Norton Sound in the northern Bering Sea. Over 100 years, persistent heavy metals would settle into these shallow maritime waters. •Chukchi Sea & Arctic Ocean: Ocean currents move north through the Bering Strait. Over a century-long timeline, traces of long-lived water-soluble contaminants could migrate into the Chukchi Sea. Underground Geography •Tanana Valley Aquifer: Fairbanks relies heavily on a shallow, highly permeable aquifer for drinking water. One hundred years of dumping would cause extensive groundwater leaching, permanently contaminating the local water table. They say, don't believe everything you think, but I damn sure believe this. Respectfully submitted by Teresa de Lima, Palmer Alaska