Toxic Masterpiece: The Art of Pollution in the Chicago River

This iconic image might look like a mesmerizing piece of abstract art, but it tells a deeper story of pollution and environmental challenges. The vibrant colors on the water’s surface result from hydrophobic pollutants, such as oils, petroleum, and other chemicals, brought up from contaminated sediment (the soil underneath a waterway) by gas ebullition. Gas ebullition is a process where bubbles form in organic rich muddy sediment and rise to the surface, carrying pollutants with them. This beautiful photo captures a part of the Chicago River where gas ebullition is very active because of sediment contamination caused by historical industrial activity and organic waste buildup. This creates ideal conditions for gas ebullition, and the resulting colorful displays. During my PhD fieldwork, I took an image showcasing the beautiful warning signals of nature. My research focuses on developing predictive models for gas ebullition using advanced machine learning techniques. This work is essential for improving sediment management and clean up in our waterways.