"Arsenic In Mountain Island Lake, Study Says"

"A Duke University-led study of coal ash contaminants, published Monday, found high levels of toxic arsenic in Mountain Island Lake."

"The study reported ash contaminants downstream of coal-fired power plant ash settling ponds in the 11 lakes and rivers sampled. It was published Monday in the journal Environmental Science & Technology.

Concentrations tended to be highest in small bodies of water, such as 2,914-acre Mountain Island Lake.

Water flowing into the lake from the Riverbend power plant’s ash ponds had arsenic concentrations up to nine times higher than the federal drinking water standard, the study said."

Bruce Henderson reports for the Charlotte Observer October 16, 2012.