Grave Consequences of Air Pollution?

A Pilot Study to analyze physical and chemical weathering of 18th-20th century gravestones and the social implications of pollution differentials in Bethlehem and the Lehigh Valley, PA

Bethlehem Steel and other industries in the Lehigh Valley over the last three centuries have caused significant local pollution in the environment. Gravestones in different parts of the region provide an opportunity to measure extents and rates of weathering due to the local environment.

The intern will investigate whether graves (especially limestone headstones) farther from or upwind of pollution sources show less chemical weathering and either comparable or less physical weathering than similarly aged headstones close to or downwind of major pollution sources. Significant differences in weathering rates could be influenced by pollution differentials created by elevation, wind patterns and proximity to sources. The intern will also address the extent to which any differences correlate with social boundaries such as race and class.

Internship will involve:

• Using GPS instrumentation to document location of upright limestone graves in cemeteries at varying distances and elevations relative to past pollution sources.
• Measuring weathering evidence and record headstone date
• Using existing/define local weathering rate plots for stones. If data are sufficient, making a separate rate plot for individual cemeteries to differentiate local variations.
• Determining whether significant differences exist
• Building GIS of headstone and cemetery locations as well as census data from various periods for the region
• Analyzing results in terms of their implications for the distribution of environmental pollution along lines of race and class.

This can be used towards Natural Science Credit.

For more information contact Breena Holland (brh205@lehigh.edu), Joan Ramage (jmr204@lehigh.edu), or George Yasko (gby0@lehigh.edu).