Distribution and possible sources of total mercury in sediments from the Newark Bay Estuary, New Jersey

Journal Article · Fri Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1995 · Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00209471· OSTI ID:135824

Iannuzzi, T J ^[1]; Wenning, R J ^[2]

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1. Hart Environmental Engineering Corp., Portland, ME (United States)
2. Hart Environmental Engineering Corp., North Ryde (Australia)

A screening survey conducted by investigators of total mercury (Hg) concentrations in freshwater fishes from New Jersey rivers and lakes revealed elevated concentrations (>0.5 mg/kg wet weight) in the edible tissues of several species. The highest Hg concentrations were measured in largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) and chain pickerel(Esox niger) from waterbodies in the northeastern portion of the state that are heavily affected by agriculture, industry, and urbanization, and in waterbodies throughout the state with low pH(>5.0). Similar results have been reported in saltwater fishes collected from the Raritan River, Passaic River, and Newark Bay. Mercury is among the most toxic of metals and one of the most persistent in sediments and organisms. This paper reports the results of total Hg analysis conducted on samples of surface and buried sediments from 72 cores collected from Newark Bay and its major tributaries between 1991 and 1993. 18 refs., 2 figs., 1 tab

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• OSTI ID: 135824
• Journal Information: Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, Journal Name: Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology Journal Issue: 6 Vol. 55; ISSN 0007-4861; ISSN BECTA6
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
CONTAMINATION
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
ESTUARIES
MERCURY
NEW JERSEY
POLLUTION SOURCES
SEDIMENTS