Trace metals in urban streams and detention ponds

Conference · Sun Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1995

OSTI ID:390152

Licsko, Z J; Struger, J ^[1]

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1. Environment Canada, Burlington, Ontario (Canada). Ecosystem Health Div.

Trace metal levels were monitored over a nine month period in two urban creeks in the Hamilton Harbour watershed and in two urban stormwater retention ponds in Guelph, Ontario. Samples were collected both during dry or non-event periods and immediately after wet weather events. Both water and surficial sediment samples were collected and tested for cadmium, copper, lead, mercury, nickel, and zinc. In almost all cases during wet weather conditions, Canadian Water Quality Guidelines for the protection of freshwater aquatic life were exceeded in water for lead (>7 mg/L), copper (>4 mg/L), and zinc (>30 mg/L) . Both stormwater ponds accumulated trace metals in sediment to levels above the lowest effect level guideline for the protection and management of aquatic sediment in Ontario, and, in the case of zinc (> 820 ug/g), above the severe effect level guideline. These levels of contamination raise serious concerns about the use of these and similar facilities as habitat for biota.

• OSTI ID: 390152
• Report Number(s): CONF-9511137--; ISBN 1-880611-03-1
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
CADMIUM
COPPER
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
LEAD
MERCURY
MONITORING
NICKEL
ONTARIO
PONDS
STREAMS
TRACE AMOUNTS
URBAN AREAS
WATER POLLUTION
ZINC