Identifying sources and distributions of sediment contaminants at two US Virgin Islands marinas.
Differences in sediment contaminant concentrations within two marinas and adjacent to the marinas in St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands were compared to calculate the portion of those contaminants due to marina activities. In marina 1 (containing no vessel maintenance areas, but with a fuel dock) 88% of observed PAHs and 0% of metals were attributed to marina activities. In the marina/boatyard complex, 46% of PAHs and 89% of metals were attributed to marina sources. The distance from storm drain discharges, and sediment characteristics play a greater role in the distribution and fate of pollutants than do activities associated with a given marina station. The data also provided some evidence that the protection marinas offer to vessels from wind, currents, and waves may concentrate contaminants.
Hinkey
Lynne M
LM
NOAA Coastal Services Center, 2234 South Hobson Ave., Charleston, SC 29485, USA.
Zaidi
Baqar R
BR
Volson
Barry
B
Rodriguez
Nydia J
NJ
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000032:analysis*; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000032:analysis*; D010575:Pesticides / Q000032:analysis; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls / Q000032:analysis; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons / Q000032:analysis*; D012767:Ships; D014767:United States Virgin Islands
D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D019216:Metals, Heavy; D010575:Pesticides; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls