Declining metal levels at Foundry Cove (Hudson River, New York): response to localized dredging of contaminated sediments.
This study examines the effectiveness of remediating a well-recognized case of heavy metal pollution at Foundry Cove (FC), Hudson River, New York. This tidal freshwater marsh was polluted with battery-factory wastes (1953-1979) and dredged in 1994-1995. Eight years after remediation, dissolved and particulate metals (Cd, Co, Cu, Pb, Ni, and Ag) were found to be lower than levels in the lower Hudson near New York City. Levels of metals (Co, Ni, Cd) on suspended particles were comparatively high. Concentrations of surface sediment Cd throughout the marsh system remain high, but have decreased both in the dredged and undredged areas: Cd was 2.4-230mg/kg dw of sediment in 2005 vs. 109-1500mg/kg in the same area in 1983. The rate of tidal export of Cd from FC has decreased by >300-fold, suggesting that dredging successfully stemmed a major source of Cd to the Hudson River.
Mackie
Joshua A
JA
Moss Landing Marine Laboratories, Invertebrate Zoology, 8272 Moss Landing Road, CA 95039-9647, USA. jmackie@mlml.calstate.edu
Natali
Susan M
SM
Levinton
Jeffrey S
JS
Sañudo-Wilhelmy
Sergio A
SA
D002104:Cadmium / Q000032:analysis; D003035:Cobalt / Q000032:analysis; D003300:Copper / Q000032:analysis; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D052918:Environmental Restoration and Remediation / Q000379:methods*; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D007854:Lead / Q000032:analysis; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000032:analysis*; D009518:New York; D009532:Nickel / Q000032:analysis; D045483:Rivers; D012834:Silver / Q000032:analysis; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000032:analysis; D013997:Time Factors; D014872:Water Movements; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis; D053833:Wetlands
D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D019216:Metals, Heavy; D012989:Soil Pollutants; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D002104:Cadmium; D007854:Lead; D003035:Cobalt; D012834:Silver; D003300:Copper; D009532:Nickel