Distribution and seasonal dynamics of arsenic in a shallow lake in northwestern New Jersey, USA.
Elevated concentrations of arsenic (As) occurred during warm months in water from the outlet of Lake Mohawk in northwestern New Jersey. The shallow manmade lake is surrounded by residential development and used for recreation. Eutrophic conditions are addressed by alum and copper sulfate applications and aerators operating in the summer. In September 2005, arsenite was dominant in hypoxic to anoxic bottom water. Filterable As concentrations were about 1.6-2 times higher than those in the upper water column (23-25 μg/L, mostly arsenate). Hypoxic/anoxic and near-neutral bottom conditions formed during the summer, but became more oxic and alkaline as winter approached. Acid-leachable As concentrations in lake-bed sediments ranged up to 694 mg/kg in highly organic material from the tops of sediment cores but were <15 mg/kg in geologic substrate. During warm months, reduced As from the sediment diffuses into the water column and is oxidized; mixing by aerators, wind, and boat traffic spreads arsenate and metals, some in particulate form, throughout the water column. Similar levels of As in sediments of lakes treated with arsenic pesticides indicate that most of the As in Lake Mohawk probably derives from past use of arsenical pesticides, although records of applications are lacking. The annual loss of As at the lake outlet is only about 0.01% of the As calculated to be in the sediments, indicating that elevated levels of As in the lake will persist for decades.
Barringer
Julia L
JL
US Geological Survey, New Jersey Water Research Center, 810 Bear Tavern Road, West Trenton, NJ 08628, USA. jbarring@usgs.gov
Szabo
Zoltan
Z
Wilson
Timothy P
TP
Bonin
Jennifer L
JL
Kratzer
Todd
T
Cenno
Kimberly
K
Romagna
Terri
T
Alebus
Marzooq
M
Hirst
Barbara
B
D000534:Alum Compounds / Q000737:chemistry; D001149:Arsenates / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D001151:Arsenic / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry; D018053:Arsenites / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources; D019327:Copper Sulfate / Q000737:chemistry; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D005068:Eutrophication; D005618:Fresh Water / Q000737:chemistry*; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000032:analysis; D009515:New Jersey; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D012621:Seasons; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry; D014881:Water Supply / Q000032:analysis
D000534:Alum Compounds; D001149:Arsenates; D018053:Arsenites; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D019327:Copper Sulfate; D001151:Arsenic; C025657:arsenic acid
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