Research Project Summaries

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/10929/68526

The research project summary is a 3-5 page document providing a brief, general overview of the project.

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Browsing Research Project Summaries by Author "Belton, Thomas"

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    Nutrient and Ecological Histories in Barnegat Bay, New Jersey: Research Project Summary
    (Trenton, N.J. : New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Office of Science, 2011-06) Velinsky, David; Enache, Mihalea; Charles, Donald; Sommerfield, Christopher; Belton, Thomas
    The primary objective of this project was to collect sediment cores from tidal regions of Barnegat Bay and determine the chronology of nutrient changes (i.e., nitrogen and phosphorus) and associated ecosystem level responses. Sediment nitrogen concentrations increased towards the surface in three of the 4 cores collected indicating an increase in nutrient loading from portions of the watershed. Sediment nitrogen accumulation rates increased twofold at the up-bay site starting in the mid-1950s. Algal diatoms indicate major shifts toward more eutrophic conditions starting in the 1940-1950s consistent with an increase in sediment nutrients and appear to indicate impacts from increasing population and land use in the northern part of Barnegat Bay, an area with urban and suburban land use. The southern site is situated in a rural or semi-rural area and was the least impacted. Wetlands in Barnegat Bay can sequester approximately 79 % of the nitrogen and 54 % of the phosphorus estimated to be entering the Bay from upland sources. This illustrates the important ecosystem services that marshes can perform and how important it is to maintain and enhance marshes within Barnegat Bay. Sedimentation rates on salt marshes are at, or just below, the rate of relative sea level rise in Barnegat Bay. These relatively low rates of accretion render the marsh vulnerable to inundation should the rate of sea level rise accelerate in the future. Overall, the irreversible shifts recorded by diatom species suggest that, despite the fact that the Barnegat Bay wetlands are protected by both federal and state laws, these sites remain impacted by anthropogenic disturbances and did not return to their natural, reference conditions. On the contrary, the most recent changes suggest an increase in habitat deterioration and pollution. Thus, the changes recorded in diatom species convey a strong message to identify and limit all sources of nutrients that contribute to the degradation of the estuary and its watershed.
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    PCB TMDLs, Pollution Minimization Plans and Source Trackdown in Camden City: Research Project Summary
    (Trenton, N.J. : New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Science, Research and Technology, 2008-08) Belton, Thomas; Botts, John; Lippincott, Lee; Stevenson, Edward
    A PCB Pilot Source trackdown study was performed in the sewer collection system of the Camden County Municipal Utility Authority (CCMUA) as part of a PCB TMDL. The goals were to evaluate the most appropriate sampling and analytical techniques for tracking down PCB contamination to the MUA collection system and to identify potential upland sources. Innovative field and analytical methods were evaluated including the use of PCB analytical Method 1668a to attain high sensitivity and low detection limits; the quantitation of over 124 separate PCB congeners as a mean to identify unique source signatures through pattern recognition; the use of passive in-situ continuous extraction sampler (PISCES) for sample integration over protracted time periods (14 days); and the use of electronic data collection systems interfaced with a geographic information system (GIS). PCBs were found at all sewer locations (i.e., both urban and suburban) and in all sampling media potentially from varied sources (i.e., as indicated by differences in PCB congener profiles between waste streams). PCBs were quantifiable in both 24-hour composites with a mean of 189 ng/l (Range: 33 ng/l to 784 ng/l) and grab samples with a mean of 41 ng/l (Range: 20 ng/l to 82 ng/l). Geographic analysis of sewer results indicated a concentration of potential PCB sources in the industrialized south-central area of Camden. We further evaluated desktop trackdown methods and innovative field methods using field methods (i.e., immunoassays e.g., SDI/ELISA) known to be quick, inexpensive and accurate; and approved by NJDEP’s Site Remediation Program for site screening. The project was also designed to assist MUAs with CSOs in performing, TMDL required, PCB Pollution Minimization Plans (PMPs) through documentation of PCBs on city streets with a capacity to erode into storm drains, thereby localizing proximity of sources in sewersheds and at specific city blocks and for certain industry types. An addition goal was to explore how regulatory programs could inform the PMP process, since many PCB sources leading to storm drains could, potentially, not be directly regulated by a MUAs (e.g., Hazmat sites, NPS permitted facilities, orphan contaminated sites). Street soil results show PCBs on streets in front of most facilities with a mean of 0.6 ug/g - ppm (Range: 0.05 to 5.16 ug/g).Confirmatory analysis on select soil samples using HRGC/HRMS analysis (Method 1668A), confirmed relative accuracy of using ELISA for source screening. Decreasing mean PCB concentration in street soils near source categories (using ELISA) were: 1. HazMat (known contaminated sites); 2. metal reclamation (junkyards, shredders, smelters; 3. gas pipelines; 4. transportation; 5. drum cleaning; 6. manufacturing; 7. paper-pulping; 8. waste management; 9. electrical transmission; 10. aggregate processing (concrete); and 11. landfills. Overlapping management/policy issues with PMPs include analytical methods, stormwater management; CSOs permits; residuals (sludge); soil remediation standards; Brownfield Assessments; and Environmental Justice.