Science and Research, Division of

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/10929/91

The role of the Division of Science and Research is to provide the department with, and access to, expertise and information that supports its technical and policy needs. In addition, the office performs research to meet the information and problem-solving needs, identify and understand emerging issues that require the department’s attention and to advocate/integrate the multi-disciplinary perspective into the department’s identification, analysis and resolution of environmental issues.

Previous names include the Division of Science, Research and Environmental Health, the Office of Science, and the Division of Science, Research and Technology.

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Now showing 1 - 20 of 337

2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) and 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-furan (TCDF) in blue crabs and American lobsters from the New York Bight / by Thomas J. Belton ... [et al.].
(Trenton, N.J.: Division of Science and Research, New Jersey Dept. of Environment Protection, 1988., 1988) Belton, Thomas J.
2021 Fish Smart, Eat Smart: A guide to Health Advisories for Eating Fish and Crabs Caught in New Jersey Waters
(Trenton, N.J. : New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Science and Research, 2021-08) New Jersey. Department of Environmental Protection; New Jersey. Department of Health
This 2021 update uses the results of a study involving the analysis of samples of fish species collected from lakes, rivers, ponds and reservoirs that flow from the Delaware River, Hudson River, and Raritan River regions. This information was used to support the continuation and revision of the current fish consumption advisories for this region and identified the need for additional fish consumption advisories. This booklet summarizes the marine, estuarine and freshwater fish consumption advisories for New Jersey. It provides you with information on how to reduce your risk by avoiding or limiting consumption of certain fish. It also offers guidance in how to prepare the fish you eat from local waters in ways that reduce your exposure to PCBs, dioxins and other contaminants.
A Pragmatic Approach for Determining Practical Quantitation Levels (PQLs) for Regulatory Purposes
(Trenton, N.J. : Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Science and Research, 1995) Sanders, Paul F.; Lippincott, R. Lee; Eaton, Andrew
A Strategy to Advance Carbon Sequestration on New Jersey's Natural and Working Lands
(Trenton, N.J. : New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, 2024) Genievich, Heather; Yepsen, Metthea; Blum, Julie; Sinclare, Lauren; McLaughlin, Frank; Colagiovanni, Nina; Rho, Tony; DeFlumeri, Rachel; New Jersey. Department of Environmental Protection; New Jersey. Department of Agriculture
Climate change is an existential global crisis informed by clear scientific consensus. It is altering precipitation patterns, temperature, and rates of sea-level rise and will impact nearly all our natural resources and developed areas. A coordinated effort to decrease greenhouse gas emissions locally and globally is needed to slow the rate of global warming. New Jersey has made great strides in reducing greenhouse gas emissions from burning fossil fuels for energy generation. The Natural and Working Lands Strategy (NWLS) is our blueprint for enhancing carbon sequestration across New Jersey's diverse landscapes, aiming to boost the capture of carbon dioxide on both public and private lands, including wetlands, aquatic habitats, agricultural areas, and forests. New Jersey is committed to significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions and combating climate change. To achieve our goal of an 80% reduction in emissions from 2006 levels by 2050, we not only need to cut emissions but also enhance our carbon sequestration efforts. The NWLS provides a plan to help us reach this goal.
Additional Air Monitoring in Paterson Study (AAMPS) : Final Report to United States Environmental Protection Agency, Region 2
(Trenton, N.J. : Department of Environmental Protection, Office of Science, 2012-01-24) Bonanno, Linda J.; Ma, John; Fan, Zhihua
In anticipation of community concerns regarding approximately two months of elevated levels of p-dichlorobenzene observed during the Urban Community Air Toxics Monitoring Project, Paterson City, NJ (UCAMPP), NJDEP applied to USEPA for funds for an additional year of monitoring in Paterson. Sampling for UCAMPP occurred from November 2005 through December 2006. The elevated levels of p-dichlorobenzene were observed from October 2006 to the first part of December 2006. Levels returned to normal before the end of sampling. The main goal of the Additional Air Monitoring in Paterson Study (AAMPS) was to investigate whether the elevated levels observed during UCAMPP were a one-time occurrence or would recur periodically. A secondary goal was to see if spatial saturation sampling at and around 176 Broadway could identify potential sources of selected air toxics. Sampling with the TO-15 method occurred about every 12 days over a 1 year period from April 2010 to May 2011. TO-15 can measure 60 different VOCs. In addition to the TO-15 method, 5 spatial saturation sampling (SSS) campaigns were carried out over the course of the year of monitoring. For the SSS, Organic Vapor Monitors (OVM) passive badges were deployed for 3 days at 23 locations at and around the main monitoring location. The OVM samples were analyzed for benzene, ethyl benzene, carbon tetrachloride, chloroform, tetrachloroethylene, and p-dichlorobenzene. During each saturation sampling campaign, a collocated TO-15 measurement was obtained for the same time period, i.e., 3 days to allow for a comparison of methods. A total of 38 canister samples and 155 badge samples, including quality control samples, were collected during the year of monitoring. All sample results were within the expected values based on UCAMPP and other NJDEP statewide data. In contrast to the sampling in 2006, elevated levels of p-dichlorobenzene were not detected. Spatial saturation sampling did not reveal any patterns that could identify potential sources of the selected air toxics. Seven air toxics (benzene, 1,3-butadiene, carbon tetrachloride, chloroform, chloromethane, p-dichlorobenzene, tetrachloroethylene) that were measured with the TO15 method were above the health benchmark in Paterson and most were above the health benchmark at NJDEP's other air toxics monitoring stations. Benzene and 1,3-butadiene accounted for the majority of the risk and these air toxics are generated from mobile sources.
Additional Air Monitoring in Paterson Study (AAMPS): Research Project Summary
(Trenton, N.J. : Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Science and Research, 2012-01) Bonanno, Linda J.
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) awarded funding to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) for an additional year of air toxics monitoring in Paterson City, N.J. to follow up on findings from the Urban Community Air Toxics Monitoring Project, Paterson City, NJ (UCAMPP) study conducted during 2005-2006. In the earlier study, temporarily elevated levels of p-dichlorobenzene at one (176 Broadway) of the three monitoring locations in Paterson resulted in community concerns about the possible long-term implications of this exposure. The Additional Air Monitoring in Paterson Study’s (AAMPS) main purpose was to determine if concentrations of p-dichlorobenzene would become elevated again or if this excursion was an isolated event. A secondary goal of the project was to obtain more information on the sources of an additional six air toxics, benzene, 1,3-butadiene, carbon tetrachloride, chloroform, chloromethane and tetrachloroethylene, that were found to be above the health benchmark during UCAMPP. The majority of the risk associated with these air toxics is primarily from mobile sources. These chemicals are generally elevated throughout New Jersey. AAMPS air toxics monitoring occurred from April 2010 through May 2011. Two types of air samples were collected; vacuum canisters were analyzed by the USEPA TO-15 method and Organic Vapor Monitors were used for spatial saturation sampling. Concentrations and associated risks observed during AAMPS were very similar to those observed during UCAMPP and also similar to those observed in other areas in New Jersey. In contrast to UCAMPP, no elevation in p-dichlorobenzene was observed compared to background levels. None of the facilities adjacent to 176 Broadway used pdichlorobenzene, even in small quantities. The investigation by NJDEP’s Compliance and Enforcement program area identified nine potential sources of p-dichlorobenzene in and around Paterson. Of these nine potential sources, one was located in Clifton but it was too far away and the prevailing wind direction on days in 2006 with elevated levels precluded this company as the source, four other facilities did not use/make p-dichlorobenzene and four other facilities had closed and there were no records available. Based upon the investigation by NJDEP’s Compliance and Enforcement program area, on-the-ground knowledge of the facilities by NJDEP inspectors and prevailing wind direction, the most likely source would have been Galaxy Chemical. This facility shut down and no records are available from 2006. Thus, there is a good possibility that the source of the p-dichlorobenzene no longer exists. The spatial saturation sampling did not reveal any patterns that could be associated with sources.
Adsorption/Desorption and Transport of Mercury and Arsenic in New Jersey Soils
(Trenton, N.J. : Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Science and Research, 1997-07) Yin, Yujun; Allen, Herbert E.; Huang, C.P.
Adsorption/Desorption and Transport of Mercury and Arsenic in New Jersey Soils : Final Report, August 1993 - January 1995
(Trenton, N.J. : New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and Energy, Division of Science and Research, 1995) Yin, Yujun; Li, Yimin; Allen, Herbert E.; Huang, C.P.
Air Toxics Analysis in New Jersey : Ambient Data Review and Model Validation : Final Report
(Trenton, N.J. : Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Science and Research, 2012-06-04) Northeast States for Coordinated Air Use Management; Biton, Leiran; Fahey, Kathleen; Sheilds, Laura; Yang, Huiyan
Air toxics are known or suspected to cause cancer or other serious health effects. Despite their ubiquity and role in increasing the risks of adverse health impacts, relatively little is known about the ambient levels of air toxics and contribution to health risks. Characterizing air toxics levels remains one of the key challenges to effectively controlling their risks. The Northeast States for Coordinated Air Use Management (NESCAUM) and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) completed a project to better characterize air toxics levels and to evaluate air quality models for use in assessing policies to reduce levels of air toxics. The purpose of this project is to provide a comprehensive assessment of priority air toxics in New Jersey based on three primary tasks: (1) analyze ambient air toxics data in New Jersey; (2) compare between existing ambient data, air quality modeling, and emission inventories; and (3) evaluate an updated model for use with air toxics. This report describes the activities performed to complete these tasks in order to characterize New Jersey air toxics and to assess the effectiveness of using existing model results for developing strategies that mitigate risks from air toxics.
Air Toxics Analysis in New Jersey: Ambient Data Review and Model Validation: Research Project Summary
(Trenton, N.J. : New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Office of Science, 2013-05) Biton, Leiran; Miller, Paul; Polissar, Alexander; Aucott, Michael
The Northeast States for Coordinated Air Use Management (NESCAUM) and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) completed a project to better characterize air toxics levels in the atmosphere and evaluate air quality models for use in assessing policies to reduce levels of air toxics. The goal of the project was to provide a comprehensive assessment of air toxics in New Jersey based on three primary tasks: (1) statistical analyses of ambient air toxics data in New Jersey; (2) comparisons between existing ambient data, air quality modeling results, and emission inventories; and (3) evaluation of an updated model for use with air toxics. Ambient monitoring air toxics data in New Jersey and surrounding states were analyzed to determine the levels for air toxics in and around New Jersey.
Ambient elemental, reactive gaseous and particle-bound mercury concentrations in New Jersey, U.S : measurements and associations with wind direction: Research Project Summary
(Trenton, N.J. : Department of Environmental Protection, Office of Science, 2011-09) Aucott, Michael; Caldarelli, Adriana; Zsolway, Rudolph; Pietarinen, Charles; England, Randy
Two and a half years of ambient concentrations of elemental mercury, reactive gaseous mercury (RGM), and particle-bound mercury were collected at measurement sites at Elizabeth, NJ and New Brunswick, NJ with Tekran sampling units in order to gather information on ambient atmospheric mercury levels, to determine whether these levels could be associated with known sources, and to develop a method to analyze these data. The data were processed, summarized, and evaluated from a variety of perspectives. Data quality control and quality assurance procedures are described. Wind direction and wind speed data were also collected. Significant temporal variations in concentrations of all three species were observed. Some significant directional variations were also seen. The sporadic nature of many of the temporal variations is consistent with and could reflect highly variable emission patterns from anthropogenic mercury sources. Overall mean concentrations of all species were determined. These were, for Hg0 , Hgp, and RGM respectively: 2.25 ± 0.04 nanograms per cubic meter (ng/m3 ), 8.21 ± 0.39 picograms per cubic meter (pg/m3), and 8.93 ± 0.31 pg/m3 (arithmetic means and 95% confidence intervals) at Elizabeth, and 2.15 ± 0.02 ng/m3, 10.73 ± 0.45 pg/m3, and 6.04 ± 0.30 pg/m3 at New Brunswick. Mean concentrations were determined for 16 different sectors representing wind directions. The impact of one known large source is suggested by these data. Reasons for some directional variations are not apparent and suggest a need for further investigation.
Ambient Levels of Metals in New Jersey Soils: Research Project Summary
(Trenton, N.J. : New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Science, Research and Technology, 2003-05) Sanders, Paul F.
Between 1996 and 2001, three studies were conducted to determine the ambient levels of extractable metals in New Jersey soils. These studies were conducted to gather information to support the development of soil cleanup criteria, which cannot be set below ambient levels. A total of 248 soil samples were taken from the urban Piedmont region, the urban Coastal Plain region, and rural regions of the Valley and Ridge, Highlands, and Coastal Plain provinces. Local or point sources of contamination were avoided by the use of Geographic Information System databases and by following sample location guidelines in the field. Surface soil samples (0-6”) were analyzed for acid-extractable Target Analyte List (TAL) metals using USEPA SW-846 methods that are normally used to conduct initial investigations at hazardous waste sites. With one exception, median and 90th percentile concentrations of all metals were below current soil cleanup criteria. The exception was the 90th percentile arsenic concentration from the urban Piedmont study, which slightly exceeded the arsenic criterion. Otherwise, only certain individual samples contained metal concentrations above current criteria. A single rural soil sample yielded a beryllium concentration slightly above the corresponding criterion. For the urban Coastal Plain study, three of the 91 samples contained levels of arsenic above the current criterion. The urban Piedmont study yielded eight samples out of 67 where levels of arsenic or lead exceeded the criteria.
Analysis of Mercury Species in New Jersey Ground water Using Inductively Coupled Plasma - Mass Spectrometry and Gas Chromatography: Research Project Summary
(Trenton, N.J. : New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and Energy, Division of Science and Research, 1993-06) Murphy, Eileen A.; Dooley, John; Windom, Herbert L.; Smith, Ralph G. Jr.
Water samples from 78 private potable wells in southern NJ were collected for mercury analysis in 1991-1992. The wells are located in Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape Map and Ocean Counties. Total mercury concentrations varied from 1 ng/L to over 36 Fg/L. The dominant form in which mercury occurred in the wells sampled was inorganic, although monomethylmercury was present in some wells comprising up to 8% of the total mercury in one ground-water sample. Mercury analyses performed using the EPA Method 245.1 should be interpreted with caution. While this method is generally suited for analyzing waters having elevated mercury concentrations (total mercury levels above 2000 ng/L or 2 µg/L), it is less sensitive and even inadequate for characterizing background mercury levels.
An Analysis of the Feasibility of Using Fertility Control to Manage New Jersey Black Bear Populations
(Trenton, N.J. : New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, 2006-10) Fraker, Mark A.; Curtis, Paul D.; Mansour, Marc
An Analysis of the Feasibility of Using Fertility Control to Manage New Jersey Black Bear Populations: Research Project Summary
(Trenton, N.J. : New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Science, Research and Technology, 2006-10-30) Buchanan, Gary; Ruppel, Bruce
The Division of Fish and Wildlife (DFW) is responsible for managing black bears and developing comprehensive management strategies for the control of the state’s growing black bear population. DFW requested an assessment of the current status of, and feasibility of using fertility control agents as a method of population control. The Division of Science, Research and Technology (DSRT) provided technical support to DFW and funded this project to conduct this independent literature review.
Applying Innovative Diagnostic Tools at New Jersey Publicly Funded Sites: Research Project Summary
(Trenton, N.J. : New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Science, Research and Environmental Health, 2016-08) Fennell, Donna E.; Häggblom, Max
This project demonstrated the use of Environmental Molecular Diagnostic Tools (EMDs) for detecting microbial biodegradation of contaminants and identifying bacteria responsible for contaminant biodegradation or biotransformation at three contaminated sites in New Jersey. These sites were unique based on the contamination present, and EMDs were selected to address a particular issue at each site. EMDs is a collective term that describes a group of advanced and emerging techniques used to analyze biological and chemical characteristics of soils, sediments, groundwater, and surface water. Many of these tools were originally developed for applications in medicine, defense, and industry. Over the last decade, great advances have been made in adapting and applying EMDs for site characterization, remediation, monitoring, and closure. EMDs are important and valuable because they can provide key information not available using traditional analytical methods (e.g., groundwater analysis for volatile organic compounds). While they are intended to complement these traditional methods, EMDs can bring a new perspective to all stages in the environmental management decision-making process. As a result of this work, a bio-augmentation/bio-stimulation design was developed for an organic solvent plume at one site. At a second site, Stable Isotope Probing (SIP) was used to confirm the presence of dehalogenating organisms and bio-stimulation demonstrated rapid reductive dechlorination. Finally, aniline degrading organisms were studied using SIP. Aniline biodegradation was demonstrated and the specific bacteria responsible for biodegradation were identified.
Approaches for Addressing Drinking Water and Wastewater Contaminants of Emerging Concern (CECs) in a Broader Context : Identification, Ranking and Treatment Removal
(Trenton, N.J. : Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Science and Research, 2020-04-22) New Jersey. Department of Environmental Protection. Science Advisory Board
Arsenic and Mercury in Residential Well Water from Readington and Raritan Townships, Hunterdon County, New Jersey: Research Project Summary
(Trenton, N.J. : New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Science, Research and Technology, 2002-07) Murphy, Eileen A.
In October 2000, well water testing for arsenic and mercury was offered to residents living in Readington and Raritan Townships in Hunterdon County, New Jersey. The goal was to generate data on levels of these contaminants in groundwater used for drinking water in the area. Previous testing showed that this part of the state may have potentially elevated levels of arsenic in well water due to leaching from certain arsenic-rich geologic formations. Two hundred thirty-eight wells were sampled. Three quarters of the well water samples contained arsenic levels below 5 μg/L (micrograms per liter). A quarter of the samples were above 5 μg/L, with 3% of wells containing arsenic levels above 10 μg/L. The highest arsenic level observed in this study was 35 μg/L. Few water samples had detectable levels of mercury, and of those where mercury was detected, the levels were trace.
Arsenic Mobilization Due to Pipeline Installation
(Trenton, N.J. : Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Science and Research, 2020-01-06) New Jersey. Department of Environmental Protection. Science Advisory Board. Water Quality and Quantity Standing Committee
Assessing impacts of atmospheric nitrogen deposition on New Jersey forests 2002-2003 : final report year 1
(Trenton, N.J. : New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Science, Research and Technology, 2003-11) Dighton, John; Tuininga, Amy; Jonsson, Lena; Gray, Dennis; Belton, Thomas

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