Assessment of Historical and Current Trends in Mercury Deposition to New Jersey Aquatic Systems through Analysis of Sediment/Soil Cores - Year 2: Research Project Summary
Date
2004-08
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Trenton, N.J. : New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Science, Research and Technology
Abstract
Atmospheric deposition is an important source of mercury (Hg) to aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems and has global, regional, and local components. Deposition of mercury to waterbodies in New Jersey has resulted in elevated levels of mercury in fish across the state. Several recent studies have found elevated levels of mercury in fish sampled from many freshwater bodies including pristine lakes in remote areas. Results from the first year study showed that mercury fluxes (i.e., deposition rate) were comparable to fluxes in other parts of New Jersey and to regional atmospheric fluxes to the Great Lakes. However, the first year of this study identified Woodcliff Lake as a site of elevated mercury levels in sediments. This follow-up study included the collection of sediment cores across three sites in northeastern New Jersey to assess the importance of local sources of atmospheric mercury deposition to Woodcliff Lake and surrounding areas.
Description
Keywords
New Jersey