1. Declining metal levels at Foundry Cove (Hudson River, New York): response to localized dredging of contaminated sediments.
- Author
-
Mackie JA, Natali SM, Levinton JS, and Sañudo-Wilhelmy SA
- Subjects
- Cadmium analysis, Cobalt analysis, Copper analysis, Geologic Sediments chemistry, Humans, Lead analysis, New York, Nickel analysis, Rivers, Silver analysis, Soil Pollutants analysis, Time Factors, Water Movements, Water Pollutants, Chemical analysis, Wetlands, Environmental Monitoring methods, Environmental Pollutants analysis, Environmental Restoration and Remediation methods, Metals, Heavy analysis
- Abstract
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.
- Published
- 2007
- Full Text
- View/download PDF