Sedimentary evidence for decreased heavy-metal inputs to the Chesapeake Bay

The recent history of trace-metal input to Chesapeake Bay was examined using210Pb-dated sediment cores. Published studies from cores collected in the 1970s showed that the highest trace-metal concentrations were found in sediment horizons near the sediment-water interface, suggesting a continuing in...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Ambio 1995-02, Vol.24 (1), p.24-27
Main Authors: Owens, M, Cornwell, J.C. (Maryland Univ., Cambridge (USA). Horn Point Environmental Lab.)
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Air pollution
ALUMINIO
ALUMINIUM
Brackish
CARGA CONTAMINANTE
CHARGE POLLUANTE
CINC
COBALT
COBALTO
COBRE
COPPER
CUIVRE
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
Environmental pollution
FER
HEAVY METALS
HIERRO
IMPACT SUR L'ENVIRONNEMENT
IMPACTO AMBIENTAL
IRON
LEAD
MANGANESE
MANGANESO
Marine
MARYLAND
METAL LOURD
METALES PESADOS
NICKEL
NIQUEL
PLOMB
PLOMO
POLLUTANT LOAD
POLLUTION DE L'EAU
POLLUTION DES SEDIMENTS
POLUCION DE SEDIMENTOS
POLUCION DEL AGUA
Radioactive air pollution
Radioactive water pollution
Sediment contamination
Sediment core samples
SEDIMENT POLLUTION
Sediments
Sulfides
VIRGINIA
VIRGINIE
WATER POLLUTION
ZINC
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Summary:The recent history of trace-metal input to Chesapeake Bay was examined using210Pb-dated sediment cores. Published studies from cores collected in the 1970s showed that the highest trace-metal concentrations were found in sediment horizons near the sediment-water interface, suggesting a continuing increase in metal inputs. The goal of this study was to determine whether two decades of environmental regulation have made a difference in the amount of trace metal deposited in Chesapeake Bay. Two sites were chosen where seasonal anoxia minimized the activities of bioturbating organisms and the cores were analyzed for cobalt, copper, iron, lead, manganese, nickel, and zinc. Profiles for Cu, Pb and Zn show increases in metal concentrations from the beginning of the century to the early 1970s, and a decrease in more recent years. This study shows that significant progress has been made in decreasing trace-metal contamination in the mainstem Chesapeake Bay.
ISSN:0044-7447
1654-7209