Loring, DH; Milligan, TG; Willis, DE; Saunders, KS
BIOSIS COPYRIGHT: BIOL ABS. This report provides an assessment of the sedimentology and baseline levels of metallic (As, B, Ba, Be, Cd, Cr, Co, Cu, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sb, Se, Sr, Tl, U, V and Zn) and organic (PCBs and PAHs) contaminants in bottom sediments from the St. Croix estuary and the adjacent Passamaquoddy Bay on the south-western coast of New Brunswick. It also provides some insight into the anthropogenic and natural factors that control the distribution of these contaminants. Granulometric analyses indicates a high d metals are at, or near, natural concentrations but 20% and 5% of the samples (n=19) exceeded the contamination threshold ( and gt;20 and and gt;40 mg kg-1) levels for As and Ni concentrations respectively. Normalization of the metal data suggests anthropogenic inputs of Cd and perhaps Pb and Zn from the St. Croix river although the amounts have not yet exceeded contamination levels. Organic analyses indicate that measurable PCB residues occur in only one sample. Measurable PAH residues (37-3144 ng g-1) were ontaminants in sediment over time may have a detrimental effect on activities such as aquaculture in Passamaquoddy Bay, and, to a lesser extent, in the St. Croix estuary.