T1 PM Contaminant Cycling Assessment and Prevention in the NY/NJ Harbor (Part 2)
Tuesday, 15 November 2005: 1:50 PM - 5:30 PM in Ballroom 1

(DEG-1122-322702) A Comprehensive POTW, Stormwater and CSO Toxics Sampling/Analytical Program for New Jersey Dischargers to the New York/New Jersey Harbor.

DeGraeve, G.¹, McCauley, D.¹, Linton, T.¹, Clement, W.¹, Saxton, J.¹, ¹ Great Lakes Environmental Center

ABSTRACT- In 2001/2002 as part of the New York/New Jersey Harbor Contaminant Assessment and Reduction Program (CARP), the Jersey Harbor Dischargers Group performed a toxics sampling and analytical investigation of all of the POTWs in New Jersey discharging to the New Jersey portion of the New York/New Jersey Harbor. In addition, a limited number of samples of CSO and stormwater discharges were collected and analyzed. The classes of toxic constituents which were measured included metals, pesticides, PAHs, PCBs and dioxins/furans. In addition, solids and total/dissolved carbon were measured to aid in data interpretation and to allow for the data to be incorporated into a predictive water quality/sediment quality modeling framework. For the POTWs, with a limited number of notable exceptions, the measured toxics concentrations were low. In fact, in many cases the measured POTW toxics concentrations were lower than the corresponding New Jersey ambient water quality criteria. In several instances, PAHs and a particular PCB congener were measured at unexpectedly high concentrations. Some CSO and stormwater toxics concentrations were found to be elevated relative to POTW discharges, but the majority of the contaminants were found at expected or less-than-expected concentrations.

Key words: Contaminant