Temporal Trends of Dissolved Trace Metals in Jamaica Bay, NY: Importance of Wastewater Input and Submarine Groundwater Discharge in an Urban Estuary

Abstract

Jamaica Bay, NY, is a highly urbanized estuary within the boroughs of New York City conspicuously lacking published information on dissolved trace metal concentrations. The current study examines the distribution and cycling of trace metals in that embayment with data gathered during cruises in November 2004, April 2005, and June 2006. Most of the metal distributions (Fe, Zn, Co, Ag, Cu, Pb, Ni) in the water column are explained by the input of substantial volumes of treated wastewater effluent. However, several lines of evidence suggest that submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) is also an important source of dissolved Fe, Zn, Co, Ni, and isotopically distinct stable Pb ratios ( 206 Pb, 207 Pb, 208 Pb) in the Bay. Conversely, the recirculated seawater component of SGD is an apparent sink for dissolved Mo. This study provides the first measurements of dissolved trace metals in the Jamaica Bay water column and subterranean estuary and provides evidence for trace metal input due to SGD.

Groundwater dynamics in subterranean estuaries of coastal unconfined aquifers: Controls on submarine groundwater discharge and chemical inputs to the ocean

“…Santos et al [2011a], using rapid (90 min) sampling of a STE over a 16 h period, provided evidence that tide-induced water exchange was a control on U removal (and release in the case of Ba). Beck et al [2009] found that Cu was removed within the STE of a coastal New York embayment, though they did not comment on the potential driving mechanism for this process. Regardless, the time-scale over which these conditions that are a removal will determine whether or not STEs are important for trace metal removal on longer (e.g., decadal to centennial and beyond) time scales [Beck et al, 2010].…”

“…Trezzi et al [2016] reported on SGD in a Mediterranean region where mine tailings had accumulated along the shoreline for several decades. They found that zinc (Zn) and lead (Pb) fluxes were significantly elevated in SGD relative to other locations worldwide [e.g., Beck et al, 2009]. Again, the mobilization of these metals in groundwater was attributed to the Fe and Mn redox cycles and the suspected low pH of the groundwater as it passed through the sediment deposits left behind from mining activities.…”

“…Charette and Buesseler [2004] studied copper (Cu) fluxes in SGD near a naval base on the eastern coast of the United States, but found that this source was minor compared to that from Cu-based antifouling paints used on boat hulls. Beck et al [2009] compared SGD-derived metal inputs to those from treated wastewater inputs to a surface estuary near New York City. They were able to use stable Pb isotopes to differentiate groundwater versus sewage-derived Pb inputs, and also to determine the Pb source.…”

Significance of groundwater discharge along the coast of Poland as a source of dissolved metals to the southern Baltic Sea

“…Salinity at 30 cm was equal to 4. Beck et al (2010) observed similar concentration change of Pb for the SGD impacted site in Great South Bay, NY, at the end of Roe Avenue in the town of Patchogue, USA caused by enriched Pb concentrations in groundwater (Beck et al, 2009). Investigations on dissolved trace metals launched in Jamaica Bay, NY, USA indicated similar patterns for Zn and Co in the groundwater impacted site and provide evidence for trace metal input due to SGD (Beck et al, 2009).…”

Inductively coupled plasma- and glow discharge plasma-sector field mass spectrometry : Part II. Applications

“…Zoriy et al analysed the distribution of Pt in kidney slices of cisplatin-exposed mice by LA-ICP-SFMS. 89 They found differential patterns of 196 Pt + , 63 Cu + and 64 Zn + with a clear enrichment of platinum in the medullar region.…”