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Incremental ecological exposure risks from contaminated sediments in an urban estuarine river.
David F Ludwig1, Timothy J Iannuzzi
1BBL Sciences, 326 First Street, Suite 200, Annapolis, Maryland 21403, USA. dfl@bbl-inc.com
Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management
|April 28, 2006
Summary
Urban estuaries like the lower Passaic River face severe habitat loss and chemical contamination. Restoration requires addressing both habitat constraints and chemical risks for ecological recovery.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Ecology
- Urban Planning
Background:
- Urban estuaries present complex environmental management challenges due to habitat degradation and chemical pollution.
- Restoration efforts necessitate understanding the interplay of various stressors and their temporal dynamics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct a multiparameter environmental assessment of the lower Passaic River, a highly urbanized waterway.
- To quantify baseline conditions, chemical toxicity, and food-web risks to inform management decisions.
Main Methods:
- Assessed habitat loss, sediment and biota chemical concentrations against toxicity thresholds.
- Conducted direct sediment toxicity bioassays on benthic organisms.
- Evaluated food-web mediated risks to fish-eating birds.
Main Results:
- Severe habitat loss (over 85% wetlands, 100% tributaries/shoreline) creates significant constraints.
- Sediment chemical concentrations are decreasing, with some natural recovery observed.
- Toxicity thresholds exceeded for amphipods, fish, blue crabs, and resident birds (metals, PCBs, DDT, PCDD/Fs).
Conclusions:
- Restoring the lower Passaic River is complex, requiring simultaneous easing of habitat constraints and reduction of chemical risks.
- A coordinated, multidisciplinary approach is essential for successful ecological restoration in this urbanized environment.