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Updated: Jan 25, 2026
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An Anaerobic Biosensor Assay for the Detection of Mercury and Cadmium
Published on: December 17, 2018
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Tracking legacy mercury in the Hackensack River estuary using mercury stable isotopes
John R Reinfelder1, Sarah E Janssen2
1Department of Environmental Sciences, Rutgers University, 14 College Farm Road, New Brunswick, NJ 08901 United States.
Journal of Hazardous Materials
|May 5, 2019
Summary
Legacy mercury (Hg) contamination in the Hackensack River estuary is being redistributed. Mercury stable isotopes reveal that Berry's Creek is a significant source, impacting downstream and marsh habitats.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Geochemistry
- Ecotoxicology
Background:
- Estuarine ecosystems often retain legacy mercury (Hg) contamination from historical industrial activities.
- Understanding mercury's spatial redistribution is crucial for assessing ecological risks and informing remediation strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the spatial redistribution of legacy mercury contamination in the Hackensack River estuary using mercury stable isotopes.
- To quantify the contribution of historical mercury sources, specifically Berry's Creek, to the overall mercury burden in the estuary.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of total mercury (Hg) concentrations in sediment samples from the Hackensack River estuary and Berry's Creek.
- Measurement of mercury stable isotopes (δ²⁰²Hg) to trace mercury sources and pathways.
- Application of an isotope mixing model to estimate mercury contributions from different sources.
Main Results:
- Total Hg concentrations varied significantly, with higher levels found in Berry's Creek compared to the main Hackensack River estuary.
- Mercury stable isotope values (δ²⁰²Hg) showed distinct patterns, with the highest values originating from upper Berry's Creek.
- The isotope mixing model estimated that Berry's Creek contributes a substantial proportion (21%-82%) of the mercury found in the Hackensack River estuary sediments.
Conclusions:
- Mercury stable isotopes are effective tools for tracking the redistribution of mercury in tidal ecosystems.
- Legacy mercury from Berry's Creek significantly contaminates the Hackensack River estuary, affecting even remote marsh habitats.
- Estuarine ecosystems can experience widespread mercury redistribution from localized historical contamination sources.
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