FY 1990

Estimates of trace metal inputs from non-point sources discharged into estuaries

Paulson, A.J., H.C. Curl, Jr., and R.A. Feely

Mar. Pollut. Bull., 20(11), 549–555, doi: 10.1016/0025-326X(89)90355-X (1989)

Elliott Bay and Duwamish Waterway, Washington were sampled for dissolved trace metals during a period of wet weather in January 1986. High concentrations of dissolved Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd and less elevated concentrations of dissolved Ni were found in marine waters adjacent to operating shipyards and a combined sewer overflow pipe that was discharging. Changes in the transports of dissolved trace metals, which have been deduced from trace metal-salinity plots, were attributed to emissions from anthropogenic sources. While 65% of the dissolved Cu and Zn transported from Elliott Bay were attributed to emissions from shipyards along Elliott Bay's shoreline, an additional 30% of the Zn was added by industrial areas adjacent to waterways supplying freshwater. Only 20% of the Elliott Bay dissolved Ni transport was contributed by shoreline sources. In contrast, anthropogenic sources did not increase the transport of dissolved Fe.