Aquatic chemistry is becoming both a rewarding and substantial area of inquiry and is drawing many prominent scientists to its fold. Its literature has changed from a compilation of compositional tables to studies of the chemical reactions occurring within the aquatic environments. But more than this is the recognition that human society in part is determining the nature of aquatic systems. Since rivers deliver to the world ocean most of its dissolved and particulate components, the interactions of these two sets of waters determine the vitality of our coastal waters. This significant vol ume provides not only an introduction to the dynamics of aquatic chem istries but also identifies those materials that jeopardize the resources of both the marine and fluvial domains. Its very title provides its emphasis but clearly not its breadth in considering natural processes. The book will be of great value to those environmental scientists who are dedicated to keeping the resources of the hydrosphere renewable. As the size of the world population becomes larger in the near future and as the uses of materials and energy show parallel increases, the rivers and oceans must be considered as a resource to accept some of the wastes of society. The ability of these waters and the sediments below them to accommodate wastes must be assessed continually. The key questions relate to the capacities of aqueous systems to carry one or more pollutants."

Metal pollution in the aquatic environment

Bioavailability, accumulation and effects of heavy metals in sediments with special reference to United Kingdom estuaries: a review

Plastic resin pellets (small granules 0.1−0.5 centimeters in diameter) are widely distributed in the ocean all over the world. They are an industrial raw material for the plastic industry and are unintentionally released to the environment both during manufacturing and transport. They are sometimes ingested by seabirds and other marine organisms, and their adverse effects on organisms are a concern. In the present study, PCBs, DDE, and nonylphenols (NP) were detected in polypropylene (PP) resin pellets collected from four Japanese coasts. Concentrations of PCBs (4−117 ng/g), DDE (0.16−3.1 ng/g), and NP (0.13−16 μg/g) varied among the sampling sites. These concentrations were comparable to those for suspended particles and bottom sediments collected from the same area as the pellets. Field adsorption experiments using PP virgin pellets demonstrated significant and steady increase in PCBs and DDE concentrations throughout the six-day experiment, indicating that the source of PCBs and DDE is ambient seawater...

Plastic Resin Pellets as a Transport Medium for Toxic Chemicals in the Marine Environment

Antimony in the environment: a review focused on natural waters: I. Occurrence

Estuaries exhibit a wide array of human impacts that can compromise their ecological integrity, because of rapid population growth and uncontrolled development in many coastal regions worldwide. Long-term environmental problems plaguing estuaries require remedial actions to improve the viability and health of these valuable coastal systems. Detailed examination of the effects of pollution inputs, the loss and alteration of estuarine habitat, and the role of other anthropogenic stress indicates that water quality in estuaries, particularly urbanized systems, is often compromised by the overloading of nutrients and organic matter, the influx of pathogens, and the accumulation of chemical contaminants. In addition, the destruction of fringing wetlands and the loss and alteration of estuarine habitats usually degrade biotic communities. Estuaries are characterized by high population densities of microbes, plankton, benthic flora and fauna, and nekton; however, these organisms tend to be highly vulnerable to human activities in coastal watersheds and adjoining embayments. Trends suggest that by 2025 estuaries will be most significantly impacted by habitat loss and alteration associated with a burgeoning coastal population, which is expected to approach six billion people. Habitat destruction has far reaching ecological consequences, modifying the structure, function, and controls of estuarine ecosystems and contributing to the decline of biodiversity. Other anticipated high priority problems are excessive nutrient and sewage inputs to estuaries, principally from land-based sources. These inputs will lead to the greater incidence of eutrophication as well as hypoxia and anoxia. During the next 25 years, overfishing is expected to become a more pervasive and significant anthropogenic factor, also capable of mediating global-scale change to estuaries. Chemical contaminants, notably synthetic organic compounds, will remain a serious problem, especially in heavily industrialized areas. Freshwater diversions appear to be an emerging global problem as the expanding coastal population places greater demands on limited freshwater supplies for agricultural, domestic, and industrial needs. Altered freshwater flows could significantly affect nutrient loads, biotic community structure, and the trophodynamics of estuarine systems. Ecological impacts that will be less threatening, but still damaging, are those caused by introduced species, sea level rise, coastal subsidence, and debris/litter. Although all of these disturbances can alter habitats and contribute to shifts in the composition of estuarine biotic communities, the overall effect will be partial changes to these ecosystem components. Several strategies may mitigate future impacts.

https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S0376892902000061

Environmental threats and environmental future of estuaries

Submerged and eroded drumlins off northeastern Massachusetts

Sedimentary Framework of Boston Harbor, Massachusetts

Delivery and dispersal of fluvial sediment in Hanalei Bay, Kaua’i, Hawai’i, have important implications for the health of local coral reefs. The reef community in Hanalei Bay represents a relatively healthy ecosystem. However, the reefs are periodically stressed by storm waves, and increases in sediment and dissolved substances from the Hanalei River have the potential to cause additional stress. Increased turbidity and sedimentation on corals during Hanalei River floods that occur in seasons of low wave energy, when sediment would not be readily remobilized and advected out of the bay, could affect the health and sustainability of coral reefs and the many associated species. Measurements of short-lived isotopes Be and Cs in sediment cores have been used to trace the thickness and distribution of terrestrial sediment in Hanalei Bay, in order to assess spatial and temporal patterns of sediment deposition and remobilization relative to coral-reef locations. A third isotope, Pb, derived primarily from seawater, provides additional information about recent sedimentary history. Isotope profiles and observations of sedimentary facies from cores collected at multiple locations in June 2005, and again in August 2005, indicate the presence of recent fluvial sediment and organic debris in the east part of the bay near the mouth of the Hanalei River. Away from the immediate vicinity of the river mouth, sediment in the uppermost 1 m below the sea floor had not retained a significant quantity of fluvial sediment within the eight months prior to either sampling effort. During the study interval in summer 2005 the Hanalei River had no major floods and there was relatively little sediment input to the bay. Sediment away from the river mouth was dominated by carbonate sand, although some terrestrial sediment was present in sub-sea-floor horizons. Sedimentary facies and isotope inventories throughout the bay showed substantial spatial heterogeneity. Sediment cores will be collected again at the same sites discussed here during early and late summer 2006. If possible, additional sites will be sampled in the Black Hole depocenter near the river mouth. Major floods in winter and spring 2006 are expected to leave a significant new sediment signal in the bay that should be detected in summer 2006.

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Coastal circulation and sediment dynamics in Hanalei Bay, Kaua'i, Hawaii: Part II: tracking recent fluvial sedimentation; isotope stratigraphy obtained in Summer 2005

This document describes the work elements and progress during the first six months of a Joint Funding Agreement (cost share) between the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) and the U. S. Geological Survey for oceanographic work in western Massachusetts Bay. The objective of this study is to develop a predictive capability for the fate and transport of contaminants which are strongly sorbed by suspended and bottom sediments. The present Agreement covers the first two years of a planned five-year monitoring program. This program will be coordinated with the comprehensive research program that is directed by the Massachusetts Bays Management Committee. The major components of this Joint Funding Agreement and the progress to date include: * Continuous measurements of currents and sediment transport in the vicinity of the proposed ocean outfall using instrumented moorings and bottom tripods. The first deployment of moorings took place on December 5, 1989. The moorings will be replaced three times per year during the two-year period of this contract. The long-term continuous measurements are necessary to characterize the transport processes over time as well as during catastrophic events, such as storms. Material in suspension is being collected with new instrumentation, permitting chemical and physical analysis of the sediment transported during storms. * Creation of a digital map of the sea-floor morphology and texture. as interpreted from continuous-coverage sidescan-sonar data calibrated with photographs and sediment analyses at representative locations. The hand drawn interpretive map has been completed in the 20 square nautical mile survey area around the proposed outfall. The digital map has been completed over 5 sq miles. Our preliminary maps have been of value in deciding the precise location of the outfall. * Determination of the rates of sediment accumulation and mixing and the inventories of contaminants in sediments of Massachusetts Bay. Sediment cores have been collected in depositional areas of Mass Bay and the depth profiles of radioisotopes, heavy metals and sediment texture are being determined. This information will be used to characterize the longterm fate of contaminants added to Massachusetts coastal waters from a variety of sources. * Analysis of the exchange of water and particulates between Boston Harbor and Massachusetts Bav using numerical models and field measurements. The development of a high resolution numerical model of the tidal exchange between Boston Harbor and Massachusetts Bay is nearly completed. The new model was successful in predicting a weakly recirculating gyre observed over the Deer Island flats during flood tide. After the current field has been further verified by comparison with moored current observations, particle tracking experiments will be conducted to quantify the exchange between Boston Harbor and Massachusetts Bay induced by these currents. This effort will provide critical basic information on the physical processes influencing the fate of contaminants at the harbor entrance. INTRODUCTION In 1987, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) began a pilot study in Boston Harbor and Massachusetts Bay. The long-term objective of this study is to understand the processes controlling the transport and deposition of sediments and their associated contaminants. Components of the pilot study included geologic mapping in Boston Harbor, circulation and sediment transport studies in western Massachusetts Bay, and studies of the geochemistry of the bottom sediments and the rate of sediment accumulation and mixing as indicated by the depth profiles of 14C and 210Pb in sediment cores (Bothner and others, 1988; Butman and Fry, 1990; Knebel and others,1989; Rendigs and Oldale, 1990). A cooperative agreement between USGS and MWRA extends and expands the previous work conducted by the USGS. The new study has an initial geographic focus in the area proposed for the outfall and an additional effort at the entrance to Boston Harbor. The study gains regional, bay-wide perspective through coordination with research sponsored by the Massachusetts Bays Management Committee and other state and federal agencies working in the Boston Harbor/Massachusetts/Cape Cod Bays area. STUDY COMPONENTS A. Long-term monitoring and sediment characterization The USGS has established and will maintain a long-term monitoring station in western Massachusetts Bay (Figure 1) near the location of the new ocean outfall for at least two years to measure currents, suspended sediment concentration, temperature, and salinity. Long-term measurements are essential to assess the seasonal and annual variability of sediment movement and to quantify the transport processes during and between infrequent catastrophic events, such as storms. The observations characterize the physical processes that transport particles at the outfall site in western Massachusetts Bay and provide important supporting information for the design and interpretation of other physical, chemical, and biological studies. Instruments on subsurface moorings and on a tripod at the sea floor make continuous current and sedimenttransport measurements as well as collect suspended sediments for chemical analysis. Samples collected with this instrumentation before discharge from the new ocean outfall begins will provide a basis for assessing changes in the chemical and physical character of the mobile sediments once the outfall is operational. Current speed and direction, conductivity, temperature, and light transmission are measured at two depths in the water column (about 6 m from the surface and 10 m above the bottom, in water depth of about 30 m). The mooring design is shown in Figure 2. The bottom tripod system measures these same parameters plus bottom pressure (waves), and obtains time-series photographs of the sea floor about once every 6 hours during a 6-month deployment to document changes in the bottom microtopography in response to physical forcing (Butman and Folger, 1979; Butman, 1987). The current measurements are made with EG&G 7I °0 0' W 70 °5 0' 70 84 0' " ' C O HA SS ET B at hy m et ry fr om NO S 08 08 N -5 0 42 °3 0' 42 °2 0' N F ig u re 1 . B ox o u tl in e s a re a o f si d e sc a n so n ar su rv ey co n d u ct ed in A p ri l 1 9 8 9 . P ro p o se d s it e s lo r B o st o n 's o u tf a ll d if fu s e rs a re n e a r c e n te r o f b o x ed a re a . L o n g -t er m m o o ri n g s ar e po si ti on ed a t lo ca ti on m ar ke d A. U .S .G 5. L O N G -T E R M M O N IT O R IN G S TA TI O N M A S S A C H U S E TT S BA Y '1 00 m (T O S O U TH W ES T O F LN B ) L N B (IN I TS F U R TH E S T PO SI TI O N TO T H E SO U TH W ES T) SU BS U R FA C E M O O R IN G DE PT H BE LO W H V M C M T. CJ R (1 3) T R IP O D C U R R EN T P .T JR .C PH O TO , S SS SE D. T RA P (1 6) V M C M (~ 20 ) T. C. TR SE D. T RA P (2 4) RE LE AS E (2 8) T TE M P E R A TU R E C C O N D U C TI V IT Y TR TR AN SM IS SI O N P PR ES SU R E SS S SU SP EN DE D SE DI ME NT S AM PL ER V M C M VE CT OR ME AS UR IN G CU RR EN T M E T E R LN B LA RG E NA VI GA TI ON BU OY F i g u r e 2. S c h e m a t i c o f U S G S c u r r e n t m e t e r i n s t a l l a t i o n n e a r B o s t o n L a r g e N a v i g a t i o n B u o y (L NB ) s h o w i n g th e t h r e e c o m p o n e n t s : b o t t o m t r i p o d , s u b s u r f a c e m o o r i n g , a n d c u r r e n t m e t e r h u n g b e l o w t h e LN B. Vector Measuring Current Meters (VMCM) to avoid aliasing of the measurements by waves. Transmission and salinity measurements in the water column will be made with Sea Bird SEACAT data loggers, employing a Sea Bird Inc. conductivity cell and a Sea Tech. Inc. LED transmissometer. The Savonius rotor-and-vane current sensors on one USGS bottom-tripod system will be changed to either electromagnetic or acoustic sensors during the first year of the program in order to eliminate the potential effect of surface waves on bottom-current measurements. This modified system will be used for the winter deployment during the second year. At least one additional system will require modification in subsequent years of the program so that upgraded systems can be deployed yearround. Near-bottom measurements made with the unmodified system will be corrected using data from the VMCM on the adjacent mooring 10 m above the bottom. This correction will only be necessary during periods of large surface waves, which will be easily identified by the bottom pressure measurements. Samples of suspended sediments will be collected periodically during the deployment period by means of a 18-port filtration instrument. This instrument is linked to a transmissometer that commands the collection of some samples during periods of anomalously high suspended-sediment concentration (i.e. , during storms). The 18 suspended-sediment samples will be used to calibrate the continuous record of light transmission, which is known to be sensitive to both the concentration, composition, and grain size of particulates (Moody and others, 1987). Analyses will provide data on the concentration, size, and chemical composition of material in suspension during major storm events, when most of the sediment transport presumably occurs. Sediment traps are used to collect larger amounts of suspended sediments for analyses of organic and heavy metal contaminants, spores of Clostridium perfringens. radioisotopes ( 210Pb, and 239 . 240pu) f and grain size. These traps will be placed at mid-depth and near the bottom. The deeper trap mechanically separates samples into different time intervals throughout the deployment in order to define the variability in the relative flux and composition of material entering the trap. This information will complement that obtained with the filtration/ transmissometer system by providing large samples of suspended matter delivered during storm and non-storm periods. Samples of bottom sediment will be collected from ar

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Studies of circulation and pollutant transport in Massachusetts coastal waters

s of presentations: Bogden, P., P. Rizolli and R.P. Signell, 1994, Open ocean boundary conditions from interior data: Local and remote forcing of Massachusetts Bay, EOS, Transactions, American Geophysical Union, v. 75, no. 3, p. 80. Bothner, M.H., C.M. Parmenter, D.C. Twichell, C.F. Polloni, and H.J. Knebel, 1992, Sea floor maps of the proposed sewage outfall site in massachusetts bay: computer display using a CD-ROM. Proceedings of the Seventh Annual Boston Harbor/Massachusetts Bays Symposium, edited by R. Stern, Mass. Bay Marine Studies Consortium, PO Box 660, Boston, MA 02125-0005, February 10-11,1992. Bothner, M.H., and M. Buchholtz ten Brink, 1994, The distribution of silver in sediments of Massachusetts and Cape Cod Bays. Proceedings of the Ninth Annual Boston Harbor/Massachusetts Bay Symposium: Kennedy Library, Boston Massachusetts, March 24-25,1994. Convener: Stern R., Mass. Bay Marine Studies Consortium, PO Box 660, Boston, MA 02125-0005. Bothner, M., R.P. Signell, C. Parmenter, R. Rendigs, B. Butman, 1993, The Influence of Storms on Sediment Resuspension in Western Massachusetts Bay: Implications for Pollutant Transport. GSA, Abstracts of Programs v. 25, Number 6, Page 127. Brown, W.S., B. Butman, G.B. Gardner, W.R. Geyer, J.D. Irish, N. Pettigrew, and R.P. Signell, 1992, The Physical Oceanography of Massachusetts Bay. Proceedings of the

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Michael H. Bothner

Papers

Submerged and eroded drumlins off northeastern Massachusetts

Sedimentary Framework of Boston Harbor, Massachusetts

Coastal circulation and sediment dynamics in Hanalei Bay, Kaua'i, Hawaii: Part II: tracking recent fluvial sedimentation; isotope stratigraphy obtained in Summer 2005

Studies of circulation and pollutant transport in Massachusetts coastal waters

Circulation and contaminant transport in Massachusetts coastal waters; a summary of achievements and future plans