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DETERMINATION OF AIRBORNE HEXAVALENT CHROMIUM IN THE MEADOWLANDS DISTRICT - A PILOT STUDY
August 10, 2010, 1:30 pm

Location: MERI Conference Room, NJMC Administrative Building
Presenter: Zhi-Hua Tina Fan, Ph.D., Exposure Science Division, Department of Environmental and Occupational Medicine, UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute

Abstract:  

Atmospheric hexavalent chromium (Cr-VI), which is highly toxic and carcinogenic, is emitted from both anthropogenic and natural sources. Chromium is among the top five most abundant metals in diesel particles, and thus, the Meadowlands district, which is located close to the NJ Turnpike (NJTPK) with high truck traffic volume, may have an elevated Cr-VI concentration. Also, the Meadowlands district is located ~5 miles from Kearny and ~10 miles from Jersey City, areas with more than 200 historic chromium waste sites. The Cr-VI contaminated fine particles may be transported to the Meadowlands area and contribute to Cr-VI pollution. However, Cr-VI was not measured in air quality monitoring programs. Also, the detailed particle size distribution of Cr-VI in ambient air was not characterized. This pilot study measured the Cr-VI concentration in PM2.5 for 2 weeks simultaneously at two sites, the MERI site and the Williams site, during one winter and summer season. Cr-VI was detected in all of the field samples, with a mean±SD (median) of 0.52±0.32 (0.47) ng/m3 at the MERI site and 0.40±0.20 (0.35) ng/m3 at the Williams site. The Cr-VI distribution as a function of particle size at the Williams site was also determined by using a MOUDI sampler with 8 particle sizes. It was found that the Cr-VI was concentrated in the particles with a diameter less than 2.5 μm. The impact of truck traffic on the NJTPK as well as temperature and humidity on the Cr-VI levels was examined and the results and implication will be discussed.


PRESENTATION ON THE BIOGEOCHEMICAL PROCESSES IN TIDAL MARSH SEDIMENTS AND THEIR EFFECT ON THE FATE OF TRACE METALS; CONTRASTING THE DYNAMICS IN A NEWLY CONSTRUCTED AND AN ESTABLISHED MARSH
August 4, 2010, 11:00 am

 

Location: MERI Conference Room, NJMC Administrative Building
Presenter: Hagar ElBishlawi, Matt Reid, and Peter Jaffe; Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Princeton University

Abstract: 

Pore-water chemistry, up to a depth of 80 cm, was monitored seasonally for a three-year period at a newly constructed marsh (near the Secaucus High School) and an established marsh, both along the Hackensack River.  In both cases dialysis samplers were permanently installed in selected locations of the high marsh.  Samplers were also placed at lower elevations that remained permanently saturated in the newly established marsh.  At the established marsh samplers were placed in locations dominated by the presence of either Spartina patens or Phragmites australis.  Detailed chemical analyses yielded concentrations of chemical species at 3 cm increments, including total dissolved organic carbon, iron, sulfate, trace metals (Cr, Pb, Cu, Zn), bromide, sodium, and in selected cases sulfides and dissolved gases such as methane and hydrogen.

 

Results of this still ongoing investigation show that there are significant differences in the dissolved iron profiles, with significant amounts of Fe(II) present in the pore water of the newly constructed high marsh, with little or no detectable Fe(II) present at the lower elevation of the constructed marsh or the established marsh.  Higher concentrations of Fe(II) mean that sulfides that are formed from the reduction of sulfate will precipitate with the Fe(II) that is present, while in the absence of Fe(II), sulfides can build up in the sediment pore water.  Sulfide will also precipitate and remove from the water phase many divalent metals of concern like lead and cadmium, while it will reduce toxic and water-soluble hexavalent chromium to non-toxic insoluble trivalent chromium.  Hence, in the presence of higher Fe(II) values, we also observed higher trace metal concentrations in the pore waters.

 

Significant differences in chemical constituent profiles are being observed in sediments dominated by Phragmites vs. Spartina.  It is not clear at this point if these differences are plant- or hydrology-driven.  Profiles of dissolved methane show the potential impact of a Phragmites invasion on wetland methane dynamics.  The use of dissolved hydrogen as an indicator for terminal electron acceptor processes in shallow sediments will also be explored.  Links between different chemical species and the dynamics affecting them in tidal marshes will be discussed as well as seasonal variability.


ENVIRONMENTAL WARNINGS WEB APPLICATION DEMO
July 30, 2010, 2:00 pm

 

Location: MERI Conference Room, NJMC Administrative Building
Presenter: Sachin Jain, Meadowlands Environmental Research Institute, New Jersey Meadowlands Commission

 

Abstract: 

GIS Specialist Sachin Jain will present a demo for the web application that allows users to subscribe to different kinds of environmental warnings regarding air quality, water quality and flooding. Air quality warnings will cover certain air parameters such as CO SO2 O3. Water quality warnings will cover the dissolved oxygen content and water turbidity of three different monitoring stations located at Berry’s Creek, Kearny and FDU. Flood warnings will cover water levels that can cause floods at three different monitoring stations located at Kearny, Mill Creek and Berry’s Creek.


NJ MEADOWLANDS AIR TOXICS EPA WEBINAR
April 28, 2010, 2:00 pm

Presenter: Dr. Jin Young Shin, Meadowlands Environmental Research Institute, New Jersey Meadowlands Commission 

The EPA will be hosting a webinar on an air toxics study conducted at the New Jersey Meadowlands.  Below is the announcement released by the EPA.

New Jersey Meadowlands Turnpike Study

This study was specifically designed to identify ambient air quality gradients of particulate matter (PM2.5), total suspended particles (TSP) and associated 16 PAHs/10 trace metals at three different distances (50m, 100m and 150m) from the New Jersey Turnpike (NJTPK), one of the busiest highways in the USA. Concentrations of ten trace metals in PM2.5 showed gradients as a function of distance. In addition to spatial variation, these ambient air pollutants were investigated for their seasonal/diurnal variations with meteorological parameters, and traffic counts. The profiling of these air toxics will not only help characterize the degree and extent of the current air pollution problem near high traffic highways and the risks to the local communities, but also establish a baseline for future reference.

 

Presentation materials will be available the week of the presentation at http://www.epa.gov/ttn/amtic/toxdat.html.

For the complete abstract and additional information, please click here.