Trace metal concentrations in sediments and fish in the vicinity of ash lagoon discharges from coal combustion plants in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, Canada

Lalonde, Benoit A.; Ernst, William; Comeau, Fernand

doi:https://open-science.canada.ca/handle/123456789/955

Trace metal concentrations in sediments and fish in the vicinity of ash lagoon discharges from coal combustion plants in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, Canada

Download files

Language of the publication

English

Date

2011-01-11

Type

Accepted manuscript

Author(s)

Lalonde, Benoit A.
Ernst, William
Comeau, Fernand

Publisher

Springer Nature

Abstract

Metals which originate from coal combustion residue (ash) deposited in water filled lagoons are eventually released to the environment. This study measured metals concentrations in sediment and fish obtained in the vicinity of two coal combustion ash lagoon outfalls on the East River (Nova Scotia) and on Grand Lake (New Brunswick), Canada. Of the thirty four metals analysed for, this study demonstrated that the sediment in the immediate vicinity of the ash lagoon discharge in New Brunswick had statistically significant higher concentrations of thallium, arsenic and antimony than that of the sediment obtained in background areas. Tissue arsenic concentrations were elevated in fish obtained near the lagoon discharge in New Brunswick but not statistically higher than that of fish obtained in background areas. Neither sediment nor fish obtained near the lagoon discharge in Nova Scotia had significantly higher concentrations of any of the metals measured.

Description

This version of the article has been accepted for publication, after peer review (when applicable) and is subject to Springer Nature’s AM terms of use, but is not the Version of Record and does not reflect post-acceptance improvements, or any corrections. The Version of Record is available online at: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00244-010-9632-0