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Geochemical assessment of trace element concentrations in the Farmington River, Connecticut, Northeastern, USA

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Abstract

The Farmington River, located in the northeastern USA, originates from Massachusetts and flows through several towns until it joins the Connecticut River in Windsor, Connecticut. Trace element concentrations within the drainage systems of the Farmington River are a growing concern, largely due to the presence of both historical and present land use activities along the river that include mining, farming, urbanization, industrialization, landfills, and shooting gun ranges. This study examined the impact of land use activities and geology on the chemical signature of major and trace elements within the Farmington River. A total of seventy-eight (78) stream sediment and corresponding water samples were collected and analyzed for twenty-one chemical elements (As, Be, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Li, Mg, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sb, Se, Sr, Ti, Tl, V, and Zn) and basic river sediment parameters such as particle size distribution and organic matter contents. Results showed spatial variability in the concentration of elements along the river flow path, with the highest concentrations of As, Cd, Ni, Zn, and Pb determined at location FR31 due to various human activities within the surrounding environment. However, most sampling locations do not pose a major environmental concern. Multivariate statistical analysis showed inter-relationship among most elements, with a weak but significant positive relationship with fine particle sizes in sediment. Results of principal component analysis (PCA) suggested a combination of both geogenic and anthropogenic sources of trace elements to the Farmington River system.

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Acknowledgements

We appreciate Dr. Denise Levitan for her useful comments and revision of the initial manuscript. We are equally grateful for the support of Drs. Evans, Piatek, and Wizevich of the CCSU Geological department.

Funding

This research work was funded by the CCSU-AAUP and CCSU Faculty-Student Research grants.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geological Sciences, Central Connecticut State University, 1615 Stanley Street, New Britain, CT, 06050, USA

    Oluyinka Oyewumi, Carley Cavanaugh, Danielle Guzzardi & Matt Costa

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  1. Oluyinka Oyewumi
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  4. Matt Costa
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Correspondence to Oluyinka Oyewumi.

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Highlights

• Sediments and corresponding water chemistry were influenced by the flow rates, river gradients, and geomorphology.

• Only few locations have extremely high sediment enrichments with respect to As, Cd, Ni, Zn, and Pb.

• Ecological assessment showed mostly insignificant risks for benthic organisms.

• Principal component analysis showed a combined influence of geogenic and anthropogenic factors on trace element concentrations.

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Oyewumi, O., Cavanaugh, C., Guzzardi, D. et al. Geochemical assessment of trace element concentrations in the Farmington River, Connecticut, Northeastern, USA. Environ Monit Assess 194, 345 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-022-10013-y

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