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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

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Abstract

Metals that originate from coal-combustion residue (ash) deposited in water-filled lagoons are eventually released into the environment. This study measured metal concentrations in sediment and fish obtained in the vicinity of two coal-combustion ash-lagoon outfalls on the East River (Nova Scotia) and Grand Lake (New Brunswick), Canada. Of the 34 metals analysed, this study demonstrated that sediment in the immediate vicinity of the ash lagoon discharge in New Brunswick had statistically significant greater concentrations of thallium, arsenic, and antimony than did the sediment obtained from background areas. Tissue arsenic concentrations were increased in fish obtained near the lagoon discharge in New Brunswick but not statistically greater than that of fish obtained from background areas. Neither sediment nor fish obtained near the ash-lagoon discharge in Nova Scotia had significantly greater concentrations of any of the metals measured.

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Acknowledgments

Many thanks to Environment Canada’s Environmental Quality Laboratory in Moncton (NB) for providing the fish tissue preparation and analysis. Thanks to Karen Kidd and Angella Mercer from the Canadian Rivers Institute for their diligent measurement of mercury in fish tissues.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Water Science and Technology Directorate, Environment Canada, 45 Alderney Dr, Dartmouth, NS, B2Y 2N6, Canada

    Benoit A. Lalonde & William Ernst

  2. Atlantic Laboratory for Environmental Testing, Water Science and Technology Directorate, Environment Canada, Moncton, NB, E1A 3E9, Canada

    Fernand Comeau

Authors
  1. Benoit A. Lalonde
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  2. William Ernst
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  3. Fernand Comeau
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Correspondence to Benoit A. Lalonde.

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Lalonde, B.A., Ernst, W. & Comeau, F. 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. Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 61, 472–481 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00244-010-9632-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00244-010-9632-0

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