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Analysis after 9/11 Finds No Significant Changes for Two Classes of Contaminants in Hudson-Raritan Estuary; Data Will Support Future Research and Monitoring Efforts
National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS) analysis
of samples taken from the Hudson-Raritan Estuary before
and after the attack on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001
indicates no significant change in the concentrations of two classes
of contaminants, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and polychlorinated
biphenyls. This information will be useful to coastal management agencies
and public health organizations seeking information on the status of
the estuary and its coastal resources after September 11, when these
and other contaminants were released into the environment due to the
collapse of the Center. It will also support future research and monitoring
efforts. Scientists from NOAA's Mussel Watch Project used over 20 years
of chemical contaminant monitoring data and samples collected in December
2001 and November 2003 to determine changes in the concentration of
these organic contaminants following the collapse. A summary of the
analysis is in press in Marine Pollution Bulletin and can be found online
at ScienceDirect. For more information, please contact Gunnar Lauenstein
at (301) 713-3028 x152 or Gunnar.Lauenstein@noaa.gov or
Kimani Kimbrough at (301) 713-3028 x114 or Kimani.Kimbrough@noaa.gov.
[02M00019] (CCMA)