MERI – Spatial Distribution of Contaminants in Lower Raritan Sediments
This research study by the Meadowlands Environmental Research Institute (MERI) at Rutgers – Newark, aimed to fill in data gaps in river and marsh sediment contamination in the Lower Raritan River. The main tasks of this study were: (1) Measure trace metal and organic contaminant levels in surficial sediments along 20 km of the Lower Raritan River; (2) Visualize the spatial distribution of trace metal and organic pollutants in surficial sediments using spatial interpolation techniques; (3) Extract cores from three marsh sites (a) proximal, (b) central and (c) distal to traditional industrial and agricultural sites; and (4) Reconstruct pre-industrial environmental reference conditions.
To assess the river’s environmental past and present we used a multidisciplinary approach where biology, chemistry, statistics, and computer modelling were combined to gain a greater understanding into the spatial and temporal distribution of priority pollutants and contaminants in the Lower Raritan River. Sediment samples from 40 unique sampling locations were analyzed for metal and organic pollutants. Core samples were retrieved and analyzed at three marsh locations to assess the historical environmental context of the region.
MERI Raritan Data Package
Links to Lightning Talks and Posters at annual Sustainable Raritan River Conference and Awards Ceremony
- Lightning Talk and Poster at Micro to Macro: Future of the Raritan Conference – June 8, 2018
- Lightning Talk and Poster at State of the Raritan Conference – June 9, 2017
For more information, contact:
- Dr. Francisco Artigas, (201) 460-2801, fjartiga@newark.rutgers.edu – PI on the project and MERI director
- Cheryl Yao, (201) 460-4604, Ying.yao@rutgers.edu – Lead environmental chemist
This research was supported by the Mushett Family Foundation
