Assessment of the historical trace metal contamination of sediments in the Elizabeth River, Virginia.

Two sediment cores (Southern Branch, PC-1, and Western Branch, WB-2) were taken from the highly industrialized Elizabeth River, Virginia. The concentrations of trace metals cadmium, cobalt, chromium, copper, nickel, lead and zinc, major elements iron, manganese and aluminum, organic carbon content and the specific surface area of the sediments were determined in each of the cores. Down-core variations in metals varied significantly in each core with maximum contamination events occurring at different times in different portions of the river.

Pb(II) sorption onto gamma-Al2O3 surfaces at the oxide-water interface: a novel approach using planar oxides.

A novel technique for examining metal-ion interactions at the solid-water interface is introduced. Planar oxides, flat, thin coatings of uniform thickness created on a metal support, have been constructed as useful analogs for investigating metal-solid interactions under a variety of conditions. XPS and ToF/SIMS results from sorption studies at pH 6.

Creating mixed Fe/Al coatings on planar gamma-Al2O3 surfaces.

Insufficient understanding of the interactions of reactive phases (e.g., Fe and Al oxides) with minerals, other reactive phases and sorbing species has made predicting and modeling metal sorption on natural sediment surfaces difficult.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in a highly industrialized urban estuary: inventories and trends.

The abundance and composition of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in sediments of the main stem and southern branch of the Elizabeth River (VA, USA), a highly industrialized urban estuary in the Chesapeake Bay (USA) watershed, were examined relative to historical and toxic effects levels. Total PAH concentrations in Elizabeth River sediments exceeded those observed in Baltimore Harbor and the Anacostia River, two other regions of concern in the Chesapeake Bay. The sigmaPAH concentrations from samples collected in the vicinity of two former wood-treatment facilities in the Elizabeth River had the highest sigmaPAH when compared to coastal and estuarine systems around the world.

Spatial survey of trace metal contaminants in the sediments of the Elizabeth River, Virginia.

The Elizabeth River is a sub-estuary of the James River, the most southern tributary of the Chesapeake Bay. It is a highly industrialized area, and has been designated a "toxic hot spot" due to the heavy loads of contaminant metals and organic compounds in its bed sediments. Fifty surface sediment samples were taken along the channels and shoals of the Mainstem and the Southern Branch portions of the river.