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.

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.