Results

Spatiotemporal characterization of metals in small craft harbour sediments in Nova Scotia, Canada

Zhang, Hongling, Tony Walker, Emily Davis, Guofeng Ma. “Spatiotemporal  characterization of metals in small craft harbour sediments in Nova Scotia, Canada.” Marine Pollution Bulletin. 140. (2019): 493-502.

This study analyzes the distribution of As,Cd,Cr,Cu,Hg,Pb and Zn metals concentrations across three Oceans and Fisheries Canada Small Craft Harbour management regions within Nova Scotia by assessing 31 small craft harbours temporally over 16 years (2001–2017). The research indicates that most sediment metal concentrations were below low effect level and >96%were below high effect level sediment quality guidelines, suggesting limited ecological impairment to marine biota. Despite wide temporal coverage, large variation in sediment concentrations across small craft harbours were likely due to regular dredging activities preventing long-term accumulation of contaminants.

Read the research summary here.