Heavy Metals and Toxic Organic Contaminants in Effluents, Water, and Sediments of the Bay of Quinte, Lake Ontario

Abstract

In 1988, water and sediment samples were collected from 10 point sources, 4 tributaries and 15 in-bay locations in the Bay of Quinte, Lake Ontario. These were analyzed for trace contaminants (inorganic and organic). Point source sampling showed that Domtar Wood Preserving at Trenton was a major contributor of chlorinated phenols; several sewage treatment plants were significant sources of heavy metals, but tributary metal loadings were generally higher than sewage treatment plant loadings. In the Bay of Quinte water, Provincial Water Quality Objectives (PWQO) were exceeded only on a small portion of samples for copper, cadmium, iron, zinc, and phenols; indeed, most samples showed undetectable amounts of arsenic, cadmium, mercury, nickel, and lead. Metal levels in Bay of Quinte water were, however, greater than those in open Lake Ontario. While the levels of heavy metals in sediments were generally found to exceed the low effect level of Ministry sediment quality guidelines, they were toward the low end of the range of values observed in Lake Ontario depositional zones, and less than those in Hamilton Harbour. Detectable levels of many PAHs were found in the sediments, with the highest concentrations at the mouth of the Trent and Moira rivers. Other organic contaminants were seldom, if ever, found in the sediments. Levels of PAHs were lower than those in Hamilton Harbour and the Detroit River.