Sedimentary record of heavy metal pollution in Lake Erie

Abstract

Three cores, one kilometer apart, from each of seven locations along Lake Erie were analyzed for heavy metals and dated by 210Pb techniques. The sedimentary record of anthropogenic inputs of heavy metals parallels the increasing intensity of cultural activity in the lake basin. On the average, pollution sources annually contribute 0.4 μg of Cd, 12 μg of Cu, 12 μg of Pb and 36 μg of Zn deposited per each cm 2 of the Eastern Basin sediments: 0.5, 8.8, 11 and 31 μg of Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn, respectively, deposited per cm 2 of Western Basin sediments and 0.7, 1.4, 2.0 and 5.6 μg of Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn, respectively, deposited per cm 2 of fine-grained sediments in the Central Basin. These anthropogenic flux rates exceed the pre-colonial data by 80–600%. The mean flux rates for 210Pb into the Eastern. Central and Western Basins are 0.45, 0.07 and 0.15dpm cm −2 yr −1. respectively. From an inventory of sources and sinks of the metals, it is shown that about 2500 × 10 3 kg of Cu. 1900 × 10 3 kg of Pb and 6750 × 10 3kg of Zn are delivered annually into the lake. The calculated retention in the lake sediments of 45%, 65% and 35% of the total annual inputs of Cu. Pb and Zn, respectively, agrees closely with the accumulation of data derived from sediment analyses. Sewage discharges, direct and indirect, are shown to be an important source of metal in the lake. The mean residence times in the water column are inferred to be 104 days for Cu. 180 days for Pb and 152 days for Zn.