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The Boston Harbor Story:
Applying Earth Science to issues of immediate public concern

HARBOR SEDIMENTS ARE BECOMING CLEANER

Contaminants were first added to Boston Harbor during the industrial activity of Colonial America. Pollutants increased in magnitude and variety as the region entered the Industrial Revolution and population size exploded. Over the last 20 years, however, this trend has been reversed. Although parts of the harbor still contain metals at concentrations above toxicity guidelines for bottom-dwelling organisms, metal concentrations have been decreasing over time. This encouraging shift indicates that sediments are responding to efforts made to reduce air and water pollution.
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Map showing location of sediment cores Photo of scientists taking sediment cores
Above: Bottom sediments have been cored at four locations (shown above with red dots) in Boston Harbor periodically since 1977. Above: Sediment cores are collected with a hydraulically damped gravity corer. This instrument collects cores about 11 cm in diameter and up to 60 cm long with minimal disturbance of material at the sediment-water interface.
Right: Concentrations of lead and other heavy metals in the surficial sediments of Boston Harbor have decreased by almost 50% between 1978 and 1994. Boston Harbor is getting cleaner.
Graph of lead concentrations
Introduction Regional Overview Mapping the Seafloor Harbor Sediments Contaminated Sediment Data
Tracking Pollution Storms and Sediments Circulation Models Stellwagen Bank Credits

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Updated: 11 September 2000