ASSESSMENT OF A STORM DRAIN OUTFALL TO THE METAL CONTAMINATION OF SEDIMENTS IN THE ASHUELOT RIVER, KEENE, NH

Previous studies have shown that the sediments of the Ashuelot River in Keene, New Hampshire, are contaminated with heavy metals, including lead, well above sediment quality guidelines from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The lead has been determined to be from paint flaking off of bridges, but a recent study showed elevated levels of other metals (Cr, Ni, Cu and Zn) occurring in sediments not associated with the bridges. In this study we undertook detailed sampling of river sediment in the vicinity of a storm drain outfall in order to determine whether this could be the source of these metals. The occurrence of these metals is consistent with measurements of metals in soils adjacent to a highway, suggesting contamination by Road Dust Sediment.