The effect of heavy metals and other pollutants on the sediments of Onondaga Lake

Physical and chemical characterization of the recent sediments of Onondaga Lake indicate significant pollution based alterations to the system.²¹⁰Pb data depict an extremely high sedimentation rate within the consolidated layers (5 to 9 cm yr^?1), that has resulted largely from the loading of the Lake with industrially derived Ca. A further alteration of the sedimentary system is the very extensive flocculent layer (up to 2.5 m deep) between the overlaying water and the consolidated sediments. The chemistry of the sediments, though not unusual in dominant component makeup for a hardwater lake, is characterized by very severe heavy metal and Fe contamination that has resulted from culturally derived loadings. Heavy metals and P are concentrated within the upper flocculent strata. Indirect evidence is presented for the upward vertical migration of heavy metals within the sedimentary system.