Multi-Century Record of Anthropogenic Impacts on an Urbanized Mesotidal Estuary: Salem Sound,MA |
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| Authors: | J Bradford Hubeny Ellen Kristiansen Andrew Danikas Jun Zhu Francine M G McCarthy Mark G Cantwell Barbara Warren Douglas Allen |
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| Institution: | 1.Department of Geological Sciences,Salem State University,Salem,USA;2.Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board,Los Angeles,USA;3.Earth Sciences Department,Brock University,St. Catharines,Canada;4.U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development,Narragansett,USA;5.Salem Sound Coastwatch,Salem,USA |
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| Abstract: | Salem, MA, located north of Boston, has a rich, well-documented history dating back to settlement in 1626 ce, but the associated anthropogenic impacts on Salem Sound are poorly constrained. This project utilized dated sediment cores from the sound to assess the proxy record of anthropogenic alterations to the system and compared the proxy records to the known history. Proxies included bulk stable isotopes of organic matter, magnetic susceptibility, and trace metal concentrations. Our data reveal clear changes in organic matter composition and concentration associated with land use changes and twentieth century sewage disposal practices. Further, metal data correspond with local industrial activity, particularly the historic tanning industry in Peabody, MA. Although conservation practices of past decades have improved the state of Salem Sound, the stratigraphic record demonstrates that the environment is still affected by anthropogenic influences, and has not attained conditions consistent with pre-anthropogenic baseline. The approach and results of this study are applicable to coastal embayments that are being assessed for remediation, especially those with scant historic or monitoring data. |
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