Wood treated with chromated copper arsenate （CCA） is a common material for pier pilings. Research on CCA impacts in estuarine systems indicates that the magnitude of the biological effect is variable and dependent o...Wood treated with chromated copper arsenate （CCA） is a common material for pier pilings. Research on CCA impacts in estuarine systems indicates that the magnitude of the biological effect is variable and dependent on sediment and water characteristics. To assist environmental agencies in assessing pier impacts a project was conducted in the U.S.A. to investigate the spatial distribution and magnitude of As, Cr, and Cu accumulation in waters and soils near old and new piers. For new piers, soluble metal levels were highest within 2.9 m of the piers. Total As and Cu levels approached background levels at distances of 2.9 m and 1.4 m, respectively. For old piers, total As and Cu approached background levels at a distance of 9.0 m. Total Cr never exceeded background levels. Threshold effects concentrations were exceeded by sedimented As and Cu within 3.6 m of old piers and 2.1 m of new piers. Apparent effects thresholds were never reached. The only water chemistry variable impacted by piers was As with new piers. It was concluded that leachates accumulate only close to piers and at levels below critical biological thresholds, and would be expected to have negligible ecological effects in reasonably flushed areas.展开更多
文摘Wood treated with chromated copper arsenate （CCA） is a common material for pier pilings. Research on CCA impacts in estuarine systems indicates that the magnitude of the biological effect is variable and dependent on sediment and water characteristics. To assist environmental agencies in assessing pier impacts a project was conducted in the U.S.A. to investigate the spatial distribution and magnitude of As, Cr, and Cu accumulation in waters and soils near old and new piers. For new piers, soluble metal levels were highest within 2.9 m of the piers. Total As and Cu levels approached background levels at distances of 2.9 m and 1.4 m, respectively. For old piers, total As and Cu approached background levels at a distance of 9.0 m. Total Cr never exceeded background levels. Threshold effects concentrations were exceeded by sedimented As and Cu within 3.6 m of old piers and 2.1 m of new piers. Apparent effects thresholds were never reached. The only water chemistry variable impacted by piers was As with new piers. It was concluded that leachates accumulate only close to piers and at levels below critical biological thresholds, and would be expected to have negligible ecological effects in reasonably flushed areas.
