Ac. Aurilio et al., SOURCES AND DISTRIBUTION OF ARSENIC IN THE ABERJONA WATERSHED, EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS, Water, air and soil pollution, 81(3-4), 1995, pp. 265-282
Significantly elevated concentrations of arsenic have been found in so
ils and in riverine and lacustrine sediments in the Aberjona watershed
in eastern Massachusetts. From available data we estimate that on the
order of 300 metric tons of arsenic are present in contaminated areas
of the watershed. The presence of arsenic and other contaminants in i
ndustrial areas and at disposal sites in the watershed has led to the
designation of two federal and over 20 state hazardous waste sites. Hi
storical records indicate that much of the arsenic in this watershed w
as generated as a by-product of sulfuric acid and arsenical pesticide
manufacturing between 1888 and 1929. By using pesticide and sulfuric a
cid manufacturing data, as well as historical information on manufactu
ring techniques and rates of waste generation, we estimate that on the
order of 200 to 900 metric tons of arsenic were released as a result
of these activities. A significant fraction, approximately 13 metric t
ons, is believed to have been transported by the Aberjona River from a
chemical manufacturing site to the Mystic Lakes 10 km downstream.