CHLOROFLUOROCARBONS IN THE HUDSON ESTUARY DURING SUMMER MOUTHS

Chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) concentrations in the Hudson estuary were fou nd to be greater than the atmospheric solubility equilibrium concentra tion, demonstrating that the entire reach is contaminated with CFCs fr om local wastewater discharge. Samples have been collected along the a xis of the lower Hudson estuary over a 5-month period to assess tempor al and spatial variability of their wastewater sources. The highest CF C concentrations were found in water collected near Manhattan. In this region, CFC-11 (CCl3F) and CFC-12 (CCl2F2) were 3 to 5 and 10 to 20 t imes saturation; respectively. There appears to be a continuous CFC so urce in the New York City area, although the magnitude of this source declined during summer months. Other large CFC sources were found near Albany, and in Haverstraw Bay (60 km north of Manhattan).