Evaluation of hexavalent chromium in sediment pore water of the Hackensack River, New Jersey, USA.

Pore water was collected from in situ passive samplers in Hackensack River sediments adjacent to a chromite ore processing residue site in Kearny, New Jersey. Although the sediments at this site contained more than 3,000 mg/kg of total chromium (Cr) and shallow groundwater adjacent to the shore contained more than 1,000 microg/L of hexavalent Cr [Cr(VI)], concentrations of dissolved total Cr and Cr(VI) in pore water (PW) samples were less than ambient water quality criteria for Cr(VI) (50 microg/L). Concentrations of dissolved total Cr in pore water ranged from <2.0 to 5.3 microg/L, while Cr(VI) was not detected (<10 microg/L). These findings are consistent with previous studies, which demonstrated limited bioavailability and toxicity of Cr in sediment at this site and others with similar conditions.