Citation: 

Vane, C. H., Kim, A. W., Moss-Hayes, V., Turner, G., Mills, K., Chenery, S. R., Barlow, T. S., Kemp, A. C., Engelhart, S. E., Hill, T. D., Horton, B. P., & Brain, M. (2020). Organic pollutants, heavy metals and toxicity in oil spill impacted salt marsh sediment cores, Staten Island, New York City, USA. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 151, 110721–110721. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2019.110721 

Summary:

In the article, it mentions a channel called the Aurthur Kill. This channel has experienced the largest petroleum and chemical spills than any other waterway in New York. The author’s purpose for this article was to discuss the evaluated long-term toxicity these historical pollution events caused to salt marsh sediments. Samples were collected, sectioned off and evaluated in a laboratory. Concentrations of all compounds were then taken, and the heavy metals were reported. 

Reflection:

I’m not sure if I can agree with this article because of the information given. I agree with the statements proving pollution’s effect on the sediments. But the information was unorganized. I understand that this article could’ve been written to inform those of higher knowledge who may have more background about this environmental issue.  “Eleven samples were prepared using remaining available material from Core A (40–90 cm) at 5 cm intervals. At least 300 valves per samples were counted in parallel transects using phase-contrast light microscopy at ×1000 magnification.” When it comes to this article, my main concern would be the difficulty of understanding the measurements and their meanings when testing for the effects of pollutants on sediments in the channels. Information you would need to look up to better understand this article are definitions to most words including chemicals, conversion of measurements, and abbreviations.  If I could say something to this author, I would show appreciation for their care and concern of pollution and its effects on the environment. I would also like to show my appreciation for the few words or phrases that did have a link with a definition on them.  What this document told me about my research question is that the environment is impacted in many ways.

Quotation:

“The purpose of the current research was to assess pollution in urban, fuel spill impacted salt marsh sediments using multiple lines of evidence down two separate 90 cm cores to compare (1) vertical changes in persistent organic and heavy metal contamination; (2) compare organic and metal concentrations to appropriate non-statutory sediment quality guidelines; (3) to assess the impact of the pollutants by laboratory toxicity tests and on in-situ diatom community structure.”