CHLOROFLUOROCARBONS IN THE HUDSON ESTUARY DURING SUMMER MOUTHS

Chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) concentrations in the Hudson estuary were found to be greater than the atmospheric solubility equilibrium concentration, demonstrating that the entire reach is contaminated with CFCs from local wastewater discharge. Samples have been collected along the axis of the lower Hudson estuary over a 5-month period to assess temporal and spatial variability of their wastewater sources. The highest CFC 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 times saturation; respectively. There appears to be a continuous CFC source 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).