Present and historical environmental survey of Broad Creek, Norfolk, Virginia : with special reference to biotic communities and the effects of alum discharge
Sediment samples collected from 15 stations in Broad Creek, a tributary of the Eastern Branch Elizabith River (Norfolk, VA) were analyzed for various sedimentary and stratigraphic features to determine the distribution of alum sludge (aluminum as the hydroxide) resulting from discharge from the Moore\u27s Bridge Water Treatment Plant. Enrichment of surface sediments with aluminum was evident at all stations, with decreasing concentration as one progresses downstream from the Moore\u27s Bridge plant discharge. At the bottom of the cores, aluminum enrichment was not observed. With the exception of the aluminum enrichment in the surface layers, the sediments appear typical of tidal freshwater-estuarine transition zones