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Research about Upper Hudson River

Source-linked reports with geographic coverage including Upper Hudson River.

3 recordsLinked to original sources
USGS2020

Population assessment and potential functional roles of native mussels in the Upper Hudson River

General Electric Company (GE) directly and indirectly released polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) into the Hudson River and the surrounding environment starting in the late 1940’s, making it one of the most PCB-contaminated rivers in North America. Source control at two GE plant sites was implemented in 2009 to stem the influx of PCBs into the river (NYSDEC 2004; Farrar 2013; NYSDEC 2015). The Hudson River, like many other rivers, contains populations of native freshwater mussels—a group of animals that perform vital functions in freshwater systems. While there was anecdotal evidence of mussels residing in the Upper Hudson River (north of Troy, NY; GE 2005, GE 2009), quantitative data on mussel assemblages was lacking. Systematic, quantitative surveys for native mussels were completed in 2013 and 2015 in a total of six pools of the Upper Hudson River including one reference pool (Feeder Dam) located upstream of the former GE plant sites and five contaminated pools downstream of the GE plant sites (Thompson Island, Fort Miller, Northumberland, Stillwater, and Upper Mechanicville). Surveys were designed to estimate species composition, relative abundance, population size, population structure, and ecological services (i.e., biomass and filtration) of mussel communities prior to and after remedial actions to remove PCB contaminated sediments (i.e., dredged and subsequently capped or backfilled). In most pools, the experimental design incorporated stratification on remediated (before or after remedial activities were completed) and non-remediated areas. ... (access to the full abstract is restricted)

New York↗
USGS1999

Polychlorinated biphenyls and 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin equivalents in tree swallows from the upper Hudson River, New York State, USA

The upper Hudson River of New York State, USA, is contaminated with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) as a result of industrial discharges throughout the latter half of this century. In 1994 and 1995, we monitored the transfer of PCBs from aquatic sediments to a terrestrial wildlife community using the tree swallow ( Tachycineta bicolor ) as a model organism. Tree swallow eggs and nestlings were collected at four colonies established along a 40-km stretch of the upper Hudson River watershed. Samples were analyzed for total PCBs and PCB congeners, including non- ortho - and mono-ortho-substituted PCBs. Mean concentrations of PCBs in tree swallow eggs and nestlings ranged from 721 to 62,200 ng/g and were as much as 15 times greater than PCB concentrations in tree swallow eggs and nestlings collected from PCB-contaminated areas within the Great Lakes ecosystem. The corresponding 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin equivalents (TEQs) calculated using avian toxic equivalency factors ranged from 410 to 25,400 pg/g. Concentrations of PCB congener 77 (3,39,4,49-tetrachlorobiphenyl) were extremely elevated and were major contributors to the calculated TEQs. Homologue pattern comparisons between Hudson River and Saginaw River (Michigan, USA) ecosystems supported the hypothesis that a consistent Hudson River PCB source was the major contributor to PCBs in Hudson River tree swallows. The high concentrations of PCBs in Hudson River sediments and resultant concentrations observed in tree swallows were indicative of a potential elevated risk to these and other wildlife linked to the aquatic food web of the Hudson River ecosystem.

New York↗