Atmospheric deposition is an important source of mercury to aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, and deposition of mercury to waterbodies has resulted in elevated levels in fish throughout New Jersey. Potentially significant sources of mercury in the state include coal-burning power plants, municipal solid waste incineration, and metal smelting. This study analyzes dated sediment cores to estimate the historic pattern of mercury deposition to aquatic systems across the state. The objectives are

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... o identify and characterize the extent of atmospheric mercury deposition to New Jersey aquatic systems, and to identify indications of local sources of mercury contribution to these systems. Sediment core samples were taken from five lakes and one coastal marsh, dated based on radionuclide analyses, and analyzed for total mercury. The results indicated that mercury fluxes have generally decreased since an historic high rate in the late 1940s, but were still significantly elevated at most sites compared with estimates of mercury fluxes in remote areas in North America receiving background mercury deposition.