Industrial Ecology, Pollution Prevention, and the New York/New Jersey Harbor
The New York Academy of Sciences undertook a multi-year study to identify and quantify the flows of specific contaminants into the NY/NJ Harbor from its air and watershed. The project used the methodology of industrial ecology and emphasized outreach and communication in order to encourage implementation of pollution prevention strategies for these contaminants.
The Harbor Project completed its mandate and held a final workshop on April 3-4, 2008.
Publications by the Academy and the Harbor Consortium
This report describes the methodology applied by the Harbor Project in the course of identifying primary sources of pollution to the New York/New Jersey Harbor and corresponding pollution prevention options. A summary of the major findings and accomplishments is also provided. Released January 2008. (PDF, 595 KB)
Major sources of suspended solids to the NY/NJ Harbor are identified. Released February 2008. (PDF, 2 MB)
Major sources of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the New York/New Jersey Harbor are identified. Released September 2007, updated November 2007. (PDF, 2.7 MB)
Life Cycle Analysis Process based LCA comparison between unsealed concrete and sealed asphalt parking lots’ upstream environmental impacts. (PDF, 63 KB)
Mass Balances on Selected PAHs in the NY/NJ Harbor Estuary Prepared by Lisa A. Rodenburg. (PDF, 342 KB)
Major sources of dioxins in the New York/New Jersey Harbor are identified. Released September 2006, updated November 2006. (PDF, 4.3 MB)
Supplement Updated November 2006 (PDF, 833 KB)
Major sources of PCBs in the New York/New Jersey Harbor are identified as well as the pathways of PCBs from sources to disposal. The report also discusses strategies for PCB best management practices and pollution prevention of inadvertently produced PCBs. Released February 2005. (PDF, 1 MB)
List of Organic Chemicals Potentially Containing PCBs (PDF, 71 KB)
Delaware River Basin Commission’s webpage (Contains numerous resources on PCBs)
This report discusses the major sources of cadmium in the New York/New Jersey Harbor watershed region. It also identifies the pathways of cadmium from sources to disposal and discusses strategies to increase recycling rates for the major Cd-containing products. Released December 2003. (PDF, 516 KB)
The report discusses major sources of mercury and methylmercury to the Harbor. It identifies pathways of mercury into the Harbor, discusses environmentally sound and economically feasible strategies to avoid this pollution, and identifies the key players in implementing these strategies. Released June 2002. (PDF, 916 KB)
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