Atmospheric deposition is an important source of a number of contaminants to the environment. The New Jersey Atmospheric Deposition Network (NJADN) was a collaborative research and monitoring effort between Rutgers University and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP). The objectives of the project were to quantify current concentrations and deposition fluxes of targeted contaminants and assess their spatial and seasonal trends, and, to the extent possible, to determine the importance of atmospheric deposition relative to other inputs. Contaminants measured included PCBs, PAHs, certain organochlorine pesticides, heavy metals, nutrients, and organic and elemental carbon particles. NJADN results have established baseline levels of the organic contaminants in the gas, particle, and precipitation phases and of the metals, nutrients, and organic and elemental carbon in the particle and precipitation phase. These baseline levels will be useful in the evaluation of long-term trends and determining the effectiveness of pollution control efforts.

Research Project Summary (PDF document)

Full Report (PDF document)

Appendices are available upon request by contacting Mike Aucott.