52 



Comparisons with other New England sites indicate, with the 

 possible exception of cadmium, that trace metal concentrations in Casco 

 Bay are elevated well above presumed pre-industrial levels. Mean values 

 of each of the other metals examined are comparable to levels reported 

 from other industrialized New England areas. 



Realizing that trace metal concentrations from stations in the 

 Portland area are generally much higher than the mean, and that the mean 

 is reduced by low concentrations elsewhere in the Bay, it is concluded 

 that the sediments of Portland Harbor and the lower Fore River estuary 

 are impacted by trace metals. Sediment profile studies are needed to 

 put the present levels into a historical context. 



Hydrocarbons 



The 32 hydrocarbon subsamples are in the process of analysis. 

 These results will be integrated into our overall analysis as soon as 

 they are available. Preliminary results indicate high levels of one or 

 more groups of hydrocarbons in Casco Bay sediments. 



Visual examination of the samples indicated very high levels of 

 sediment hydrocarbons in the Portland area. Indeed, a couple of samples 

 were extremely difficult to pick because hydrocarbons formed a film on 

 the picking trays, forceps and organisms. Oil was also observed at one 

 of the sandy stations that is presumably well-flushed. 



