Source: Lead shot from clay and skeet shooting activities.

Release: Lead.

Primary Injury: A 1987 study showed acute lead poisoning in 15 of 28 black ducks captured in the area (blood lead concentrations were greater than the lead toxicity level of 500 ppb established by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service) and elevated lead levels in the tissue of blue mussels collected at the site (3 to 16 times higher than tissues of animals collected at a reference station at the mouth of the Housatonic River).

Later studies noted that: 1) some lead was released to the water column and pore water, and 2) although impacts to the benthic community were not documented, such injury was possible. Additionally, the many lead pellets on the beach have resulted in an impact to recreational services.