U.S.Geological Survey Water Resources Investigations Report 02-4179
Streambed sediment and fish tissue were collected at 14 river sites in eastern New England during low-flow conditions in 1998 and 1999 as part of the New England Coastal Basins (NECB) study of the U.S. Geological Survey National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Program. Sampling sites were selected over a range of urban settings. Population densities at selected sites ranged from 26 to 3,585 people per square mile, and urban land use ranged from 1 to 68 percent. The streambed sediment samples were analyzed for a total of 141 contaminants, including 45 trace elements, 32 organochlorine compounds, and 64 semi-volatile organic compounds. The fish tissue samples were analyzed for 22 trace elements and 28 organochlorine compounds. Concentrations of selected contaminants in both streambed sediment and fish tissue correlated more strongly with population density than with other watershed characteristics. Cadmium, copper, lead, mercury, zinc, total polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), total polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), dichloro diphenyl trichloroethane and metabolites (DDTM), and total chlordane in streambed sediment all showed strong positive correlations with population density (rho = 0.71 to 0.85, p value = 0.005 to <0.001). Correlations between population density and selected contaminants in fish tissue were less significant than with streambed sediment (rho = 0.62 to 0.72, p value = 0.03 to 0.008). Organic carbon concentrations were correlated with concentrations of arsenic, selenium, total PAHs, total PCBs, and DDTM in streambed sediment. The relation between concentrations of contaminants in streambed sediment and fish tissue was stronger for organochlorine compounds (rho = 0.75 to 0.55, p = 0.005 to 0.065) than for trace elements (rho = 0.63 to 0.53, p = 0.029 to 0.069). The NECB study area had the highest median concentrations of lead, mercury, total PAHs, total PCBs, and DDTM in streambed sediment and the highest median concentration of PCBs in fish tissue compared to 45 other NAWQA study units across the Nation. Concentrations of many of these constituents in streambed sediment also were frequently above the consensus-based Sediment-Quality Guidelines for the protection of wildlife, suggesting they are a threat to the health of aquatic biota in New England.
Abstract
Introduction
Purpose and Scope
Description of Study Area
Study Design
Acknowledgments
Methods of Sample Collection and Analysis
Methods of Data Analysis
Trace Elements in Streambed Sediment and Fish Tissue
Comparisons with Other Studies and Guidelines
Relations to Watershed Characteristics
Relations Between Trace Elements in Streambed Sediment and Fish Tissue
Organic Compounds in Streambed Sediment and Fish Tissue
Comparisons with Other Studies and Guidelines
Relations to Watershed Characteristics
Relations Between Organic Compounds in Streambed Sediment and Fish Tissue
Summary and Conclusions
References Cited
Appendixes 1-3.
| 1A. | Trace Element Concentrations in Streambed Sediment, New England Coastal Basins | |
| 1B. | Trace Element Concentrations in Fish Fillets | |
| 2A. | Organochlorine Compound Concentrations in Streambed Sediment | |
| 2B. | Organochlorine Compound Concentrations in Whole Fish Tissue | |
| 3. | Semivolatile Compound Concentrations in Streambed Sediment |
| 1-2. | Maps showing: | |
| 1. | Location of streambed sediment and fish tissue (BST) sampling sites and population distribution in the New England Coastal Basins study area | |
| 2. | Location and population density of National Water-Quality Assessment Program (NAWQA) study units in the Nation, 1991-97 | |
| 3-4. | Graphs showing concentrations of: | |
| 3. | Trace elements in streambed sediment, New England Coastal Basins | |
| 4. | Organic compounds in streambed sediment and fish tissue | |
| Multiply | By | To obtain | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Length | |||
| inch (in.) | 2 | .54 | centimeter (cm) |
| inch | 25 | .4 | millimeter (mm) |
| inch | 25380 | .7 | micrometer ( μ m) |
| Area | |||
| acre | .405 | hectare (ha) | |
| square miles (mi2 ) | 2 | .59 | square kilometer (km2) |
| Weight | |||
| ounce (oz) | 28 | .35 | gram (g) |
| pound (lb) | 0 | .454 | kilogram (kg) |
| Volume | |||
| ounce (oz) | 29 | .6 | milliliter (mL) |
| µg/g | microgram per gram |
| µg/kg | microgram per kilogram |
| g/kg | grams per kilogram |
| DDD | Dichloro diphenyl dichloroethane |
| DDE | Dichloro diphenyl dichloroethylene |
| DDT | Dichloro diphenyl trichloroethane |
| DDTM | DDT and its major metabolites (DDD and DDE) |
| NAS/NAE | National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering |
| NAWQA | National Water-Quality Assessment |
| NECB | New England Coastal Basins |
| NQWL | National Water-Quality Laboratory |
| PAH | Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon |
| PCB | Polychlorinated biphenyl |
| PEL | Probable effects level |
| SQG | Consensus-based Sediment Quality Guidelines |
For additional information write to:
District Chief
U.S. Geological Survey
New Hampshire/Vermont District
361 Commerce Way
Pembroke, NH 03275-3718
or through our Web site at
Copies of this report can be purchased from:
U.S. Geological Survey
Branch of Information Services
Box 25286, Federal Center
Denver, CO 80225
1-888-ASK-USGS
The text and graphics are presented here in pdf format (print quality):
The full report is 4MB
If you have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer, you may view and/or print the PDF version of this report. If you do not have Acrobat Reader, you may download it here.
| AccessibilityFOIAPrivacyPolicies and Notices | |
  |
|