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U.S. Department of Energy
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Pollutant transport to Lake Calumet and adjacent wetlands and an overview of regional hydrology

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:6160912
The transport of pollutants to Lake Calumet and adjacent wetlands was investigated by reviewing existing data and conducting field sampling and measurements. The regional hydrology and interactions with Lake Michigan were investigated to assess the impact of pollutants in the Lake Calumet environment on regional water resources. Five sources of inflow to Lake Calumet and the wetlands east of the lake were selected for detailed measurements of water discharge and sampling for laboratory analysis of suspended sediment, organic carbon, organic halides, arsenic, cadmium, chromium, lead, and zinc concentrations. Principal findings of the study are: (1) The watersheds of Lake Calumet and the adjacent wetlands have been extensively altered by dredging, filling, and solid and liquid waste disposal activities. (2) Previous studies of the sediments of the lake and wetlands have shown concentrations of toxic metals and organic chemicals well above expected background levels and higher than those in nearby water bodies. (3) Water samples from tributaries of the lake and wetlands have shown levels of metals as high as 98 milligrams per liter. (4) The inflow of toxic metals to the wetlands northeast of the lake was as high as 322 pounds per hour; over 99% of the total was from the sludge drying beds of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago.
Research Organization:
Illinois State Water Survey, Champaign, IL (USA)
OSTI ID:
6160912
Report Number(s):
PB-91-108019/XAB
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English