Distribution of arsenic in unconsolidated sediments from southern Lake Michigan

Journal Article · Tue Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1970 · Environ. Geol. Notes, Ill. State Geol. Surv.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6304920

Ruch, R R; Kennedy, E J; Shimp, N F

Radiochemical separation procedures were used to determine the arsenic content of 89 core and grab samples from southern Lake Michigan. Arsenic was found to accumulate within the upper, or most recently deposited, portion of most of these sediments in concentrations ranging from about 5 to 30 ppm. Areas with high arsenic content were identified from sediment-water interface samples taken west of Benton Harbor, Michigan; east of Waukegan, Illinois; and southwest of Grand Haven, Michigan. Deposition of fine-grained sediments containing appreciable quantities of organic matter occurs at all these locations. Amounts of arsenic observed in the uppermost portions of these sediments generally vary directly with the organic carbon content and are probably a result of man's activities in the watershed surrounding the lake.

• OSTI ID: 6304920
• Journal Information: Environ. Geol. Notes, Ill. State Geol. Surv.; (United States), Journal Name: Environ. Geol. Notes, Ill. State Geol. Surv.; (United States) Vol. 37; ISSN IEGNA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

520200* -- Environment
Aquatic-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS
ARSENIC
BUILDUP
CORRELATIONS
ECOSYSTEMS
ELEMENTS
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
GREAT LAKES
LAKE MICHIGAN
LAKES
MASS TRANSFER
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
SEDIMENTS
SEMIMETALS
SURFACE WATERS