Estimate of the occurrence and distribution of toxicants in streambed sediments of the Susquehanna River system
Streambed sediment from 12 of 24 riverine sampling sites in the Susquehanna River basin showed some degree of contamination, either by detection of organic priority pollutants, high concentrations of metals or the presence of some toxicant as indicated by the Microtox bioassay. There was little correlation between the chemical detection of priority pollutants and the toxic response by the Microtox bacteria to sediment extracts. There appeared to be a major decrease in the content of organochlorine insecticides and polychlorinated biphenyls in the bed sediments from 1974 to 1988. The concentration of extractable metals in the 1988 bed sediment samples were normally higher than the concentrations found in the 1974 samples. This is most likely due to the fact that the 1988 samples averaged more than twice the silt and clay content found in the 1974 samples. The one notable exception - one which was anticipated because of the reduction in use of leaded gasoline - was a reduction in lead content. The mean concentration in 1974 was 123 mg/kg and decreased to a mean concentration of 76 mg/kg in 1988. The mean concentration for arsenic and mercury were approximately the same, however, maximum concentrations for both were higher in 1988. 9 refs., 1 fig., 6 tabs.
- OSTI ID:
- 6651344
- Resource Relation:
- Related Information: Susquehanna River Basin Commission Publication No. 123
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ARSENIC
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
LEAD
MERCURY
POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS
SEDIMENTS
CONTAMINATION
SUSQUEHANNA RIVER
WATER POLLUTION
BACTERIA
BIOASSAY
INSECTICIDES
MONITORING
SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION
TOXICITY
AROMATICS
DISTRIBUTION
ELEMENTS
HYDROCARBONS
METALS
MICROORGANISMS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PESTICIDES
POLLUTION
RIVERS
SEMIMETALS
STREAMS
SURFACE WATERS
540320* - Environment
Aquatic- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (1990-)
560300 - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology