RedN NAWQA
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Red River of the North Basin
National Water-Quality Assessment Program
Tornes, L.H., Brigham, M.E., and Goldstein, R.M., 1996, Organic Chemicals
and Trace Elements in Bottom Sediments and Fish Tissues from Streams of Red
River of the North Basin, 1992-94: Minnesota Water `96 collection of
conference abstracts, May 20-21, 1996, Minneapolis, Minnesota, University of
Minnesota Water Resources Research Center, p. 99-100.
Abstract
Bottom-sediment and composite-fish samples from streams were analyzed for
organochlorines, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) (sediments only), and
trace elements as part of the National Water-Quality Assessment study of the
Red River of the North Basin (figure 1). DDT and its metabolites (mostly
p,p'-DDE), PCBs, trans-nonachlor, cis- and
trans-chlordane, toxaphene, and dieldrin were detected in fish. Only
DDT and its metabolites (mostly p,p'-DDE) were detected in sediments.
DDT plus metabolite concentrations ranged from below detection to 0.22
micrograms per gram (wet weight) in whole-fish samples, and to a
maximum of 0.016 micrograms per gram (dry weight) in sediments. Fourteen PAHs
were detected in at least half the 29 sediment samples; pyrene and
fluoranthene were most widespread. Concentrations of trace elements did not
indicate acute contamination. Mercury was detected at low levels in 25
sediment samples (<0.02 - 0.13 micrograms per gram (dry weight) and in all fish samples, with a maximum fillet concentration of 0.56 micrograms per gram (wet weight) in carp smaller than 2.5 kilograms. The contaminants detected in this study were present at low levels that likely are indicative of diffuse or remote sources; they are present widely in the environment.
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U.S. Department of the Interior |
U.S. Geological Survey