Oregon District Active Projects
Sources of Organochlorine Compounds Affecting Water Quality in the Lower
Columbia River (OR 171)
PROJECT CHIEF: Kathleen McCarthy
LOCATION: Lower Columbia River Basin
BACKGROUND
Fish and wildlife in the Lower Columbia River are
exposed to a wide variety of contaminants that result from agricultural
practices, industrial activities, urban and river development, and
atmospheric deposition. A water quality study by the Lower Columbia
River Bi-State Program (1990-96) concluded that mink and river otter in
the Lower Columbia River are accumulating PCB's organochlorine
pesticides (including DDT and its metabolites) dioxins, furans, and
metals at concentrations exceeding reference areas outside the lower
river. The Portland/Vancouver area of the Columbia River was
identified as an area where river otter had high concentrations or
organochlorine and dioxin compounds.
OBJECTIVE
Persistent organochlorine compounds are pervasive in sediment, water
and biological media sampled in the Lower Columbia River Basin. Both
point and nonpoint sources of hydrophobic organic compounds are present
in the basin, including urban, agricultural, and industrial activities;
and atmospheric deposition. Little information, however, exists about
the relative magnitude of the sources and hence little information
exists to cost-effectively guide water managers in remediating
water-quality concerns. To fill these information gaps, the USGS will
measure the relative quantity of organochlorine compounds within
reaches of the Columbia River main stem and at the mouth of selected
tributaries.
APPROACH
To avoid some of the limitations typical of convential water sampling,
semipermeable-membrane devices (SPMDs) will be deployed to sequester
hydrophobic organic compounds from the Columbia River. The devices
will be deployed for intervals of 20 to 40 days and, because sources
vary between and within hydrologic seasons, sampling will include
periods of high and low flow. Main-stem sites selected for deployment
are located as far upstream as Northport, Washington, and as far
downstream as Bradwood, Oregon. Sampling sites have been selected to
facilitate the estimation of chemical quality on a reach-specific
basis.
REPORTS
WRIR 99-4051. Investigation of the Distribution of
Organochlorine and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Compounds in the
Lower Columbia River Using Semipermeable-Membrane Devices, By Kathleen
A. McCarthy and Robert W. Gale. 1999 Abstract |
Available online
Oregon Water Science Cemter Studies Page
Oregon Water Science Center Home Page
Contact: info-or@usgs.gov
http://oregon.usgs.gov/projs_dir/or171/or171.html
Last modified: 2/12/99