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| Title | Squalicum Creek Toxics Screening Study | |||
| Month-Year Published | January 2004 | |||
| Online Availability |
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| Short Description |
Twenty-one water samples and five sediment samples were collected from the Squalicum Creek watershed between November 2002 and June 2003. Fourteen herbicides and five metals were detected in water. Diazinon, MCPP, mercury, and zinc were detected above water quality standards. Thirty-three semi-volatile organic carbon compounds, #2 diesel, lube oil, and five metals were detected in sediment. Five semi-volatile organic carbon compounds and zinc were above recommended freshwater sediment quality values, and lube oil was detected at high concentrations. Study results will be used by the Whatcom Watershed Pledge program to educate residential, commercial, and industrial groups and to reduce pollution sources. (Also see abstract below) | |||
| Publication Number | 04-03-003 | |||
| Author(s) | Anderson, P. and M. Roose | |||
| Print Availability | ||||
| Number of pages | 26 pp. + app. (35 total) | |||
| Keywords | assessment, county, creek, environmental, grain, oil, results, sediment, study, toxic, toxics, water, watershed, Whatcom, zinc | |||
| Subject Waterbodies |
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| Related Publications | Title | Relationship | ||
| Quality Assurance Project Plan: Squalicum Creek Toxics Screening Study | similar topic | |||
| Abstract | Long Description |
The Washington State Department of Ecology Environmental Assessment Program conducted water and sediment sampling in the Squalicum Creek watershed in Whatcom County between November 2002 and June 2003. This study prioritized pollution sources and chemicals of concern in the watershed. Results from the study will be used by the Whatcom Watersheds Pledge program to educate residential, commercial, and industrial groups and to reduce pollution sources. Water was analyzed at seven sites for a suite of pesticides and herbicides, five metals (arsenic, copper, lead, mercury, zinc), pH, temperature, conductivity, hardness, and total suspended solids. Fourteen pesticides and breakdown products were detected among the sampling sites; two pesticides exceeded water quality criteria for the protection of aquatic life. All five metals were detected at all sites, with two metals exceeding criteria. Sediment was analyzed at five sites for semi-volatile organic carbon compounds (SVOCs), #2 diesel, lube oil, five metals (arsenic, copper, lead, mercury, zinc), grain size, and total organic carbon. Thirty-three SVOCs were detected in sediments; five of these SVOCs were above the recommended freshwater sediment quality values for the protection of aquatic life. High concentrations of lube oil were found at a majority of the sampling sites. All five metals were detected at all sites, with zinc exceeding its recommended sediment quality value at two stations. |
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