Washington State Department of Ecology

Publication Summary

Title

Baseline Characterization of Nine Proposed Freshwater Sediment Reference Sites, 2008

Month-Year Published

July 2009

Online Availability

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Short Description

The Department of Ecology collected and analyzed three sediment samples from nine proposed freshwater reference areas during the summer of 2008. Areas were chosen to represent diverse ecological zones statewide: the Chester-Morse Reservoir, Columbia River at Beacon Rock State Park, Lake Ozette, Mountain Lake, Lake Wenatchee, the Little Spokane River, McDowell Lake, the Palouse River at the confluence with the Snake River, and South Skookum Lake.

Target chemical analyses included total organic carbon, percent solids, grain size, sulfides, ammonia, semi-volatile organic compounds, polychlorinated biphenyls, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, chlorinated pesticides, and metals. The bioassays suite included 20-day Midge (Chironomus tentans), 28-day Amphipod (Hyalella azteca), and Microtox.

Individual sample locations are recommended for use.

(Also see abstract below)

Publication Number

09-03-032

Author(s)

Sloan, J. and N. Blakley

Print Availability

Request from the program.

Number of pages

48 + app (89 total)

Keywords

Columbia River, Ecology, freshwater sediment, lake, Reservoir, river, Snake River, Spokane county, Spokane River, water

Subject Waterbodies

Chester Morse Lake,
Masonry Pool,
Columbia River,
Ozette Lake,
Mountain Lake,
Wenatchee Lake,
Little Spokane River,
Palouse River,
Skookum

Related Publications

Title

Relationship

Quality Assurance Project Plan: Evaluation of Candidate Freshwater Sediment Reference Sites

supporting publication

Abstract

Long Description

Freshwater sediment contamination in Washington State is assessed through the use of biological (bioassays) and chemical testing. Reference or baseline conditions which are used in the interpretation of biological and chemical tests are not well defined in Washington State.

To fill this data gap, the Washington State Department of Ecology collected and analyzed sediments from nine proposed freshwater reference waterbodies during the summer of 2008. Waterbodies were chosen to represent diverse ecological zones statewide. Within each waterbody, three locations were sampled to represent a diverse range of sediment grain sizes and account for patchiness of sediments.

Four waterbodies were tested in western Washington:

Chester-Morse Reservoir (King County).

olumbia River at Beacon Rock State Park (Skamania County).

Lake Ozette (Clallam County).

Mountain Lake (San Juan County).

Five waterbodies were tested in eastern Washington:

Lake Wenatchee (Chelan County).

Little Spokane River (Spokane County).

McDowell Lake (Spokane County).

Palouse River at the confluence with the Snake River (Franklin/Whiteman Counties).

South Skookum Lake (Pend Oreille County).

The bioassays used for testing included Microtox, 20-day Chironomid (Chironomus tentans), and 28-day Amphipod (Hyalella azteca).

Target chemical analyses included total organic carbon, percent solids, grain size, sulfides, ammonia, semi-volatile organic compounds, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), chlorinated pesticides, and metals including mercury.

None of the nine waterbodies tested met all reference area criteria. Recommendations are provided for further testing of several promising locations within these waterbodies.

Link to EIM data for User Study ID NBLA0006

This page last updated July 30, 2009