Publication Summary

The ten metals addressed in the state′s surface water quality standards were analyzed by low-level methods in water collected from the mouths of Chambers Creek, Clover Creek, and Leach Creek in south Tacoma. Sampling was done on two occasions during summer low flow and once each during two fall runoff events in August - October, 1995. Zinc, copper, lead, and arsenic were routinely detectable, while nickel, cadmium, chromium, and mercury were almost exclusively detected during wet weather. The remaining metals, silver, and selenium, were never detected.

The ten metals addressed in the state′s surface water quality standards were analyzed by low-level methods in water collected from the mouths of Chambers Creek, Clover Creek, and Leach Creek in south Tacoma. Sampling was done on two occasions during summer low flow and once each during two fall runoff events in August - October, 1995. Zinc, copper, lead, and arsenic were routinely detectable, while nickel, cadmium, chromium, and mercury were almost exclusively detected during wet weather. The remaining metals, silver, and selenium, were never detected.

Metals concentrations did not differ greatly among the three creeks and were generally low. Results were well within aquatic life criteria, except for lead and mercury which were at or above chronic criteria in wet weather samples from Clover and Leach Creeks. However, the analytical uncertainty at the low lead and mercury concentrations being measured makes this finding subject to question.

Leach Creek, a tributary to lower Chambers Creek, had very high levels of total suspended solids and turbidity during runoff events and was having a severe adverse effect on the clarity of Chambers Creek. The highest concentrations of most metals were found in the runoff event samples from Leach Creek

Link to EIM data for User Study ID AJOH0006

Link to EIM data for User Study ID AJOH0023