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Contaminants in Stream Sediments From Seven United States Metropolitan Areas: Part I: Distribution in Relation to Urbanization

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Abstract

Organic contaminants and trace elements were measured in bed sediments collected from streams in seven metropolitan study areas across the United States to assess concentrations in relation to urbanization. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, polychlorinated biphenyls, organochlorine pesticides, the pyrethroid insecticide bifenthrin, and several trace elements were significantly related to urbanization across study areas. Most contaminants (except bifenthrin, chromium, nickel) were significantly related to the total organic carbon (TOC) content of the sediments. Regression models explained 45–80 % of the variability in individual contaminant concentrations using degree of urbanization, sediment-TOC, and study-area indicator variables (which represent the combined influence of unknown factors, such as chemical use or release, that are not captured by available explanatory variables). The significance of one or more study-area indicator variables in all models indicates marked differences in contaminant levels among some study areas, even after accounting for the nationally modeled effects of urbanization and sediment-TOC. Mean probable effect concentration quotients (PECQs) were significantly related to urbanization. Trace elements were the major contributors to mean PECQs at undeveloped sites, whereas organic contaminants, especially bifenthrin, were the major contributors at highly urban sites. Pyrethroids, where detected, accounted for the largest share of the mean PECQ. Part 2 of this series (Kemble et al. 2012) evaluates sediment toxicity to amphipods and midge in relation to sediment chemistry.

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank James Kunz for assistance with data analysis and Karen Riva-Murray and Barbara Mahler for their helpful comments on the manuscript. This study was a joint effort of the USGS National Water Quality Assessment Program, the USGS Toxic Substances Hydrology Program, and the USGS Environmental Health Program. This manuscript has been reviewed in accordance with USGS policy. Any use of trade, product, or firm names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the United States Government.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. California Water Science Center, United States Geological Survey, Sacramento, CA, USA

    Lisa H. Nowell, Robert J. Gilliom & Kathryn M. Kuivila

  2. Washington Water Science Center, United States Geological Survey, Tacoma, WA, USA

    Patrick W. Moran

  3. Georgia Water Science Center, United States Geological Survey, Atlanta, GA, USA

    Daniel L. Calhoun

  4. Columbia Environmental Research Center, United States Geological Survey, Columbia, MO, USA

    Christopher G. Ingersoll & Nile E. Kemble

  5. New York Water Science Center, United States Geological Survey, Troy, NY, USA

    Patrick J. Phillips

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  1. Lisa H. Nowell
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  2. Patrick W. Moran
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Correspondence to Lisa H. Nowell.

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244_2012_9813_MOESM1_ESM.pdf

Supporting information details on the study areas and geographic data sources; methods for chemical analysis, modeling, and principal components analysis; and additional tables and figures. (PDF 452 kb).

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Nowell, L.H., Moran, P.W., Gilliom, R.J. et al. Contaminants in Stream Sediments From Seven United States Metropolitan Areas: Part I: Distribution in Relation to Urbanization. Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 64, 32–51 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00244-012-9813-0

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