Analyses of elutriates, native water, and bottom material in selected rivers and estuaries in western Oregon and Washington

Abstract

The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, collected native water and bottom-material samples and processed elutriate samples between May and December 1980. The primary purpose of the study was to provide reconnaissance data to determine short-term water-quality conditions associated with dredging operations in rivers and estuaries. The data were collected from selected rivers and estuaries as far south as the Coos River in western Oregon, as far north as Baker Bay in southwestern Washington, and as far inland as Bonneville Dam on the Columbia River. In an elutriation test, bottom material from a dredging site is mixed with native water and the filtrate is analyzed. Results of chemical analyses of elutriates, native water, and bottom material for selected metals, nutrients, and organic compounds are presented. Elutriate-test results showed variability in concentrations of dissolved chemicals as follows: in micrograms per liter (/ug/L

The vertical distribution of selected trace metals and organic compounds in bottom materials of the proposed lower Columbia River export channel, Oregon, 1984

“…Standard tests were made on upper and lower intervals of four cores; in one of these--the core for Skipanon River Site 2 (SR-S2)--three intervals were tested (table 3). Of the metals examined in the four cores, ETF releases of As (arsenic), Be (beryllium), Cd (cadmium), Cr (chromium), Cu (copper), Pb (lead), and Hg (mercury) were small (table 3) relative to concentrations observed in earlier reconnaissance studies (Fuhrer and Rinella, 1983;Fuhrer, 1984). The disposal of dredge spoils would not appear to affect the local concentrations of these metals.…”

“…The 19 HAR areas would require further investigation by subsurface sampling (vibra-coring) to determine the feasibility of dredging these subbottom materials (Robert Flanagan, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, written commun., July 1983). Four of these HAR areas were selected for chemical testing; selection was based on earlier reconnaissance studies in which large surficial concentrations of tracemetals or organic compounds were determined (Fuhrer and Rinella, 1983;Fuhrer, 1984). Two areas were located in the main navigation channel near Hammond and Astoria, one in the Skipanon River near Warrenton, and one in Cathlamet Bay near Tongue Point ( fig.…”

“…Prior Columbia River reconnaissance studies found that sediments in some areas of the proposed channel may, when mixed with native water, release dissolved Cd (cadmium), Cu (copper), Mn (manganese), and Ni (nickel) in concentrations exceeding U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) criteria for the protection of marine aquatic life (Fuhrer and Rinella, 1983;Fuhrer, 1984). Also identified in surficial bottom materials were organochlorine compounds, many of which are known to bioaccumulate (Fuhrer and Rinella, 1983;Fuhrer, 1984).…”

“…Also identified in surficial bottom materials were organochlorine compounds, many of which are known to bioaccumulate (Fuhrer and Rinella, 1983;Fuhrer, 1984). Modified from National Oceanic and Atomspheric Administration nautical chart, Columbia R., Pacific…”

National water summary 1983: Hydrologic events and issues

“…In addition, these released substances, along with certain natural organic substances present in the bottom material, can be oxidized in the water during dredging and disposal operations, creating an immediate oxygen demand. Data indicate that localized pollution of this type may occur in the Columbia River and the Yaquina River estuaries during dredging and disposal operations (Fuhrer and Rinella, 1983).…”