This dataset provides baseline concentrations (from 2014) of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH), other aromatic organic compounds, mercury (Hg), and trace metal concentrations in sediment and biota collected from two sites along an existing rail line used for coal transport in the Columbia River Gorge, Washington. For this study, aquatic surface sediments, aquatic insects, and juvenile fish were collected in 2014 from Horsethief Lake in Columbia Hills State Park and Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge (NWR), both located in close proximity to the rail line and within the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. Samples were collected from two subsites in each area: one closer to the rail line and one farther from the rail line. Fish species collected for analysis included anadromous salmonids and resident yellow perch, sculpin, pumpkinseed, northern pikeminnow, and smallmouth bass.
Citation Information
| Publication Year | 2017 |
|---|---|
| Title | A Baseline Assessment of Contaminant Concentrations in Sediment and Biota in Proximity to Coal Transport Tracks in the Pacific Northwest (2014) |
| DOI | 10.5066/F7KD1WDJ |
| Authors | Whitney B Hapke, Elena B Nilsen, Robert W Black, Collin A Eagles-Smith, Cassandra D Smith, Lyndal Johnson, Gina M Ylitalo, Daryle Boyd, Jay W Davis |
| Product Type | Data Release |
| Record Source | USGS Digital Object Identifier Catalog |
| USGS Organization | Washington Water Science Center |
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Elena Nilsen
Research Chemist, Team Lead
Collin Eagles-Smith
Supervisory Research Ecologist
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Elena Nilsen
Research Chemist, Team LeadEmailCollin Eagles-Smith
Supervisory Research EcologistEmailPhone