Columbia River Aquatic Contaminant Measurements from 1991 Study

Organochlorine contaminant measurements were collected from sediment, aquatic invertebrates, fish, and bird eggs in the Columbia River. The study was conducted by SCIOPS to assess pollutant accumulation in wildlife, with data reported in 1991. Sample types include target analytes like dioxins, furans, PCBs, pesticides, and mercury.

Use Cases

• Analyze correlations between contaminant concentrations (e.g., dioxins, PCBs, mercury) across different sample types like sediment and fish tissue.
• Model spatial distribution of organochlorine pesticides from Grays Bay to Umatilla using sample location and analyte data.
• Assess bioaccumulation trends by comparing contaminant levels in invertebrates, fish, and bird eggs within the food web.
• Benchmark historical pollutant levels from 1991 against modern environmental monitoring data for the Columbia River.

Strengths

• Data covers multiple environmental matrices: sediment, invertebrates, fish, and bird eggs.
• Analytical methods are specified, such as EPA Method 1613 for dioxins/furans.
• Results are reported on a standardized dry weight basis for comparability.

Limitations

• Sample size and row count are unknown.
• Temporal coverage is limited to a single study period circa 1991.
• The method for determining total PCBs was not described, limiting reproducibility.

Provenance

Source

SCIOPS, with metadata taken from the Columbia River Basin: Sediment Database Abstracts.

Collection Method

Field collection of samples followed by laboratory analysis using specified EPA methods.

Time Range

Study conducted circa 1991.

Freshness

Data is from a 1991 study, with metadata last updated in 1991-09-01.

Geography

Columbia River from Grays Bay to Umatilla.