Organochlorine Contaminants in Aquatic Resources from the Columbia River

The Columbia River Estuary is exposed to a variety of contaminants
through municipal and industrial permitted discharges, urban and
industrial nonpoint pollution, accidental spills of oil and hazardous
materials, agricultural runoff, and accelerated population growth
(Schuler 1992). This study intended to provide information needed to
determine if hazardous concentrations of organic pollutants are
accumulating in fish and wildlife from the Columbia River and its
National Wildlife Refuges. Sediment, aquatic invertebrates, fish, and
bird egg samples were collected for this study. Preliminary study
results were reported in Schuler (1992).

The area of study was Columbia River - Grays Bay to Umatilla.

Target analytes were dioxins and furans; PCBs; organochlorine
pesticides; mercury.

Analytical techniques included Dioxins/furans (EPA Method 1613). All
results are reported on a dry weight basis. Total dioxin and furan
concentrations were determined by the laboratory as the sum of the
individual congeners that were detected. The method for determination
of total PCBs was not described.

The information for this metadata was taken from the Columbia River
Basin: Sediment Database Abstracts.