Second summary of data on chemical contaminants in sediments from the National Status and Trends Program.

NOAA's National Status and Trends Program has analyzed samples of
surface sediments collected at almost 300 coastal and estuary sites
throughout the United States since 1984 (NOAA 1991). These locations
have also been sampled to determine contaminant levels in biota as
part of NOAA's Mussel Watch program (NOAA 1989). However, the tissue
data have not been entered in the database because the tissue
contaminant data were reported on a dry weight basis.

The program's objectives include defining the geographical
distribution of contaminant concentrations in tissues of marine
organisms and in sediments and documenting biological responses to
contamination. Because this objective was to quantify contamination
over general areas, sites were selected so that they were not in close
proximity to major sources of contamination. Sites in the Columbia
River Basin include the North and South Jetty and Youngs Bay.

The area of study was the Lower Columbia River - Youngs Bay and River Mouth

Three grabs or cores were obtained at each of three stations at a
site. Three composite samples were then made from each station for
the various analyses.

Target analytes were Metals (Ag, As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Pb, Sn, Zn); low
and high molecular weight PAHs; pesticides and PCBs.

Analytical techniques included organic analysis as described in MacLeod
et al, 1985 and Wade et al., 1988. Metals analyzed by atomic
absorption or X-ray fluorescence. All data are reported on a dry
weight basis.

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