Surficial Geology Along The Spokane River, Washington And Its Relationship To The Metal Content of Sediments

The purpose of this study is (1) to document the geographic distribution of
Holocene (deposited in the last 11,000 years) sedimentary lithologies in and
along the Spokane River, (2) to document the downstream variation of metal
contents (especially lead [Pb] and zinc [Zn] ) by sedimentary lithology, and
(3) to compare the metal contents of different sedimentary lithologies. This
data is used to gain some understanding of the physical and chemical processes
that control those metal contents. It is hoped this study can be used to guide
potential future remedial actions aimed at reducing the biologic impact of
metal-enriched sediments in this area. This work was undertaken in cooperation
with the Washington Department of Ecology and the Environmental Protection
Agency.

[Summary provided by the USGS.]