Accumulation of Dioxins and Furans in Sediment and Biota

Monitoring of sediment and crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus) was
conducted in order to satisfy monitoring requirements set forth in the
City of St. Helens National Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)
Permit (Tetra Tech 1992). Samples were collected from five sites to
evaluate the accumulation of dioxins and furans in sediment and
crayfish. Sediment and crayfish sampling primarily focused on
locations downriver from the location of the outfall pipe.

Sediment samples were collected and analyzed for seventeen
dioxin/furan congeners, particle size distribution, total solids, and
total organic carbon. All sediment data are presented on dry weight
basis and TOC-normalized values are also provided in the report.
Sampling station latitude and longitude were recorded from geographic
coordinates provided by a Trimble Navigation Global Positioning System
receiver.

The area of study was the Lower Columbia River-St. Helens.

Each sediment sample consisted of a composite of at least four grab
samples. Surface sediments (top 2 cm) were transferred to a stainless
steel bowl and homogenized with a stainless steel spatula. The
samples were placed in jars and stored on ice except for the samples
designated for TOC analysis. These samples were stored on dry ice.

Target analytes were seventeen dioxin and furan congeners.
Conventional analyses included particle size, total solids, and total
organic carbon (TOC).

Analytical techniques included dioxins and furans (EPA Method 1613A),
TOC (modified EPA Method 415.1), total solids (EPA Method 160.3.),
particle size (Puget Sound Estuary Program Protocols). All results
are reported on a dry weight basis.

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