Sediment quality at select sites in the St. Marys River Area of Concern

Ecological status of the St. Marys River: Foreword

“…One of the primary reasons the SMR was listed as an AOC was because of the high levels of man-made contaminants in the bottom sediments. However, Keller et al (2011) demonstrate that contaminant levels in the river's sediments have generally declined, although some localized 'hot spots' still remain.…”

“…It contains seven papers (Bauman et al, 2011;Caroffino et al, 2011;Gerig et al, 2011;Keller et al, 2011;Kennedy et al, 2011;Turschak et al, 2011, andWerner et al, 2011) with eight undergraduate student authors or co-authors that led and/or assisted on research projects during their tenure at Lake Superior State University (LSSU). All of these students have since gone on to pursue graduate education or work in scientific fields, and many often attribute their success to their undergraduate research experience.…”

“…For example, Keller et al (2011) were able to identify trends in man-made metals in river sediments in conjunction with LSSU's EAL on campus to analyze sediment samples. The data have since been used by the State of Michigan to inform delisting criteria in the AOC.…”

Population status and demographics of lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) in the St. Marys River, from 2000 to 2007

“…benthic omnivores which likely increases harmful exposure to and bioaccumulation of contaminated sediments. Sediment contamination peaked in the late 1960s and early 1970s (Kauss, 1991) but has declined over the past 40 years (Keller et al, 2011). More recent progress has come after remediation efforts that followed the USEPA's designation of the St. Marys River as an Area of Concern.…”

Environmental history of the St. Marys River

“…A study conducted in the 1990s estimated the total dry mass of contaminants in one section of the Belleview Marine Park to be 138,632 tons (Kilgour et al, 2000). A more recent study by Keller et al (2011), examined sediments on the U.S. side of the river and found elevated levels of chromium, nickel and copper in surficial sediments.…”