Trace elements and semi-volatile organic compounds in bed sediments from streams and impoundments at Fort Gordon, Georgia

Abstract

Signal Center and Fort Gordon, investigated the presence and disbursal of trace elements and semi-volatile organic compounds in bed sediments from selected streams and impoundments at the Fort Gordon military installation near Augusta, Georgia. Concentrations of 18 trace elements and total organic carbon, and 66 semi-volatile compounds were determined from analysis of the fine-grained fraction of bed-sediment samples from 29 surface-water deposition sites. Analysis of the bed-sediment data indicates that commercial and industrial land-use areas generally are associated with the highest concentrations of trace elements and semi-volatile organic compounds, and the greatest occurrence and distribution of trace elements and semi-volatile organic compounds in bed sediments at Fort Gordon. Bed sediment collected at sites having drainage areas less than 1.0 square mile and greater than 45 percent commercial and industrial land uses, have the most occurrences and the highest concentrations of trace elements and semi-volatile organic compounds. Sampling sites having less than 2 percent commercial and industrial land uses have the lowest concentrations, regardless of drainage basin size. Relative rankings and evaluation of individual trace element and semi-volatile organic compound concentration data identifies two sites that have substantially higher sediment-quality scores than the other sites. This suggests that these sites have the greatest potential risk for adverse effects on aquatic life. The effects of these elevated trace element and semi-volatile organic compound concentrations on aquatic life in these basins may merit further investigation. Information on the occurrence and distribution of toxic substances in surface water on the base is needed to develop an INRMP at Fort Gordon. Toxic substances, when transported from source areas and deposited in streams may adversely affect aquatic life and stream ecosystems. In May 1998, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with the Environmental and Natural Resources Management Office of the U.S. Army Signal Center and Fort Gordon, conducted a spatial survey of streams and impoundments to identify trace elements and semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) associated with bed sediment in surface water at Fort Gordon. Trace elements and SVOCs (a class of industrially derived organic compounds) have low solubility in natural waters and tend to accumulate on silt-and clay-sized particles and organic matter. Point and nonpoint anthropogenic sources of trace elements include atmospheric deposition, urban and industrial wastes, urban runoff, storm sewers, landfills, vehicle maintenance areas, and agricultural and silvicultural activities. Although SVOCs may have similar sources as trace elements, specific sources of SVOCs are industrial areas, which use solvents, lubricants, oil additives, and combustion residues that enter surface water primarily in industrial and municipal wastewater effluent and in nonpoint-source runoff (Scudder and others, 1997). The majority of ...

Assessment of Endocrine‐Disrupting Chemicals Attenuation in a Coastal Plain Stream Prior to Wastewater Treatment Plant Closure

“…In October 2011, the facility was closed and all wastewater operations were relocated off‐site. Previous investigations in the Spirit Creek watershed assessed occurrence and distribution of trace elements and semivolatile organic compounds in bed sediments from free‐flowing and impounded segments of selected streams (McConnel et al ., ), nutrients and trace elements in a small arms area (Priest et al ., ), and trace elements and persistent organic contaminants, including organochlorine pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls, and semivolatile organics (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) (Thomas et al ., ).…”