Cover photograph shows the confluence of the Concord and Merrimack Rivers in Lowell, 

Massachusetts.

(Photograph by Britt Stock, U.S. Geological Survey)
Trace Elements and Organic Compounds 

in Streambed Sediment and Fish Tissue of 

Coastal New England Streams, 1998-99

U.S. Department of the Interior

U.S. Geological Survey

By Ann Chalmers

Pembroke, New Hampshire

2002

NATIONAL WATER-QUALITY ASSESSMENT PROGRAM

Water-Resources Investigations Report 02-4179
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

GALE A. NORTON, Secretary

U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY

Charles G. Groat, Director

The use of firm, trade, and brand names in this report is for identification purposes

only and does not constitute endorsement by the U.S. Geological Survey.

For additional information write to:

District Chief

U.S. Geological Survey

New Hampshire/Vermont District

361 Commerce Way

Pembroke, NH 03275-3718

or through our Web site at

 http://nh.water.usgs.gov

Copies of this report can be purchased from:

U.S. Geological Survey

Branch of Information Services

Box 25286

Federal Center

Denver, CO 80225
Robert M. Hirsch

Chief Hydrologist

FOREWORD

The mission of the U.S. Geological Survey 

(USGS) is to assess the quantity and quality of the 

earth resources of the Nation and to provide information that will assist resource managers and policymakers at Federal, State, and local levels in making sound 

decisions. Assessment of water-quality conditions and 

trends is an important part of this overall mission.

One of the greatest challenges faced by waterresources scientists is acquiring reliable information 

that will guide the use and protection of the Nation’s 

water resources. That challenge is being addressed by 

Federal, State, interstate, and local water-resource 

agencies and by many academic institutions. These 

organizations are collecting water-quality data for a 

host of purposes that include: compliance with permits 

and water-supply standards; development of remediation plans for specific contamination problems; operational decisions on industrial, wastewater, or watersupply facilities; and research on factors that affect 

water quality. An additional need for water-quality 

information is to provide a basis on which regionaland national-level policy decisions can be based. Wise 

decisions must be based on sound information. As a 

society we need to know whether certain types of 

water-quality problems are isolated or ubiquitous, 

whether there are significant differences in conditions 

among regions, whether the conditions are changing 

over time, and why these conditions change from 

place to place and over time. The information can be 

used to help determine the efficacy of existing waterquality policies and to help analysts determine the 

need for and likely consequences of new policies.

To address these needs, the U.S. Congress appropriated funds in 1986 for the USGS to begin a pilot program in seven project areas to develop and refine the 

National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Program. In 1991, the USGS began full implementation of 

the program. The NAWQA Program builds upon an 

existing base of water-quality studies of the USGS, as 

well as those of other Federal, State, and local agencies. 

The objectives of the NAWQA Program are to:

• Describe current water-quality conditions for a 

large part of the Nation’s freshwater streams, 

rivers, and aquifers.

• Describe how water quality is changing over 

time.

• Improve understanding of the primary natural 

and human factors that affect water-quality

conditions.

This information will help support the development 

and evaluation of management, regulatory, and monitoring decisions by other Federal, State, and local 

agencies to protect, use, and enhance water resources. 

The goals of the NAWQA Program are being 

achieved through ongoing and proposed investigations 

of 59 of the Nation’s most important river basins and 

aquifer systems, which are referred to as study units. 

These study units are distributed throughout the 

Nation and cover a diversity of hydrogeologic settings. 

More than two-thirds of the Nation’s freshwater use 

occurs within the 59 study units and more than twothirds of the people served by public water-supply systems live within their boundaries.

National synthesis of data analysis, based on 

aggregation of comparable information obtained from 

the study units, is a major component of the program. 

This effort focuses on selected water-quality topics 

using nationally consistent information. Comparative 

studies will explain differences and similarities in 

observed water-quality conditions among study areas 

and will identify changes and trends and their causes. 

The first topics addressed by the national synthesis are 

pesticides, nutrients, volatile organic compounds, and 

aquatic biology. Discussions on these and other waterquality topics will be published in periodic summaries 

of the quality of the Nation’s ground and surface water 

as the information becomes available.

This report is an element of the comprehensive 

body of information developed as part of the NAWQA 

Program. The program depends heavily on the advice, 

cooperation, and information from many Federal, 

State, interstate, Tribal, and local agencies and the 

public. The assistance and suggestions of all are 

greatly appreciated.


Contents V

CONTENTS

Abstract ................................................................................................................................................................................ 1

Introduction .......................................................................................................................................................................... 1

Purpose and Scope ..................................................................................................................................................... 3

Description of Study Area .......................................................................................................................................... 4

Study Design .............................................................................................................................................................. 4

Acknowledgments ...................................................................................................................................................... 6

Methods of Sample Collection and Analysis ....................................................................................................................... 6

Methods of Data Analysis .................................................................................................................................................... 7

Trace Elements in Streambed Sediment and Fish Tissue ..................................................................................................... 10

Comparisons with Other Studies and Guidelines ....................................................................................................... 10

Relations to Watershed Characteristics ...................................................................................................................... 10

Relations Between Trace Elements in Streambed Sediment and Fish Tissue ............................................................ 14

Organic Compounds in Streambed Sediment and Fish Tissue ............................................................................................ 14

Comparisons with Other Studies and Guidelines ....................................................................................................... 15

Relations to Watershed Characteristics ...................................................................................................................... 15

Relations Between Organic Compounds in Streambed Sediment and Fish Tissue ................................................... 18

Summary and Conclusions ................................................................................................................................................... 18

References Cited .................................................................................................................................................................. 19

Appendixes 1-3.

1A. Trace Element Concentrations in Streambed Sediment, New England Coastal Basins ................................... 24

1B. Trace Element Concentrations in Fish Fillets.................................................................................................... 26

2A. Organochlorine Compound Concentrations in Streambed Sediment................................................................ 27

2B. Organochlorine Compound Concentrations in Whole Fish Tissue ................................................................... 28

3. Semivolatile Compound Concentrations in Streambed Sediment..................................................................... 29

FIGURES

1-2. Maps showing:

1. Location of streambed sediment and fish tissue (BST) sampling sites and population distribution in 

the New England Coastal Basins study area ................................................................................................. 2

2. Location and population density of National Water-Quality Assessment Program (NAWQA) study units 

in the Nation, 1991-97................................................................................................................................... 8

3-4. Graphs showing concentrations of:

3. Trace elements in streambed sediment, New England Coastal Basins.............................................................. 11

4. Organic compounds in streambed sediment and fish tissue .............................................................................. 17

TABLES

1. Characterization of streambed sediment and fish-tissue sampling sites, New England Coastal Basins ............... 5

2. Guidelines for trace elements and organic compounds in bulk sediment and fish tissues .................................... 9

3. Median concentrations of selected trace elements and organic carbon in streambed sediment from 

46 National Water-Quality Assessment Program (NAWQA) study units ......................................................... 12

4. Summary of statistical analysis between selected trace elements and organic compounds in streambed 

sediment and fish tissue in relation to selected watershed characteristics and organic carbon, 

New England Coastal Basins ............................................................................................................................ 13

5. Summary of statistical analysis between selected trace elements and organic compounds in streambed 

sediment in relation to fish tissue....................................................................................................................... 14

6. Median concentrations of selected organic compounds in streambed sediment from 46 National WaterQuality Assessment Program (NAWQA) study units ....................................................................................... 16

7. Median concentrations of selected organic compounds in fish tissue from 39 National Water-Quality 

Assessment Program (NAWQA) study units .................................................................................................... 18
VI Contents

CONVERSION FACTORS AND ABBREVIATED WATER-QUALITY UNITS

ABBREVIATED WATER-QUALITY UNITS

μg/g microgram per gram

μg/kg microgram per kilogram

g/kg grams per kilogram

MISCELLANEOUS ABBREVIATIONS

DDD Dichloro diphenyl dichloroethane

DDE Dichloro diphenyl dichloroethylene

DDT Dichloro diphenyl trichloroethane

DDTM DDT and its major metabolites (DDD and DDE)

NAS/NAE National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering

NAWQA National Water-Quality Assessment

NECB New England Coastal Basins

NQWL National Water-Quality Laboratory

PAH Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon

PCB Polychlorinated biphenyl

PEL Probable effects level

SQG Consensus-based Sediment Quality Guidelines

Multiply By To obtain

Length

inch (in.) 2.54 centimeter (cm)

inch 25.4 millimeter (mm)

inch 25380.7 micrometer (μm)

Area

acre .405 hectare (ha)

square miles (mi2) 2.59 square kilometer (km2)

Weight

ounce (oz) 28.35 gram (g)

pound (lb) 0.454 kilogram (kg)

Volume

ounce (oz) 29.6 milliliter (mL)
Abstract 1

Abstract

Streambed sediment and fish tissue were 

collected at 14 river sites in eastern New England 

during low-flow conditions in 1998 and 1999 as 

part of the New England Coastal Basins (NECB) 

study of the U.S. Geological Survey National 

Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Program. 

Sampling sites were selected over a range of 

urban settings. Population densities at selected 

sites ranged from 26 to 3,585 people per square 

mile, and urban land use ranged from 1 to 

68 percent. The streambed sediment samples 

were analyzed for a total of 141 contaminants, 

including 45 trace elements, 32 organochlorine 

compounds, and 64 semi-volatile organic 

compounds. The fish tissue samples were 

analyzed for 22 trace elements and 28 

organochlorine compounds. Concentrations of 

selected contaminants in both streambed sediment 

and fish tissue correlated more strongly with 

population density than with other watershed 

characteristics. Cadmium, copper, lead, mercury, 

zinc, total polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons 

(PAHs), total polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), 

dichloro diphenyl trichloroethane and metabolites 

(DDTM), and total chlordane in streambed 

sediment all showed strong positive correlations 

with population density (rho = 0.71 to 0.85, 

p value = 0.005 to <0.001). Correlations between 

population density and selected contaminants in 

fish tissue were less significant than with 

streambed sediment (rho = 0.62 to 0.72, p value = 

0.03 to 0.008). Organic carbon concentrations 

were correlated with concentrations of arsenic, 

selenium, total PAHs, total PCBs, and DDTM in 

streambed sediment. The relation between 

concentrations of contaminants in streambed 

sediment and fish tissue was stronger for 

organochlorine compounds (rho = 0.75 to 0.55, 

p = 0.005 to 0.065) than for trace elements (rho = 

0.63 to 0.53, p = 0.029 to 0.069). The NECB 

study area had the highest median concentrations 

of lead, mercury, total PAHs, total PCBs, and 

DDTM in streambed sediment and the highest 

median concentration of PCBs in fish tissue 

compared to 45 other NAWQA study units across 

the Nation. Concentrations of many of these 

constituents in streambed sediment also were 

frequently above the consensus-based SedimentQuality Guidelines for the protection of wildlife, 

suggesting they are a threat to the health of 

aquatic biota in New England.

INTRODUCTION

Analyzing the levels of contaminants in 

streambed sediment and fish tissue is one component 

of an interdisciplinary approach used by the U.S. 

Geological Survey (USGS) National Water Quality 

Assessment (NAWQA) program to (1) describe waterquality conditions, (2) identify water-quality trends, 

and (3) to better understand the major factors that 

affect water-quality conditions and trends. In 1998-

99, the USGS conducted an occurrence survey of trace 

elements and organic compounds in streambed 

sediment and fish tissue at 14 river sites in the New 

England Coastal Basins (NECB) study area (fig. 1). 

The NECB study is one of 59 individual NAWQA 

study units implemented to investigate water quality 

nationwide (Ayotte and Robinson, 1997). 

Trace Elements and Organic Compounds in 

Streambed Sediment and Fish Tissue of Coastal 

New England Streams, 1998-99

By Ann Chalmers
2 Trace Elements and Organic Compounds in Streambed Sediment and Fish Tissue of Coastal New England Streams, 1998-99

Figure 1. Location of streambed sediment and fish tissue (BST) sampling sites and population distribution in the New England Coastal 

Basins study area. Sites are listed in table 1. Population distribution data are from 1990 U.S. Census Bureau decennial files. 
INTRODUCTION 3

Trace elements and organochlorine compounds 

naturally tend to accumulate in sediment and fish 

tissue and provide time-integrated records of waterquality conditions. Trace elements originate from 

natural sources, but are redistributed and concentrated 

in anthroprogenic processes such as fossil-fuel 

combustion and waste incineration; in industrial 

emissions from plating, smelting, refining; and in 

wastewater and storm runoff discharges. The highest 

concentrations of trace elements in sediment are 

usually found in densely populated areas (Daskalakis 

and O’Connor, 1995; Breault and others, 2000), 

natural mineral deposits, or mines (Deacon and 

Stephens, 1998; Maret and Skinner, 2000). Mercury 

(Hg) is an exception; elevated concentrations of Hg 

can occur in highly urbanized areas and in remote 

areas with no direct source of pollution (Stafford and 

Haines, 1997; Mower and others, 1997; New 

Hampshire Fish and Game Department and New 

Hampshire Water and Pollution Control Commission, 

written commun., 1970; Pinski and others, 1993; 

Dreisig and Dupee, 1994; Massachusetts Department 

of Environmental Protection, 1997). Concentrations 

of Hg in sediments in New England have increased 

nearly four-fold over the past 150 years (Kamman and 

Engstrom, 2002). Reductions in Hg emissions in 

recent decades have resulted in declines in Hg concentrations in sediment cores in the region (Kamman and 

Engstrom, 2002; Engstrom and Swain, 1997). 

Concentrations of lead (Pb) in sediment cores and fish 

tissue have decreased since the early 1970s (Schmitt 

and Brumbaugh, 1990; Callender and Van Metre, 

1997) with the passage of the Clean Air Act in 1970. 

Zinc (Zn) concentrations in sediment have remained 

elevated and have been correlated to increased 

automobile traffic (Callender and Rice, 2000). Zinc is 

an additive to rubber in automobile tires. 

The occurrence and distribution of polycyclic 

aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a result of a mix of 

anthroprogenic and natural activities, primarily 

combustion of fossil fuels and wood. PAHs are a large 

group of compounds, including many suspected 

carcinogens. Abrupt increases in PAH concentrations 

in sediment cores from lakes and reservoirs in the 

United States have been linked with increased automobile use over the past 20 years (Van Metre and others, 

2000). 

Organochlorine compounds such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), chlordane, and dichloro 

diphenyl trichloroethane (DDT) do not occur naturally 

in the environment and are entirely a result of anthroprogenic activities. The organochlorine pesticides, 

chlordane and DDT, were used in agricultural, urban, 

and suburban settings for insect control. High concentrations of chlordane in sediment and fish tissue have 

mainly been found in urban areas (Arruda and others, 

1987; Wong and others, 2000; Breault and others, 

2000). Elevated concentrations of DDT and its major 

metabolites (DDTM) in the United States have been 

found both in agricultural areas of California, 

Washington, and the Southeast, and in urban areas in 

the Northeast (Nowell and others, 1999; Breault and 

others, 2000). Occurrence of PCBs is associated with 

industrial products including electrical transformers, 

capacitors, hydraulic fluids, and plasticizers. The 

highest levels of PCBs in streambed sediment and fish 

tissue in the United States have been detected in the 

industrial Mid-Atlantic region and New England (U.S. 

Environmental Protection Agency, 1992; Schmitt and 

others, 1990; Major and Carr, 1991; Phillips and 

others, 1997; Breault and others, 2000). Because of 

human health and environmental concerns, the 

commercial use of PCBs and organochlorine 

pesticides have been banned or restricted since the 

1970s and 1980s. Residues of PCBs, chlordane, and 

DDTM still persist in many sediments and fish tissues 

at levels of concern, but concentrations have decreased 

over time (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 

1992; Schmitt and others, 1990; Gilliom, 1985; RivaMurray and others, 2002).

Purpose and Scope

This report describes the occurrence and 

distribution of selected trace elements and organic 

compounds in streambed sediment and fish-tissue 

samples collected from 14 river sites in the NECB 

study area. Results from these samples are used to 

(1) identify the predominant trace elements and 

organic compounds detected in streambed sediment 

and fish tissue, (2) compare concentrations of constituents found in this study with those from other studies 

and with suggested guidelines for the protection of 

aquatic life and wildlife, and (3) relate concentrations 

of selected constituents to watershed features such as 

land use and population density. This report focuses 

on the following trace elements and organic 

compounds frequently detected in streambed sediment 

and fish tissue in New England and known to be 

highly toxic to humans or wildlife: Arsenic (As), 

Cadmium (Cd), Chromium (Cr), Copper (Cu), Pb, Hg, 

Nickel (Ni), Selenium (Se), Zn, and organochlorine 

compounds PAHs, PCBs, chlordane, and DDTM.
4 Trace Elements and Organic Compounds in Streambed Sediment and Fish Tissue of Coastal New England Streams, 1998-99

Description of Study Area

The NECB study area covers 23,000 mi2 in 

western Maine, eastern New Hampshire and 

Massachusetts, and nearly all of Rhode Island (fig. 1). 

Seventy-two percent of the study area is classified as 

forests, 8 percent as urban, industrial, or residential 

lands, 7 percent as agriculture, 6 percent as open 

water, 5 percent as wetlands, and 1 percent as barren 

lands (gravel pits or beaches) (Vogelmann and others, 

2001). The population of the study area in 1990 was 

7.78 million people, with the population density 

ranging from less than 5 people/mi2

 in the northern 

areas to 13,000 people/mi2 in the Boston and 

Providence metropolitan areas in the southern part of 

the study area (Flanagan and others, 1999). About 

1,600 dams (Flanagan and others, 1999) throughout 

the study area serve as traps for fine sediments and 

contaminants. The general bedrock geology of the 

study area is metamorphic rocks consisting of 

metasedimentary sandstones, shales, calcareous rocks, 

and volcanics intruded by crystalline igneous rocks. 

The study area is comprised of predominantly two 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) 

Level III Ecoregions; the Northeastern Highlands 

(mountainous mixed conifer and deciduous forests), 

and the Northeastern Coastal Zone (a mix of rolling 

hills and plains with dominantly deciduous forests). 

The largest rivers in the study area, the Kennebec, 

Androscoggin, and Merrimack, are located in the 

northern two-thirds of the study area. The watersheds 

of these rivers are in parts of both the Northeastern 

Highlands and the Northeastern Coastal Zone 

ecoregions. The southern one-third of the study area is 

almost entirely in the Northeastern Coastal Zone, and 

has small, low-gradient coastal rivers that are 

influenced by the Boston and Providence metropolitan 

areas (Flanagan and others, 1999, figs. 15 and 16).

The Boston and Providence metropolitan areas 

are recognized as the birthplace of the American 

industrial revolution from the late 1700s to early 

1900s. During this early industrial period, there were 

no water-quality regulations; all wastes, including 

industrial and sewage were discharged directly in the 

rivers. As a result, heavy contamination occurred in 

many streams from textile dyes, metal plating and 

machine operations (Shanahan, 1994), and chemical 

and leather industries (Spliethoff and Hemond, 1996). 

The effects of the early industrial period have been 

shown in sediment cores. High concentrations of As, 

Cd, Cu, Cr, Pb, and Zn were found by Spliethoff and 

Hemond (1996) in sediment cores at depths 

corresponding to intense industrial activity of the early 

1900s. Also during this early industrial period, a large 

number of dams were built for operating cotton and 

wool mills. At its peak, the Blackstone River had an 

average of one dam every mile (Shanahan, 1994). 

Contaminates have accumulated in fine sediments 

behind impoundments in the study area and still 

remain in place today (Shanahan, 1994; Spliethoff and 

Hemond, 1996). Resuspension of these contaminated 

sediments during high flow events, dredging, or 

removal of dams remains a major water-quality 

concern for the area (Massachusetts Department of 

Environmental Protection and Office of Watershed 

Management, 1995; Rhode Island Department of 

Environmental Management, 1994). 

The leading source of Hg contamination of 

freshwater streams and lakes in the study area is from 

atmospheric deposition (New Hampshire Department 

of Environmental Services, 1998; U.S. Environmental 

Protection Agency, 1999a). Fish consumption advisories for Hg have been issued for all lake and streams in 

Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts, and in 

parts of Rhode Island, including any fish from the 

Woonasquatucket River below Smithfield (6 mi above 

Centerdale, R.I.), and for bass from Quidnick 

Reservoir (accessed December 13, 2000, at 

http://www.health.state.ri.us/environment/fish.html). 

PCBs remain a concern in the study area even 20 years 

after they were banned. Fish-consumption advisories 

for PCBs have been issued for freshwater rivers, 

reservoirs, and lakes in 10 water bodies in Maine, 

20 water bodies in Massachusetts, and 2 water bodies 

in New Hampshire and Rhode Island (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1999b). Massachusetts 

also has issued fish consumption advisory as a result 

of elevated PAH and chlordane levels in 2 water 

bodies (accessed December 13, 2000, at 

http://www.state.ma.us/dph/beha/fishlist.html).

Study Design

Streambed-sediment samples were collected at 

14 river sites, and fish-tissue samples were collected at 

12 of these 14 sites (table 1). The drainage areas of 

9 wadeable sites ranged from 23 to 48 mi2

. The 

drainage areas of the five non-wadeable sites ranged 

from 268 to 5,403 mi2. Sites were selected over a
INTRODUCTION 5

Table 1. Characterization of streambed sediment and fish-tissue sampling sites, New England Coastal Basins[mi2, square miles; BS, streambed sediment; T, fish tissue; other land use is water, wetland, and barren land; population density data from U.S. Bureau of the Census, 1990 dicennial census files]

Site No.

(fig. 1) Site name Latitude Longitude Sample type Basin size (mi2)

Land use 1990

Population 

density

(people/mi2)

Urban Agriculture Forested Other

(percent of total)

1 Kennebec River at North Sidney, Maine1 44°28′25′′ 069°41′08′′ BS,T 5,403 1 6 83 10 262 Androscoggin River near Lisbon Falls, Maine1 43°59′00′′ 070°02′30′′ BS,T 3,260 1 5 86 8 403 Stillwater River near Sterling, Mass.2 42°24′39′′ 071°47′30′′ BS,T 32 4 10 77 9 1524 Merrimack River below Concord River at Lowell, Mass.1 42°38′45′′ 071°17′56′′ BS,T 4,635 9 8 74 9 2785 Wading River near Norton, Mass.2 41°56′51′′ 071°10′38′′ BS 43 18 7 64 11 4986 Woonasquatucket River at Centerdale, R.I.2 41°51′32′′ 071°29′16′′ BS,T 38 17 8 65 10 6417 Beaver Brook at No. Pelham, N.H.2 42°46′59′′ 071°21′14′′ BS,T 48 34 7 55 4 8708 Blackstone River at Manville, R.I.1 41°58′16′′ 071°28′14′′ BS,T 430 18 8 64 10 9099 Ipswich River at South Middleton, Mass.2 42°34′10′′ 071°01'39′′ BS,T 45 38 4 40 18 1,118

10 Neponset River at Norwood, Mass.2 42°10′39′′ 071°12′05′′ BS,T 35 30 6 53 11 1,19211 Charles River above Watertown Dam at Watertown, Mass.1 42°21′54′′ 071°11′26′′ BS,T 268 30 7 53 10 1,32012 Saugus River at Saugus Iron Works at Saugus, Mass.2 42°28′10′′ 071°00′28′′ BS,T 23 56 4 27 13 2,40913 Aberjona River at Winchester, Mass.2 42°26′50′′ 071°08′22′′ BS 25 68 2 24 6 2,89314 Moshassuck River at Providence, R.I.2 41°50′02′′ 071°24′42′′ BS,T 23 44 9 40 7 3,585

1 Non-wadeable.2 Wadeable.
6 Trace Elements and Organic Compounds in Streambed Sediment and Fish Tissue of Coastal New England Streams, 1998-99

range of population densities (table 1) to maximize our 

understanding of the effects of urbanization on water 

quality. The sites are not representative of the entire 

NECB study area, but focus on the more urbanized 

areas (fig. 1). Population densities within the selected 

watersheds ranged from 26 to 3,585 people/mi2

, based 

on 1990 U.S. Bureau of Census data (U.S. Bureau of 

the Census 1990 decennial census files); the amount 

of urban land use ranged from 1 to 68 percent 

(Vogelmann and others, 1998). Agricultural land 

within sampled watersheds sites ranged from 2 to 

10 percent.

Acknowledgments

The author acknowledges James Coles, 

Karen Beaulieu, James Caldwell, and Britt Stock of 

the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and 

Peter Mitchell (Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection) for the long hours they spent 

collecting and processing samples. Special thanks to 

James Coles for assistance with data interpretation and 

Verlin C. Stephens (USGS) for providing data from 

other study units. Reviews by James Coles, 

Stephen B. Smith, Keith Robinson, Jeffrey Deacon, 

Sarah Flanagan, and Debra Foster of the USGS, 

greatly improved the quality of the manuscript. 

A special thanks is extended to Sarah Flanagan 

for help in preparing the text, figures, and tables for 

publication, and assisting with responses to reviewer 

comments. Her assistance was instrumental in the 

timely publication of this report. 

METHODS OF SAMPLE COLLECTION 

AND ANALYSIS

Streambed sediment and fish-tissue samples 

were collected during low-flow conditions in 

September 1998, and June through July 1999. 

Streambed-sediment samples were collected according 

to NAWQA sampling protocols (Shelton and Capel, 

1994). These protocols specify that the top 2 cm 

(0.8 in.) of streambed sediment are sampled to obtain 

only the most recently deposited material. Five to 10 

representative subsamples were composited from 

depositional areas at each sampling site. Samples for 

trace elements were wet sieved through a 63-μm nylon 

mesh to obtain the silt and clay fraction. Streambedsediment samples were analyzed at the USGS Branch 

of Geochemistry Laboratory in Lakewood, Colo., for 

45 trace elements (Briggs and Meier, 1999; Arbogast, 

1990). Streambed-sediment samples for organic 

compounds were wet sieved through a 2-mm (0.08 in.) 

stainless steel sieve to obtain the sand, silt, and clay 

fractions. Samples for organic compounds were 

analyzed at the USGS National Water-Quality Laboratory (NWQL) in Lakewood, Colo., for 32 chlorinated 

organic compounds (Foreman and others, 1995) and 

64 semi-volatile organic compounds (including 27 

PAHs) (Furlong and others, 1996).

Fish were collected by electrofishing with a 

backpack unit at seven of the wadeable sites, and with 

an electrofishing boat on the five non-wadeable sites 

(table 1). A national target taxa list was developed by 

the NAWQA program to keep the taxa among study 

units across the country as consistent as possible. In 

the NECB study area, white sucker (Catostomus 

commersoni) was the most commonly occurring fish 

among this list. White suckers were collected at 10 of 

the 12 sites. Smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu) 

and largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) were 

collected at two sites where white suckers were not 

found (Merrimack River, site 4, and Kennebec River, 

site 1; fig. 1, table 1). No fish-tissue samples were 

collected at the Aberjona River (site 13) and the 

Wading River (site 5) because there were insufficient 

quantities of any target taxa at the time of sampling. 

Fish were processed in the field for laboratory analysis 

following NAWQA protocols (Crawford and Luoma, 

1993). Fish tissue analyzed for trace elements 

consisted of a composite sample of seven to eight left 

dorsal fillets (scaled, skin on) placed in a precleaned 

glass jar. Fish-fillet samples were analyzed for 22 

trace elements at the NWQL using methods described 

by Hoffman (1996). Fish tissue analyzed for organic 

compounds consisted of a composite sample of seven 

to eight whole individuals. Whole fish samples were 

analyzed at the NWQL for 28 individual organochlorine compounds using methods described by Leiker 

and others (1995).
METHODS OF DATA ANALYSIS 7

METHODS OF DATA ANALYSIS

Concentrations of As, Cd, Cu, Cr, Pb, Hg, Ni, 

Se, and Zn, total PAHs, total PCBs, total chlordane, 

and DDTM were compared to watershed characteristics, results from other NAWQA studies, and environmental guidelines. Total concentrations of PAHs, 

PCBs, chlordane, and DDTM were determined by 

summing the concentrations of all related compounds 

for each of these groups. The value of compounds 

below detection levels were set to zero. Total PAHs in 

streambed sediment were defined as the sum of all the 

27 PAH compounds. Total PCBs consisted of 

Aroclors 1242, 1254, and 1260. Total chlordane was 

defined as the sum of cis- and trans-chlordane, cisand trans-nonachlor, oxychlordane, and heptachlor 

epoxide. Total DDTM was defined as the sum of o,p’

and p,p’ homologs of dichloro diphenyl dichloroethane (DDD), dichloro diphenyl dichloroethylene 

(DDE), and DDT. Because PCB, chlordane, and 

DDTM tend to strongly partition in the lipid part of 

fish, these compounds were normalized to lipid 

content for all data correlations. 

The S-Plus 2000 (Professional Release 2) 

(Mathsoft Inc., 1999) statistical software package was 

used for all statistical analysis. Normal probability 

plots were used to identify data distributions. Selected 

trace elements and organic data in streambed sediment 

and fish tissue were rank transformed and the degree 

of association between concentrations of trace 

elements and organic compounds and percentages of 

land use, population density, and concentrations of 

organic carbon were evaluated by Spearman’s rho. 

Spearman's rho also was used to evaluate the relation 

between streambed sediment and fish tissue. A 

correlation was considered possible for rho equal to or 

greater than 0.50 and probability (p) less than 0.1. 

Significant correlations were defined as an absolute 

value of Spearmans rho greater than 0.60 and p less 

than 0.05. Highly significant correlations were 

defined as rho greater than or equal to 0.70 and p less 

than or equal to 0.005.

Streambed-sediment and fish-tissue data in the 

NECB study area were compared to results from 

monitoring sites in other NAWQA study units across 

the country (Gilliom and others, 1995) (fig. 2, tables 3, 

6, and 7). Trace element and organic data were 

obtained from the NAWQA data warehouse 

(http://infotrek.er.usgs.gov/pls/nawqa/nawqa.home) in 

December 2000 and February 2001, respectively. 

Trace element and organic compounds in streambed 

sediment were compared to results from 46 study 

units, organochlorine compounds in fish tissue were 

compared to results from 39 study units, and population density data were compared to data from 44 study 

units. The number of bed sediment and fish tissue 

sites sampled in each study unit ranged from 6 to 56. 

Median values were used for comparison nationally 

and for individual study units for population density, 

and trace elements and organic compounds in 

streambed sediment and fish tissue. Trace-element 

data from fish tissue in the NECB study area were not 

comparable with other study units because the NECB 

collected fish-fillets samples, whereas other study 

units predominantly collected fish-liver samples.

Consensus-based Sediment Quality Guidelines 

(SQG) (MacDonald and others, 2000) were used to 

evaluate the potential effects of selected trace elements 

and organic compounds in streambed sediment on 

freshwater ecosystems. Consensus-based SQG were 

derived from published sediment guidelines taking 

into account possible interactions between contaminants. Trace-elements and organic-compound concentrations in sediment above the consensus-based SQG 

probable effect concentrations (PEC) (table 2) are 

expected to have frequent adverse effects to freshwater 

ecosystems. The consensus-based SQG were 

compared to the more commonly used Canadian 

Council of the Ministers of the Environment (CCME) 

sediment guidelines for probable effects levels (PEL) 

on freshwater aquatic biota (Canadian Council of 

Ministers of the Environment, 1999). Both the 

Consensus-based SQG and CCME were developed for 

bulk (unsieved) sediments; therefore, comparisons 

with the sieved samples in this study are expected to 

overestimate adverse effects because most contaminants are thought to be associated with the fine (silt 

and clay) sediment. Concentrations of selected 

contaminants in fish tissue were compared to National 

Academy of Science/National Academy of 

Engineering (NAS/NAE) (1973) recommended 

guidelines for protection of fish-eating wildlife, and 

the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) 

1984 action level guidelines for human consumption 

(table 2).
8 Trace Elements and Organic Compounds in Streambed Sediment and Fish Tissue of Coastal New England Streams, 1998-99

Figure 2. Location and population density of National Water-Quality Assessment Program (NAWQA) study units in the Nation, 

1991-97. NAWQA study units in Hawaii (OAHU) and Alaska (COOK) not shown. Population density is the median value for 

basins monitored for streambed sediment and fish tissue.
METHODS OF DATA ANALYSIS 9

Table 2. Guidelines for trace elements and organic compounds in bulk sediment and fish tissues

[Consensus-based Sediment Quality Guidelines (SQG), probable effect concentration (PEC), (MacDonald and others, 2000); and Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME); probable effects levels (PEL) to freshwater ecosystems for unsieved sediment (Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment, 1999); μg/g, microgram per gram; NECB, New England Coastal Basins study unit; PAH, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons; μg/kg, microgram per 

kilogram; --, no guideline; PCB, polychlorinated biphenyls; USFDA, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (1984) interstate commerce action level for concentrations in whole fish; NAS/NAE, National Academy of Sciences/National Academy of Engineering (1973) guideline for concentrations in fish fillets for the 

protection of fish-eating wildlife; DDTM, dichloro diphenyl trichloroethane and its metabolites]

Trace elements in streambed sediments 

(μg/g dry weight)

SQG

PEC

No. NECB samples 

exceeding SQG PEC

CCME

PEL

No. NECB samples 

exceeding CCME PEL

Arsenic 33 4 17 7

Cadmium 5 3 3.5 5

Chromium 111 6 90 9

Copper 149 4 197 3

Lead 128 8 91.3 9

Mercury 1.06 2 0.486 10

Nickel 48.6 6 35.9 8

Zinc 459 5 315 6

PAHs in streambed sediment

(μg/kg dry weight)

SQG

PEC

No. NECB samples 

exceeding SQG PEC

CCME

PEL

No. NECB samples 

exceeding CCME PEL

Acenaphthylene -- -- 88.9 10

Acenaphthene -- -- 128 5

Anthracene 845 3 245 9

Benz[a]anthracene 1,050 8 385 10

Benzo[a]pyrene 1,450 7 782 9

Chrysene 1,290 8 862 9

Dibenz[ah]anthracene -- -- 135 8

Fluoranthene 2,230 8 2,355 8

9H-fluorene 536 1 144 7

Naphthalene 561 0 391 0

Phenanthrene 1,170 9 515 9

Pyrene 1,152 9 875 9

Total PAH 22,800 6 -- --

Organochlorine compounds in 

streambed sediment 

(μg/kg dry weight)

SQG

PEC

No. NECB samples 

exceeding SQG PEC

CCME

PEL

No. NECB samples 

exceeding CCME PEL

Total PCBs 676 2 277 5

Total chlordane 17.6 7 8.87 9

DDD1 28.0 5 8.51 8

DDE1 31.3 2 6.75 7

DDT1 62.9 1 4.77 7

DDTM 572 0 4,450 0

Organochlorine compounds in fish tissue

(μg/kg wet weight) USFDA

No. NECB samples 

exceeding USFDA 

guidelines

NAS/NAE

No. NECB samples 

exceeding NAS/NAE 

guidelines

Total PCBs 2,000 1 500 2

Total chlordane 300 0 100 1

DDTM 5,000 0 1,000 0

Trace elements in fish tissue

(μg/g wet weight) USFDA

No. NECB samples 

exceeding USFDA 

guideline

NAS/NAE

No. NECB samples 

exceeding NAS/NAE 

guideline

Mercury 1 0 .5 1

1

Sum of p,p′- and o,p′- homologs.
10 Trace Elements and Organic Compounds in Streambed Sediment and Fish Tissue of Coastal New England Streams, 1998-99

TRACE ELEMENTS IN STREAMBED 

SEDIMENT AND FISH TISSUE

The concentrations of all trace elements 

analyzed in streambed sediment and fish tissue at 

NECB sampling sites are listed in appendixes 1A and 

1B. Trace elements were the most frequently detected 

contaminants in streambed sediment in the NECB 

study area. Forty of the 45 trace elements analyzed in 

streambed sediment were detected at all sites. Gold 

and thallium were the only trace elements not detected 

in any streambed-sediment sample. Trace elements 

were detected much less frequently in fish tissue. 

Only 8 of the 22 trace elements analyzed in fish tissue 

(fillet) composites were detected at all sites. Of the 

22 trace elements, 10 were not detected in any fish 

tissue (fillet) sample. Because of their toxic effects in 

the aquatic environment, the subsequent description of 

results focuses on As, Cd, Cu, Cr, Pb, Hg, Ni, Se, and 

Zn. These trace elements were detected in all 

streambed-sediment samples; however, only Hg and 

the trace elements essential to aquatic organisms 

(Cu, Se, Zn) were detected in all tissue samples; 7 of 

the 12 fish-tissue samples had detectable levels of As. 

Comparisons with Other Studies and 

Guidelines

Median concentrations of selected trace 

elements and organic carbon in streambed sediment in 

the NECB study area were 1.5 to 8 times higher than 

the median concentrations of these constituents found 

in 46 NAWQA study units across the country (fig. 3 

and table 3). Median concentrations of organic 

carbon, Pb, and Hg were the most elevated compared 

to other study units. Median concentrations of Cd and 

Cu in NECB streambed sediment were the second 

highest compared to other study units. Median 

concentrations of As and Zn were the third and fourth 

highest, respectively, compared to other study units.

Concentrations of Pb in NECB streambed 

sediments were most frequently above the consensusbased SQG for probable adverse effects to aquatic 

biota (fig. 3, appendix 1A). Eight of the 14 sites were 

above the SQG for Pb. Sampling sites near Boston, 

Providence, and Worcester (fig. 1) had trace element 

concentrations most frequently exceeding SQG 

guidelines. At the Aberjona River site (13), all but one 

of the selected trace elements were above the SQG. 

Seventy-five percent of the selected trace elements 

were above the SQG at the Blackstone River (site 8); 

and 62.5 percent were above the SQG at the 

Woonasquatucket River (site 6), Neponset River 

(site 10), and Moshassuck River (site 14) (fig. 3, 

appendix 1A). Similar percentages of the sites 

exceeded the CCME guidelines for all selected trace 

elements except Hg. Concentrations of Hg in NECB 

streambed sediments were above the CCME PEL of 

0.49 μg/g at 10 out of 14 sites, but only two sites had 

Hg sediment concentrations above the SQG PEC of 

1.06 μg/g (table 2).

Relations to Watershed Characteristics

The highly urban character of NECB sampling 

sites probably explains most of the elevated levels of 

trace elements in NECB streambed-sediment samples 

relative to the levels in most other NAWQA study 

units. Population density has been determined to be a 

good surrogate for urbanization or human activity 

(Rice, 1999). NECB sampling sites for streambedsediment and fish tissue had the second highest 

median population density (890 people/mi2

) of the 

NAWQA study units (fig. 2). Population density was 

the watershed characteristic most strongly correlated 

with concentrations of trace elements in streambed 

sediments in the NECB study area. Concentrations of 

Cd, Cu, Pb, Hg, and Zn in streambed sediment 

samples all had highly significant positive correlations 

with population density (rho = 0.71 to 0.85, p = 0.005 

to less than 0.001) (table 4). A weaker but still significant positive correlation was found between concentrations of Pb, Hg and Zn and urban land use (rho = 

0.61 to 0.66, p = 0.021 to 0.011), and concentrations of 

Pb, Se, and Zn and commercial, industrial and 

transportation land use (rho = 0.61 to 0.65, p = 0.021 

to 0.012) (table 4). Similar relations between Cd, Cu, 

Pb, Hg, and Zn concentrations in streambed sediment 

and urbanization were found in other NAWQA study 

units (Long and others, 2000; Scudder and others, 

1997). Concentrations of As and Se in NECB 

streambed sediment samples were more strongly 

correlated to organic carbon concentrations (rho = 

0.70, 0.77, p = 0.005, 0.001, respectively) than any 

other watershed characteristics (table 4). Arsenic 

concentrations in streambed sediment also appeared to 

be influenced by bedrock geology. Elevated concentrations of As at the Stillwater and Beaver River sites 
TRACE ELEMENTS IN STREAMBED SEDIMENT AND FISH TISSUE 11

(

Figure 3. Concentrations of trace elements in streambed sediment, New England Coastal Basins. Site numbers are listed in table 1. Site locations are shown in 

figure 1. Solid lines represent consensus-based Sediment Quality Guidelines (SQG probable effect concentrations for freshwater ecosystems). Dashed lines 

represent National median concentrations from 46 NAWQA study sites.
12 Trace Elements and Organic Compounds in Streambed Sediment and Fish Tissue of Coastal New England Streams, 1998-99

Table 3. Median concentrations of selected trace elements and organic carbon in streambed sediment from 46 National 

Water-Quality Assessment Program (NAWQA) study units

[NAWQA, National Water-Quality Assessment Program; the number of monitoring sites ranged from 6 to 56; --, not available; All trace elements are median 

concentrations in microgram per gram, organic carbon is median concentration in percent; Values in bold are for the New England Coastal Basins study unit; 

Values underlined are highest among all study units. Locations of NAWQA study units are shown in figure 2.]

NAWQA

study unit Arsenic Cadmium Chromium Copper Lead Mercury Nickel Selenium Zinc Organic carbon

ACAD 6.63 0.45 58.6 26.4 29.2 0.07 21.7 0.43 120 1.72

ACFB 5.6 .5 91 29 38 .08 31 .9 130 2.75

ALBE 4.4 .3 69.5 22.5 35 .08 20 .6 99 2.47

ALMN 13 .95 74.5 28 36.5 .07 45 .73 195 2.71

CAZB 22 .7 77 79 31 .08 42 1.3 160 2.51

CCPT 4.5 .2 53 26 12 .02 21 .2 82 2.15

CNBR 5.2 .3 45.5 14.5 17.5 .02 18.5 .72 69 1.31

CONN 5.9 1.1 91 55.5 80 .195 36.5 .9 200 5.3

COOK 11 .24 84 46 11 .17 40 .83 110 3.16

DELR 10.3 1.00 72 56.8 74 .16 34.3 1.35 290 4.9

EIWA 6.4 .4 46.5 13 15 .04 21 .8 72.5 2.5

GAFL 5.2 .5 75 17 38 .11 19 1 100 7.92

HDSN 7 .7 64 33 38 .1 33 .6 180 3.02

KANA 7.7 .5 75 26 38 .07 51 .82 200 --

LERI 13 .6 60 26 27 .07 31 .71 120 2.37

LINJ 7.3 .95 67.5 69 85.5 .17 29 .98 245 4.28

LIRB 6.8 .45 56 19.5 24.5 .03 24 .48 88 1.39

LSUS 7.5 .8 70 49 45 .12 48 1.3 300 3.82

LTEN 7.8 .27 50 21 26 .06 28 .49 84 1.89

MIAM 11 .38 63 30 25 .06 32 .56 130 2.14

MISE 10 .3 62 17.5 19 .035 28 .6 91.5 1.15

MOBL 11.3 .18 77.6 22.1 25.8 .05 29 .61 110 --

NECB 19 2.1 99 92.5 190 .635 45 1.15 295 8.98

NROK 10.05 .45 42.5 30 48.25 .06 18.05 .29 108 2.29

NVBR 19 .35 46 38 20.5 .205 22.5 .6 100 2.58

OAHU 8 .86 420 205 52.5 .175 235 1.75 375 7.19

OZRK 6.6 .5 47 18 25 .04 23 .6 90 2.36

POTO 10 .45 69 37 31 .07 36 .5 130 2.76

PUGT 12 .4 93 44 21 .1 54 .7 130 5.21

REDN 7.9 .6 65 23 13 .03 31 .9 95 2.15

RIOG 6.3 .25 48.5 23 21 .03 19.5 .4 82.5 1.6

SACR 9.6 .3 200 69.5 13 .09 120 .43 120 1.25

SANA 5.45 .48 57.5 54.5 32.5 .05 29 .41 160 3.59

SANJ 7.5 .1 100 45 20 .13 60 .4 110 2.23

SANT 5.4 .3 70 28 38 .08 24 .9 94 3.32

SCTX 3.7 .3 36 7 15 .02 14 .74 77 2.47

SPLT 6.05 .9 51 45 49 .08 19 1.65 180 2.37

TRIN 10 .3 58.5 17 20 .035 24.5 .4 77.5 1.22

UCOL 22.5 3.4 52.5 84 185 .1 26.5 1.3 940 2.8

UIRB 6.3 .3 57.5 45 21 .08 24.5 .43 110 2.37

UMIS 7.7 .6 69 26 23 .08 29 1.2 110 4.55

USNK 5.15 .4 55.5 15.5 14 .02 18 .6 81 1.96

UTEN 8.25 .4 61.5 27 38 .08 33 .7 140 2.72

WHIT 8 .55 57 25 24.5 .06 29 .52 100 1.92

WILL 8.6 .3 73 43 14 .06 29 .3 120 3.15

WMIC 6 .6 61 22 19.5 .1 21 .9 98 5.66

NATIONAL

MEDIAN

7.7 .45 63.5 28 25.9 .0725 29 .7 110 2.50
TRACE ELEMENTS IN STREAMBED SEDIMENT AND FISH TISSUE 13

appendix 1A) may be attributed to direct bedrock 

sources of As. Stillwater River (site 3), and Beaver 

Brook (site 7) are in an area of calcareous and sulfidebearing schist, granofels, and gneiss shown to be 

associated with high concentrations of As in ground 

water (Ayotte and others, 1999). Cr and Ni were the 

only trace elements in streambed sediment not significantly correlated with any watershed characteristic.

Population density was the only watershed 

characteristic significantly correlated with trace 

element concentrations in fish tissue (fillet) (table 4). 

Of the five trace elements (As, Cu, Hg, Se, and Zn) 

detected in fish tissue, only Hg and Se had a significant correlation with population density (rho = -0.72, 

p = 0.008; rho = 0.72, p = 0.008, respectively). The 

lower number of correlations between fish tissue and 

trace elements compared to streambed sediment 

probably reflects complications as a result of bioavailability, fish mobility, species differences, life stage, 

sex, diet, and physiological condition (Wong and 

others, 2000). The negative correlation between 

Hg concentrations in fish tissue and population density 

contrasts with the positive correlation found between 

Hg in streambed sediment and population density 

(rho = 0.71, p = 0.005) (table 4). This may reflect 

complications as a result of Hg bioavailability. Methyl 

mercury is the form of mercury that bioaccumulates in 

fish. Typically greater than 95 percent or more of Hg 

in fish tissue is methyl mercury (Porcella, 1994). 

Whereas elevated concentrations of total Hg in 

sediment are frequently correlated with population 

density (Daskalakis and O’Connor, 1995; Rice, 1999; 

Table 4. Summary of statistical analysis between selected trace elements and organic compounds in streambed sediment 

and fish tissue in relation to selected watershed characteristics and organic carbon, New England Coastal Basins

[Spearman's coefficients (rho) and probability values (p-values) are highly significant (in bold and underlined) when rho is greater than or equal to 0.7; 

and p-values are less than or equal to 0.005; they are significant (in bold) when rho is greater than 0.6, and p-values are less than 0.05; a weak correlation 

may exist when rho is between 0.5 and 0.6 and p-values are less than 0.1; a negative rho value indicates an inverse relation; <, less than; PAHs, polycyclic 

aromatic hydrocarbons; PCBs, polychlorinated biphenyls; DDTM, dichloro diphenyl trichloroethane and its metabolites; --, not applicable]

Trace element 

or organic 

compound

Population density Urban land use Commercial, industrial and 

transportation land use Organic carbon

rho p-value rho p-value rho p-value rho p-value

Streambed sediment (14 samples)

Arsenic 0.35 0.214 0.55 0.041 0.58 0.029 0.77 0.001

Cadmium .73 .003 .55 .041 .55 .043 .22 .446

Chromium .33 .246 .18 .532 .19 .512 -.23 .431

Copper .71 .004 .52 .054 .56 .039 .21 .474

Lead .85 <.001 .66 .011 .65 .012 .46 .098

Mercury .71 .005 .61 .021 .59 .025 .37 .196

Nickel .51 .062 .45 .107 .54 .046 .33 .252

Selenium .54 .046 .48 .079 .61 .021 .70 .005

Zinc .78 <.001 .61 .021 .62 .018 .38 .185

Total PAHs .85 <.001 .69 .006 .63 .016 .62 .017

Total PCBs .76 .001 .61 .020 .60 .024 .76 .001

Total chlordane .72 .003 .62 .017 .50 .071 .58 .029

DDTM .76 .002 .63 .015 .56 .038 .63 .016

Fish tissue (12 samples)

Arsenic .10 .748 .22 .482 .10 .763 -- --

Copper -.37 .241 -.49 .106 -.58 .049 -- --

Mercury -.72 .008 -.52 .083 -.50 .101 -- --

Selenium .72 .008 .47 .127 .40 .199 -- --

Zinc .55 .061 .45 .140 .50 .101 -- --

Total PCBs .62 .033 .36 .246 .35 .257 -- --

Total chlordane .66 .019 .51 .087 .48 .113 -- --

DDTM .70 .011 .56 .056 .45 .140 -- --
14 Trace Elements and Organic Compounds in Streambed Sediment and Fish Tissue of Coastal New England Streams, 1998-99

(Long and others, 2000), conditions in pristine areas 

favor high production of methyl mercury (Gilmour 

and others, 1998). As a result, elevated total Hg 

concentrations in sediment are frequently not coupled 

with methyl mercury accumulation in fish (Kelly and 

others, 1995). 

Relations Between Trace Elements in 

Streambed Sediment and Fish Tissue

Hg and Se were the only selected trace elements 

that accumulated at higher concentrations in fish tissue 

than in streambed-sediment samples (appendix 1A and 

1B). Both Hg and Se form bioavailable organometallic compounds in streambed sediment that can 

accumulate in muscle tissue (Wiener and Spry, 1996; 

Lemly, 1996). Se had a significant positive correlation 

between streambed sediment and fish tissue (rho = 

0.63, p = 0.029) (table 5). Total Hg did not have a 

significant correlation between streambed sediment 

and fish tissue (rho = -0.54, p = 0.069) (table 5). 

Mercury must be methylated before it can efficiently 

be bioaccumulated in fish tissue. Therefore, concentrations of total Hg in sediment frequently are not a good 

predictor of mercury concentrations in fish tissue 

(Kelly and others, 1995). Cu and Zn, the other 

selected trace elements detected in all NECB fishtissue (fillet) samples, did not show any correlation 

between streambed sediment and fish tissue (table 5). 

The uptake of Cu and Zn by fish may be homeostatically regulated (limited by cellular mechanisms), 

particularly in muscle tissue (Luoma, 1983). These 

results indicate total concentrations of trace elements 

in sediment may frequently be poor indicators of 

bioavailability. Not surprisingly, other studies also 

have shown little or no correlation between trace 

elements in streambed sediment and fish tissue (Long 

and others, 2000; Maret and Skinner, 2000; Scudder 

and others, 1997). 

ORGANIC COMPOUNDS IN STREAMBED 

SEDIMENT AND FISH TISSUE

The concentrations of all organic compounds 

analyzed in streambed sediment and fish tissue at 

NECB sampling sites are contained in appendixes 2A, 

2B, and 3. Detection frequencies for organic 

compounds were generally higher in fish tissue than in 

streambed sediment, although the number of 

organochlorine compounds detected was higher in 

streambed sediment than in fish tissue. PAHs were the 

most frequently detected group of organic compounds 

in streambed sediment samples in the NECB study 

area; 13 of the 27 PAH compounds were detected in all 

streambed sediment samples (appendix 3). PAHs were 

analyzed only in streambed sediment because PAHs 

are readily metabolized by fish and, therefore, do not 

accumulate as the parent compound in fish tissue 

(Crawford and Luoma, 1993). DDT metabolites 

accounted for most of the DDT detected in streambed 

sediment and fish tissue, suggesting DDT contamination was not recent (appendix 2A). One exception was 

the Blackstone River (site 8, fig. 1), where p,p’DDT in 

streambed sediment accounted for 73 percent of 

DDTM. p,p’DDE, the most persistent metabolite of 

DDT, was detected in 79 percent of streambedsediment samples and in 92 percent of fish-tissue 

samples. Total PCBs were detected in 71 percent of 

streambed-sediment samples (appendix 2A) and 

83 percent of whole fish tissue (appendix 2B). At 

least one component of chlordane was detected in 

64 percent of streambed-sediment samples and 

58 percent of the whole fish tissue. Dieldrin was 

detected in 50 percent of streambed-sediment samples 

Table 5. Summary of statistical analysis between selected 

trace elements and organic compounds in streambed 

sediment in relation to fish tissue, New England Coastal 

Basins

[Spearman's coefficients (rho) and probability values (p-values) are highly 

significant (in bold and underlined) when rho is greater than or equal to 0.7; 

and p-values are less than or equal to 0.005; they are significant (in bold) 

when rho is greater than 0.6, and p-values are less than 0.05; a weak correlation may exist when rho is between 0.5 and 0.6 and p-values are less than 

0.1; a negative rho value indicates an inverse relation; PCBs, polychlorinated biphenyls; DDTM, dichloro diphenyl trichloroethane and its metabolites]

Trace element or 

organic compound

 Streambed sediment in relation to 

fish tissue 

(12 samples)

rho p-value

Arsenic 0.30 0.341

Copper -.26 .418

Mercury -.54 .069

Selenium .63 .029

Zinc .43 .158

Total PCBs .75 .005

Total chlordane .55 .065

DDTM .66 .018
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS IN STREAMBED SEDIMENT AND FISH TISSUE 15

(appendix 2A) and 17 percent of fish-tissue samples 

(appendix 2B). The following discussion will 

focus on the most commonly detected organic 

compounds—total PAHs, total PCBs, total chlordane, 

and DDTM.

Comparisons with Other Studies and 

Guidelines

Concentrations of organic carbon, total PAHs, 

total PCBs, and DDTM were higher in NECB 

streambed-sediment samples than in sediment samples 

in other NAWQA study units (table 6). The median 

organic carbon concentration in NECB sediment 

samples was 1.3 to 12 times higher than median 

concentrations in other NAWQA study units (table 6). 

The sum of the median values of the 27 PAH 

compounds in NECB sediment samples was 

21,800 μg/kg, 4 times higher than the sum of medians 

in any other NAWQA study unit (table 6). Concentrations of individual PAH compounds above consensusbased SQGs occurred at more NECB sites (9) than any 

other organic compound (table 2). Total PAH concentrations in streambed sediment exceeded consensusbased SQC at six sites (table 2, fig. 4). Median 

concentrations of total PCBs and DDTM in 

streambed-sediment samples were 1.9 and 1.5 times 

higher, respectively, at NECB sites than medians at 

any other NAWQA study unit (table 6). Chlordane 

components in NECB streambed sediment had the 

second highest median concentration compared to 

other study units (table 6). Consensus-based SQGs for 

DDD, DDE, and DDT in streambed sediment were 

exceeded at 7 to 36 percent of NECB sites (table 2). 

DDTM concentrations in streambed sediment did not 

exceed SQG at any NECB sites (table 2, fig. 4). Total 

chlordane concentrations in streambed sediment 

exceeded the consensus-based SQG at 50 percent of 

NECB sites, and total PCB concentrations exceeded 

SQG at 14 percent of sites (fig. 4). Overall, 

organochlorine compounds in streambed sediment 

exceeded the CCME guidelines at more NECB sites 

than the consensus-based SQGs (table 2).

Total PCBs were the organic compounds most 

elevated in NECB fish tissue compared to other 38 

NAWQA study units; median total PCB concentrations were 2.7 to 27 times higher than median concentrations in other NAWQA study units (table 7). The 

median total chlordane concentration in NECB fish 

tissue was in the upper 25 percent of sites nationally, 

and the median concentration of DDTM in NECB fish 

tissue was in the upper 50 percent of sites nationally 

(table 7). Fish tissue from the Charles River (site 11, 

fig. 1), exceeded the NAS/NAE guidelines for concentrations of total PCBs and total chlordane, and the 

U.S. Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) action 

level for concentrations of PCBs (National Academy 

of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, 1973; 

U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 1984) (fig. 4). 

The Blackstone River (site 8, fig. 1), exceeded the 

NAS/NAE guideline for concentrations of total PCBs 

in fish tissue (National Academy of Sciences, National 

Academy of Engineering, 1973) (fig. 4). 

Relations to Watershed Characteristics

High levels of organic compounds in streambed 

sediment in NECB relative to those in other study 

units are most likely a result of the high levels of 

urbanization at the selected NECB sites and the high 

organic carbon concentration in the NECB streambedsediment samples. Population density was the 

watershed characteristic most strongly correlated with 

concentrations of organic compounds in streambed 

sediment. Total PAHs had the highest correlation with 

population density (rho = 0.85, p < 0.001) followed by 

total PCBs (rho = 0.76, p = 0.001), DDTM (rho = 0.76, 

p = 0.002), and total chlordane (rho = 0.72, p = 0.003) 

(table 4). Concentrations of total PAHs, total PCBs, 

DDTM, and total chlordane were all significantly 

correlated to urban land use (rho = 0.61 to 0.69, 

p = 0.020 to 0.006), whereas only PAHs and total 

PCBs were correlated to commercial, industrial and 

transportation land use (rho = 0.63, p = 0.16 and 

rho = 0.60, p = 0.024, respectively). The use of DDT 

and chlordane for insect control in residential areas 

may explain their low correlation with commercial, 

industrial and transportation land use. Concentrations 

of organic compounds in streambed sediment also 

were correlated to the organic carbon content of 

streambed sediment (table 4). Hydrophobic organic 

compounds (such as PAHs, PCBs, chlordane, and 

DDTM) are frequently associated with particulate 

organic carbon fraction of streambed sediment 

(Nowell and others, 1999). Total PCBs had the 

strongest correlation with sediment organic carbon 

(rho = 0.76, p = 0.001), followed by DDTM (rho = 

0.63, p = 0.016), total PAHs (rho = 0.62, p = 0.017), 

and total chlordane (rho = 0.58, p = 0.029) (table 4). 
16 Trace Elements and Organic Compounds in Streambed Sediment and Fish Tissue of Coastal New England Streams, 1998-99

Table 6. Median concentrations of selected organic compounds in streambed sediment from 46 National Water-Quality 

Assessment Program (NAWQA) study units

[NAWQA, National Water-Quality Assessment Program; the number of streambed monitoring sites ranged from 6 to 56; g/kg, grams per kilogram; 

All concentrations are in microgram per kilogram, unless noted otherwise; PCBs, polychlorinated byphenyls; DDTM, sum of DDT, dichloro diphenyl 

trichloroethane and its major metabolites; DDD, dichloro diphenyl dichloroethylene; DDE, dichloro diphenyl dichloroethane; PAHs, polycyclic aromatic 

hydrocarbons; <, less than minimum reporting level; --, not analyzed; Values that are bold are for the New England Coastal Basins study unit; Values that 

are underlined are highest among all study units. See figure 2 for location of study units]

NAWQA 

study unit

Organic carbon

 (g/kg)

Total

PCBs

Total 

chlordane1

1

Sum of medians of cis-chlordane, trans-chlordane, heptachlor epoxide, oxychlordane, cis-nonachlor and trans-nonachlor.

DDTM2

2Sum of medians of o,p'- and p,p'- homologs of DDD, DDE and DDT.

Total

 PAHs3

3

Sum of medians of 27 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon compounds.

ACAD 17 <50 <1 1.05 858

ACFB 7 <100 <1 <2 <50

ALBE 8.2 <100 <1 1.2 <50

ALMN 17 <50 <1 <2 1,995

CAZB 14 <50 <1 1.1 485

CCPT 9.7 <100 <1 1.1 <50

CNBR 9.4 <100 <1 <2 98

CONN 19 <50 <1 3.7 4,813

COOK 8 <50 <1 <2 <50

DELR 35 <50 1.1 3.75 5,369

EIWA 16 <50 <1 <2 342

GAFL 32 <50 <1 <2 <50

HDSN 23 <50 <1 1.9 2,819

KANA 14.5 <50 <1 <2 870

LERI 11 <50 <1 2.5 816

LINJ 12 <50 4.6 1.5 4,454

LIRB 5 <50 <1 <2 182

LSUS 33 <100 <1 <2 1,766

LTEN 22 <50 <1 <2 170

MIAM 7 <50 <1 <2 1,414

MISE 9.9 <50 <1 3.7 328

MOBL -- <50 <1 <2 --

NECB 61.5 155 18 25.9 21,764

NROK 13 <50 <1 <2 84

NVBR 14 <100 <1 <2 55

OAHU 48.7 80.9 70.9 17.5 4,036

OZRK 8.5 <50 <1 <2 <50

POTO 21.5 8.3 1.73 <5 945

PUGT 9.4 <50 <1 <2 283

REDN 16.5 <100 <1 <2 97

RIOG 15 <100 <1 <2 40

SACR 7.7 <50 <1 <2 152

SANA 26 <50 <1 6.3 1,011

SANJ 8.4 <100 <1 3.5 27

SANT 12 <50 <1 1.1 244

SCTX 21 <50 <1 <2 51

SPLT 14.5 <100 <1 1.5 584

TRIN 10 <50 <1 1.1 35

UCOL 7.3 <50 <1 <2 269

UIRB 15 <50 <1 1.75 867

UMIS 19 <50 <1 <2 472

USNK 14 <50 <1 <2 <50

UTEN 21.5 <50 <1 <2 783

WHIT 15 <100 <1 <2 94

WILL 19 <100 <1 1.6 <50

WMIC 39 <100 <1 1.1 96

NATIONAL 

MEDIAN

14.5 <50 <1 <2 267
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS IN STREAMBED SEDIMENT AND FISH TISSUE 17

Figure 4. Concentrations of organic compounds in streambed sediment and fish tissue, New England Coastal Basins. 

Sites are ordered from low to high population density. Blanks indicate compounds in samples were below detection 

limits. DDTM is the sum of DDT and its metabolites. Site numbers are listed in table 1. Site locations are shown in 

figure 1.
18 Trace Elements and Organic Compounds in Streambed Sediment and Fish Tissue of Coastal New England Streams, 1998-99

Correlations between watershed features and 

organochlorine compounds in fish tissue were weaker 

than with streambed sediment (table 4). Population 

density was significantly correlated with DDTM 

(rho = 0.70, p = 0.011), total chlordane (rho = 0.66, 

p = 0.019), and total PCBs (rho = 0.62, p = 0.033) 

concentration in fish tissue. Correlations between 

concentrations of organic compounds in fish tissue and 

urban land use, and concentrations of organic 

compounds in fish tissue and commercial, industrial, 

and transportation land use, were not significant. 

Relations Between Organic Compounds 

in Streambed Sediment and Fish Tissue

Correlations between streambed sediment and 

fish tissue were stronger with organic compounds than 

with trace elements (table 5). All organic compounds 

showed some degree of correlation between streambed 

sediment and fish tissue; a highly significant correlation was found with PCBs (rho = 0.75, p = 0.005), 

a significant correlation with DDTM (rho = 0.66, 

p = 0.018), and a weak correlation with total chlordane 

(rho = 0.55, p = 0.065). Wong and others (2000) and 

Breault and Harris (1997) also found correlations were 

stronger between fish tissue and streambed sediment 

with organic compounds than with trace elements. 

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS

Concentrations of selected trace elements and 

organic compounds in streambed sediment and 

organic compounds in fish tissue in the New England 

Coastal Basins (NECB) study area were elevated 

compared to concentrations in other NAWQA study 

units across the Nation. NECB had the highest median 

concentrations for Pb, Hg, total PAHs, total PCBs, and 

DDTM, and the second highest median concentrations 

for Cd, Cu, and chlordane components in streambed 

sediment when compared to median concentrations of 

45 other NAWQA study units. NECB had the highest 

median concentration of total PCBs in fish tissue 

compared to 38 other NAWQA study units. PAHs and 

Pb were the contaminants in streambed sediments 

most frequently above the consensus-based SQGs for 

probable adverse effects to aquatic ecosystems. SQG 

guidelines for trace elements and organic compounds 

were exceeded most frequently at sites near large cities 

such as Boston, Providence and Worcester.

Table 7. Median concentrations of selected organic 

compounds in fish tissue from 39 National Water-Quality 

Assessment Program (NAWQA) study units

[Concentrations in microgram per kilogram (μg/kg); NAWQA, National 

Water-Quality Assessment Program; PCBs, polychlorinated biphenyls; 

<, less than minimum reporting level; DDTM, sum of DDT, dichloro diphenyl trichloroethane and its metabolites; DDD, dichloro diphenyl dichloroethylene; DDE, dichloro diphenyl dichloroethane; Values in bold are for 

the New England Coastal Basins study unit; Values underlined are highest 

among all study units. See figure 2 for locations of study units.]

NAWQA 

study unit Total PCBs Total chlordane1

1

Sum of medians of cis-chlordane, trans-chlordane, heptachlor 

epoxide, oxychlordane, cis-nonachlor and trans-nonachlor.

DDTM2

2

Sum of median concentrations of o,p’- and p,p’- homologs of DDD, 

DDE, and DDT.

ACFB <50 <5 <5

ALBE <50 <5 7.5

ALMN 150 8.6 32

CAZB <50 <5 18

CCPT <50 <5 92.2

CNBR <50 <5 11.5

CONN 250 23.4 76.8

COOK 128.5 <5 <5

DELR 159.5 19.6 57.8

EIWA 70 42.1 66

GAFL <50. <5 <5

HDSN 120 <5 68

KANA 70 <5 <5

LERI 210 6 49.2

LINJ 205 167.4 144.5

LIRB 160 114.7 55.4

LSUS 190 9.05 46.2

MISE 74.5 6.45 736

MOBL 65 <5 24

NECB 325 9 44.3

NVBR <50 <5 <5

OZRK <50 <5 <5

POTO <50 <5 <5

PUGT <50 <5 <5

REDN <50 <5 43

RIOG 53.5 <5 59.5

SACR <50 <5 20

SANJ <50 <5 <5

SANT <50 <5 <5

SCTX <50 <5 12.5

SPLT 95.5 <5 83.5

TRIN <50 16.4 24

UCOL <50 <5 16

UMIS 70 6.6 38

USNK <50 <5 74.3

UTEN <50 <5 <5

WHIT <50 <5 <5

WILL <50 <5 9

WMIC <50 <5 5.3

NATIONAL

MEDIAN

<50 <5 20
REFERENCES CITED 19

The high concentrations of trace elements and 

organic compounds in the NECB study area appear to 

be the result of urbanization or human activity in the 

watersheds sampled. Population density was more 

strongly correlated with concentrations of trace 

elements and organic compounds in NECB streambed 

sediment and fish tissue than other watershed characteristics. Population density had highly significant 

positive correlations with concentrations of Cd, Cu, 

Pb, Hg, Zn, total PAHs, total PCBs, total chlordane, 

and DDTM in streambed sediment. Significant 

positive correlations were found between population 

density and concentrations of Se, total PCBs, DDTM, 

and total chlordane in fish tissue. 

Organic carbon concentrations may also be a 

factor contributing to the elevated concentrations of 

trace elements and organic compounds in NECB 

streambed sediment. Median concentrations of 

organic carbon in NECB streambed sediment were 1.3 

to 12 times higher than median concentrations in other 

NAWQA study units. Organic carbon concentrations 

were correlated with concentrations of As, Se, total 

PAHs, total PCBs, and DDTM in NECB streambed 

sediment.

Concentrations of Se, total PCBs, and DDTM 

were significantly correlated between NECB 

streambed sediment and fish tissue. Correlations 

between streambed sediment and fish tissue were 

stronger with organic compounds than with trace 

elements, suggesting total trace element concentrations in streambed sediment may be poor indicators of 

trace element bioavailability to fish.

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Investigations Report 00-4053, 88 p.
APPENDIXES
24 Trace Elements and Organic Compounds in Streambed Sediment and Fish Tissue of Coastal New England Streams, 1998-99 Appendex 1A. Trace element concentrations in streambed sediment, New England Coastal Basins Trace elements Minimum reporting level (MRL) Concentration in streambed sediment of NECB rivers Ken- nebec, site 1 Andro- scoggin, site 2 Still- water, site 3 Merri- mack, site 4 Wading, site 5 Woon- asqua- tucket, site 6 Beaver, site 7 Black- stone, site 8 Ipswich, site 9 Nepon- set , site 10 Charles, site 11 Saugus, site 12 Aberjona, site 13 Moshas- suck, site 14 Aluminum (Al) (%) 0.005 7.3 7.2 4.8 6.7 5 5.9 4.5 6 4.4 5.4 5.9 5.2 5.9 4.2 Antimony (Sb) .1 0.64 0.5 1.3 1.2 2.1 3.3 0.28 3.4 2.7 4.6 3.2 1.2 3.4 10 Arsenic (As) .1 12 6.6 160 11 16 7.6 52 13 41 22 7.3 29 140 31 Barium (Ba) 1 440 420 400 500 460 640 400 630 420 720 460 360 450 790 Beryllium (Be) .1 2.3 3.4 3.6 3.9 2.3 5.7 3.1 2.6 2.8 2.4 2 2.8 3.2 1.9 Bismuth (Bi) 1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 1.4 <1 6.2 <1 <1 <1 <1 1.2 2 Cadmium (Cd) .1 .44 .45 1 1.6 3.6 2.2 1.2 18 1.4 2.5 4.4 2 7.3 6.4 Calcium (Ca) (%) .005 .96 1.4 1.1 1.8 1.1 1.2 1.2 1.4 1.4 1.3 1.5 1.4 1.6 1.4 Cerium (Ce) 1 79 97 100 140 54 120 85 84 68 62 62 72 90 67 Chromium (Cr) 1 120 100 36 78 86 210 53 220 62 140 92 140 440 98 Cobalt (Co) 1 18 13 19 8.6 30 14 18 14 28 21 12 18 27 37 Copper (Cu) 1 32 30 21 42 100 160 24 270 51 130 110 85 360 280 Europium (Eu) 1 1.5 1.5 1.6 1.9 1.2 2.3 1.2 1.6 1.1 1.4 1.3 1.3 1.5 1.2 Gallium (Ga) 1 16 16 12 14 11 14 13 14 13 13 12 14 18 11 Holmium (Ho) 1 <1. 1.1 1.2 1.5 1.2 3 1.1 1.5 1 1.2 1.1 1.2 1.4 1.4 Iron (Fe) (%) .005 3.6 3.1 5.5 2.4 4.1 3.6 3.6 3.7 5.5 6.2 3 5.6 6 10 Lanthanum (La) 1 43 53 64 74 31 110 49 49 37 35 34 41 49 38 Lead (Pb) 1 38 44 73 82 120 290 60 240 180 460 250 200 580 590 Lithium (Li) 1 44 41 32 26 21 22 32 31 30 24 25 32 38 19 Magnesium (Mg) (%) .005 1.1 .82 0.33 0.66 0.41 0.42 .44 0.82 0.52 1.1 0.75 0.91 0.88 0.6 Manganese (Mn) 4 960 950 2,100 750 4,800 1,600 6,800 860 8,000 5,500 750 1,500 2,400 12,000 Mercury (Hg) .02 .13 .5 .11 .32 .81 .5 0.15 1.0 .79 2.8 .73 .54 2.2 .98 Molybdenum (Mo) .5 .82 1.1 2.3 .98 2.6 34 1.3 2.8 3.2 2.6 1.6 3 4 7.6 Neodymium (Nd) 1 38 45 51 66 26 75 42 42 32 29 32 36 42 30 Nickel (Ni) 2 44 27 22 20 50 57 28 50 30 83 26 57 46 67 Niobium (Nb) 4 11 17 13 18 14 27 10 18 9.9 16 13 13 15 18 Phosphorus (P) (%) .005 .13 .14 .21 .17 .17 .38 .16 .44 .23 0.23 .16 .24 .26 .36 Potassium (K) (%) .005 1.8 1.9 1.3 1.8 1.2 1.7 1.1 1.6 1.1 1.4 1.6 1.4 1.4 1.2 Appendex 1A. Trace element concentrations in streambed sediment, New England Coastal Basins [See figure 1 for location of sites and table 1 for description of sites. Samples were analyzed by the U.S. Geological Survey’s Branch of Geochemistry Laboratory in Lakewood, Colo. All values in microgram per gram (μg/g), dry weight in less than 63 micrometer (μm) fraction, unless noted otherwise; Not detected (minimum reporting level <1 μg/g): gold, thallium; NECB, New England Coastal Basins study unit; %, percent of total; <, less than minimum reporting level given; Values underlined and bold exceed consensus-based Sediment Quality Guidelines listed in table 2.]
APPENDIXES 25

Scandium (Sc) 2 14 12 3.8 10 6.8 7.8 5.9 11 6.9 8.2 9.7 8.8 9.9 6Selenium (Se) 0.1 0.25 0.3 1.3 0.31 1.2 1.3 0.9 1.5 1.2 1.1 0.69 0.9 1.6 4.1Silver (Ag) .1 1.1 1.7 0.54 1.7 10 2.4 .88 5.2 0.62 0.69 1.8 1.1 1.3 3.3Sodium (Na) (%) .005 1.2 1.6 1 2 1.1 1.5 1 1.4 .98 1.1 1.6 1.5 1.2 1Strontium (Sr) 2 130 180 170 220 150 150 140 170 150 180 180 170 180 140Sulfur (S) (%) .05 .09 .14 .28 .11 0.38 0.53 .21 0.35 .41 .29 .36 .62 0.57 0.41Tantalum (Ta) 1 <1 1.4 1 1.2 1.1 2 1.3 1.3 1.4 1.3 2.5 1.4 2.3 1.3Thorium (Th) 1 12 17 12 22 6.5 11 12 12 9.6 8.3 9.5 9.4 11 7.6Tin (Sn) 1 5.1 8.4 4.1 11 19 31 6.8 78 11 22 18 24 21 69Titanium (Ti) (%) .005 .52 .55 .34 .54 .32 .34 .27 .48 .3 .43 .47 .4 .45 .28Uranium (U) .1 3.4 6.2 4.9 6.2 1.8 4.2 7.9 4.1 5.4 2.2 3.6 3.6 6.5 2Vanadium (V) 2 100 85 45 56 72 79 39 65 80 110 71 78 100 95Yttrium (Y) 1 19 21 24 30 23 60 22 31 21 25 21 23 29 27Ytterbium (Yb) 1 2 2.1 2.2 2.7 2.6 5.7 2 2.8 1.9 2.6 2 2.3 2.8 3Zinc (Zn) 2 170 140 180 180 290 480 160 610 280 520 300 380 1,500 960Organic carbon (%) .01 3.03 3.87 9.91 3.21 8.98 8.48 9.15 6.66 12.6 9.59 5.3 7.22 9.44 11Inorganic carbon (%) .01 .01 .02 .09 .02 .07 .04 .1 .02 .12 .15 .02 .05 .08 .32Organic plus inorganic carbon (%) .01 3.04 3.89 10 3.23 9.05 8.52 9.25 6.68 12.7 9.74 5.32 7.27 9.52 11.3

Appendex 1A. Trace element concentrations in streambed sediment, New England Coastal Basins--Continued

Trace elements

Minimum 

reporting 

level

(MRL)

Concentration in streambed sediment of NECB rivers

Kennebec, 

site 1

Androscoggin, 

site 2

Stillwater, 

site 3

Merrimack, 

site 4

Wading, 

site 5

Woonasquatucket, 

site 6

Beaver, 

site 7

Blackstone, 

site 8

Ipswich, 

site 9

Neponset , 

site 10

Charles, 

site 11

Saugus, 

site 12

Aberjona, 

site 13

Moshassuck, 

site 14
26 Trace Elements and Organic Compounds in Streambed Sediment and Fish Tissue of Coastal New England Streams, 1998-99 Appendix 1B. Trace element concentrations in fish fillets, New England Coastal Basins [See figure 1 for location of sites and table 1 for description of sites. Fish species were white suckers at all sites except Kennebec (smallmouth bass), and Merrimack (largemouth bass). Samples were ana- lyzed by the U.S. Geological Survey’s National Water Quality Laboratory in Lakewood, Colo. NECB, New England Coastal Basins study unit; All values in microgram per gram (μg/g) dry weight unless noted otherwise; Not detected (minimum reporting level <0.1 μg/g unless noted otherwise): aluminum (<1 μg/g), chromium (<0.5 μg/g), antimony, beryllium, cadmium, colbalt, lead, nickel, silver, uranium; <, less than minimum reporting level given; --, not applicable; Values bold exceed the National Academy of Sciences/National Academy of Engineering guideline (table 2) for the protection of fish-eating wildlife listed.] Trace elements Minimum reporting level (MRL) Concentrations in fish fillets in NECB rivers Ken- nebec, site 1 Andro- scoggin, site 2 Stillwater, site 3 Merrimack, site 4 Woon- asqua- tucket, site 6 Beaver, site 7 Black- stone, site 8 Ipswich, site 9 Nepon- set , site 10 Charles, site 11 Saugus, site 12 Moshas- suck, site 14 Arsenic (As) 0.1 0.48 <.24 0.39 <.26 <.25 0.29 0.36 0.49 <.27 0.41 0.53 <.26 Barium (Ba) .1 <.1 0.50 .41 <.1 1.03 .64 .28 .45 0.76 .80 .59 1.14 Boron (B) .2 1.15 .37 .33 0.89 0.58 .43 1.25 .34 .61 1.17 .66 0.54 Copper (Cu) .5 1.61 1.19 1.09 1.34 .81 1.02 1.08 1.04 .88 1.20 1.03 1.11 Iron (Fe) 1 9.59 11.22 10.51 11.33 12.48 9.30 12.14 9.36 10.87 19.24 16.32 13.09 Manganese (Mn) .1 .77 1.05 2.38 .57 .59 1.81 .68 1.96 1.84 .89 .77 .96 Mercury (Hg) .1 2.71 1.43 1.19 1.88 .73 .77 .24 1.61 .93 .40 .66 .33 Molybdenum (Mo) .1 <.24 .96 <.28 <.26 .35 <.27 <.24 <.27 <.27 <.22 <.25 <.26 Selenium (Se) .1 1.08 .73 1.32 1.01 1.41 1.30 8.14 1.14 1.73 2.06 1.41 1.99 Strontium (Sr) .1 .29 .49 1.75 .28 .28 .54 .54 .43 .76 .84 .53 .24 Vanadium (V) .1 1.50 1.42 <.28 1.62 <.25 <.27 <.24 <.27 <.27 <.22 <.25 <.26 Zinc (Zn) .5 47.47 52.10 38.31 55.15 132.53 56.07 54.71 49.35 47.88 72.85 66.72 93.05 Water, percent of total -- 80.08 80.01 80.67 80.54 79.92 81.44 78.75 80.82 81.38 78.38 80.22 80.49
APPENDIXES 27

Appendex 2A. Organochlorine compound concentrations in streambed sediment, New England Coastal Basins[See figure 1 for location of sites and table 1 for description of sites. Samples were analyzed by the U.S. Geological Survey’s National Water Quality Laboratory in Lakewood, Colo. All values are in concentrations of microgram per kilogram (μg/kg), dry weight in less than 2 millimeter (mm) fraction unless noted otherwise; Not detected (minimum reporting level <1 μg/kg unless noted otherwise): aldrin, chloroneb (<5 μg/kg), dacthal (<5 μg/kg), alpha-endrosulfan, endrin (<2 μg/kg), alpha-bhc, beta-bhc, heptachlor, isodrin, lindane, p,p’-methoxychlor (<5 μg/kg); o,p’-methoxychlor (<5 μg/kg), cis-permethrin 

(<5 μg/kg), toxaphane (<200 μg/kg), and pentachloroanisole; NECB, New England Coastal Basins study unit; <, less than minimum reporting level given; e, estimated concentration; DDD, dichloro diphenyl 

dichloroethylene; DDE, dichloro diphenyl dichloroethane; DDT, dichloro diphenyl trichloroethane; PCBs, polychlorinated biphenyls; g/kg, gram per kilogram; Values underlined and bold exceed consensusbased Sediment Quality Guidelines listed in table 2.]

Chlorinated organic 

compounds

Minimum 

reporting 

level

(MRL)

Concentrations in streambed sediment in NECB rivers

Kennebec, 

site 1

Androscoggin, 

site 2

Stillwater, 

site 3

Merrimack, 

site 4

Wading, 

site 5

Woonasquatucket, 

site 6

Beaver, 

site 7

Blackstone, 

site 8

Ipswich, 

site 9

Neponset, 

site 10

Charles, 

site 11

Saugus, 

site 12

Aberjona, 

site 13

Moshassuck, 

site 14

cis-chlordane 1 <1 <1 <2 7.9 <2 5.7 <1 10 19.4 12.3 16 14 65.2 <1cis-nonachlor 1 <1 <1 <2 2.4 <2 <1 <1 2.8 <3 5.8 4.8 4.2 7.5 2.2Dieldrin 1 <1 <1 3.1 1.2 <2 <1 <1 1.5 <3 12.4 2.1 4.5 13.5 <1Heptachlor epoxide 1 <1 <1 <2 <1 <2 <1 <1 <1 <3 <2 <1 <2 7.1 <2Hexachlobenzene 1 <1 <1 <2 <1 <2 <1 4 <1 <3 <2 <1 <2 <2 6.7Mirex 1 <1 <1 <2 <1 <2 <1 <1 1.1 <3 <2 <1 <2 <2 <1o,p'-DDD 1 <1 <1 <2 <5 <2 <1 <1 12 <3 <2 22 11 9.6 <1o,p'-DDE 1 <1 <1 <2 <1 <2 <1 <1 <1 8.9 <14.4 <1 <2 26.7 <12.1o,p'-DDT 2 <2 <2 <4 <2 <4 <2 <2 <2 <6 <4 <2 <4 <4 <2Oxychlordane 1 <1 <1 <2 3.2 <2 <1 <1 <3 <3 13.7 3.4 <2 <2 <9.6p,p'-DDD 1 <1 <1 2.6 e 4.4 <2 11.2 <1 44 15.4 75.3 67 39 81.8 21.4p,p'-DDE 1 <1 <1 3.4 2.4 12.7 5 <1 6.6 e 86.3 29.1 27 21 111 7.6p,p'-DDT 2 <2 <2 <4 e 2.2 2.6 <2 <2 170 34.2 57.6 10 13 33.7 6.9PCBs 50 <50 <50 <100 e 45 111 474 <50 180 264 766 340 130 833 347trans-chlordane 1 <1 <1 <2 7 3 <1 <1 14 14.8 17 20 15 57.2 <1trans-nonachlor 1 <1 <1 <2 6.2 <2 6.1 < 5.2 15.3 10 12 8.5 43.7 7.1trans-permethrin 5 <5 <5 <10 <5 <10 <5 <5 <5 <15 <10 12 <10 <10 <5Inorganic carbon 

(g/kg)

0.1 <.2 <.2 0.2 <.2 0.2 <.2 <.2 <.2 0.3 3.2 <.2 0.2 <.2 0.8

Organic carbon 

(g/kg)

.2 11 15 60 18 64 74 44 27 110 97 60 63 77 79

Organic plus inorganic carbon 

(g/kg)

.1 11 15 60 18 64 74 44 27 110 100 60 63 77 80

Sample weight 

(grams)

.1 18.25 18.36 11.6 12.82 12.14 13 14.3 14.46 9.43 11.2 10.3 10.11 10.95 16.3
28 Trace Elements and Organic Compounds in Streambed Sediment and Fish Tissue of Coastal New England Streams, 1998-99 Appendex 2B. Organochlorine compound concentrations in whole fish tissue, New England Coastal Basins [See figure 1 for location of sampling sites and table 1 for description of sites. Fish species were white suckers at all sites except smallmouth bass at Kennebec and Merrimack. Samples were analyzed by the U.S. Geological Survey’s National Water Quality Laboratory in Lakewood, Colo. All values are in microgram per kilogram (μg/kg), wet weight unless noted otherwise; Not detected (minimum reporting level 5 μg/kg): aldrin, dacthal, endrin, alpha-bhc, beta-bhc, delta-bhc, heptachlor, lindane, p,p’-methoxychlor, o,p’-methoxychlor, pentachloroanisole oxychlordane, mirex, heptachlor epoxide, hexachlorobenzene, o,p’-DDE, o,p’-DDD, and o,p’-DDT; Toxaphane was not detected (minimum reporting level <200 μg/kg). NECB, New England Coastal Basins study unit; PCBs, polychlorinated biphenyls; <, less than min- imum reporting level; e, estimated concentration; %, percent; Values underlined and bold exceed the U.S. Food and Drug Administration guideline for consumption of whole fish and values that are bold exceed the National Academy of Sciences/National Academy of Engineering guideline (table 2) for the protection of fish-eating wildlife listed.] Organochlorine compounds Minimum reporting level (MRL) Concentrations in whole fish tissue in NECB rivers Kennebec site 1 Andro- scoggin site 2 Stillwater site 3 Merrimack site 4 Woonasqua- tucket site 6 Beaver site 7 Blackstone site 8 Ipswich site 9 Neponset site 10 Charles site 11 Saugus site 12 Moshassuck site 14 Total PCBs 50 77 460 <50 410 430 <50 1,200 63 240 2,200 140 490 trans-nonachlor 5 <5 <5 <5 13 21 <5 11 7 <5 81 19 12 cis-nonachlor 5 <5 <5 <5 <5 <5 <5 e 4.7 <5 <5 24 8.3 <5 trans-chlordane 5 <5 <5 <5 <5 9.6 <5 6.2 <5 <5 40 15 6.4 cis-chlordane 5 <5 <5 <5 <5 17 <5 12 <5 <5 130 29 15 p,p'-DDE 5 51 14 8.9 40 28 <5 36 6 28 230 34 23 p,p'-DDD 5 <5 <5 <5 7.3 9.5 <5 23 12 17 160 38 22 p,p'-DDT 5 <5 <5 <5 <5 6.1 <5 <5 12 6.7 30 9.7 12 Dieldrin 5 <5 <5 <5 <5 <5 <5 24 <5 <5 29 <5 <5 Lipids (%) 0.5 3 8.1 2.4 3.6 2.7 1.8 4.3 1.7 1 15 0.8 2.3
APPENDIXES 29

Appendix 3. Semivolatile compound concentrations in streambed sediment, New England Coastal Basins

Semivolatile 

compound

name

Minimum 

reporting 

level

(MRL)

Concentrations in streambed sediment in NECB rivers

Kennebec, 

site 1

Androscoggin, 

site 2

Stillwater, 

site 3

Merrimack, 

site 4

Wading, 

site 5

Woonasquatucket, 

site 6

Beaver, 

site 7

Blackstone, 

site 8

Ipswich, 

site 9

Neponset, 

site 10

Charles, 

site 11

Saugus, 

site 12

Aberjona, 

site 13

Moshassuck, 

site 14

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)

1,2 dimethylnaphthalene 50 <50 <50 <100 <100 <100 <100 <100 e 16.1 <100 <100 110 <100 <100 e 38.21,6 dimethylnaphthalene 50 68.8 50.7 <100 e 22.5 e 17.9 <100 e 10.2 e 35.7 e 26.9 e 40.6 132 <100 e 68.5 e 43.21 methyl-9H-fluorene 50 <50 <50 <100 <100 <100 <100 <100 e 20.1 <100 <100 e 93.2 <100 <100 <1001 methyl phenanthrene 50 <50 e 44. e 40.9 112 e 52.7 304 e 36.8 185 217 243 516 132 488 2451 methylpyrene 50 <50 87.6 <100 e 66.1 e 22.6 202 e 20 156 142 175 330 164 428 1832,3,6 trimethylnaphthalene 50 <50 e 39.7 <100 <100 e 1.9 <100 <100 e 8.4 e 11.2 <100 113 <100 e 42.7 e 25.72,6 dimethylnaphthalene 50 77 73 e 80.3 e 70 e 49.5 114 e 63.9 120 120 144 178 177 265 2442-Ethyl naphthalene 50 <50 e 47.9 <100 e 25.7 <100 e 28.7 e 21.4 e 39.3 <100 e 40.5 103 <100 e 46.6 e 38.12-methyl anthracene 50 <50 e 38.3 <100 e 71.5 e 10.3 186 e 31.8 128 e 86.3 <100 383 312 279 1424H-cyclopentaphenanthrene 50 <50. e 44.1 <100 181 e 40.9 476 e 29.1 294 319 334 859 324 879 465Acenaphthene 50 <50 <50 <100 e 54.9 <100 188 <100 130 104 e 86.6 417 e 84. 276 268Acenaphthylene 50 e 43.7 200 e 57.7 142 e 84.5 380 e 68.4 227 272 294 688 212 820 213Anthracene 50 e 9 106 e 45.7 280 108 734 e 56.3 538 510 446 1,610 402 1,460 798Benz[a]anthracene 50 57.6 452 107 960 346 2,640 136 1,530 1,740 1,630 3,930 1,670 4,660 2,990Benzo[a]pyrene 50 77.2 483 127 807 427 2,600 214 1,180 1,880 1,600 3,670 2,340 5,670 3,270Benzo[b]fluoranthene 50 88.6 395 125 1,330 774 3,240 177 1,680 2,180 2,010 3,520 2,760 9,420 3,790Benzo[ghi]perylene 50 56.9 279 e 72.6 e 366 345 e1,720 130 e487 1,160 e1,150 1,890 1,440 4,380 e1,920Benzo[k]fluoranthene 50 84.2 400 136 e1,040 278 2,660 200 e1,790 1,330 1,650 3,050 2,090 3,070 3,680Chrysene 50 133 539 148 1,230 542 3,520 190 1,790 2,390 2,290 4,200 2,350 7,120 4,080Dibenz[a,h]anthracene 50 e 36.1 88.5 <100 e120. 102 337 e 49.3 e 186. 279 250 716 505 734 367Dibenzothiophene 50 <50 e 20.4 <100 e 32.5 e 1.6 152 <100. e 68.2 e 90.4 118 292 e 98.5 290 218Fluoranthene 50 150 577 308 2,110 852 6,070 362 4,010 3,480 4,310 6,400 4,680 12,300 8,920Fluorene 50 <50 e .61 <100 e 88 e 25.8 281 <100 163 174 152 545 101 428 336Indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene 50 87.2 291 e 92.6 e 488 330 2,160 153 e 752 986 1,370 2,430 1,550 450 2,630Naphthalene 50 <50 <50 <100 <100 e 19.5 167 <100 <100 e 67.1 125 <100 e 14.8 267 222Phenanthrene 50 65.4 281 135 1,180 327 2,820 192 1,540 2,330 2,090 4,790 1,850 5,380 4,470Pyrene 50 166 598 313 1,780 728 5,000 352 3,730 2,830 3,410 5,580 3,760 10,100 6,480

Appendix 3. Semivolatile compound concentrations in streambed sediment, New England Coastal Basins[See figure 1 for location of sampling sites and table 1 for description of sites. Samples were analyzed by the U.S. Geological Survey’s National Water Quality Laboratory in Lakewood, Colo. All values in microgram 

per kilogram (μg/kg), dry weight in less than 2-millimeter fraction; Not detected (minimum reporting level <50 μg/kg): 2,4 dinitrotoluene, 2,6 dinitrotoluene, isophorone, methane 2 chloroethoxy, 2-chloronaphthalene, 4-chloro m-cresol, phenol c8-alkyl-, n nitrosodi propylamine, benzene nitro, benzene m dichloro, benzene pentachloronitro, 4 bromophenyl phenylether, 4 chlorophenyl phenyletherbis 2 chloroethyl ether, pentachloroanisole, phenol 2 chloro, and benzocinnoline; NECB, New England Coastal Basins study unit; <, less than minimum reporting level given; e, estimated concentration; --, no data; Values underlined and bold

exceed consensus-based Sediment Quality Guidelines listed in table 2.]
30 Trace Elements and Organic Compounds in Streambed Sediment and Fish Tissue of Coastal New England Streams, 1998-99 Phthalates bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate 50 145 178 e 87.8 1,700 172 e 1,540. e 74.3 1,240 1,200 e 1,400. 4,220 1,580 10,900 e 3,940 Butylbenzyl phthalate 50 e 10.9 e 46.6 <100 175 <100. 336 <100 127 149 403 152 156 322 463 Di-n-butyl phthalate 50 82.3 57.2 e 41.8 e 47.6 e 56.6 e 90.1 <100 e 24.9 119 e 97.9 110 112 116 e 99.3 Di-n-octyl phthalate 50 <50 <50 <100 e 118 <100 <100 <100 e 40.2 <100 153 e 118 168 693 605 Diethyl phthalate 50 <50 e 12 <100 <100 e 15.6 <100 <100 e 10.2 <100 <100 e 29.2 <100 e 9.9 <100 Dimethyl phthalate 50 <50 <50 <100 <100 e 7.3 <100 <100 e 23.6 e 1.2 <100 <100 <100 <100 <100 Phenols 3,5-dimethyl phenol 50 <50 <50 <100 <100 <100 <100 <100 <100 <100 <100 <100 <100 e 31.6 <100 4-nitrophenol -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- e 535 --

p-cresol 50 77.8 560 5,050 e 76.5 686 886 2,010 e 66.6 3,260 1,130 208 3,730 6,030 372Phenol 50 e 10.9 e 35.5 e 76.6 <100 e 56.7 e 77.5 e 59.1 e 13.8 184 72.2 e 66.5 123 343 124

Other semi-volatiles

1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene 50 <50 <50 <100 <100 <100 <100 <100 e 16.5 <100 <100 <100 <100 <100 <1001,2-Dichlorobenzene 50 <50 <50 <100 <100 <100 <100 <100 e 10.5 <100 <100 e 8.5 <100 <100 <1001,4-Dichlorobenzene 50 <50 <50 <100 <100 <100 <100 <100 e 15.6 <100 <100 e 23.3 <100 <100 <100

Appendix 3. Semivolatile compound concentrations in streambed sediment, New England Coastal Basins--Continued

Semivolatile 

compound

name

Minimum 

reporting 

level

(MRL)

Concentrations in streambed sediment in NECB rivers

Kennebec, 

site 1

Androscoggin, 

site 2

Stillwater, 

site 3

Merrimack, 

site 4

Wading, 

site 5

Woonasquatucket, 

site 6

Beaver, 

site 7

Blackstone, 

site 8

Ipswich, 

site 9

Neponset, 

site 10

Charles, 

site 11

Saugus, 

site 12

Aberjona, 

site 13

Moshassuck, 

site 14
TRACE ELEMENTS AND ORGANIC COMPOUNDS IN STREAMBED SEDIMENT AND FISH TISSUE OF COASTAL NEW ENGLAND STREAMS, 1998-99

—Chalmers, Ann USGS Water-Resources Investigations Report 02-4179