Sediment Quality of Lakes, Rivers, and 

Estuaries in the Mystic River Basin,

Eastern Massachusetts, 2001–03

By Robert F. Breault, John L. Durant, and Albert Robbat, Jr.

In cooperation with the 

Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection,

Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, and 

Tufts University

Scientific Investigations Report 2005-5191

U.S. Department of the Interior

U.S. Geological Survey
U.S. Department of the Interior

Gale A. Norton, Secretary

U.S. Geological Survey

P. Patrick Leahy, Acting Director

U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia: 2005

For sale by U.S. Geological Survey, Information Services

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endorsement by the U.S. Government.

Although this report is in the public domain, permission must be secured from the individual copyright owners to 

reproduce any copyrighted materials contained within this report.

Suggested citation:

Breault, R.F., Durant, J.L., and Robbat, Albert, Jr., 2005, Sediment quality of lakes, rivers, and estuaries in the Mystic 

River Basin, eastern Massachusetts, 2001–03: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2005-5191, 

110 p.
Contents

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

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

Background............................................................................................................................................3

Purpose and Scope ..............................................................................................................................5

Previous Studies ...................................................................................................................................5

Sample Collection Methods and Analysis........................................................................................5

Water Depths and Sediment Thickness...................................................................................5

Sample-Collection Design........................................................................................................10

Sample-Collection Techniques................................................................................................10

Chemical Analysis......................................................................................................................10

Data-Analysis Methods ............................................................................................................10

Bias and Variability....................................................................................................................16

Water Depths and Sediment Thickness...................................................................................................18

Results for Sediment Grab Samples.........................................................................................................18

Spatial Trends in Sediment Quality ..................................................................................................18

Effects of Human Activities on Sediment Quality..........................................................................21

Comparison to Other Urban Rivers ..................................................................................................22

Results for Sediment Core Samples .........................................................................................................24

Trends in Sediment Quality................................................................................................................24

Human Activities and Sediment Quality..........................................................................................25

Toxicity of Contaminated Bottom Sediment ...........................................................................................25

Benthic Organisms .............................................................................................................................25

Humans.................................................................................................................................................26

Summary........................................................................................................................................................27

Acknowledgments.......................................................................................................................................27

References Cited..........................................................................................................................................27

Figures

1. Map showing the location of the Mystic River Basin, Massachusetts...............................2

2. Photographs showing A, tugboat operation; B, shipping; C, typical industry; 

and D, remedial action on a contaminated waterway in the lower Mystic 

River, Massachusetts...................................................................................................................4

3, 4. Maps showing:

3. Sediment grab and core sampling locations, Mystic River Basin ..............................9

4. Altitude of streambed, sediment thickness, or both in the Mystic River 

Basin: A, Lower Mystic Lake; B, Alewife Brook and its confluence with 

the upper Mystic River; and C, upper Mystic River and the Malden 

River above the Amelia Earhart Dam.............................................................................11

iii
5, 6. Photographs showing:

5. A, U.S. Geological Survey personnel collecting a sediment grab sample; 

B, sediment collected in the dredge; C, transfer of sediment sample 

from the dredge into a Teflon bag; and D, a waterlogged sediment 

sample collected from the lower Mystic River............................................................15

6. A, Dry ice being placed into freeze corer; B, retrieval of freeze corer; 

C, removal of excess sediment from corer; and D, sediment-core 

preservation by wrapping the core in plastic ..............................................................16

7. Graph showing population statistics for element and polyaromatic 

hydrocarbon concentrations measured in grab samples collected from 

the Mystic River Basin, and other urban rivers (2001–03)...................................................19

8. Map showing areas dredged as part of the Boston Harbor Navigation 

Improvement Project, in which the lower Mystic River and Inner Harbor 

were deepened from 35 feet mean lower low water (MLLW) to about 40 feet 

MLLW (light blue) and parts of Chelsea Creek from 35 feet MLLW to about 

38 feet MLLW (dark blue)...........................................................................................................23

9–16. Graphs showing:

9. Selected trace element and organic compound concentrations 

measured in sediment core samples collected from site 105, Lower 

Mystic Lake, Mystic River Basin....................................................................................33

10. Selected trace element and organic compound concentrations 

measured in sediment core samples collected from site 106, upper 

Mystic River above Amelia Earhart Dam, Mystic River Basin ..................................34

11. Selected trace element and organic compound concentrations 

measured in sediment core samples collected from site 107, Malden 

River, Mystic River Basin.................................................................................................35

12. Selected trace element and organic compound concentrations 

measured in sediment core samples collected from site 108, upper 

Mystic River about 180 meters above the Amelia Earhart Dam, Mystic 

River Basin.........................................................................................................................36

13. Selected trace element and organic compound concentrations 

measured in sediment core samples collected from site 109, upper 

Mystic River about 90 meters above Amelia Earhart Dam, Mystic River 

Basin ...................................................................................................................................37

14. Selected trace element and organic compound concentrations 

measured in sediment core samples collected from site 110, lower 

Mystic River about 45 meters below the Amelia Earhart Dam, Mystic 

River Basin.........................................................................................................................38

15. Selected trace element and organic compound concentrations 

measured in sediment core samples collected from site 111, lower 

Mystic River about 475 meters below the Amelia Earhart Dam, Mystic 

River Basin.........................................................................................................................39

16. Selected trace element and organic compound concentrations 

measured in sediment core samples collected from site 112, Island 

End River, Mystic River Basin .........................................................................................40

17. Map showing estimated sediment toxicity to Hyalella azteca and 

Chiromonus spp. with respect to consensus-based freshwater sedimentquality guidelines........................................................................................................................41

iv
Tables

1. Bottom-sediment sampling sites in the Mystic River Basin, Massachusetts ....................6

2. Constituents analyzed in sediment samples from the Mystic River Basin

and their common sources and uses ......................................................................................17

3. Distribution of element and organic compound concentrations measured 

in sediment grab samples, Mystic River Basin......................................................................45

4. Distribution of element concentrations measured in sediment core samples, 

Mystic River Basin......................................................................................................................76

5. Distribution of organic compound concentrations measured in sediment 

core samples, Mystic River Basin ...........................................................................................91

Conversion Factors, Vertical Datum, and 

Abbreviations

Multiply By To obtain

cubic foot (ft3) 0.0283 cubic meters (m3)

cubic yards (yd3) 0.7646 cubic meters (m3)

foot (ft) 0.3048 meter (m)

gallons (g) 3.785 liters (L)

gallons (g) 0.134 cubic feet (ft3)

inch (in.) 2.54 centimeter (cm)

inch (in.) 25.4 millimeter (mm)

inch (in.) 25,400 micrometer (μm)

million gallons (Mgal) 3,785 cubic meters (m3)

Temperature in degrees Celsius (°C) may be converted to 

degrees Fahrenheit (°F) as follows:

°F=(1.8×°C)+32

Temperature in degrees Fahrenheit (°F) may be converted to 

degrees Celsius (°C) as follows:

°C=(°F-32)/1.8

Vertical coordinate information is referenced to the North American Vertical Datum of 1988 

(NAVD 88).

Horizontal coordinate information is referenced to the North American Datum of 1983 (NAD 83).

Altitude, as used in this report, refers to distance above the local vertical datum.

Concentrations of sediment-quality constituents are given in percent (%), parts per million 

(ppm), and parts per billion (ppb). 

v
BHNIP	 Boston Harbor Navigation Improvement Project

CCAG 	 Chelsea Creek Action Group

CSO	 combined sewer overflow

DCR	 Department of Conservation and Recreation

DDD	 dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane

DDE	 dichlorodiphenyldichlorethylene

DDT	 dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane

GCMS	 gas chromatography mass spectrometry

GIS	 geographic information system

GPS	 global positioning system

HCl	 hydrochloric acid

HSSR	 Hydrogeochemical and Stream Sediment Reconnaissance

MDEP	 Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection

MassPort	 Massachusetts Port Authority

MDCR	 Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation

MDC	 Massachusetts District Commission

MDL	 method detection limit

MIT	 Massachusetts Institute of Technology

MLLW	 mean lower low water

MRL	 minimum reporting level

MWRA	 Massachusetts Water Resources Authority

MyRWA 	 Mystic River Watershed Association

NAWQA	 National Water-Quality Assessment

NURE	 National Uranium Resource Evaluation

PAHs polyaromatic hydrocarbons

PCBs polychlorinated biphenyls

PEC	 probable-effect concentration

PES	 performance-evaluation samples

SOP	 standard operating procedure

Σ sum

TIN	 triangular irregular network

USACE	 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

USEPA 	 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

vi
Sediment Quality of Lakes, Rivers, and 

Estuaries in the Mystic River Basin, 

Eastern Massachusetts, 2001–03

By Robert F. Breault1, John L. Durant2, and Albert Robbat, Jr.2

Abstract

The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the 

Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, 

Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, 

and Tufts University, completed a study of bottom-sediment 

quality in selected lakes, rivers, and estuaries in the Mystic 

River Basin, 2001–03. More than 100 bottom-sediment grab 

samples and 8 bottom-sediment cores were collected from the 

study area that included the Lower Mystic Lake, Mystic River, 

Alewife Brook, Malden River, Island End River, Chelsea and 

Mill Creeks, and Boston Inner Harbor. Sediment grab and 

sediment core samples were tested for the presence of pesticides, polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated 

biphenyls, and trace elements. 

Both types of samples were generally enriched in toxic 

elements, in particular, arsenic, chromium, copper, lead, silver, 

zinc, and PAHs with respect to background concentrations 

and concentrations measured in sediment from other urban 

rivers. There were only a few detections of pesticides and no 

polychlorinated biphenyl detections above detection limits. 

Locally, concentrations of most trace elements and PAHs were 

lower in the sediments in the Mystic River Basin than in the 

lower Charles River, but higher than or equal to concentration 

in the Neponset River, with the notable exception of arsenic. 

Some chemicals also are in sufficiently high concentrations in 

Mystic River sediment to pose a threat to benthic organisms 

and potentially to cause health risks to humans if they come in 

contact with the sediment. Increasing concentrations with sediment depth in cores show that the deposition of trace elements 

and PAHs has substantially declined over the past 50 years or 

so. However, concentrations of PAHs are generally higher in 

the top few centimeters of sediment, indicating that sediment 

contaminant concentrations in the basin remain elevated above 

background.

Introduction

Restoration of lakes, rivers, and estuaries in the Boston 

metropolitan area has improved water and sediment quality 

and has generally made it safer for people to boat, swim, and 

fish in these waters. For example, during the past 10 years, 

Federal, State, and local institutions have collaborated to 

achieve the common goal of restoring the Charles River, a 

tributary to Boston Harbor (Breault and others, 2000; Zarriello 

and others, 2003; Weiskel, 2005). This initiative, known 

locally as Clean Charles River 2005, has realized substantial 

improvements in the water quality of the Charles River, and 

now serves as a model for other urban river-restoration projects across the nation. The initiative, which includes waterquality monitoring, collaborative studies, and the removal of 

illegal sewer connections, has been applied to lakes, rivers, 

and estuaries of the Mystic River Basin (fig. 1). This new 

initiative was motivated in part by the former administrator of 

the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (USEPA) New 

England Office, John DeVillars, who stated: “Our strategy is 

working * * * well on the Charles; it’s time to put it to work 

on the Mystic. For too many years, the Mystic River has suffered from discharges of polluted storm water. A comprehensive strategy * * * will go a long way to returning this resource 

to better days” (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2003). 

On November 30, 1998, the USEPA and the Massachusetts 

Department of Environmental Protection (MDEP) announced 

a program designed to improve the quality of the water in the 

Mystic River Basin, including Lower Mystic Lake, Mystic 

River, Alewife Brook, Malden River, Island End River, 

Chelsea and Mill Creeks, and Boston Inner Harbor. This 

program is known locally as the Clean Mystic River 2010.

1

U.S. Geological Survey.

2

Tufts University.
2 Sediment Quality of Lakes, Rivers, and Estuaries in the Mystic River Basin, Eastern Massachusetts, 2001–03

Figure 1. The location of the Mystic River Basin, Massachusetts.

0 50 MILES

0 50 KILOMETERS

Arlington

Belmont

Medford Malden

Revere

Everett

Chelsea

Somerville

Cambridge

Watertown

Boston

Winthrop

Mill CreekMill Creek

Amelia Earhart Dam

Brookline

East Boston

Charlestown

Logan

Airport

Craddock

Locks

Upper

Mystic

Lake

Lower Mystic River

Malde n R vi er

Charles River

Upper Mystic River

C hel sea Creek

Boston Inner Harbor

Alewi f e

Bro ok

Island End RIver

Charles River

Upper Mystic River

C hel sea Creek

Boston Inner Harbor

Upper

Mystic

Lake Lower

Mystic

Lake

Lower

Mystic

Lake

Malde n R vi er

Alewi f e

Bro ok

Island End RIver

Lower Mystic River

Little CreekLittle Creek

842,876

302,732

106,722 172,059

237,395

923,059

882,968

73o

00'

42o

30'

42o

00'

41

o

30'

72o

00'

71

o

00'

70

o

00'

Mystic River Basin

909,025

907,025

905,025

903,025

901,025

899,025

227,659 230,659 233,659 236,659 239,659

0

0

1

1 2 3 4 MILES

2 3 4 KILOMETERS

Base map coverages from MassGIS, NAD 83, Lambert Conformal Polyconic projection, Massachusetts coordinate system mainland zone in meters
Background

New Englanders and their water resources are closely 

connected. As early as colonial times, New England rivers 

were dammed for power production, fished for food, and used 

for waste disposal and the transportation of goods. The rivers 

of the Mystic River Basin, just north of Boston, which was the 

leading commercial port in colonial America, were well suited 

for these purposes. Tidally influenced until the early 1900s, 

the Mystic River was the site of mills, brickyards, tanneries, 

and shipyards (Mystic River Watershed Association, 2004). 

The “Blessing of the Bay,” the first ocean-going ship built in 

Massachusetts, was launched from the shores of the Mystic 

River in 1631. The waters of the Mystic River Basin also have 

historical importance—the first naval battle of the American 

Revolution took place in Chelsea Creek on May 27, 1775. In 

this battle, the colonists destroyed the British schooner Diana

(Chelsea Historical Society, 2004).

Although many of the old factories have been replaced by 

housing, and rivers in the upper parts of the basin have been 

dammed (first by the Craddock Locks in 1909 and then by the 

Amelia Earhart Dam in 1966), the rivers of the Mystic River 

Basin are still as important economically today (2005) as they 

were during colonial times. Modern industries and businesses 

line the waterways throughout the basin. Commercial vessels 

(about 500 annually), such as oil tankers, bulk carriers, and 

container ships, deliver fuel and cargo, including gypsum, 

salt, cement, and scrap metal, to ports on the Mystic River 

and Chelsea Creek (fig. 2). Although the Mystic River Basin 

supports recreational activities such as kayaking, rowing, 

and fishing, swimming has been limited because of contamination, which has been attributed to combined-sewer 

overflows (CSOs) and urban runoff (Mystic River Watershed 

Association, 2003).

Because of the long industrial history and the subsequent 

urbanization of the Mystic River Basin, the Mystic River 

has had a long history of contamination. In 1865, the decline 

of fish and shellfish populations in the Mystic River was 

blamed, in part, on contamination (Mystic River Watershed 

Association, 2004). Contamination in the upper parts of the 

basin began as early as the late 1600s. From the mid-1800s 

to the mid-1900s, leather tanneries and chemical-manufacturing plants released large quantities of arsenic, chromium, 

lead, and other chemicals into the Aberjona River, which 

drains to Lower Mystic Lake, the headwaters of the Mystic 

River (Wernstedt and Probst, 1997; Durant and others, 1990, 

Aurilio and others, 1995, Spliethoff and Hemond, 1996). Two 

Superfund hazardous-waste-disposal sites—wells G+H and 

Industri-Plex—are on the Aberjona River, the main tributary 

to the Mystic Lakes. In recent years, petroleum spills have 

contributed to the ongoing contamination of the Mystic River 

Basin. Since 1974 there have been over 40 recorded spills of 

petroleum into Chelsea Creek; moreover, it has been estimated 

that ground water in the area may have been contaminated 

with over one million gallons of oil (U.S. Environmental 

Protection Agency, 1999). An example of ongoing (2004) 

contamination in the basin can be found along the shores of 

the Island End River, a small tributary to the Mystic River. A 

major coal-gasification plant operated on the Island End River 

between the 1890s and the late 1950s, and residual waste 

from this plant continues to discharge into the river (U.S. 

Environmental Protection Agency, 2003b).

Urbanization has also contributed to the poor quality of 

the water of the Mystic River Basin. Toxic chemicals, animal 

waste, sediment, and trash washed from impervious areas 

such as roads or roof tops often end up in rivers, lakes, and 

estuaries. For example, 85 percent of the area of the city of 

Somerville is impervious (fig. 1) (Mystic River Watershed 

Association, 2004). Urban runoff typically contains high 

concentrations of bacteria, nutrients, oil and grease. Sewers 

are another source of contamination in the Mystic River Basin. 

The sewer systems in parts of the Mystic River Basin carry 

both sanitary discharge and stormwater, and during heavy 

rains these combined sewers overflow, sending raw or only 

marginally treated sewage into the Mystic River and its tributaries. Bacterial contamination is the reason for beach closings, shellfishing restrictions, and limitations on boating and 

swimming. At present, there are 17 active CSOs in the Mystic 

River Basin, eight of which discharge directly into Alewife 

Brook, a small tributary to the Mystic River (Kevin Brander, 

Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, 

written commun., 2004). In addition to CSOs, an aged sewer 

infrastructure with leaky sanitary sewers and illegal connections between sanitary sewers and storm drains also discharges 

sewage directly to lakes, rivers, and estuaries in the basin. The 

cumulative effect of this industrial history and the continuing discharge of household waste and urban runoff is that 

most waters in the basin fail to meet water-quality standards 

necessary for swimming and boating (U.S. Environmental 

Protection Agency, 2003a).

Introduction   
 Sediment Quality of Lakes, Rivers, and Estuaries in the Mystic River Basin, Eastern Massachusetts, 2001–03

Toxic chemicals, such as trace elements, and hydrophobic 

organic compounds (like oil) that enter natural waters often 

end up in the bottom sediment because their physical and 

chemical properties favor sorption onto sediments (Horowitz, 

1991). In many rivers, high concentrations of contaminants 

in bottom sediment are a concern. As long as the sediments 

stay in the river, they remain a potential nonpoint source of 

contamination (de Groot, 1995). Contaminated sediments 

may also adversely affect benthic (bottom-dwelling) organisms (DePinto and others, 1994). In addition, chemicals in 

contaminated sediments may propagate through the food chain 

and thereby affect pelagic (swimming) organisms (Baudo 

and Muntau, 1990; Sly, 1994). Consumption of contaminated 

organisms can pose health risks to predatory fish, wildlife, 

and humans. Direct contact with or accidental ingestion of 

contaminated sediments may also pose health risks to humans 

(Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, 

1996).

The distribution of toxic chemicals in sediment depends 

not only on the locations of contaminant sources but also on 

the natural processes that control sediment-particle transport. 

Human activities in the basin can also interfere with many of 

these natural processes; urbanization, dam construction, and 

channel alterations (dredging, channel straightening, or others) 

can change the sediment supply, hydraulic characteristics, or 

both (Montgomery and Buffington, 1998). For example, dams 

trap most of the sediment in impounded waters (Heinz Center, 

2002), and dredging removes contaminated sediments. Both 

dam construction and dredging have likely altered natural 

sediment processes in the Mystic River Basin.

Figure 2. A, Tugboat operation; B, shipping; C, typical industry; and D, remedial action on a contaminated waterway in the 

lower Mystic River, Massachusetts.

A. B.

C. D.
Many agencies and organizations are involved in 

the ongoing cleanup efforts in the Mystic River Basin, 

including the MDEP, the Massachusetts Department of 

Conservation and Recreation (DCR), the Massachusetts Water 

Resources Authority (MWRA), the Mystic River Watershed 

Association (MyRWA), the Chelsea Creek Action Group 

(CCAG), the Friends of Alewife Reservation, the USEPA, 

the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Tufts 

University, and others. With the support of these Federal, 

State, and local institutions, the USGS was asked to undertake 

this cooperative study of sediment quality in the Mystic River 

Basin in 2001. 

Purpose and Scope

This report describes the collection of 104 sediment grab 

samples (from the top 2–4 in. of sediment) and 8 sediment 

core samples and presents maps of bathymetry and sediment 

thickness in the Mystic River Basin. This report also describes 

the occurrence and geographic distribution of contaminants— 

inorganic elements, PAHs, pesticides, and PCBs—in bottom 

sediment. Trends in the depositional history of contaminants 

to lakes, rivers, and estuaries in the Mystic River Basin area 

are also described. Finally, the report discusses the potential 

adverse effects that these contaminants may have on aquatic 

organisms and humans. 

Previous Studies

Several studies have been done in the Mystic River Basin 

to characterize sediment and water-quality problems. The 

USEPA, in cooperation with Nangle Consulting Associates, 

completed a study of sediment and water quality of the 

Malden River (Nangle Consulting Associates, 2000). Water 

samples were analyzed for total dissolved solids, total suspended solids, and nitrates; water-quality properties measured 

included alkalinity, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, pH, 

and temperature. Sediment samples were analyzed for trace 

elements, PAHs, and volatile organic compounds. Sediment 

samples collected in that study showed high concentrations of 

the trace elements and several individual PAHs, particularly at 

the confluence of Little Creek and the Malden River (Nangle 

Consulting Associates, 2000). The Massachusetts Institute of 

Technology (MIT), Tufts University, the U.S. Army Corps 

of Engineers (USACE), and the USEPA have studied sediment and water quality in Upper Mystic Lake and its major 

tributary, the Aberjona River, which flows through two 

Superfund sites. These studies focused primarily on arsenic 

contamination in the upper parts of the Mystic River Basin 

(Aurilio and others, 1993; Aurilio and others, 1995); however, 

the distribution of other toxic elements has also been described 

(Knox, 1991). 

Studies of sediment quality have also been done in the 

tidal parts of the basin, including the lower Mystic River 

(downstream of the Amelia Earhart Dam), Island End 

River, Chelsea Creek, and the Inner Harbor. The USGS has 

assembled a database that contains sediment-quality data 

from more than 3,000 sediment samples in the tidal parts 

of the Mystic River Basin (Buchholtz ten Brink and others, 

2002). Concentrations of trace elements such as copper, lead, 

mercury, and zinc were greater than their respective toxicitycriteria concentrations in nearly one-half of the samples, and 

ranged from 4 to more than 20 times their respective background concentrations. Organic compounds were also detected 

in high concentrations at many sampling locations (Manheim 

and others, 1999).

Sample Collection Methods and Analysis

Water depths were measured upstream of the Amelia 

Earhart Dam in the upper Mystic River (upstream of the 

Amelia Earhart Dam), the Malden River, Alewife Brook, 

and Lower Mystic Lake. Sediment-thickness data were also 

collected upstream of the dam. No sediment-thickness data 

were collected in the Lower Mystic Lake because the water 

was too deep for the methods used in this study. Sediment 

grab samples were collected randomly throughout the study 

area (table 1; fig. 3). Sediment cores were collected at eight 

locations (table 1; fig. 3). All sediment samples (grabs and 

cores) were analyzed for selected toxic elements and organic 

compounds.

Water Depths and Sediment Thickness

Water depths were measured on September 17–19, 

October 30, and December 2–4, 2001. On these days, the 

water altitudes measured on the upstream side of the Amelia 

Earhart Dam ranged from 105.2 to 105.8 ft (relative to 

Massachusetts District Commission (MDC) Datum). Water 

depths, however, were adjusted to a datum of 105.8 ft by adding the height of the water measured at each site to the difference between 105.8 ft and the altitude measured at the dam at 

the time of sampling.

Introduction 
 Sediment Quality of Lakes, Rivers, and Estuaries in the Mystic River Basin, Eastern Massachusetts, 2001–03

Table 1. Bottom-sediment sampling sites in the Mystic River Basin, Massachusetts.—Continued

[Latitude and longitude: In degrees, minutes, and seconds. No., number; USGS, U.S. Geological Survey; do, ditto]

Station

No.

USGS

identifier Town Water body Easting(meters)

Northing 

(meters)

Latitude

° ′ ′′

Longitude

° ′ ′′

Sediment Grab Samples

1 MMY-001 Medford Lower Mystic Lake 229,128 908,943 42 25 49 71 08 47

2 AKY-001 Arlington ......do. 228,922 908,859 42 25 46 71 08 56

3 AKY-002 ......do. ......do. 228,884 908,704 42 25 41 71 08 58

4 MMY-002 Medford ......do. 229,060 908,641 42 25 39 71 08 50

5 AKY-003 Arlington ......do. 228,998 908,234 42 25 26 71 08 53

6 AKY-004 ......do. ......do. 229,130 908,222 42 25 25 71 08 47

7 AKY-005 ......do. ......do. 229,088 908,028 42 25 19 71 08 49

8 MMY-003 Medford Upper Mystic River 229,435 907,892 42 25 15 71 08 34

9 MMY-004 ......do. ......do. 229,582 907,524 42 25 03 71 08 27

10 MMY-005 ......do. ......do. 230,011 907,262 42 24 54 71 08 09

11 CAY-069 Cambridge Alewife Brook 230,028 905,758 42 24 05 71 08 08

12 CAY-070 ......do. ......do. 230,076 905,833 42 24 08 71 08 06

13 SQY-001 Somerville ......do. 230,128 906,106 42 24 17 71 08 04

14 SQY-002 ......do. ......do. 230,289 906,540 42 24 31 71 07 57

15 SQY-003 ......do. ......do. 230,270 906,998 42 24 46 71 07 57

16 SQY-004 ......do. Upper Mystic River 230,405 907,457 42 25 00 71 07 51

17 MMY-006 Medford ......do. 230,742 907,592 42 25 05 71 07 37

18 MMY-007 ......do. ......do. 230,933 907,597 42 25 05 71 07 28

19 MMY-008 ......do. ......do. 231,107 907,642 42 25 06 71 07 21

20 MMY-009 ......do. ......do. 231,313 907,569 42 25 04 71 07 12

21 MMY-010 ......do. ......do. 231,593 907,601 42 25 05 71 06 59

22 MMY-011 ......do. ......do. 231,673 907,580 42 25 04 71 06 56

23 MMY-012 ......do. ......do. 231,833 907,559 42 25 04 71 06 49

24 MMY-013 ......do. ......do. 231,939 907,610 42 25 05 71 06 44

25 MMY-014 ......do. ......do. 232,341 907,369 42 24 57 71 06 27

26 MMY-015 ......do. ......do. 232,618 907,224 42 24 53 71 06 15

27 MMY-016 ......do. ......do. 232,734 907,201 42 24 52 71 06 10

28 MMY-017 ......do. ......do. 232,896 906,954 42 24 44 71 06 03

29 MMY-018 ......do. ......do. 232,921 906,708 42 24 36 71 06 02

30 MMY-019 ......do. ......do. 232,998 906,460 42 24 28 71 05 58

31 MMY-020 ......do. ......do. 233,224 906,283 42 24 22 71 05 48

32 MMY-021 ......do. ......do. 233,197 906,123 42 24 17 71 05 50

33 MMY-022 ......do. ......do. 233,355 906,123 42 24 17 71 05 43

34 MMY-023 ......do. ......do. 233,456 906,021 42 24 14 71 05 38

35 MMY-024 ......do. ......do. 233,443 905,763 42 24 05 71 05 39

36 MMY-025 ......do. ......do. 233,758 905,529 42 23 58 71 05 25

37 SQY-005 Somerville ......do. 233,754 905,446 42 23 55 71 05 25

38 MMY-026 Medford ......do. 233,880 905,539 42 23 58 71 05 20

39 MMY-027 ......do. ......do. 233,924 905,663 42 24 02 71 05 18

40 MMY-028 ......do. ......do. 234,462 905,620 42 24 00 71 04 54

41 EYY-001 Everett ......do. 234,621 905,408 42 23 53 71 04 47

42 MAY-001 Malden Malden River 235,149 907,820 42 25 12 71 04 24

43 MAY-002 ......do. ......do. 235,164 907,536 42 25 02 71 04 23

44 MAY-003 ......do. ......do. 235,164 907,417 42 24 58 71 04 23

45 MAY-004 ......do. ......do. 235,148 907,012 42 24 45 71 04 24
Table 1. Bottom-sediment sampling sites in the Mystic River Basin, Massachusetts.—Continued

[Latitude and longitude: In degrees, minutes, and seconds. No., number; USGS, U.S. Geological Survey; do, ditto]

Station

No.

USGS

identifier Town Water body Easting(meters)

Northing 

(meters)

Latitude

° ′ ′′

Longitude

° ′ ′′

Sediment Grab Samples—Continued

46 EYY-002 Everett Malden River 235,243 906,782 42 24 38 71 04 20

47 EYY-003 ......do. ......do. 235,170 906,662 42 24 34 71 04 23

48 EYY-004 ......do. ......do. 235,300 906,216 42 24 20 71 04 18

49 EYY-005 ......do. ......do. 235,135 905,819 42 24 07 71 04 25

50 EYY-006 ......do. ......do. 235,013 905,642 42 24 01 71 04 30

51 EYY-007 ......do. ......do. 235,023 905,444 42 23 55 71 04 30

52 EYY-008 ......do. ......do. 234,891 905,396 42 23 53 71 04 36

53 EYY-009 ......do. Upper Mystic River 234,942 905,217 42 23 47 71 04 33

54 EYY-010 ......do. ......do. 235,112 905,136 42 23 45 71 04 26

55 SQY-006 Somerville Lower Mystic River 234,968 904,960 42 23 39 71 04 32

56 EYY-011 Everett ......do. 235,150 905,004 42 23 40 71 04 24

57 EYY-012 ......do. ......do. 235,248 904,759 42 23 32 71 04 20

58 BGY-139 Boston ......do. 235,159 904,602 42 23 27 71 04 24

59 BGY-140 ......do. ......do. 235,444 904,796 42 23 33 71 04 12

60 BGY-141 ......do. ......do. 235,318 904,448 42 23 22 71 04 17

61 BGY-142 ......do. ......do. 235,467 904,172 42 23 13 71 04 11

62 EYY-013 Everett ......do. 235,916 904,255 42 23 16 71 03 51

63 BGY-143 Boston ......do. 236,015 903,860 42 23 03 71 03 47

64 EYY-014 Everett ......do. 236,105 904,125 42 23 12 71 03 43

65 EYY-015 ......do. ......do. 236,191 904,321 42 23 18 71 03 39

66 BGY-144 Boston ......do. 236,240 903,899 42 23 04 71 03 37

67 EYY-016 Everett ......do. 236,306 904,131 42 23 12 71 03 34

68 BGY-145 Boston ......do. 236,503 903,936 42 23 05 71 03 25

69 EYY-017 Everett ......do. 236,639 903,998 42 23 07 71 03 20

70 CIY-001 Chelsea Island End River 237,103 904,801 42 23 33 71 02 59

71 EYY-018 Everett ......do. 236,927 904,625 42 23 28 71 03 07

72 EYY-019 ......do. ......do. 236,810 904,556 42 23 25 71 03 12

73 EYY-020 ......do. ......do. 236,786 904,463 42 23 22 71 03 13

74 EYY-021 ......do. ......do. 236,682 904,280 42 23 17 71 03 18

75 BGY-146 Boston Lower Mystic River 236,882 903,938 42 23 05 71 03 09

76 BGY-147 ......do. ......do. 237,157 903,853 42 23 03 71 02 57

77 CIY-002 Chelsea ......do. 237,220 904,184 42 23 13 71 02 54

78 CIY-003 ......do. ......do. 237,285 904,091 42 23 10 71 02 51

79 CIY-004 ......do. ......do. 237,465 903,904 42 23 04 71 02 43

80 CIY-005 ......do. Mill Creek 240,376 905,760 42 24 04 71 00 36

81 RDY-001 Revere Chelsea Creek 240,408 905,606 42 23 59 71 00 34

82 RDY-002 ......do. ......do. 240,365 905,501 42 23 55 71 00 36

83 CIY-006 Chelsea ......do. 239,900 905,415 42 23 53 71 00 57

84 CIY-007 ......do. ......do. 239,922 905,276 42 23 48 71 00 56

85 CIY-008 ......do. ......do. 239,824 905,096 42 23 42 71 01 00

86 BGY-148 Boston ......do. 239,858 904,915 42 23 37 71 00 59

87 CIY-009 Chelsea ......do. 239,667 904,543 42 23 25 71 01 07

88 CIY-010 ......do. ......do. 239,575 904,361 42 23 19 71 01 11

89 BGY-149 Boston ......do. 239,504 904,195 42 23 13 71 01 14

90 BGY-150 ......do. ......do. 239,296 904,022 42 23 08 71 01 23

Introduction 
 Sediment Quality of Lakes, Rivers, and Estuaries in the Mystic River Basin, Eastern Massachusetts, 2001–03

Table 1. Bottom-sediment sampling sites in the Mystic River Basin, Massachusetts.—Continued

[Latitude and longitude: In degrees, minutes, and seconds. No., number; USGS, U.S. Geological Survey; do, ditto]

Station

No.

USGS

identifier Town Water body Easting(meters)

Northing 

(meters)

Latitude

° ′ ′′

Longitude

° ′ ′′

Sediment Grab Samples—Continued

91 BGY-151 Boston Chelsea Creek 239,021 903,858 42 23 02 71 01 35

92 CIY-011 Chelsea ......do. 238,826 903,873 42 23 03 71 01 44

93 CIY-012 ......do. ......do. 238,677 903,971 42 23 06 71 01 50

94 BGY-152 Boston ......do. 238,588 903,851 42 23 02 71 01 54

95 CIY-013 Chelsea ......do. 238,391 904,030 42 23 08 71 02 03

96 CIY-014 ......do. ......do. 238,234 903,992 42 23 07 71 02 10

97 CIY-015 ......do. ......do. 238,030 904,086 42 23 10 71 02 19

98 BGY-153 Boston ......do. 237,961 903,959 42 23 06 71 02 22

99 CIY-016 Chelsea ......do. 237,945 904,174 42 23 13 71 02 22

100 CIY-017 ......do. ......do. 237,807 904,045 42 23 09 71 02 28

101 BGY-154 Boston ......do. 237,830 903,956 42 23 06 71 02 28

102 BGY-155 ......do. Boston Inner Harbor 237,617 903,592 42 22 54 71 02 37

103 BGY-156 ......do. ......do. 237,311 903,542 42 22 53 71 02 50

104 BGY-157 ......do. ......do. 237,543 903,456 42 22 50 71 02 40

Sediment Core Samples

105 AKY-006 Arlington Lower Mystic Lake 236,848 904,464 42 23 26 71 03 10

106 MMY-029 Medford Upper Mystic River 229,161 908,193 42 25 25 71 08 46

107 MMY-030 ......do. Malden River 235,199 906,338 42 24 44 71 04 22

108 MMY-031 ......do. Upper Mystic River 234,965 904,455 42 23 45 71 04 33

109 MAY-005 Malden ......do. 235,059 904,455 42 23 45 71 04 28

110 SQY-007 Somerville Lower Mystic River 234,086 906,333 42 24 01 71 05 11

111 BGY-158 Boston ......do. 235,197 904,456 42 23 26 71 04 22

112 EYY-022 Everett Island End River 235,099 904,456 42 23 39 71 04 27
Figure 3. Sediment grab and core sampling locations, Mystic River Basin, Massachusetts.

Introduction 

Arlington

Belmont

Medford Malden

Revere

Everett

Chelsea

Cambridge Somerville

Watertown

Boston

Winthrop

112

107

106

109

108

110

107

106

109

108

111

110

105

52 112

76

1 2

3 4

5

7 8

9 10

11

12

13

14

15

16 17

18

19 20

21

22 23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30 31

32 33

34

35

36

38

39 40

37

41

42

43

44

45

46

47

48

49

50 51

53

54

55

56

57

58

59

60 61

62

63

64

65

66

67

68 69

70

71

72

73

74

75

77

78

79

80

81

82

83

84

85 86 87

88

89

90 91

92

93

94

96 95

99 97

98

100

101

102

104 103

6

Base map coverages from MassGIS, NAD 83, Lambert Conformal Polyconic projection, Massachusetts coordinate system mainland zone in meters

909,025

907,025

905,025

903,025

901,025

899,025

227,659 230,659 233,659 236,659 239,659

0

0

1

1 2 3 4 MILES

2 3 4 KILOMETERS

GRAB SAMPLING LOCATION

AND IDENTIFIER

CORE SAMPLING LOCATION

AND IDENTIFIER

1

EXPLANATION

105
10 Sediment Quality of Lakes, Rivers, and Estuaries in the Mystic River Basin, Eastern Massachusetts, 2001–03

An echo sounder was used to measure water depths. 

Water-depth data were recorded simultaneously with positional data taken with a handheld global-positioning-system 

(GPS) receiver. A steel rod, manually pushed into the bottom 

sediment, was used to collect soft-sediment-thickness data. 

Sediment-thickness measurements were made at more than 

300 locations. A combination of the triangular irregular 

network (TIN) data model and topogrid functions of ESRI’s 

ARC/INFO geographic information systems (GIS) software 

(Environmental Research Institute, Inc., Version 8.02) was 

used to map channel morphology and bottom-sediment thickness from water-depth and sediment-thickness data (fig. 4).

Sample-Collection Design

Grab samples were collected from 104 locations 

upstream of the Amelia Earhart Dam in October 2001 and 

downstream of the dam in June 2003 (table 1; fig. 3). A 

subroutine within ARC/INFO GIS software (Scott, 1990) was 

used to select the sampling locations randomly. A GPS unit 

was used to navigate to these locations in the study area. In 

addition, eight core samples were collected in December 2001 

and July 2003 (table 1; fig. 3). These samples were collected 

in areas of deposition of fine-grained sediment.

Sample-Collection Techniques

A stainless-steel Eckman dredge was used to collect grab 

samples (fig. 5). A minimum of three samples was collected 

at each sampling location to characterize conditions at the site 

(Baudo and Mantau, 1990). Any water trapped in the dredge 

was decanted off after most of the fines had settled. The top 

2–4 in. of the sample was removed from the dredge, placed 

in a precleaned stainless-steel bowl, and homogenized with a 

stainless-steel spatula in the field. Exceptions were the grab 

samples collected downstream of the Amelia Earhart Dam; 

these samples were placed in precleaned disposable Teflon 

bags and homogenized with a Teflon spoon. Each sample was 

divided into subsamples, which were placed in precleaned 

containers and stored on ice for overnight delivery to the 

appropriate laboratory.

Teflon bags were precleaned by rinsing with methanol, 

5-percent hydrochloric acid (HCl), and deionized water, in 

that order. In the field, all sediment-sampling equipment was 

cleaned between samplings by scrubbing with a nylon brush 

and phosphate-free detergent, and rinsing with methanol, 

deionized water, and finally, native water from the sampling 

sites. After the methanol rinse, the Teflon spoon received an 

additional rinse with 5-percent HCl.

A freeze corer was used to collect sediment cores (fig. 6). 

The core barrel was filled with a dry ice and methanol slurry 

and allowed to fall freely through the water column into the 

sediment. The core was retrieved after about 20 minutes, 

wrapped in plastic, labeled, and transported on dry ice to Tufts 

University in Medford, MA. Individual subsamples were 

sliced from the core with a hot tungsten wire and placed in 

precleaned containers.

Chemical Analysis

Sediment samples were analyzed for a suite of inorganic elements and organic compounds commonly found in 

rivers that drain industrial and urban watersheds (table 2). 

XRAL Laboratory of Ontario, Canada, analyzed the sediment 

samples for inorganic elements by inductively coupled plasma 

atomic emission spectroscopy. Researchers at Tufts University 

analyzed sediment samples for a suite of organic compounds, 

including PAHs, organochlorine pesticides, and PCBs, by gas 

chromatography with mass spectrometry. 

Data-Analysis Methods

A variety of statistical methods was used to summarize 

sediment-quality data. Particular attention was given to censored data, defined as measured concentrations that were less 

than the detection limit. For example, total concentrations (S) 

of PAHs, PCBs, and organochlorine pesticides were calculated 

by adding individual constituent concentrations. If individual 

concentrations were below detection limits, concentrations 

of those constituents were set to zero. If all of the individual 

constituents of a group such as PAHs were below detection 

limits, then the detection limits were added and the total PAH 

concentration was estimated to be less than the sum of the 

detection limits.

The USGS's Method Detection Limit (MDL) function 

of the S-Plus statistical software package was used to calculate summary statistics for constituents with censored data. 

A minimum of three observations is required to determine 

summary statistics by means of the MDL function, which uses 

a log-probability method (Helsel and Cohn, 1998). If the MDL 

program was not appropriate (for example, if there were fewer 

than three observations), simple population statistics were calculated with Microsoft Excel by setting censored data equal to 

one-half the reported detection limit. This procedure was used 

only for the cadmium statistics for Boston Inner Harbor.
Figure 4. Altitude of streambed, sediment thickness, or both in the Mystic River Basin, Massachusetts: A, Lower 

Mystic Lake; B, Alewife Brook and its confluence with the upper Mystic River; and C, upper Mystic River and the 

Malden River above the Amelia Earhart Dam.

Introduction 11

EXPLANATION

ALTITUDE OF STREAMBED, IN FEET—

Datum is local

105.8–101.8

101.8–97.8

97.8–75.8

75.8–35.8

Less than or

equal to 35.8

Arlington

Medford

228,660 229,160 229,660

907,556

908,056

908,556

909,056

0 100 200 300 400 500 METERS

Base map coverages from MassGIS, NAD 83, 0 300 600 900 1,200 1,500 FEET

Lambert Conformal Polyconic projection, Massachusetts coordinate system mainland zone in meters

A.
12 Sediment Quality of Lakes, Rivers, and Estuaries in the Mystic River Basin, Eastern Massachusetts, 2001–03

Medford

Arlington

Somerville

Alewife

Brook

4

4

6

2

2

2

2

8

4 4

4

4

4

4

10

2

229,317 229,817 229,317 230,817 231,317 

908,191

907,691

907,191

906,691

906,191

905,691

4

EXPLANATION

ALTITUDE OF STREAMBED,

IN FEET—Datum is local

105.8–101.8

101.8–97.8

Less than 97.8

SEDIMENT THICKNESS—

Contour interval is 2 feet.

B.
Figure 4—Continued. Altitude of streambed, sediment thickness, or both in the 

Mystic River Basin, Massachusetts: A,

Lower Mystic Lake; B, Alewife Brook and its 

confluence with the upper Mystic River; and 

C, upper Mystic River and the Malden River 

above the Amelia Earhart Dam.

Introduction 13

4

4

4

6

6

6

4

4

4 4

4

4

4

2

4

2

2

2

2

231,817 232,317 232,817 233,317

.5 1 KILOMETER

1/2 1 MILE

0

0

Base map coverages from MassGIS, NAD 83, Lambert Conformal Polyconic

projection, Massachusetts coordinate system mainland zone in meters
14  Sediment Quality of Lakes, Rivers, and Estuaries in the Mystic River Basin, Eastern Massachusetts, 2001–03

Figure 4—Continued. Altitude of streambed, sediment thickness, or both in the Mystic River Basin, 

Massachusetts: A, Lower Mystic Lake; B, Alewife Brook and its confluence with the upper Mystic River; and 

C, upper Mystic River and the Malden River above the Amelia Earhart Dam.

Somerville

Medford

Malden

E

v

erett

4

6

6

8

8

8

4

4

4

4

2

2

2

2

2

6

8

10

4

2

6

8

10

4

2

Base map coverages from MassGIS, NAD 83,

Lambert Conformal Polyconic projection,

Massachusetts coordinate system mainland zone in meters

SEDIMENT THICKNESS—

Contour interval is 2 feet.

EXPLANATION

ALTITUDE OF STREAMBED, IN FEET—

Datum is local

105.8–101.8

101.8–97.8

97.8–75.8

75.8–35.8

Less than or

equal to 35.8

4

233,611 234,111 234,611 235,111

905,405

905,905

906,405

906,905

907,405

907,905

.5 1 KILOMETER

1/2 1 MILE

0

0

C.
Figure 5. A, U.S. Geological Survey personnel collecting a sediment grab sample; B, sediment collected in the dredge; 

C, transfer of sediment sample from the dredge into a Teflon bag; and D, a waterlogged sediment sample collected from 

the lower Mystic River, Massachusetts.

Introduction 15

A.

B.

C.

D.
16  Sediment Quality of Lakes, Rivers, and Estuaries in the Mystic River Basin, Eastern Massachusetts, 2001–03

Bias and Variability

Sediment-quality data are subject to bias (or systematic 

error) and variability (or random error) during sample collection, processing, and analysis. The nature and magnitude of 

bias and variability can be determined by analysis of qualitycontrol samples, including blanks, field duplicates, laboratory 

duplicates, matrix spikes, matrix-spike duplicates, and performance-evaluation samples (PES) (these data can be found in 

tables 3–5, at back of report). With a few exceptions, bias and 

variability in this study were generally within acceptable limits. Most notable is the potential contamination bias introduced 

by the equipment used for collection and processing of some 

grab samples (stainless-steel dredge, bowl, and spoon). The 

analysis of PES samples mixed in the stainless steel bowl indicates that grab samples may have been enriched in chromium 

from sampling or processing equipment (table 3). As a result 

of these findings, the standard operating procedure (SOP) for 

sediment sampling was changed. A Teflon spoon was used 

instead of a stainless-steel spoon to scoop material that had not 

come in contact with any part of the dredge and to composite 

the samples in disposable precleaned Teflon bags instead of in 

the stainless steel bowl. Therefore, chromium values measured 

in sediment samples processed with the stainless steel bowl 

and spoon were not included in this report.

Figure 6. A, Dry ice being placed into freeze corer; B, retrieval of freeze corer; C, removal of excess sediment from 

corer; and D, sediment-core preservation by wrapping the core in plastic.

A. B.

C. D.
Constituent Common source or urban uses

Inorganic Elements

Calcium auto exhaust, brakes, deicers

Magnesium .....do.

Phosphorus auto exhaust, fuel, lubricants, industrial 

and municipal runoff, wastewater

Potassium auto exhaust, deicers

Sodium .....do.

Antimony flame retardants, car batteries

Arsenic production of pesticides and herbicides

Barium motor vehicle brake linings

Beryllium ceramics, steel

Bismuth malleable irons, medicine

Cadmium Ni-Cd batteries, televisions

Chromium bricks, stainless steel

Cobalt jet engines, gas turbine engines

Copper boats, wires

Lanthanum battery electrodes, lighter flints

Lead batteries

Lithium .....do.

Manganese batteries, steel

Molybdenum aircraft parts, electrical parts

Nickel electronics, automobiles

Scandium high-intensity lights

Silver batteries, electronics, electrical parts

Strontium greases, pyrotechnics

Tin electronics, food packing, plumbing

Titanium automobiles, construction, plastics

Tungsten electrical parts, electronics

Vanadium batteries, electronics

Yittrium television sets

Zinc paints, plastic, textiles, electronics

Zirconium production of steel, photography

Polyaromatic Hydrocarbons

Acenaphthene automobile exhaust

Acenaphthylene production of dyes, plastics, pesticides

Anthracene .....do.

Benzo[a]anthracene automobile exhaust

Benzo[a]pyrene .....do.

Constituent Common source or urban uses

Polyaromatic Hydrocarbons—Continued

Benzo[(b]fluoranthene automobile exhaust

Benzo[ghi]perylene .....do.

Benzo[k]fluoranthene automobile exhaust, motor oil

Chrysene combustion of coal and petroleum products

Dibenzo[a,h]anthracene automobile exhaust

Fluoranthene automobile exhaust

Fluorene production of dyes, plastics, pesticides

Indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene automobile exhaust

Naphthalene coal tar, gasoline and diesel fuels

Phenanthrene production of dyes, plastics, pesticides, 

explosives, and drugs

Pyrene production of dyes, plastics, pesticides

Organochlorine Pesticides

4,4′-DDD pesticide for vegetables and tobacco

4,4′-DDE breakdown product of DDT

4,4′-DDT pesticide for livestock and crops

Aldrin termite control

Alpha Chlordane household insecticide

alpha-BHC insecticide

beta-BHC .....do.

delta-BHC .....do.

Dieldrin .....do.

Endosulfan I insecticide for crops

Endosulfan II .....do.

Endosulfan sulfate .....do.

Endrin .....do.

Endrin aldehyde pesticide to control birds, rodents, insects 

Endrin ketone .....do.

gamma Chlordane insecticide for fire-ant control, lawns

gamma-BHC pesticide for crops

Heptachlor insecticide for home, buildings, corn crops

Heptachlor epoxide .....do.

Methoxychlor insecticide for crops, livestock, household

Chlordane (technical) insecticide for home lawns, gardens, crops

Toxaphene pesticide for crops

Polychlorinated Biphenyls

PCB congeners hydraulic fluids, rubber plasticizer, and 

adhesives

Table 2. Constituents analyzed in sediment samples from the Mystic River Basin, Massachusetts, and their common sources and uses.

[BHC, 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexachlorocyclohexane; DDD, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane; DDE, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene; DDT, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane; PCBs, polychlorinated biphenyls; do., ditto]

Introduction 17
18  Sediment Quality of Lakes, Rivers, and Estuaries in the Mystic River Basin, Eastern Massachusetts, 2001–03

Water Depths and Sediment Thickness

The channel morphology in figures 4A–C shows that 

when water levels at the Amelia Earhart Dam are at 105.8 ft 

relative to MDC’s datum, water depths measured in Lower 

Mystic Lake upstream of the dam ranged from less than 1 ft 

to almost 80 ft. Water depths were greatest in the lake and 

averaged over 33 ft (fig. 4A). In contrast, the average water 

depth was lowest in Alewife Brook (only about 1 ft; fig. 4B). 

Water depths measured in the upper Mystic and Malden Rivers 

averaged about 5 and 6 ft, respectively (figs. 4B–C). Based on 

measurements of water depth, the estimated volumes of water 

in the Lower Mystic Lake, Alewife Brook, and upper Mystic 

and Malden Rivers are about 1,000, 2,300, and 150 Mgal, 

respectively. 

Soft-sediment thicknesses are also shown in figures

4B–C. Sediment thicknesses ranged from less than 1 ft to 

about 13 ft near the dam. Sediment thicknesses measured in 

Alewife Book and the upper Mystic and Malden Rivers were 

about 2, 3, and 4 ft, respectively. Based on measurements of 

soft-sediment thickness, the estimated sediment volume in 

Alewife Brook and in the upper Mystic and Malden Rivers is 

about 0.5, 21, and 12 million ft3, respectively. It was not possible to measure the thickness and the volume of soft sediment 

in the Lower Mystic Lake by the techniques used in this study. 

Sediment coring, however, indicates that the sediment is fairly 

thick (thicker than 4 ft on average) and that there is a substantial volume of sediment in the lake.

Results for Sediment Grab Samples

Chemical data for surficial sediment can be used by 

water-resource managers to ensure that the quality of lakes, 

rivers, and estuaries in the Mystic River Basin is high enough 

to make the waterways safe for boating, swimming, and fishing. These data (table 3) can also be used to define objectives 

for managing and monitoring sediment quality. For example, 

the objectives might be to maintain the present quality of 

the sediment or to restore contaminant concentrations to 

background levels (concentrations not affected by human 

activities), to the levels of other urban rivers, or to levels safe 

enough for specific designated uses (for example, swimming 

or boating). Comparisons of contaminant concentrations 

measured in samples in Mystic River Basin sediments among 

sediment-sampling locations, to background concentrations, 

to concentrations from other urban rivers, and to sedimentquality guidelines could help local water-resource managers 

determine what actions might be needed to restore sediment 

quality.

A detection indicates that the constituent concentration is greater than the minimum reporting level (MRL) for a 

given analytical technique. A nondetection can indicate two 

possibilities: (1) the constituent is not present in the sample, 

or (2) the concentration of the constituent in the sample is less 

than the MRL. Nondetection of a constituent, therefore, does 

not necessarily indicate its absence. In particular, the organochlorine pesticide and PCB data collected for this study should 

be interpreted carefully because detection limits reported in 

this study are higher than the detection limits reported for 

other studies in which gas chromatography with electoncapture detectors was used. In other studies, total Aroclors 

have been reported; however, in this study, gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GCMS) was used because it is more 

accurate.

Spatial Trends in Sediment Quality

Concentrations of the 33 elements measured in grab samples are shown in table 3 by sampling location. The elements 

most often present at concentrations greater than 1,000 ppm 

are considered major elements and include calcium, iron, manganese, phosphorus, aluminum, potassium, sodium, and titanium. Concentrations of these elements differed greatly in the 

sediment samples collected, likely because the samples were 

collected in freshwater, estuarine, and saltwater environments.

Conversely, trace elements are those elements whose 

concentrations are typically less than 1,000 ppm in uncontaminated sediment. Because of their toxicity, the USEPA has 

classified a few of these trace elements as priority pollutants 

(U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2002b) including 

antimony, arsenic, beryllium, cadmium, chromium, copper, 

lead, mercury, nickel, selenium, silver, thallium, and zinc. In 

this study, chromium (where data are available), copper, lead, 

nickel, and zinc were detected in every sample. Concentrations 

greater than the detection limits of arsenic, silver, beryllium, 

cadmium, mercury, and antimony were measured in 97, 94, 

77, 62, 14, and 1 percent of the samples tested, respectively. 

Concentrations of selenium and thallium were not measured in 

this study.

The highest median concentrations of priority pollutants—arsenic (70 ppm), cadmium (6 ppm), copper (290 ppm), 

nickel (37 ppm), and zinc (1,700 ppm)—were measured in 

sediment collected from Lower Mystic Lake (fig. 7). This was 

expected on the basis of the history of contamination in Upper 

Mystic Lake, which discharges directly into Lower Mystic 

Lake. The median concentrations of beryllium (1.2 ppm), 

lead (460 ppm), and silver (3.4 ppm) measured in the sample 

collected from Mill Creek were greater than the median concentrations of those elements measured in sediment collected 

from the other Mystic River Basin sites. Median concentrations of chromium (230 ppm, measured only downstream of 

the Amelia Earhart Dam) and tin (18 ppm) were highest in 

sediment collected from Chelsea Creek and the Malden River, 

respectively.
Figure 7. Population statistics for element and polyaromatic hydrocarbon concentrations measured in grab samples collected from the Mystic River Basin, Massachusetts, and other urban rivers (2001–03).

Results for Sediment Grab Samples 19

90th Percentile

75th Percentile

25th Percentile

50th Percentile (Median)

10th Percentile

(42) Number of samples

EXPLANATION

Alewife Brook

Chelsea Creek

Island End RIver

Lower Mystic River

Malden River

Mill Creek

Upper Mystic River

Lower Mystic Lake

Alewife Brook

Chelsea Creek

Island End RIver

Lower Mystic River

Malden River

Mill Creek

Upper Mystic River

Lower Mystic Lake

Boston Inner HarborBoston Inner Harbor

(20)

(11)

(5) (1)

(31)

(21) (7)

(5)

(20)

(11)

(5)

(1)

(31)

(21)

(7)

(5)

(20)

(11)

(5)

(1) (31)

(21)

(7)

(5) (20)

(11)

(5)

(1)

(31) (21)

(7)

(5)

(20)

(11)

(5)

(1) (31)

(21)

(7)

(5)

(20)

(11)

(5)

(1)

(31)

(21)

(7)

(5)

(3)

(3)

(3)

(3)

(3)

(3)

A

R

SENIC, IN PA

R

T

S PER

MILLIO

N

100

80

60

40

20

0

20

16

12

8

4

0 C

A

D

MIU

M, IN PA

R

T

S PER

MILLIO

N

500

400

300

200

100

0 C

OPPER, IN PA

R

T

S PER

MILLIO

N

4.0

3.2

2.4

1.6

0.8

B

0 ER

YLLIU

M, IN PA

R

T

S PER

MILLIO

N

10

8

6

4

2

0

SILVER, IN PA

R

T

S PER

MILLIO

N

1,000

800

600

400

200

0 LEA

D, IN PA

R

T

S PER

MILLIO

N

(135)

(135)

(135)

(135)

(135)

(135)

Lower Charles RiverLower Charles River

(20)

(20)

(20) (20)

(20)

(20)

Neponset RiverNeponset River (43)

(43)

(43)

(43)

(43)

(43)

Other urban riversOther urban rivers
20 Sediment Quality of Lakes, Rivers, and Estuaries in the Mystic River Basin, Eastern Massachusetts, 2001–03

Figure 7—Continued. Population statistics for element and polyaromatic hydrocarbon concentrations measured in grab 

samples collected from the Mystic River Basin, Massachusetts, and other urban rivers (2001–03).

90th Percentile

75th Percentile

25th Percentile

50th Percentile (Median)

10th Percentile

(42) Number of samples

EXPLANATION

100

80

60

40

20

0

NIC

KEL, IN PA

R

T

S PER

MILLIO

N

10

8

6

4

2

0

SILVER, IN PA

R

T

S PER

MILLIO

N

2,500

2,000

1,500

1,000

500

0

ZIN

C, IN PA

R

T

S PER

MILLIO

N

1,000

800

600

400

200

S

0

U

M PA

Hs, IN PA

R

T

S PER

MILLIO

N

Alewife Brook

Boston Inner Harbor

Chelsea Creek

Island End RIver

Lower Mystic River

Malden River

Mill Creek

Upper Mystic River

Lower Mystic Lake

Alewife Brook

Boston Inner Harbor

Chelsea Creek

Island End RIver

Lower Mystic River

Malden River

Mill Creek

Upper Mystic River

Lower Mystic Lake

(5) (3)

(20)

(11)

(5)

(1)

(31) (21)

(7)

(5)

(3)

(20)

(11)

(5)

(1)

(31)

(21)

(7)

(5)

(3) (20)

(11)

(5)

(1)

(31)

(21)

(7)

(5)

(3) (20)

(11)

(5)

(1)

(31)

(21)

(7)

(135)

(135)

Lower Charles River

(135)

(34)

Lower Charles River

(20)

(20)

Neponset River

(20)

(20)

Neponset River

(43)

(43)

(43) (43)

Other urban riversOther urban rivers
Concentrations of the organic compounds tested are 

shown by site in table 3. These organic compounds include 

three major groups: PAHs, organochlorine pesticides, and 

PCBs, which also appear on the USEPA’s priority pollutant 

list (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2002b). Group 

concentrations are expressed as the sum of concentrations of 

several related compounds; SPAH, for example, is the sum of 

all tested PAHs; and SDDT is the sum of the concentrations 

of dichlorodiphenyltrichlorethane (DDT), dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane (DDD), and dichlorodiphenyldichlorethylene 

(DDE). PCBs were not added because no concentrations of 

PCBs were measured above detection limits.

Of the 15 PAHs analyzed in the grab samples, fluoranthene was the most commonly detected (in more than 90 

percent of the samples). The least commonly detected PAH of 

those detected was naphthalene (in less than 3 percent). The 

median SPAH concentration was highest (about 300 ppm) for 

samples collected from the Malden River (fig. 7). The grab 

sample with the highest SPAH concentration (780 ppm) was 

collected from the Malden River at sampling site 43 (table 3). 

DDT, an insecticide banned in the United States in 1972 or 

one of its metabolites (DDD and DDE) were detected in only 

one of the grab samples (sampling site 63). The DDT concentration at this station was about 0.2 ppm. No other organochlorine pesticides were detected (detection limits ranged 

from 0.151 to 0.874 ppm). No measurable amounts of PCBs 

were detected in any of the samples collected (detection limits 

ranged from 0.11 to 0.251 ppm). 

Effects of Human Activities on Sediment Quality

Concentrations of elements measured in grab samples 

from the freshwater part of the study area (upstream of the 

Amelia Earhart Dam) were compared to median concentrations of the same elements measured in fine-grained sediment 

collected from freshwater streams in Connecticut, Maine, 

Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, and Rhode Island. 

These sediment samples were collected between 1977 and 

1980 as part of the National Uranium Resource Evaluation 

(NURE) program—specifically the Hydrogeochemical and 

Stream Sediment Reconnaissance (HSSR) program (Smith, 

1998; Grossman, 1998)—and reanalyzed by the National 

Geochemical Survey by using modern (2000) methods (U.S. 

Geological Survey, 2003). A brief history of this program, as 

well as tabulated data, is available online (U.S. Geological 

Survey, 2004). Concentrations of elements measured in 

sediment samples from the estuarine part of the study area 

(downstream of the Amelia Earhart Dam) were compared to 

concentrations thought to represent background for estuarine 

environments (Bowen, 1979).

The NURE HSSR program SOP instructed researchers to 

collect bottom-sediment samples from small uncontaminated 

streams (Ferguson and others, 1977), which were assumed 

to be unaffected by human activities. Element concentrations 

measured in these sediment samples are assumed to approximate nonurban background concentrations in New England 

streams. The samples collected by NURE HSSR and the 

samples collected in this study were processed by different 

methods (Ferguson and others, 1977). The NURE HSSR samples were passed through a 150-μm sieve, whereas samples 

collected in this study were not sieved. This difference could 

affect the comparison because the NURE HSSR samples 

consisted of a higher proportion of fine-grained sediments, 

which have a higher surface area per unit weight than coarse 

sediments, and because contaminants typically adhere to sediment in proportion to surface area (Horowitz, 1991). Thus, 

concentrations in NURE samples may be high relative to concentrations in unsieved samples from the same locations; such 

unsieved samples would be more directly comparable to the 

samples of this study. The samples collected by NURE HSSR 

and the samples collected in this study were also analyzed by 

different methods. The stronger acid digestion used by NURE 

HSSR than that used in this study probably also resulted in 

higher concentrations in the NURE HSSR trace-element data. 

Despite the possibility that concentrations in the NURE 

samples would be biased higher than in the Mystic River 

Basin samples, selected trace-element concentrations in 

Mystic River Basin samples (excluding antimony, cadmium, 

and mercury, for which NURE provided no chemical background data) were generally greater than background concentrations in the NURE samples or concentrations thought 

to represent background for estuarine environments (Bowen, 

1979). Concentrations of arsenic, chromium, copper, lead, or 

zinc were greater than background at 82 percent or more of 

the sites sampled. Similarly, concentrations of nickel, beryllium, or silver were greater than background concentrations in 

nearly one-half of the grab samples. The widespread distribution of high concentrations of arsenic, chromium, copper, 

lead, and zinc in sediments throughout the Mystic River Basin 

strongly suggests the importance of human activities.

Results for Sediment Grab Samples 21
22 Sediment Quality of Lakes, Rivers, and Estuaries in the Mystic River Basin, Eastern Massachusetts, 2001–03

Researchers may erroneously conclude that enrichment is 

caused by human activity, when the enrichment may actually 

be caused by natural processes. Many natural factors can cause 

bottom sediments to become enriched with trace elements 

above background levels, including differential weathering 

(related to solubilities of individual elements), physical fractionation (for example, the removal of fine particles by wind 

and water), chemical fractionation, and deposition of enriched 

atmospheric and biogenic dust (Reimann and De Caritat, 

2000). In contrast, the history of dredging and channelization in the lower Mystic River, Chelsea Creek, and Boston 

Inner Harbor during the past 100 years may cause researchers to conclude erroneously that human activities have not 

affected sediment quality. Most recently (1998–2001), the 

Boston Harbor Navigation Improvement Project (BHNIP), 

a cooperative effort by the USACE and the Massachusetts 

Port Authority (MassPort), removed or redistributed about 

3.5 million cubic yards of sediment (fig. 8). The objective 

of this project was to deepen parts of the lower Mystic River 

and Inner Harbor from 35 ft mean lower low water1 (MLLW) 

to about 40 ft MLLW, and parts of Chelsea Creek from 35 ft 

MLLW to about 38 ft MLLW. Most sediment was placed in 

confined aquatic disposal cells built within the federal navigation channels and in designated disposal sites in Massachusetts 

Bay. Those areas dredged by the BHNIP are shown in figure 8. 

Thus, chemical analysis of grab samples collected from 

dredged areas during this study likely represents the chemistry 

of more recently deposited sediment (after 1998–2001) or, less 

likely, represents the chemistry of sediment deposited much 

earlier; the interpretation depends on sedimentation rates and 

resuspension patterns. In either case, grab samples can be used 

to measure existing (2001–03) sediment quality. Age dating of 

grab samples is beyond the scope of this project.

In contrast to trace elements, many of which occur 

naturally in bottom sediments, many organic compounds 

in sediment—for example, pesticides and PCBs—are not 

naturally occurring. Exceptions to this are the PAHs that are 

found in petroleum and in combustion emissions (for example, 

forest fires). Concentrations of naturally occurring PAHs are 

typically not very high in bottom sediments (about 1–10 ppm) 

(Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, 

2002). Accordingly, the contamination of sediment by PAHs 

above 10 ppm and many other organic compounds can be 

attributed to human activities.

Comparison to Other Urban Rivers

Concentrations of the selected trace elements (with the 

exception of mercury) and organic compounds were compared with concentrations of these constituents in samples 

collected from other urban rivers (whose drainage-basin areas 

have greater than 50 percent urban land use) throughout the 

conterminous United States as part of the National WaterQuality Assessment (NAWQA) Program of the USGS (Rice, 

1999). Like the NURE HSSR sediment samples, samples 

collected by the NAWQA Program for analysis of trace 

metals and organic compounds were sieved (through 63-μm 

and 2-mm sieves, respectively). The procedure used by the 

NAWQA Program also includes a a stronger acid digestion 

than that used in this study. The sieving procedure and use of a 

stronger acid digestion probably resulted in higher concentrations than would have been obtained if the NAWQA samples 

had been processed and analyzed by using the methods of this 

study.

Concentrations of some selected trace elements (arsenic, chromium, copper, lead, silver, or zinc) in Mystic River 

sediments were greater than the median concentrations for 

those elements in sediment collected by the USGS NAWQA 

Program at 75 percent or more of the sites sampled (fig. 7). 

Concentrations of cadmium and nickel were also greater than 

the NAWQA median concentrations at 45 and 23 percent, 

of the sites, respectively. Beryllium concentrations from the 

Mystic River Basin were less than the median NAWQA beryllium concentration in samples from all of the sites but two. 

The SPAH concentration in samples collected from the Mystic 

River Basin was generally greater than the NAWQA median 

PAH concentration (87 percent of the sites). Total DDT and 

PCB concentrations could not be compared with NAWQA 

concentrations because DDT and PCB detection limits for this 

study were higher than the NAWQA median DDT and PCB 

concentrations, respectively.

A better comparison might be between concentrations in 

the Mystic River Basin sediments and in the sediments of the 

other two rivers tributary to Boston Harbor. Summary statistics 

of selected trace element and organic compound concentrations in bottom sediment collected from the lower Charles and 

Neponset Rivers, both of which are dammed (Breault and others 2000, 2004a), allow comparison of the quality of Mystic 

River Basin sediments to the quality of sediments in nearby 

urban rivers (fig. 7). Generally, concentrations of the selected 

trace elements (mercury was not included in the comparison 

because data for this element from the other rivers were not 

available) and SPAHs were lower in the Mystic River Basin 

than in the lower Charles, but higher than in the Neponset 

River, with a few exceptions. Concentrations of arsenic were 

generally higher in the Mystic River Basin than in both the 

Charles and Neponset Rivers (fig. 7). Total DDT and PCB 

concentrations could not be compared with concentrations 

in samples from the Charles and Neponset Rivers because 

the detection limits for the Mystic River Basin samples were 

higher than for the samples collected in those studies.

1

Mean lower low water is defined as the mean altitude of the lower of the two daily low-water altitudes over a period of time, typically 19 years (U.S. 

Geological Survey, 2005). 
Figure 8. Areas dredged as part of the Boston Harbor Navigation Improvement Project, in which the lower Mystic River 

and Inner Harbor, Massachusetts, were deepened from 35 feet mean lower low water (MLLW) to about 40 feet MLLW (light 

blue) and parts of Chelsea Creek from 35 feet MLLW to about 38 ft MLLW (dark blue).

Results for Sediment Grab Samples 23

Base map coverages from MassGIS, NAD 83, Lambert Conformal Polyconic projection, Massachusetts coordinate system mainland zone in meters

EXPLANATION

3 feet (from 35 to 38 foot depth)

5 feet (from 35 to 40 foot depth)

DEPTH OF SEDIMENT

DREDGED, IN FEET 0

0 1 MILE

1 KILOMETER

Boston

East Boston

Charlestown

Everett

Chelsea

Cambridge

S

o

m

erville

Somerville

Winthrop

M

e

dford

234,693 235,693 236,693 237,693 238,693 239,693

905,917

904,917

903,917

902,917

901,917

900,917
24  Sediment Quality of Lakes, Rivers, and Estuaries in the Mystic River Basin, Eastern Massachusetts, 2001–03

Results for Sediment Core Samples

Chemical data from sediment cores can be used to 

(1) assess trends in contaminant concentrations, (2) determine the effects of human activities on sediment quality, and 

(3) investigate the distribution of new contaminants. Data from 

core samples can also be used by water-resources managers to monitor, assess, and plan restoration efforts aimed at 

improving sediment quality. Trends in sediment quality can 

be observed from concentration profiles measured in sediment 

cores. The effects of human activities on sediment quality can 

be inferred by correlating human activities with contaminant 

peaks in the cores collected in undisturbed areas. 

Trends in Sediment Quality

Sediment core results for trace elements (table 4) show 

variability in concentration with depth at some sites and concentrations that are elevated relative to background (figs. 9–16, 

at back of report). For example, in the Lower Mystic Lake core 

from site 105, arsenic concentration was highest (310 ppm) 

at 77.5 to 81 cm. These levels were substantially higher than 

background (about 20–40 ppm) as measured in deeper sediment strata. Although concentrations from the lake were lower 

in surface sediments (110 ppm) than at their peak, the concentrations were still much higher than background. This suggests 

either that there are contemporary inputs of arsenic to the lake 

or that arsenic in deeper sediment is remobilized to surfacesediment strata. Other results show that some trace-element 

concentrations are remaining constant, are only slightly lower 

in near-surface sediments, or show no trend at all with depth. 

For example, arsenic, beryllium, cadmium, lead, nickel, and 

silver concentrations measured in near-surface sediment samples collected from Island End River appear to remain constant 

with depth; other examples are shown in figures 9–16.

Concentrations of PAHs vary with depth at most sites 

(table 5). Some core samples show substantially lower concentrations of PAHs in surface layers compared to deeper 

layers. For example, in the Island End River core (sampling 

site 112, fig. 16), concentrations of PAHs decrease from 

1,300 ppm (measured in the sediment at a depth of 40–44 cm) 

to 72 ppm in surficial sediment. It is likely that residual wastes 

from a coal-gasification plant that operated on the Island End 

River are the source of PAH contamination in the river (U.S. 

Environmental Protection Agency, 1999). In contrast, plots of 

SPAHs measured in core samples from sampling sites 107, 

108, 109, 110, and 111 show a continuous increase in PAH 

concentrations with time. This trend is mirrored in cores from 

other urban areas across the United States (Van Metre and 

others, 2000). One possible source of contemporary PAHs is 

vehicular traffic, a byproduct of urban development, especially during the past 20–40 years. The Mystic River Basin 

has undergone considerable population growth during this 

time. There were only a few detections (fewer than six) of the 

pesticides; DDD (48–65 cm), DDT (73–77), and methoxychlor (61–81 cm) in cores collected from Lower Mystic Lake, 

one detection of methoxychlor in the core collected from the 

Malden River (75–78) and no detection of PCBs above the 

detection limit in core samples.

Sediment-concentration profiles can be greatly affected 

by several factors, most notably grain-size differences, bioturbation, diagenetic chemical processes, physical transport 

of contaminated sediment, and dredging. Generally, because 

fine sediment grains have much larger surface areas per unit 

weight than coarse sediment grains, fine grains of sediment 

have larger surface areas to which contaminants can adhere 

(Horowitz, 1991). Thus, observed increases or decreases 

in contaminant concentrations within a core might simply 

be a result of increases or decreases in grain sizes instead 

of changes in contaminant loading. Although grain-size 

information was unavailable for core-sample data from the 

Mystic River Basin, “conservative elements” like aluminum 

and titanium can be used as an empirical proxy (Horowitz, 

1991). Fine-grained sediment would be expected to have a 

greater proportion of these elements per unit weight than 

coarse-grained sediment. Plots of contaminant concentrations 

divided by aluminum (aluminum-normalized) or titanium 

(titanium-normalized) concentrations can, therefore, be used 

to elucidate trends (figs. 9–16; Horowitz, 1991). Aluminumnormalized trace-element concentrations were calculated by 

dividing each trace-element concentration, in parts per million, 

by the concentration of aluminum (in percent) measured in the 

same sample. Similarly, titanium-normalized trace element 

concentrations were calculated by dividing the concentration of each contaminant by the concentration of titanium. 

Concentrations of titanium (in percent) were first multiplied 

by 10 (figs. 9–13, and 15) and by 100 (fig. 14) for purposes 

of scale (figs. 9–16). These plots show little change in depositional history, therefore, changes in contaminant concentrations can be interpreted as changes in contaminant loading.

Bioturbation refers to the mixing of the upper layers of 

bottom sediment by organisms that live in and on the bottom 

sediment—for example, worms, snails or crabs. As these creatures move through or ingest the sediment, they can homogenize sediment layers that may have been deposited over 

several tens of centimeters (Berner, 1980; Matisoff, 1995). 

Bioturbation can also increase the exchange of contaminants 

from the sediment into the water column (Bencala and other, 

1984; Berg and others, 2001). For example, researchers working with lugworms have shown that the remobilization of cadmium from sediments with lugworms was three to five times 

greater than from sediment without lugworms (Rasmussen 

and others, 2004). Diagenetic chemical processes take place 

after a chemical is deposited in the sediment. Several processes might redistribute a given chemical after deposition, 

including equilibrium processes, homogeneous reactions, 

microbial reactions, precipitation, dissolution, and authigenic 

processes (Berner, 1980). The physical transport of contaminated sediment by waves, currents, or other physical processes 
can also affect down-core chemistry. Physical transport of 

contaminants with suspended sediment might also result in the 

sorbtion or desorption of contaminants (Bonner and others, 

1994). Finally, recent dredging of parts of the lower Mystic 

River, Boston Inner Harbor, and Chelsea Creek has affected 

the observed contaminant trends.

Human Activities and Sediment Quality

It may be possible to reconstruct the history of human 

influence in the Mystic River Basin on sediment quality by 

using core samples. This is particularly true for samples 

collected from Lower Mystic Lake, because the history of 

human activities in the drainage basin just upstream of the 

lake has been well documented (Splietfhoff and Hemond, 

1996). Although dates were not assigned to sediment depths 

in the cores collected in this study, sediment samples from 

Upper Mystic Lake collected, chemically analyzed, and 

dated by others could be used to corroborate the interpretation of sediment-quality data in Lower Mystic Lake. Possible 

coincidences can be identified between peak concentrations 

of specific contaminants in the core sample collected at site 

105 in Lower Mystic Lake and activities that produced those 

contaminants in the lake’s drainage area.

The Aberjona River flows into Upper Mystic Lake, which 

drains into Lower Mystic Lake. The Aberjona River flows 

through one of the best-known Superfund sites in the Nation—

the Industri-Plex in Woburn, MA. Between the 1860s and 

1980s, six different chemical manufacturing companies operated on this site, and produced chemicals used by the leather 

and textile industries, arsenic- and lead-based pesticides, 

sulfuric acid, and explosives used during both World Wars. 

Byproducts of these manufacturing processes were often 

disposed of in areas near and directly adjacent to the Aberjona 

River. The arsenic-concentration maximum measured in the 

Lower Mystic Lake sediment core (sampling site 105, fig. 9) 

may correspond with the first of two major episodes of arsenic 

contamination in the basin in the early 1900s (Spliethoff and 

Hemond, 1996; Knox, 1991). The source of this arsenic is 

believed to be pyrites used in the manufacturing of sulfuric acid at the Industri-Plex site (Aurilio and others, 1995). 

Additionally, the arsenic peak measured at site 105 roughly 

corresponds with peaks of other contaminant concentrations. 

These peaks may indicate a period of substantial contaminant 

transport in the basin.

Concentrations of lead can also be related to human 

activities in the basin. For example, the use of lead as a gasoline additive reached a maximum in the mid-1970s, at which 

time it was phased out by the USEPA. A high concentration 

of lead (1,600 ppm) was measured at a depth of 32.5 cm to 

36.5 cm in the sediment core collected from site 105 in Lower 

Mystic Lake. The highest concentrations of lead and other 

metals were at depths between 61 and 97 cm in sediment cores 

from the lake. This depth may correspond to the years between 

1914 and 1947 when munitions used in both World Wars 

were manufactured in industrial plants just upstream of Lower 

Mystic Lake.

The maximum SPAH concentration (1,200 ppm) measured at sample site 105 in Lower Mystic Lake occurred at a 

depth of 73 to 77 cm, which may correspond approximately 

to the period 1930–35. The most likely source of these PAHs 

is tar from a coal-gasification plant that operated in Arlington 

between 1900 and 1930. Finally, a large spike in the concentration of silver (8.3 ppm) was measured at sample site 105 at 

a depth of 40.5 to 44.5 cm (fig. 9). The source of this silver is 

unknown.

Toxicity of Contaminated Bottom 

Sediment 

Contaminant concentrations in sediment-grab samples 

were compared to sediment-quality guidelines and to 

exposure-based soil standards to assess the potential health 

risks posed by the Mystic River Basin sediments to bottomdwelling organisms and to humans.

Benthic Organisms

One way to assess whether a river can support a healthy 

and diverse population of fish is to test the health of their food 

source, particularly benthic organisms. Benthic organisms (for 

example, worms, snails, or crabs) live and feed on the river 

bottom, where they come in direct contact with contaminated 

sediment. Contaminants can accumulate in the tissues of these 

organisms as they ingest sediment contaminated with elements 

and organic compounds or sorb these contaminants directly 

from sediment and water (Forstner and Whittman, 1983). 

Accumulation of these constituents in benthic organisms can 

cause physiological problems, reproductive problems, and 

death. Subsequent ingestion of contaminated benthic organisms by other organisms higher in the food chain (for example, 

fish) can cause similar health effects.

The potential toxicity of Mystic River sediment to 

benthic organisms can be estimated by comparing measured 

concentrations for individual contaminants and contaminant 

types to probable effect concentrations (PECs), which are published guidelines (Ingersoll and others, 2000). The guidelines 

are based on the results of laboratory tests in which organisms 

such as the amphipod Hyalella azteca and the insect larva 

Chironomus spp. were exposed to different concentrations of 

contaminants. The predicted potential for toxicity depends on 

the organism and on the test conditions in general; however, 

concentrations higher than the PECs are considered likely to 

be toxic to benthic organisms. Average PEC quotients can be 

calculated for individual sediment samples in which concentrations of more than one contaminant have been measured. 

The quotient for a given sample is a measure of the toxicity 

Toxicity of Contaminated Bottom Sediment 25
26  Sediment Quality of Lakes, Rivers, and Estuaries in the Mystic River Basin, Eastern Massachusetts, 2001–03

caused by more than one contaminant in that sample. Finally, 

the average PEC quotient can be compared to PEC-quotient 

ranges associated with different toxicity potentials (Ingersoll 

and others, 2000).

Censored data was treated somewhat differently in the 

calculation of average PEC quotients than in the calculations 

of total concentrations. Censored data were set to one-half 

of the detection limit (instead of zero) unless all constituents 

in the group were below the detection limit, in which case 

the detection limits themselves were added. In addition, if 

a constituent’s concentration was below the detection limit 

and the limit was greater than the PEC for that constituent, it was eliminated in the calculation of the PEC quotient 

(Ingersoll and others, 2000). In this study, concentrations of 

the PAHs acenaphthene, naphthalene, acenaphthylene, and 

dibenzo[a,h]anthracene were eliminated for this reason.

To calculate the average PEC quotient for a given sample 

of sediment, a measured concentration of a specific contaminant was adjusted for censored data in the manner described 

above. If the published PEC is for an individual contaminant, 

the concentration of that individual contaminant is divided by 

its PEC value; if the published PEC is for a contaminant type, 

however, the total concentration for that type is divided by the 

PEC. Then the quotients are added, and the total is divided by 

the number of contaminants and types. In this study, PECs for 

seven individual trace elements and for total PAHs were used. 

These were the only types of contaminants used to calculate 

the PEC quotients. The average PEC quotient for each sample 

was calculated according to the equation

 ,

where

Qx is the average PEC quotient for sample x;

Cx,y is the concentration of contaminant y or contaminant 

type y in sample x;

PECy is the PEC for contaminant y (Ingersoll and others, 

2000); and

nx is equal to the number of contaminants and contaminant types used in sample x.

The PAH group included anthracene, benzo(a)anthracene, 

benzo(a)pyrene, chrysene, fluorene, fluoranthene, 

phenanthrene, and pyrene. The individual trace elements, each 

of which had its own PEC, included arsenic (As), cadmium 

(Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), nickel (Ni), and 

zinc (Zn). As a result, nx could be as high as 8.

The potential for toxicity was determined for the top 

2–4 in. of bottom sediment, which can be considered the 

biologically active sediment layer (Baudo and Muntau, 1990). 

The average estimated potential-toxicity values at sampling 

sites in the Mystic River Basin for the test organisms (Hyalella 

azteca and Chironomus spp.) are shown in figure 17 (at back 

of report). The potential toxicity in figure 17 refers to the 

potential toxicity compared to a set of reference toxicity tests 

(Ingersoll and others, 2000). For example, an estimated potential toxicity of 20 percent means that 20 out of 100 toxicity 

tests are likely to show some level of toxicity for the concentration of contaminants measured in that sediment sample.

The average predicted potential toxicity ranged from 

about 13 to 97 percent among the sampling locations (fig. 17). 

Overall, the trace elements and the PAHs are responsible for 

as much as 50 percent of the predicted toxicity. In some areas, 

however, trace elements are more responsible for the predicted 

toxicity, and in other areas PAHs appear to be more responsible for the predicted toxicity. On average, trace elements 

are most responsible for the predicted toxicity of sediment 

grab samples collected from Boston Inner Harbor (69 percent), Chelsea Creek (67 percent), the lower Mystic River (68 

percent), and Mill Creek (59 percent). In contrast, PAHs are 

most responsible for predicted toxicity of sediment samples 

collected from Alewife Brook (73 percent), Island End River 

(74 percent), Malden River (72 percent), and the upper Mystic 

River (61 percent). Trace elements and PAHs are each responsible for about one-half of the predicted toxicity for sediment 

samples collected from Lower Mystic Lake. The largest overall PEC quotient (13.7) was calculated for grab-sampling site 

43 in the Malden River. In fact, PAHs accounted for most (96 

percent) of the PEC quotient at this location. Similar results 

were obtained even when biased (high) chromium data (not 

shown) were used.

This evaluation of potential toxicity is intended to distinguish groups of chemicals that are likely to be associated with 

adverse biological effects at specific locations. This treatment 

of the data is intended to supplement, not substitute for, direct 

measures of sediment toxicity.

Humans

When people recreate in lakes, rivers, and estuaries, they 

often come in contact with sediment. Consequently, communities like those in the Mystic River Basin may benefit from 

information about the potential human-health risks associated 

with direct contact or incidental ingestion of contaminated 

sediment. These risks can be assessed by comparing contaminant concentrations with exposure-based guidelines for those 

contaminants (Massachusetts Department of Environmental 

Protection, 1996, method 2, soil category S-1). The guidelines 

can be applied only indirectly to aquatic sediment, however, 

because they are formulated for contaminated upland soil. In 

the absence of aquatic-sediment guidelines, comparison with 

direct-contact, exposure-based soil standards for many trace 

elements and organic compounds may suffice. 

Qx

Cx, y

PECy

-------------

nx

= ----------------

Σ
Comparing sediment concentrations to soil-based 

human-health standards likely overestimates the potential 

human-health risk. As people wade or swim near contaminated sediment, the sediment is washed quickly from their 

skin. On the other hand, people exposed to contaminated soils 

typically experience extended contact with the soil; therefore, 

the contaminant is more likely to enter the body. Nonetheless, 

the comparison can provide a sense of the risk associated with 

contacting the sediment. These comparisons, however, are not 

intended to replace direct measures of the health risk.

 Several of the constituents were detected at concentrations near or above their respective human-health standards for 

soil. Of the trace elements, concentrations of antimony (at 1 

sample site), arsenic (9 sample sites), beryllium (61 sample 

sites), lead (39 sample sites), and zinc (1 sample site) were 

closest to their respective standards for soil. Of particular 

interest is the beryllium concentration that was measured at 

Chelsea Creek (sample site 99) at more than 11 times the 

standard for soil. Lead and zinc concentra­tions at this site were 

also greater than the soil-standard concentrations of lead and 

zinc by six and two times, respectively. Of the organic 

compounds tested, the PAHs—benzo[a]anthracene (at 72 

grab-sampling sites), benzo(b)fluoranthene and benzo[k]-

fluoranthene (38 sample sites), benzo[a]pyrene (83 sample 

sites), chrysene (36 sample sites), dibenzo[a,h]anthracene (22 

sample sites), indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene (54 sample sites), and 

naphtalene (1 sample site)—were closest to human-health 

standards for soil. On the basis of the analysis methods 

described previously for censored data, none of the organochlorine pesticides tested showed potential for adverse humanhealth risk based on soil standards. The human-health effects 

of PCBs could not be assessed because of the high detection 

limits in this study.

Summary

Surface-sediment and sediment-core samples from Lower 

Mystic Lake, Mystic River, Alewife Brook, Malden River, 

Island End River, Chelsea and Mill Creeks in the Mystic River 

Basin were tested for the presence of pesticides, polyaromatic 

hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls, and selected 

elements, including antimony, arsenic, beryllium, cadmium, 

chromium, copper, lead, mercury, nickel, silver, and zinc. 

Both types of samples were generally enriched in toxic elements and organic compounds when compared to background 

concentrations. In addition, most constituent concentrations—in particular, arsenic, chromium, copper, lead, silver, 

or zinc, and PAHs—were equal to or greater than those found 

in the sediments of other urban rivers. With a few exceptions, concentrations of the selected trace elements and PAHs 

were lower in the Mystic River Basin sediments than in the 

sediments of the lower Charles, but higher than or equal to 

concentrations in the sediments of the Neponset River—each 

a tributary to Boston Harbor. Concentrations of arsenic were 

generally higher in the Mystic River Basin than in both the 

lower Charles and Neponset Rivers. Some chemicals are in 

sufficiently high concentrations in sediment samples collected 

from the Mystic River Basin to pose a threat to benthic organisms and, based on guidelines developed for upland soils, and 

may cause human-health risks if humans come in contact with 

the sediment.

Sediment core results show that trace-element 

concentrations within the upper parts of the cores (more 

recently deposited sediment) have remained constant or have 

slightly declined, on average. In contrast, concentrations 

of PAHs appear to be increasing in near-surface sediment 

compared to sediment deposited earlier. Taken as a whole, 

however, graphs of sediment-core data show that the concentrations of trace elements and PAHs in surficial sediment are 

substantially lower than in sediment at depth. These trends 

imply that, although the sediment quality in the Mystic River 

Basin remains impaired and shows little improvement over 

recent years, the sediment quality has improved markedly 

since the turn of the century.

Acknowledgments

The authors express their gratitude to the following 

USGS employees for their cooperation and assistance: Stacey 

Archfield, Jason Sorenson, and Joseph Zanca for assistance 

with sampling; and Marcus Waldron, John Colman, Jonathan 

Morrison, and Leslie DeSimone for technical and editorial 

assistance: Alex Gorshteyn and Zinoviy Katayenko (Tuft 

University) for chemical analysis of sediment samples.

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Figures 9–17
32 Sediment Quality of Lakes, Rivers, and Estuaries in the Mystic River Basin, Eastern Massachusetts, 2001–03
Figure 9. Selected trace element and organic compound concentrations measured in sediment core samples collected from site 105, Lower Mystic Lake, Mystic River Basin, Massachusetts. Data for trace elements were not analyzed 

for depth range 0–4 centimeters because the entire volume of sediment in this range was needed for organic analysis.

Figures 9–17  33

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Concentration, in

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Sediment Depth,

in centimeters

Sediment Depth,

in centimeters

Sediment Depth,

in centimeters

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in centimeters

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228,660 229,160 229,660

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105

EXPLANATION

ALUMINUM-NORMALIZED CONCENTRATIONS

TITANIUM-NORMALIZED CONCENTRATIONS

SEDIMENT CORE SAMPLING SITE

105
3 Sediment Quality of Lakes, Rivers, and Estuaries in the Mystic River Basin, Eastern Massachusetts, 2001–03

Figure 10. Selected trace element and organic compound concentrations measured in sediment core samples 

collected from site 106, upper Mystic River above Amelia Earhart Dam, Mystic River Basin, Massachusetts. 

Samples from depth ranges 0–4 and 4–8 centimeters were combined because high water content reduced the 

volume of sediment in the individual samples.

233,029 233,229 233,429 233,629 233,829 234,029 234,229 234,429 234,629 234,829

904,225

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EXPLANATION

ALUMINUM-NORMALIZED CONCENTRATIONS

TITANIUM-NORMALIZED CONCENTRATIONS

SEDIMENT CORE SAMPLING SITE 106

Arsenic

Beryllium

Cadmium

Chromium

Copper

Lead

Nickel

Silver

Zinc

PAHs

Concentration, in

parts per million

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in centimeters

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in centimeters

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in centimeters

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in centimeters

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in centimeters

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in centimeters

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in centimeters

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Figure 11. Selected trace element and organic compound concentrations measured in sediment core 

samples collected from site 107, Malden River, Mystic River Basin, Massachusetts.

Figures –1 3

Base map coverages from MassGIS, NAD 83,

Lambert Conformal Polyconic projection,

Massachusetts coordinate system mainland

zone in meters

234,624 234,824 235,024 235,224 235,424 235,624 235,824 236,024 236,224 236,424

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EXPLANATION

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TITANIUM-NORMALIZED CONCENTRATIONS

SEDIMENT CORE SAMPLING SITE

Arsenic

Beryllium

Cadmium

Chromium

Copper

Lead

Nickel

Silver

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in centimeters

Sediment Depth,

in centimeters

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in centimeters

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in centimeters

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in centimeters

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3 Sediment Quality of Lakes, Rivers, and Estuaries in the Mystic River Basin, Eastern Massachusetts, 2001–03

Figure 12. Selected trace element and organic compound concentrations measured in sediment core 

samples collected from site 108, upper Mystic River about 180 meters above the Amelia Earhart Dam, Mystic 

River Basin, Massachusetts.

108

234,052 234,252 234,452 234,652 234,852 235,052 235,252 235,452 235,652 235,852

903,218

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904,018

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Base map coverages from MassGIS, NAD 83,

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Massachusetts coordinate system mainland

zone in meters

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Arsenic

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Lead

Nickel

Silver

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Concentration, in

parts per million

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in centimeters

Sediment Depth,

in centimeters

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in centimeters

Sediment Depth,

in centimeters

Sediment Depth,

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EXPLANATION

ALUMINUM-NORMALIZED CONCENTRATIONS

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SEDIMENT CORE SAMPLING SITE

108
Figure 13. Selected trace element and organic compound concentrations measured in sediment core 

samples collected from site 109, upper Mystic River about 90 meters above Amelia Earhart Dam, Mystic River 

Basin, Massachusetts. Data for trace elements were not analyzed for depth range 0–4 centimeters because 

the entire volume of sediment in this range was needed for organic analysis.

Figures –1 3

234,052 234,252 234,452 234,652 234,852 235,052 235,252 235,452 235,652 235,852

903,218

903,418

903,618

903,818

904,018

904,218

904,418

904,618

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Base map coverages from MassGIS, NAD 83,

Lambert Conformal Polyconic projection,

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120

0 20 40 60

0 1 2 3

0 8 16 24

0 300 600 900

0 400 800 1,200

0 40 80 120

0 1 2 3

0 1,600 3,200 4,800

0 200 400 600 0 30 60 90

Arsenic

Beryllium

Cadmium

Chromium

Copper

Lead

Nickel

Silver

Zinc

PAHs

Concentration, in

parts per million

Concentration, in

parts per million

Sediment Depth,

in centimeters

Sediment Depth,

in centimeters

Sediment Depth,

in centimeters

Sediment Depth,

in centimeters

Sediment Depth,

in centimeters

Sediment Depth,

in centimeters

Sediment Depth,

in centimeters

Sediment Depth,

in centimeters

Sediment Depth,

in centimeters

Sediment Depth,

in centimeters

109

EXPLANATION

ALUMINUM-NORMALIZED CONCENTRATIONS

TITANIUM-NORMALIZED CONCENTRATIONS

SEDIMENT CORE SAMPLING SITE

109
3 Sediment Quality of Lakes, Rivers, and Estuaries in the Mystic River Basin, Eastern Massachusetts, 2001–03

Figure 1. Selected trace element and organic compound concentrations measured in sediment core 

samples collected from site 110, lower Mystic River about 45 meters below the Amelia Earhart Dam, Mystic 

River Basin, Massachusetts.

0

20

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0 2 4 6

234,052 234,252 234,452 234,652 234,852 235,052 235,252 235,452 235,652 235,852

903,218

903,418

903,618

903,818

904,018

904,218

904,418

904,618

904,818

905,018

905,218

905,418

905,618

0 100 200 300 400 500 METERS

Base map coverages from MassGIS, NAD 83, 0 300 600 900 1,200 1,500 FEET

Lambert Conformal Polyconic projection,

Massachusetts coordinate system mainland

zone in meters

110

Arsenic

Beryllium

Cadmium

Chromium

Copper

Lead

Nickel

Silver

Zinc

PAHs

Sediment Depth,

in centimeters

Sediment Depth,

in centimeters

Sediment Depth,

in centimeters

Sediment Depth,

in centimeters

Sediment Depth,

in centimeters

Sediment Depth,

in centimeters

Sediment Depth,

in centimeters

Sediment Depth,

in centimeters

Sediment Depth,

in centimeters

Sediment Depth,

in centimeters

Concentration, in

parts per million

Concentration, in

parts per million

ALUMINUM-NORMALIZED CONCENTRATIONS

TITANIUM-NORMALIZED CONCENTRATIONS

SEDIMENT CORE SAMPLING SITE 110

EXPLANATION
Figure 1. Selected trace element and organic compound concentrations measured in sediment core 

samples collected from site 111, lower Mystic River about 475 meters below the Amelia Earhart Dam, Mystic 

River Basin, Massachusetts.

Figures –1 3

Base map coverages from MassGIS, NAD 83,

Lambert Conformal Polyconic projection,

Massachusetts coordinate system mainland

zone in meters 0 100 200 300 400 500 METERS

0 300 600 900 1,200 1,500 FEET

234,052 234,252 234,452 234,652 234,852 235,052 235,252 235,452 235,652 235,852

903,218

903,418

903,618

903,818

904,018

904,218

904,418

904,618

904,818

905,018

905,218

905,418

905,618

ALUMINUM-NORMALIZED CONCENTRATIONS

TITANIUM-NORMALIZED CONCENTRATIONS

SEDIMENT CORE SAMPLING SITE

Arsenic

Beryllium

Cadmium

Chromium

Copper

Lead

Nickel

Silver

Zinc

PAHs

Concentration, in

parts per million

Concentration, in

parts per million

Sediment Depth,

in centimeters

Sediment Depth,

in centimeters

Sediment Depth,

in centimeters

Sediment Depth,

in centimeters

Sediment Depth,

in centimeters

Sediment Depth,

in centimeters

Sediment Depth,

in centimeters

Sediment Depth,

in centimeters

Sediment Depth,

in centimeters

Sediment Depth,

in centimeters

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

0

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0 120 240 360 0 6 12 18

154 159

23

111

EXPLANATION

111
0 Sediment Quality of Lakes, Rivers, and Estuaries in the Mystic River Basin, Eastern Massachusetts, 2001–03

Figure 1. Selected trace element and organic compound concentrations measured in sediment core 

samples collected from site 112, Island End River, Mystic River Basin, Massachusetts.

Arsenic

Beryllium

Cadmium

Chromium

Copper

Lead

Nickel

Silver

Zinc

PAHs

Concentration, in

parts per million

Concentration, in

parts per million

Sediment Depth,

in centimeters

Sediment Depth,

in centimeters

Sediment Depth,

in centimeters

Sediment Depth,

in centimeters

Sediment Depth,

in centimeters

Sediment Depth,

in centimeters

Sediment Depth,

in centimeters

Sediment Depth,

in centimeters

Sediment Depth,

in centimeters

Sediment Depth,

in centimeters

235,760 235,960 236,160 236,360 236,560 236,760 236,960 237,160 237,360 237,560

903,501

903,701

903,901

904,101

904,301

904,501

904,701

904,901

905,101

905,301

905,501

905,701

905,901

Base map coverages from MassGIS, NAD 83,

Lambert Conformal Polyconic projection,

Massachusetts coordinate system mainland

zone in meters 0 100 200 300 400 500 METERS

0 300 600 900 1,200 1,500 FEET

0 0

20

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0 4 8 12

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0 400 800 1200

400 800 1,200

0 20 40 60

0

13

152

311

652

1,295

112

EXPLANATION

ALUMINUM-NORMALIZED CONCENTRATIONS

TITANIUM-NORMALIZED CONCENTRATIONS

SEDIMENT CORE SAMPLING SITE

112
Figure 17. Estimated sediment toxicity to Hyalella azteca and Chiromonus spp. with respect to consensus-based 

freshwater sediment-quality guidelines. For example, potentitial toxicity of 20 percent means that 20 out of 100 toxicity tests 

are likely to show some level of toxicity for the concentration of contaminants measured in that sediment sample.

Figures 9–17  41

Arlington

Belmont

Medford Malden

Revere

Everett

Chelsea

Cambridge Somerville

Charlestown

Boston

Winthrop

East Boston

52

76

1 2

3 4

5

7 8

9 10

11

12

13

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15

16 17

18

19 20

21

22 23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30 31

32 33

34

35 36

38

39 40

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42

43

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48

49 50 51

53

54

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84

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87 88

89

90 91

92

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94

96 95

99 97

98

100

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102

104 103

6

ESTIMATED AVERAGE

PERCENT TOXICITY TO

BENTHIC ORGANISMS

EXPLANATION

from 0 to 15

greater than 15 to 45

greater than 45 to 60

greater than 60 to 80

Base map coverages from MassGIS, NAD 83,

Lambert Conformal Polyconic projection,

Massachusetts coordinate system mainland

zone in meters

909,025

907,025

905,025

903,025

901,025

899,025

227,659 230,659 233,659 236,659 239,659

0

0

1

1 2 3 4 MILES

2 3 4 KILOMETERS
42 Sediment Quality of Lakes, Rivers, and Estuaries in the Mystic River Basin, Eastern Massachusetts, 2001–03
Tables 3–5
44  Sediment Quality of Lakes, Rivers, and Estuaries in the Mystic River Basin, Eastern Massachusetts, 2001–03
Table 3. Distribution of element and organic compound concentrations measured in sediment grab samples, Mystic River Basin, 

Massachusetts.—Continued

[Station number: USGS sample identifiers and geographical coordinates are given in table 1; sampling locations shown on figure 3. BHC, 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexachlorocyclohexane; D, duplicate; DDD, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane; DDE, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene; DDT, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane; do., 

ditto; LD, lab duplicate; No., number; PES, Performance Evaluation Standard; RPD, relative percent difference; USGS, U.S. Geological Survey; ppm, parts per 

million; %, percent; <, actual value shown is less than the minimum reporting limit; *, PES reported value was less than detection; --, not analyzed]

Station

No. Town Water body Calcium(%)

Magnesium

(%)

Sodium

(%)

Potassium

(%)

Phosphorus

(%)

Aluminum

(%)

Antimony

(ppm)

Arsenic

(ppm)

Barium

(ppm)

1 Medford Lower Mystic Lake 0.30 0.48 0.04 0.15 0.05 0.8 <5 <3 38

2 Arlington .....do. .56 .60 .20 .22 .27 1.6 <5 92 220

3 .....do. .....do. .45 .57 .21 .20 .31 1.5 <5 85 230

4 Medford .....do. .50 .56 .20 .20 .25 1.6 <5 87 200

5 Arlington .....do. .58 .61 .07 .23 .16 1.5 <5 20 140

6 .....do. .....do. .58 1.0 2.0 .34 .24 1.5 <5 38 170

7 .....do. .....do. 1.2 1.1 .16 .38 .26 2.6 <5 70 250

8 Medford Upper Mystic River .46 .52 .05 .19 .09 1.0 <5 <3 46

9 .....do. .....do. .30 .34 .03 .14 .05 .65 <5 7 45

10 .....do. .....do. .42 .45 .04 .18 .08 1.0 <5 12 82

11 Cambridge Alewife Brook .41 .37 .04 .16 .11 .88 <5 8 120

12 .....do. .....do. .30 .26 .03 .11 .07 .60 <5 4 120

13 Somerville .....do. .31 .28 .04 .12 .07 .63 <5 6 72

14 .....do. .....do. .37 .38 .04 .15 .10 .89 <5 9 110

15 .....do. .....do. .34 .34 .04 .16 .10 .89 <5 9 130

16 .....do. Mystic River .59 .50 .06 .24 .14 1.3 <5 17 150

17 Medford .....do. .33 .35 .04 .14 .06 .74 <5 3 42

18 .....do. .....do. .23 .23 .03 .11 .05 .57 <5 4 43

19 .....do. .....do. .28 .37 .03 .16 .07 .90 <5 7 57

20 .....do. .....do. .27 .34 .03 .16 .06 .82 <5 4 65

21 .....do. .....do. .22 .26 .03 .11 .05 .62 <5 3 44

22 .....do. .....do. .37 .51 .04 .22 .08 1.1 <5 12 62

23 .....do. .....do. .52 .55 .05 .26 .14 1.5 <5 14 140

24 .....do. .....do. .39 .77 .05 .49 .06 1.8 <5 <3 64

25 .....do. .....do. .38 .45 .07 .19 .08 1.0 <5 10 72

26 .....do. .....do. .46 .59 .12 .28 .16 1.5 <5 19 140

27 .....do. .....do. .23 .21 .03 .09 .05 .44 <5 4 58

28 .....do. .....do. .24 .31 .06 .18 .07 .75 <5 7 74

29 .....do. .....do. .46 .51 .10 .24 .14 1.3 <5 13 140

30 .....do. .....do. .48 .59 .14 .28 .16 1.5 <5 16 160

31 .....do. .....do. .53 .72 .14 .36 .18 1.8 <5 22 180

32 .....do. .....do. .18 .19 .03 .09 .05 .46 <5 5 56

33 .....do. .....do. .35 .52 .08 .27 .11 1.3 <5 7 100

34 .....do. .....do. .46 .68 .13 .35 .17 1.7 <5 19 170

35 .....do. .....do. .49 .70 .13 .34 .18 1.7 <5 17 170

Tables 3–5  45
46  Sediment Quality of Lakes, Rivers, and Estuaries in the Mystic River Basin, Eastern Massachusetts, 2001–03

Table 3. Distribution of element and organic compound concentrations measured in sediment grab samples, Mystic River Basin, 

Massachusetts.—Continued

[Station number: USGS sample identifiers and geographical coordinates are given in table 1; sampling locations shown on figure 3. BHC, 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexachlorocyclohexane; D, duplicate; DDD, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane; DDE, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene; DDT, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane; do., 

ditto; LD, lab duplicate; No., number; PES, Performance Evaluation Standard; RPD, relative percent difference; USGS, U.S. Geological Survey; ppm, parts per 

million; %, percent; <, actual value shown is less than the minimum reporting limit; *, PES reported value was less than detection; --, not analyzed]

Station

No. Town Water body Calcium(%)

Magnesium

(%)

Sodium

(%)

Potassium

(%)

Phosphorus

(%)

Aluminum

(%)

Antimony

(ppm)

Arsenic

(ppm)

Barium

(ppm)

36 Medford Upper Mystic River 0.46 0.66 0.13 0.33 0.15 1.7 <5 13 150

37 Somerville .....do. .45 .69 .15 .36 .16 1.8 <5 16 170

38 Medford .....do. .46 .74 .15 .38 .17 1.8 <5 15 160

39 .....do. .....do. .44 .69 .14 .35 .15 1.8 <5 14 150

40 .....do. .....do. .39 .57 .11 .31 .12 1.5 <5 16 94

41 Everett .....do. .33 .41 .10 .19 .10 1.0 <5 21 110

42 Malden Malden River .18 .21 .04 .09 .04 .43 <5 5 48

43 .....do. .....do. .32 .32 .08 .12 .08 .73 <5 4 110

44 .....do. .....do. .54 .36 .15 .11 .13 .72 11 59 110

45 .....do. .....do. .27 .45 .08 .23 .06 1.0 <5 8 54

46 Everett .....do. .45 .69 .13 .38 .19 2.2 <5 17 140

47 .....do. .....do. .44 .68 .20 .29 .18 1.7 <5 19 130

48 .....do. .....do. .48 .71 .24 .32 .21 1.9 <5 30 170

49 .....do. .....do. .44 .54 .12 .27 .23 1.8 <5 28 96

50 .....do. .....do. .32 .50 .10 .25 .12 1.3 <5 15 77

51 .....do. .....do. .42 .43 .09 .20 .10 1.1 <5 14 58

52 .....do. .....do. .35 .50 .16 .24 .13 1.2 <5 21 96

53 .....do. Upper Mystic River .41 .89 .71 .43 .16 1.8 <5 25 120

54 .....do. .....do. .40 .94 .67 .47 .16 2.0 <5 20 110

55 Somerville Lower Mystic River .75 1.3 2.8 .77 .15 2.9 <5 22 140

56 Everett .....do. 1.1 .83 1.4 .46 .14 2.4 <5 54 100

57 .....do. .....do. .50 .37 .43 .22 .06 1.1 <5 9 38

58 Boston .....do. 1.3 1.2 2.2 .83 .18 3.1 <5 29 140

59 .....do. .....do. .48 .59 .77 .32 .15 2.0 <5 38 66

60 .....do. .....do. .69 1.3 2.5 .94 .17 3.3 <5 28 140

61 .....do. .....do. 3.3 .64 1.1 .40 .11 1.6 <5 20 92

62 Everett .....do. .62 1.0 1.5 .74 .12 2.6 <5 18 110

63 Boston .....do. .72 1.2 2.1 .75 .16 2.7 <5 24 120

64 Everett .....do. .55 1.1 1.7 .78 .12 2.9 <5 21 130

65 .....do. .....do. .78 1.1 1.7 .68 .12 2.5 <5 28 130

66 Boston .....do. .81 1.2 2.1 .80 .14 2.9 <5 24 130

67 Everett .....do. 1.6 .89 1.4 .63 .11 2.2 <5 14 91

68 Boston .....do. .76 1.2 2.1 .80 .14 2.8 <5 21 120

69 Everett .....do. .70 1.1 1.6 .73 .14 2.6 <5 21 110

70 Chelsea Island End River .58 .94 1.8 .46 .13 2.0 <5 23 180
Table 3. Distribution of element and organic compound concentrations measured in sediment grab samples, Mystic River Basin, 

Massachusetts.—Continued

[Station number: USGS sample identifiers and geographical coordinates are given in table 1; sampling locations shown on figure 3. BHC, 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexachlorocyclohexane; D, duplicate; DDD, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane; DDE, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene; DDT, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane; do., 

ditto; LD, lab duplicate; No., number; PES, Performance Evaluation Standard; RPD, relative percent difference; USGS, U.S. Geological Survey; ppm, parts per 

million; %, percent; <, actual value shown is less than the minimum reporting limit; *, PES reported value was less than detection; --, not analyzed]

Station

No. Town Water body Calcium(%)

Magnesium

(%)

Sodium

(%)

Potassium

(%)

Phosphorus

(%)

Aluminum

(%)

Antimony

(ppm)

Arsenic

(ppm)

Barium

(ppm)

71 Everett Island End River 0.55 1.0 1.7 0.62 0.10 2.4 <5 24 150

72 .....do. .....do. .61 1.0 1.8 .64 .12 2.4 <5 20 130

73 .....do. .....do. .36 .53 1.0 .30 .07 1.2 <5 14 87

74 .....do. .....do. .66 .88 1.4 .53 .11 2.0 <5 19 98

75 Boston Lower Mystic River .77 1.3 1.6 .87 .17 3.1 <5 25 120

76 .....do. .....do. .86 1.2 1.5 .78 .14 2.9 <5 18 120

77 Chelsea .....do. .59 .84 1.2 .51 .11 2.1 <5 61 100

78 .....do. .....do. .73 1.1 1.6 .67 .15 2.5 <5 29 200

79 .....do. .....do. .51 1.0 .92 .67 .09 2.6 <5 21 100

80 .....do. Mill Creek 1.7 .89 1.3 .52 .14 2.5 <5 16 160

81 Revere Chelsea Creek .56 .87 1.4 .52 .11 2.2 <5 15 140

82 .....do. .....do. 2.7 .40 .47 .20 .06 1.0 <5 4 45

83 Chelsea .....do. .85 .47 .45 .27 .06 1.3 <5 4 53

84 .....do. .....do. .51 .89 1.1 .62 .09 2.4 <5 10 100

85 .....do. .....do. .53 .81 1.2 .55 .11 2.2 <5 12 110

86 Boston .....do. .42 .50 .57 .29 .06 1.3 <5 9 57

87 Chelsea .....do. .62 .86 1.4 .56 .11 2.2 <5 11 100

88 .....do. .....do. 1.4 1.0 1.4 .58 .14 2.3 <5 17 94

89 Boston .....do. .66 .60 .74 .35 .08 1.5 <5 8 66

90 .....do. .....do. .58 .64 .75 .36 .08 1.6 <5 9 71

91 .....do. .....do. .56 .80 1.1 .49 .10 2.1 <5 11 85

92 Chelsea .....do. .56 .91 .78 .44 .11 2.1 <5 11 92

93 .....do. .....do. .57 .87 .90 .55 .12 2.3 <5 17 110

94 Boston .....do. .91 .45 .48 .25 .06 1.2 <5 8 51

95 Chelsea .....do. .73 .80 .88 .47 .10 2.0 <5 15 72

96 .....do. .....do. .94 .60 .68 .31 .07 1.5 <5 13 57

97 .....do. .....do. .58 .86 1.0 .55 .11 2.4 <5 11 97

98 Boston .....do. 5.7 .53 .72 .28 .08 1.3 <5 10 62

99 Chelsea .....do. 1.2 .79 .81 .35 .15 2.6 <5 27 290

100 .....do. .....do. .60 .73 .88 .49 .09 2.0 <5 12 86

101 Boston .....do. .60 .77 1.0 .49 .10 1.9 <5 13 77

102 .....do. Boston Inner Harbor .66 1.1 1.5 .71 .15 2.7 <5 19 100

103 .....do. .....do. .71 1.1 1.4 .75 .14 2.8 <5 23 130

104 .....do. .....do. .48 .82 1.0 .53 .08 2.1 <5 24 99

Tables 3–5  47
48  Sediment Quality of Lakes, Rivers, and Estuaries in the Mystic River Basin, Eastern Massachusetts, 2001–03

Table 3. Distribution of element and organic compound concentrations measured in sediment grab samples, Mystic River Basin, 

Massachusetts.—Continued

[Station number: USGS sample identifiers and geographical coordinates are given in table 1; sampling locations shown on figure 3. BHC, 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexachlorocyclohexane; D, duplicate; DDD, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane; DDE, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene; DDT, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane; do., 

ditto; LD, lab duplicate; No., number; PES, Performance Evaluation Standard; RPD, relative percent difference; USGS, U.S. Geological Survey; ppm, parts per 

million; %, percent; <, actual value shown is less than the minimum reporting limit; *, PES reported value was less than detection; --, not analyzed]

Station

No. Town Water body Calcium(%)

Magnesium

(%)

Sodium

(%)

Potassium

(%)

Phosphorus

(%)

Aluminum

(%)

Antimony

(ppm)

Arsenic

(ppm)

Barium

(ppm)

7-D Arlington Lower Mystic Lake 0.60 0.55 0.09 0.20 0.13 1.3 <5 33 130

16-D Somerville Mystic River .57 .50 .06 .24 .14 1.3 <5 15 150

23-D Medford .....do. .48 .48 .05 .23 .12 1.3 <5 13 120

29-D .....do. .....do. .47 .49 .08 .26 .13 1.3 <5 15 140

52-D Everett Malden River .33 .47 .13 .25 .12 1.3 <5 23 98

55-D Somerville Upper Mystic River .74 1.3 2.6 .79 .15 3.0 <5 23 150

70-D Chelsea Island End River .57 .91 1.7 .46 .13 1.9 <5 22 180

85-D .....do. Chelsea Creek .60 .91 1.2 .59 .12 2.5 <5 9 110

100-D .....do. .....do. .48 .72 .91 .43 .10 1.7 <5 10 74

102-D Boston Boston Inner Harbor .74 1.3 1.7 .85 .16 3.0 <5 21 120

6-LD Arlington Lower Mystic Lake .60 1.0 2.0 .34 .24 1.5 <5 42 170

18-LD Medford Upper Mystic River .24 .24 .03 .11 .05 .59 <5 4 43

25-LD .....do. .....do. .37 .44 .07 .18 .08 .94 <5 9 70

36-LD .....do. .....do. .47 .66 .12 .34 .15 1.7 <5 13 160

42-LD Malden Malden River .18 .20 .04 .10 .04 .46 <5 4 49

56-LD Everett Lower Mystic River 1.1 .85 1.5 .50 .15 2.7 <5 56 120

66-LD Boston .....do. .78 1.2 2.1 .78 .14 2.7 <5 25 120

77-LD Chelsea .....do. .57 .81 1.2 .50 .11 2.0 <5 59 99

95-LD .....do. Chelsea Creek .79 .83 .93 .53 .10 2.2 <5 18 83

104-LD Boston Boston Inner Harbor .49 .81 .92 .56 .07 2.2 <5 20 100

Blank -- -- <.01 <.01 <.01 <.01 <.01 <.01 <5 <3 <1

Blank -- -- <.01 <.01 <.01 <.01 <.01 <.01 <5 <3 <1

PES, in RPD -- -- 28 3 4 2 49 16 -- -- 1

PES, in RPD -- -- 1 3 12 6 6 6 * 4 3

PES, in RPD -- -- 2 7 0 6 0 2 * 3 6

PES, in RPD -- -- 7 2 39 22 20 19 12 17 9

PES, in RPD -- -- 7 0 26 22 20 19 12 16 9

PES, in RPD -- -- 5 2 26 20 20 17 27 16 7

PES, in RPD -- -- 5 2 39 20 20 16 12 16 6

PES, in RPD -- -- 2 5 26 16 20 13 1 14 3

PES, in RPD -- -- 5 4 26 16 20 14 12 14 6
Table 3. Distribution of element and organic compound concentrations measured in sediment grab samples, Mystic River Basin, 

Massachusetts.—Continued

[Station number: USGS sample identifiers and geographical coordinates are given in table 1; sampling locations shown on figure 3. BHC, 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexachlorocyclohexane; D, duplicate; DDD, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane; DDE, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene; DDT, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane; do., 

ditto; LD, lab duplicate; No., number; PES, Performance Evaluation Standard; RPD, relative percent difference; USGS, U.S. Geological Survey; ppm, parts per 

million; %, percent; <, actual value shown is less than the minimum reporting limit; *, PES reported value was less than detection; --, not analyzed]

Station

number Town Water body Beryllium(ppm)

Bismuth

(ppm)

Cadmium

(ppm)

Chromium

(ppm)

Cobalt

(ppm)

Copper

(ppm)

Iron

(%)

Lanthanum

(ppm)

1 Medford Lower Mystic Lake <0.5 <5 <1 -- 9 19 1.9 9.1

2 Arlington .....do. 1.0 <5 7 -- 26 330 5.0 20

3 .....do. .....do. .9 <5 6 -- 25 290 4.7 17

4 Medford .....do. 1.0 <5 7 -- 25 330 4.7 18

5 Arlington .....do. .7 <5 3 -- 13 150 3.0 19

6 .....do. .....do. .8 <5 3 -- 19 180 6.3 14

7 .....do. .....do. 1.5 <5 8 -- 37 350 6.1 32

8 Medford Upper Mystic River <.5 <5 <1 -- 10 19 2.2 11

9 .....do. .....do. <.5 <5 1 -- 13 49 1.5 11

10 .....do. .....do. <.5 <5 2 -- 14 91 2.2 14

11 Cambridge Alewife Brook <.5 <5 2 -- 10 140 1.8 13

12 .....do. .....do. <.5 <5 1 -- 6 120 1.4 9.7

13 Somerville .....do. <.5 <5 <1 -- 7 87 2.4 9.8

14 .....do. .....do. <.5 <5 2 -- 9 120 2.3 13

15 .....do. .....do. <.5 <5 2 -- 9 100 1.7 13

16 .....do. Upper Mystic River .7 <5 3 -- 12 180 2.7 18

17 Medford .....do. <.5 <5 <1 -- 7 33 1.8 9.9

18 .....do. .....do. <.5 <5 <1 -- 6 41 1.2 8.9

19 .....do. .....do. <.5 <5 1 -- 8 69 1.8 12

20 .....do. .....do. <.5 <5 <1 -- 8 51 1.7 11

21 .....do. .....do. <.5 <5 <1 -- 6 30 1.5 9.3

22 .....do. .....do. <.5 <5 <1 -- 9 70 2.2 13

23 .....do. .....do. .7 <5 3 -- 15 170 2.7 18

24 .....do. .....do. .8 <5 <1 -- 11 23 3.2 21

25 .....do. .....do. .7 <5 1 -- 9 79 2.1 12

26 .....do. .....do. .8 <5 3 -- 12 210 3.0 18

27 .....do. .....do. <.5 <5 <1 -- 4 49 1.3 8.3

28 .....do. .....do. <.5 <5 <1 -- 7 80 1.7 11

29 .....do. .....do. .7 <5 3 -- 13 190 2.8 16

30 .....do. .....do. .8 <5 4 -- 14 220 3.1 18

31 .....do. .....do. 1.0 <5 4 -- 14 250 3.9 20

32 .....do. .....do. <.5 <5 1 -- 5 63 1.4 9.3

33 .....do. .....do. .6 <5 2 -- 10 110 2.6 16

34 .....do. .....do. 2.7 <5 6 -- 16 230 3.6 21

35 .....do. .....do. .9 <5 5 -- 15 260 3.6 19

Tables 3–5  49
50 Sediment Quality of Lakes, Rivers, and Estuaries in the Mystic River Basin, Eastern Massachusetts, 2001–03

Table 3. Distribution of element and organic compound concentrations measured in sediment grab samples, Mystic River Basin, 

Massachusetts.—Continued

[Station number: USGS sample identifiers and geographical coordinates are given in table 1; sampling locations shown on figure 3. BHC, 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexachlorocyclohexane; D, duplicate; DDD, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane; DDE, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene; DDT, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane; do., 

ditto; LD, lab duplicate; No., number; PES, Performance Evaluation Standard; RPD, relative percent difference; USGS, U.S. Geological Survey; ppm, parts per 

million; %, percent; <, actual value shown is less than the minimum reporting limit; *, PES reported value was less than detection; --, not analyzed]

Station

number Town Water body Beryllium(ppm)

Bismuth

(ppm)

Cadmium

(ppm)

Chromium

(ppm)

Cobalt

(ppm)

Copper

(ppm)

Iron

(%)

Lanthanum

(ppm)

36 Medford Upper Mystic River 0.9 <5 4 -- 16 230 3.4 19

37 Somerville .....do. 1.0 <5 5 -- 14 270 3.8 20

38 Medford .....do. 1.0 <5 5 -- 16 260 3.8 19

39 .....do. .....do. .9 <5 4 -- 15 230 3.6 19

40 .....do. .....do. .7 <5 3 -- 14 150 3.7 15

41 Everett .....do. .6 <5 4 -- 12 140 3.2 11

42 Malden Malden River <.5 <5 1 -- 5 50 1.4 8.6

43 .....do. .....do. <.5 <5 2 -- 8 120 2.0 11

44 .....do. .....do. <.5 <5 2 -- 10 160 2.4 10

45 .....do. .....do. <.5 <5 1 -- 8 55 2.2 12

46 Everett .....do. 1.4 <5 7 -- 20 240 4.0 21

47 .....do. .....do. .9 <5 5 -- 17 230 3.5 18

48 .....do. .....do. 1.1 <5 6 -- 20 320 5.3 17

49 .....do. .....do. .9 <5 3 -- 14 180 3.8 15

50 .....do. .....do. .7 <5 3 -- 13 140 3.1 14

51 .....do. .....do. .5 <5 2 -- 12 110 2.7 12

52 .....do. .....do. .7 <5 4 -- 15 170 3.9 13

53 .....do. Upper Mystic River 1.0 <5 4 -- 15 230 4.3 17

54 .....do. .....do. 1.1 <5 4 -- 15 240 4.9 17

55 Somerville Lower Mystic River 1.2 <5 3 190 14 270 4.4 23

56 Everett .....do. .9 7 2 130 44 680 13 18

57 .....do. .....do. <.5 <5 <1 230 6 75 2.1 14

58 Boston .....do. 1.3 <5 3 350 14 240 4.8 23

59 .....do. .....do. .7 <5 <1 170 9 170 3.2 15

60 .....do. .....do. 1.3 <5 1 190 13 160 4.4 25

61 .....do. .....do. .8 <5 1 360 8 140 3.1 15

62 Everett .....do. 1.1 <5 <1 230 11 110 3.5 22

63 Boston .....do. 1.1 <5 1 180 12 160 4.1 23

64 Everett .....do. 1.2 <5 2 220 13 170 3.7 24

65 .....do. .....do. 1.2 <5 2 180 12 140 4.6 21

66 Boston .....do. 1.2 <5 2 220 12 170 4.1 23

67 Everett .....do. .9 <5 <1 360 10 110 3.1 20

68 Boston .....do. 1.1 <5 1 220 12 130 3.8 23

69 Everett .....do. 1.1 <5 <1 210 12 110 3.7 24

70 Chelsea Island End River .9 <5 5 190 11 500 4.2 18
Table 3. Distribution of element and organic compound concentrations measured in sediment grab samples, Mystic River Basin, 

Massachusetts.—Continued

[Station number: USGS sample identifiers and geographical coordinates are given in table 1; sampling locations shown on figure 3. BHC, 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexachlorocyclohexane; D, duplicate; DDD, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane; DDE, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene; DDT, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane; do., 

ditto; LD, lab duplicate; No., number; PES, Performance Evaluation Standard; RPD, relative percent difference; USGS, U.S. Geological Survey; ppm, parts per 

million; %, percent; <, actual value shown is less than the minimum reporting limit; *, PES reported value was less than detection; --, not analyzed]

Station

number Town Water body Beryllium(ppm)

Bismuth

(ppm)

Cadmium

(ppm)

Chromium

(ppm)

Cobalt

(ppm)

Copper

(ppm)

Iron

(%)

Lanthanum

(ppm)

71 Everett Island End River 1.1 <5 3 180 11 260 3.6 22

72 .....do. .....do. 1.1 <5 2 210 11 190 3.8 21

73 .....do. .....do. 1.1 <5 1 110 8 110 2.1 12

74 .....do. .....do. 1.0 <5 2 170 10 140 3.1 19

75 Boston Lower Mystic River 1.2 <5 <1 190 14 140 4.4 29

76 .....do. .....do. 1.2 <5 <1 180 13 130 4.0 26

77 Chelsea .....do. 1.2 <5 1 160 10 150 3.3 20

78 .....do. .....do. 1.1 <5 <1 170 12 120 3.7 23

79 .....do. .....do. 1.0 <5 <1 160 12 82 3.4 24

80 .....do. Mill Creek 1.2 <5 2 170 10 180 3.5 21

81 Revere Chelsea Creek .9 <5 1 160 9 140 3.2 20

82 .....do. .....do. <.5 <5 <1 99 4 33 1.5 13

83 Chelsea .....do. .5 <5 <1 170 5 29 1.7 16

84 .....do. .....do. 1.0 <5 <1 350 10 88 3.2 21

85 .....do. .....do. .9 <5 <1 340 10 77 2.9 19

86 Boston .....do. .6 <5 <1 220 6 56 1.9 15

87 Chelsea .....do. .9 <5 <1 390 9 93 3.0 20

88 .....do. .....do. 1.0 <5 <1 210 10 100 3.2 20

89 Boston .....do. .6 <5 <1 290 7 78 2.3 15

90 .....do. .....do. .7 <5 <1 250 8 82 2.4 16

91 .....do. .....do. .8 <5 <1 240 9 84 3.0 19

92 Chelsea .....do. .8 <5 <1 180 12 67 3.3 18

93 .....do. .....do. 1.0 <5 1 230 10 120 3.3 22

94 Boston .....do. .6 <5 <1 130 5 43 1.7 16

95 Chelsea .....do. .8 <5 <1 240 10 76 3.1 19

96 .....do. .....do. .6 <5 <1 110 7 56 2.3 14

97 .....do. .....do. 1.0 <5 <1 280 10 82 3.2 22

98 Boston .....do. .6 <5 <1 180 6 130 2.5 12

99 Chelsea .....do. 8.0 <5 <1 280 45 1700 7.2 18

100 .....do. .....do. 1.0 <5 <1 350 9 100 2.8 18

101 Boston .....do. .8 <5 <1 160 9 80 2.8 19

102 .....do. Boston Inner Harbor 1.1 <5 <1 190 12 120 3.8 25

103 .....do. .....do. 1.2 <5 1 210 12 150 3.9 25

104 .....do. .....do. .9 <5 1 210 10 120 3.0 20

Tables 3–5  51
52 Sediment Quality of Lakes, Rivers, and Estuaries in the Mystic River Basin, Eastern Massachusetts, 2001–03

Table 3. Distribution of element and organic compound concentrations measured in sediment grab samples, Mystic River Basin, 

Massachusetts.—Continued

[Station number: USGS sample identifiers and geographical coordinates are given in table 1; sampling locations shown on figure 3. BHC, 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexachlorocyclohexane; D, duplicate; DDD, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane; DDE, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene; DDT, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane; do., 

ditto; LD, lab duplicate; No., number; PES, Performance Evaluation Standard; RPD, relative percent difference; USGS, U.S. Geological Survey; ppm, parts per 

million; %, percent; <, actual value shown is less than the minimum reporting limit; *, PES reported value was less than detection; --, not analyzed]

Station

number Town Water body Beryllium(ppm)

Bismuth

(ppm)

Cadmium

(ppm)

Chromium

(ppm)

Cobalt

(ppm)

Copper

(ppm)

Iron

(%)

Lanthanum

(ppm)

7-D Arlington Lower Mystic Lake 1.0 <5 4 -- 19 180 3.3 18

16-D Somerville Upper Mystic River .7 <5 4 -- 12 180 2.6 19

23-D Medford .....do. .7 <5 3 -- 11 150 2.5 17

29-D .....do. .....do. .7 <5 4 -- 13 180 2.9 18

52-D Everett Malden River .8 <5 4 -- 16 170 3.8 15

55-D Somerville Upper Mystic River 1.2 <5 3 220 14 270 4.5 22

70-D Chelsea Island End River .9 <5 5 150 10 490 4.0 17

85-D .....do. Chelsea Creek 1.0 <5 <1 290 10 87 3.3 22

100-D .....do. .....do. .8 <5 <1 220 9 110 2.7 18

102-D Boston Boston Inner Harbor 1.3 <5 <1 220 14 130 4.3 28

6-LD Arlington Lower Mystic Lake .8 <5 3 -- 19 190 6.4 15

18-LD Medford Mystic River <.5 <5 <1 -- 6 43 1.3 9.3

25-LD .....do. .....do. .6 <5 1 -- 9 81 2.1 12

36-LD .....do. .....do. 1.0 <5 4 -- 15 240 3.5 20

42-LD Malden Malden River <.5 <5 1 -- 5 51 1.3 8.9

56-LD Everett Lower Mystic River 1.0 8 3 140 47 690 14 19

66-LD Boston .....do. 1.1 <5 2 220 12 170 4.0 23

77-LD Chelsea .....do. 1.1 <5 <1 160 10 150 3.2 19

95-LD .....do. Chelsea Creek .9 <5 <1 250 10 81 3.2 20

104-LD Boston Boston Inner Harbor 1.0 <5 1 200 9 120 3.0 20

Blank -- -- <.5 <5 <1 -- <1 <.5 <.01 <.5

Blank -- -- <.5 <5 <1 -- <1 <.5 <.01 <.5

PES, in RPD -- -- 56 -- * 3 15 12 2 --

PES, in RPD -- -- * * * 4 1 1 5 8

PES, in RPD -- -- * * * 7 1 4 7 1

PES, in RPD -- -- -- -- 33 10 9 19 10 --

PES, in RPD -- -- -- -- 33 10 9 18 10 --

PES, in RPD -- -- -- -- 33 10 9 17 8 --

PES, in RPD -- -- -- -- 33 10 9 17 7 --

PES, in RPD -- -- -- -- 30 5 9 14 5 --

PES, in RPD -- -- -- -- 30 5 9 14 5 --
Table 3. Distribution of element and organic compound concentrations measured in sediment grab samples, Mystic River Basin, 

Massachusetts.—Continued

[Station number: USGS sample identifiers and geographical coordinates are given in table 1; sampling locations shown on figure 3. BHC, 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexachlorocyclohexane; D, duplicate; DDD, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane; DDE, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene; DDT, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane; do., 

ditto; LD, lab duplicate; No., number; PES, Performance Evaluation Standard; RPD, relative percent difference; USGS, U.S. Geological Survey; ppm, parts per 

million; %, percent; <, actual value shown is less than the minimum reporting limit; *, PES reported value was less than detection; --, not analyzed]

Station

number Town Water body Lead(ppm)

Lithium

(ppm)

Manganese

(ppm)

Molybdenum

(ppm)

Mercury

(ppm)

Nickel

(ppm)

Scandium

(ppm)

Silver

(ppm)

1 Medford Lower Mystic Lake 27 15 230 <1 -- 17 2.1 <0.2

2 Arlington .....do. 420 23 1,100 4 -- 40 3.1 .8

3 .....do. .....do. 380 21 1,100 3 -- 37 2.8 .9

4 Medford .....do. 410 21 990 4 -- 38 2.9 .9

5 Arlington .....do. 340 25 510 3 -- 32 3.0 .7

6 .....do. .....do. 320 25 510 3 -- 30 2.6 .9

7 .....do. .....do. 670 45 1,000 6 -- 65 5.4 1.6

8 Medford Upper Mystic River 24 16 320 <1 -- 15 2.7 <.2

9 .....do. .....do. 96 14 210 1 -- 19 1.7 .2

10 .....do. .....do. 200 22 400 1 -- 26 2.3 .5

11 Cambridge Alewife Brook 310 15 230 2 -- 29 1.9 2.4

12 .....do. .....do. 240 10 170 1 -- 19 1.4 2.8

13 Somerville .....do. 210 10 230 3 -- 25 1.4 3.3

14 .....do. .....do. 340 15 220 2 -- 27 1.9 1.8

15 .....do. .....do. 340 15 200 2 -- 34 2.0 1.8

16 .....do. Upper Mystic River 410 23 380 2 -- 36 3.0 2.0

17 Medford .....do. 78 15 230 1 -- 15 2.0 <.2

18 .....do. .....do. 120 13 140 2 -- 15 1.3 .3

19 .....do. .....do. 140 19 210 <1 -- 16 2.0 .4

20 .....do. .....do. 130 18 200 1 -- 19 1.9 .4

21 .....do. .....do. 84 10 170 1 -- 13 1.4 <.2

22 .....do. .....do. 140 22 250 1 -- 19 2.5 .5

23 .....do. .....do. 410 28 330 2 -- 34 3.0 1.6

24 .....do. .....do. 28 38 340 <1 -- 24 4.4 <.2

25 .....do. .....do. 230 21 290 1 -- 20 2.2 .5

26 .....do. .....do. 560 29 380 2 -- 35 3.2 2.5

27 .....do. .....do. 210 8 150 2 -- 14 .9 <.2

28 .....do. .....do. 250 18 200 1 -- 19 1.6 .6

29 .....do. .....do. 420 26 330 3 -- 36 2.7 2.0

30 .....do. .....do. 460 29 380 3 -- 38 3.1 2.2

31 .....do. .....do. 460 37 490 3 -- 40 3.8 2.3

32 .....do. .....do. 220 8 130 2 -- 14 1.0 .2

33 .....do. .....do. 190 28 330 2 -- 25 2.7 .9

34 .....do. .....do. 430 38 450 5 -- 42 5.4 2.1

35 .....do. .....do. 480 35 450 4 -- 45 3.5 2.4

Tables 3–5  53
54  Sediment Quality of Lakes, Rivers, and Estuaries in the Mystic River Basin, Eastern Massachusetts, 2001–03

Table 3. Distribution of element and organic compound concentrations measured in sediment grab samples, Mystic River Basin, 

Massachusetts.—Continued

[Station number: USGS sample identifiers and geographical coordinates are given in table 1; sampling locations shown on figure 3. BHC, 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexachlorocyclohexane; D, duplicate; DDD, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane; DDE, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene; DDT, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane; do., 

ditto; LD, lab duplicate; No., number; PES, Performance Evaluation Standard; RPD, relative percent difference; USGS, U.S. Geological Survey; ppm, parts per 

million; %, percent; <, actual value shown is less than the minimum reporting limit; *, PES reported value was less than detection; --, not analyzed]

Station

number Town Water body Lead(ppm)

Lithium

(ppm)

Manganese

(ppm)

Molybdenum

(ppm)

Mercury

(ppm)

Nickel

(ppm)

Scandium

(ppm)

Silver

(ppm)

36 Medford Upper Mystic River 460 33 380 3 -- 42 3.5 2.7

37 Somerville .....do. 440 36 440 3 -- 45 3.6 2.3

38 Medford .....do. 470 37 430 3 -- 43 3.7 2.7

39 .....do. .....do. 430 35 410 3 -- 41 3.6 2.5

40 .....do. .....do. 230 33 330 3 -- 33 2.9 1.2

41 Everett .....do. 290 23 270 2 -- 34 2.0 1.0

42 Malden Malden River 210 8 150 1 -- 16 1.2 .4

43 .....do. .....do. 420 11 230 2 -- 28 1.3 .4

44 .....do. .....do. 520 11 240 3 -- 30 1.3 .4

45 .....do. .....do. 130 21 230 3 -- 24 2.1 .5

46 Everett .....do. 540 42 410 5 -- 69 3.8 1.4

47 .....do. .....do. 550 31 350 5 -- 54 3.0 1.4

48 .....do. .....do. 750 32 440 7 -- 70 3.2 2.0

49 .....do. .....do. 320 32 300 3 -- 39 2.8 1.5

50 .....do. .....do. 250 26 270 2 -- 35 2.4 .9

51 .....do. .....do. 170 23 240 2 -- 28 2.0 .7

52 .....do. .....do. 310 25 290 2 -- 43 2.4 1.0

53 .....do. Upper Mystic River 410 38 420 4 -- 42 3.5 1.9

54 .....do. .....do. 400 40 450 3 -- 43 3.8 1.5

55 Somerville Lower Mystic River 360 47 370 7 <1 39 5.8 2.6

56 Everett .....do. 350 36 290 13 1 38 4.0 3.5

57 .....do. .....do. 53 15 190 3 <1 14 2.3 .5

58 Boston .....do. 300 47 390 6 2 43 6.2 2.6

59 .....do. .....do. 220 39 230 3 <1 24 3.2 1.2

60 .....do. .....do. 200 48 450 4 <1 39 7.0 2.5

61 .....do. .....do. 180 26 260 6 <1 35 3.3 1.6

62 Everett .....do. 130 38 380 3 <1 30 5.6 1.8

63 Boston .....do. 210 43 410 4 <1 36 5.8 2.7

64 Everett .....do. 200 43 420 4 <1 37 6.4 3.4

65 .....do. .....do. 220 38 450 5 <1 35 5.4 2.7

66 Boston .....do. 210 45 420 4 <1 37 6.2 3.0

67 Everett .....do. 130 34 350 4 <1 30 4.8 1.9

68 Boston .....do. 160 43 410 3 1 33 6.2 2.5

69 Everett .....do. 140 40 420 3 <1 31 5.9 2.0

70 Chelsea Island End River 830 31 290 9 <1 42 3.9 2.5
Table 3. Distribution of element and organic compound concentrations measured in sediment grab samples, Mystic River Basin, 

Massachusetts.—Continued

[Station number: USGS sample identifiers and geographical coordinates are given in table 1; sampling locations shown on figure 3. BHC, 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexachlorocyclohexane; D, duplicate; DDD, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane; DDE, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene; DDT, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane; do., 

ditto; LD, lab duplicate; No., number; PES, Performance Evaluation Standard; RPD, relative percent difference; USGS, U.S. Geological Survey; ppm, parts per 

million; %, percent; <, actual value shown is less than the minimum reporting limit; *, PES reported value was less than detection; --, not analyzed]

Station

number Town Water body Lead(ppm)

Lithium

(ppm)

Manganese

(ppm)

Molybdenum

(ppm)

Mercury

(ppm)

Nickel

(ppm)

Scandium

(ppm)

Silver

(ppm)

71 Everett Island End River 500 39 340 6 1 35 5.3 2.1

72 .....do. .....do. 310 38 360 4 <1 33 5.2 2.0

73 .....do. .....do. 180 20 190 4 <1 22 2.7 1.2

74 .....do. .....do. 220 33 320 4 <1 31 4.5 2.2

75 Boston Lower Mystic River 160 49 500 3 <1 36 6.9 2.6

76 .....do. .....do. 160 46 470 3 <1 33 6.4 2.4

77 Chelsea .....do. 230 33 320 5 <1 34 4.9 1.8

78 .....do. .....do. 160 40 420 3 <1 32 5.6 2.2

79 .....do. .....do. 130 38 430 3 <1 28 5.9 1.1

80 .....do. Mill Creek 460 39 320 5 <1 29 5.3 3.4

81 Revere Chelsea Creek 330 35 310 4 <1 24 4.9 2.3

82 .....do. .....do. 62 15 180 3 <1 11 2.3 .5

83 Chelsea .....do. 47 19 250 3 <1 14 2.9 .5

84 .....do. .....do. 110 36 380 4 <1 28 5.4 1.4

85 .....do. .....do. 120 29 340 4 <1 33 5.0 1.3

86 Boston .....do. 110 20 220 3 <1 16 3.1 .9

87 Chelsea .....do. 130 31 330 3 <1 23 5.0 1.7

88 .....do. .....do. 130 35 370 3 <1 25 5.1 1.4

89 Boston .....do. 120 22 260 3 <1 19 3.3 1.4

90 .....do. .....do. 140 23 280 3 <1 20 3.6 1.3

91 .....do. .....do. 130 29 350 3 <1 23 4.5 1.2

92 Chelsea .....do. 90 28 370 2 <1 24 4.3 1.0

93 .....do. .....do. 180 35 370 3 <1 26 5.3 2.1

94 Boston .....do. 72 17 220 3 2 13 2.8 .6

95 Chelsea .....do. 100 29 360 4 <1 24 4.5 1.3

96 .....do. .....do. 83 22 270 3 <1 17 3.3 .7

97 .....do. .....do. 110 32 400 3 <1 25 5.3 1.4

98 Boston .....do. 290 19 240 4 1 27 2.5 1.1

99 Chelsea .....do. 1,600 32 540 27 <1 290 4.4 2.3

100 .....do. .....do. 130 28 330 4 <1 28 4.4 1.5

101 Boston .....do. 110 29 320 2 <1 23 4.2 1.4

102 .....do. Boston Inner Harbor 140 42 450 2 <1 30 5.9 2.1

103 .....do. .....do. 230 43 430 3 1 34 6.2 2.8

104 .....do. .....do. 190 33 330 3 <1 25 4.8 2.2

Tables 3–5  55
56  Sediment Quality of Lakes, Rivers, and Estuaries in the Mystic River Basin, Eastern Massachusetts, 2001–03

Table 3. Distribution of element and organic compound concentrations measured in sediment grab samples, Mystic River Basin, 

Massachusetts.—Continued

[Station number: USGS sample identifiers and geographical coordinates are given in table 1; sampling locations shown on figure 3. BHC, 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexachlorocyclohexane; D, duplicate; DDD, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane; DDE, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene; DDT, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane; do., 

ditto; LD, lab duplicate; No., number; PES, Performance Evaluation Standard; RPD, relative percent difference; USGS, U.S. Geological Survey; ppm, parts per 

million; %, percent; <, actual value shown is less than the minimum reporting limit; *, PES reported value was less than detection; --, not analyzed]

Station

number Town Water body Lead(ppm)

Lithium

(ppm)

Manganese

(ppm)

Molybdenum

(ppm)

Mercury

(ppm)

Nickel

(ppm)

Scandium

(ppm)

Silver

(ppm)

7-D Arlington Lower Mystic Lake 340 23 530 4 -- 35 3.0 0.8

16-D Somerville Upper Mystic River 420 24 380 3 -- 36 2.9 2.1

23-D Medford .....do. 350 24 310 1 -- 32 2.8 1.3

29-D .....do. .....do. 410 25 350 4 -- 39 2.8 1.7

52-D Everett Malden River 310 24 300 3 -- 44 2.5 1.4

55-D Somerville Upper Mystic River 360 48 380 8 <1 40 5.9 2.7

70-D Chelsea Island End River 810 31 280 9 <1 41 3.9 2.4

85-D .....do. Chelsea Creek 120 33 390 3 <1 26 5.6 1.4

100-D .....do. .....do. 130 27 310 3 <1 25 3.9 1.5

102-D Boston Boston Inner Harbor 150 50 500 3 <1 34 6.7 2.6

6-LD Arlington Lower Mystic Lake 330 26 530 3 -- 31 2.7 .9

18-LD Medford Upper Mystic River 120 13 140 1 -- 15 1.3 .2

25-LD .....do. .....do. 230 20 280 1 -- 20 2.0 .5

36-LD .....do. .....do. 480 35 400 3 -- 43 3.6 3.1

42-LD Malden Malden River 210 7 150 2 -- 15 1.0 .3

56-LD Everett Lower Mystic River 350 37 290 14 <1 39 4.4 4.0

66-LD Boston .....do. 210 43 410 4 <1 37 5.9 3.0

77-LD Chelsea .....do. 230 32 310 4 <1 33 4.5 1.8

95-LD .....do. Chelsea Creek 110 31 370 3 <1 25 5.0 1.3

104-LD Boston Boston Inner Harbor 180 35 320 3 <1 25 5.0 2.1

Blank -- -- <2 <1 <2 <1 -- <1 <.5 <.2

Blank -- -- <2 <1 <2 <1 -- <1 <.5 <.2

PES, in RPD -- -- 30 -- 15 46 -- 37 -- --

PES, in RPD -- -- 0 7 2 * -- 0 7 7

PES, in RPD -- -- 3 7 5 * -- 2 10 9

PES, in RPD -- -- 18 -- 17 16 -- 39 -- 95

PES, in RPD -- -- 17 -- 16 16 -- 39 -- 95

PES, in RPD -- -- 16 -- 15 16 -- 39 -- 95

PES, in RPD -- -- 15 -- 15 16 -- 39 -- 95

PES, in RPD -- -- 12 -- 12 22 -- 39 -- 95

PES, in RPD -- -- 16 -- 12 16 -- 39 -- 95
Table 3. Distribution of element and organic compound concentrations measured in sediment grab samples, Mystic River Basin, 

Massachusetts.—Continued

[Station number: USGS sample identifiers and geographical coordinates are given in table 1; sampling locations shown on figure 3. BHC, 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexachlorocyclohexane; D, duplicate; DDD, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane; DDE, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene; DDT, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane; do., 

ditto; LD, lab duplicate; No., number; PES, Performance Evaluation Standard; RPD, relative percent difference; USGS, U.S. Geological Survey; ppm, parts per 

million; %, percent; <, actual value shown is less than the minimum reporting limit; *, PES reported value was less than detection; --, not analyzed]

Station

number Town Water body Strontium(ppm)

Tin

(ppm)

Titanium

(%)

Tungsten

(ppm)

Vanadium

(ppm)

Yttrium

(ppm)

Zinc

(ppm)

Zirconium

(ppm)

1 Medford Lower Mystic Lake 14 <10 0.07 10 34 5.1 110 3.4

2 Arlington .....do. 38 <10 .07 <10 85 14 2,000 3.0

3 .....do. .....do. 35 <10 .05 <10 78 13 1,700 2.8

4 Medford .....do. 35 <10 .06 <10 82 13 2,000 3.0

5 Arlington .....do. 32 11 .07 <10 64 11 740 3.3

6 .....do. .....do. 92 <10 .06 <10 66 11 970 4.6

7 .....do. .....do. 66 25 .11 <10 140 22 2,200 7.7

8 Medford Upper Mystic River 19 <10 .09 <10 38 6.9 130 3.0

9 .....do. .....do. 14 <10 .06 <10 25 6.1 430 2.3

10 .....do. .....do. 20 <10 .07 <10 37 8.1 690 3.1

11 Cambridge Alewife Brook 21 <10 .05 <10 34 7.2 430 3.3

12 .....do. .....do. 15 12 .04 <10 26 5.2 220 2.6

13 Somerville .....do. 16 <10 .04 <10 44 5.3 210 3.5

14 .....do. .....do. 19 13 .05 <10 46 7.0 390 3.0

15 .....do. .....do. 20 <10 .04 <10 36 7.0 380 2.6

16 .....do. Upper Mystic River 32 13 .06 <10 53 11 760 4.2

17 Medford .....do. 15 <10 .06 <10 36 6.5 130 3.2

18 .....do. .....do. 13 <10 .04 <10 21 4.7 180 1.8

19 .....do. .....do. 17 <10 .06 <10 32 7.1 330 2.8

20 .....do. .....do. 18 <10 .05 <10 27 6.0 240 3.0

21 .....do. .....do. 12 <10 .04 <10 27 5.0 140 2.5

22 .....do. .....do. 20 <10 .08 <10 36 7.9 320 3.8

23 .....do. .....do. 30 14 .06 <10 51 11 780 4.2

24 .....do. .....do. 24 <10 .10 <10 49 11 95 8.3

25 .....do. .....do. 21 <10 .06 <10 35 7.5 330 4.3

26 .....do. .....do. 32 15 .06 <10 58 11 790 4.4

27 .....do. .....do. 13 <10 .03 <10 19 3.9 230 2.4

28 .....do. .....do. 17 <10 .04 <10 29 5.5 280 2.5

29 .....do. .....do. 32 23 .06 <10 53 9.9 790 4.5

30 .....do. .....do. 32 15 .06 <10 58 11 880 5.1

31 .....do. .....do. 37 18 .07 <10 67 12 930 6.1

32 .....do. .....do. 12 14 .03 <10 24 4.4 260 2.8

33 .....do. .....do. 26 <10 .06 <10 42 9.6 420 5.2

34 .....do. .....do. 36 18 .07 <10 65 14 900 7.8

35 .....do. .....do. 36 18 .06 <10 67 12 1,100 7.1

Tables 3–5  57
58  Sediment Quality of Lakes, Rivers, and Estuaries in the Mystic River Basin, Eastern Massachusetts, 2001–03

Table 3. Distribution of element and organic compound concentrations measured in sediment grab samples, Mystic River Basin, 

Massachusetts.—Continued

[Station number: USGS sample identifiers and geographical coordinates are given in table 1; sampling locations shown on figure 3. BHC, 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexachlorocyclohexane; D, duplicate; DDD, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane; DDE, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene; DDT, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane; do., 

ditto; LD, lab duplicate; No., number; PES, Performance Evaluation Standard; RPD, relative percent difference; USGS, U.S. Geological Survey; ppm, parts per 

million; %, percent; <, actual value shown is less than the minimum reporting limit; *, PES reported value was less than detection; --, not analyzed]

Station

number Town Water body Strontium(ppm)

Tin

(ppm)

Titanium

(%)

Tungsten

(ppm)

Vanadium

(ppm)

Yttrium

(ppm)

Zinc

(ppm)

Zirconium

(ppm)

36 Medford Upper Mystic River 34 18 0.07 <10 64 12 960 6.9

37 Somerville .....do. 35 20 .06 <10 69 13 970 7.9

38 Medford .....do. 37 19 .06 <10 67 13 1,000 7.1

39 .....do. .....do. 35 18 .07 <10 63 12 950 6.9

40 .....do. .....do. 31 14 .07 <10 68 10 570 6.8

41 Everett .....do. 28 18 .05 <10 59 8.5 610 6.3

42 Malden Malden River 12 <10 .03 <10 24 4.4 190 3.0

43 .....do. .....do. 23 13 .04 <10 35 6.0 430 2.8

44 .....do. .....do. 40 15 .03 <10 43 6.9 630 3.4

45 .....do. .....do. 20 <10 .06 <10 43 7.2 580 4.6

46 Everett .....do. 42 210 .06 <10 75 15 1,700 7.2

47 .....do. .....do. 44 46 .06 <10 71 12 1,300 5.7

48 .....do. .....do. 55 92 .06 <10 100 12 1,500 7.7

49 .....do. .....do. 41 27 .05 <10 74 11 760 6.9

50 .....do. .....do. 28 18 .05 <10 58 9.3 700 6.1

51 .....do. .....do. 29 12 .05 <10 49 7.8 500 5.2

52 .....do. .....do. 39 37 .05 <10 75 9.4 820 6.3

53 .....do. Upper Mystic River 54 20 .06 <10 77 12 860 7.7

54 .....do. .....do. 55 28 .07 <10 91 12 820 8.4

55 Somerville Lower Mystic River 93 14 .13 <10 100 13 690 18

56 Everett .....do. 96 13 .10 <10 110 12 660 17

57 .....do. .....do. 42 <10 .07 <10 33 8.3 89 7.8

58 Boston .....do. 150 14 .13 <10 110 14 510 16

59 .....do. .....do. 62 <10 .09 <10 83 9.8 250 9.6

60 .....do. .....do. 69 <10 .14 <10 97 14 330 16

61 .....do. .....do. 150 <10 .09 <10 97 9.5 250 10

62 Everett .....do. 52 <10 .12 <10 76 12 230 13

63 Boston .....do. 65 <10 .13 <10 100 13 310 14

64 Everett .....do. 57 11 .14 <10 100 14 330 15

65 .....do. .....do. 69 <10 .12 <10 94 12 360 15

66 Boston .....do. 73 <10 .13 <10 100 13 330 14

67 Everett .....do. 84 <10 .11 <10 68 11 200 12

68 Boston .....do. 67 <10 .13 <10 87 13 270 14

69 Everett .....do. 55 <10 .13 <10 76 13 220 13

70 Chelsea Island End River 76 20 .10 <10 110 11 1300 15
Table 3. Distribution of element and organic compound concentrations measured in sediment grab samples, Mystic River Basin, 

Massachusetts.—Continued

[Station number: USGS sample identifiers and geographical coordinates are given in table 1; sampling locations shown on figure 3. BHC, 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexachlorocyclohexane; D, duplicate; DDD, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane; DDE, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene; DDT, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane; do., 

ditto; LD, lab duplicate; No., number; PES, Performance Evaluation Standard; RPD, relative percent difference; USGS, U.S. Geological Survey; ppm, parts per 

million; %, percent; <, actual value shown is less than the minimum reporting limit; *, PES reported value was less than detection; --, not analyzed]

Station

number Town Water body Strontium(ppm)

Tin

(ppm)

Titanium

(%)

Tungsten

(ppm)

Vanadium

(ppm)

Yttrium

(ppm)

Zinc

(ppm)

Zirconium

(ppm)

71 Everett Island End River 66 12 0.12 <10 95 13 530 16

72 .....do. .....do. 70 <10 .12 <10 88 13 380 14

73 .....do. .....do. 53 <10 .06 <10 55 8.1 220 8.5

74 .....do. .....do. 58 <10 .10 <10 83 11 290 12

75 Boston Lower Mystic River 63 <10 .15 <10 88 15 260 15

76 .....do. .....do. 67 <10 .14 <10 81 14 240 14

77 Chelsea .....do. 59 13 .11 <10 77 12 340 14

78 .....do. .....do. 61 <10 .13 <10 78 13 230 13

79 .....do. .....do. 47 <10 .13 <10 63 13 180 12

80 .....do. Mill Creek 120 16 .12 <10 84 13 430 14

81 Revere Chelsea Creek 59 <10 .12 <10 65 13 280 13

82 .....do. .....do. 140 <10 .07 <10 30 8.3 84 6.9

83 Chelsea .....do. 57 <10 .09 <10 31 9.6 75 9.1

84 .....do. .....do. 45 <10 .13 <10 62 12 200 12

85 .....do. .....do. 48 <10 .11 <10 61 12 180 12

86 Boston .....do. 34 <10 .08 <10 37 9.0 140 8.8

87 Chelsea .....do. 60 <10 .11 <10 62 12 250 12

88 .....do. .....do. 81 <10 .11 <10 65 12 200 12

89 Boston .....do. 53 19 .09 <10 47 9.1 180 9.1

90 .....do. .....do. 47 <10 .09 <10 49 9.9 190 9.5

91 .....do. .....do. 49 <10 .10 <10 58 11 170 11

92 Chelsea .....do. 45 <10 .10 <10 58 12 180 10

93 .....do. .....do. 52 <10 .12 <10 73 13 250 13

94 Boston .....do. 58 <10 .08 <10 32 9.1 100 8.8

95 Chelsea .....do. 60 <10 .11 <10 58 11 170 10

96 .....do. .....do. 56 <10 .10 <10 45 9.2 140 8.7

97 .....do. .....do. 51 <10 .12 <10 62 13 180 13

98 Boston .....do. 420 <10 .07 <10 52 7.8 240 8.5

99 Chelsea .....do. 210 300 .12 <10 80 12 4,700 42

100 .....do. .....do. 50 <10 .10 <10 57 11 240 12

101 Boston .....do. 49 <10 .10 <10 55 10 170 9.9

102 .....do. Boston Inner Harbor 58 <10 .13 <10 75 13 210 13

103 .....do. .....do. 61 12 .13 <10 85 14 310 15

104 .....do. .....do. 44 <10 .11 <10 60 11 240 11

Tables 3–5  59
60 Sediment Quality of Lakes, Rivers, and Estuaries in the Mystic River Basin, Eastern Massachusetts, 2001–03

Table 3. Distribution of element and organic compound concentrations measured in sediment grab samples, Mystic River Basin, 

Massachusetts.—Continued

[Station number: USGS sample identifiers and geographical coordinates are given in table 1; sampling locations shown on figure 3. BHC, 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexachlorocyclohexane; D, duplicate; DDD, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane; DDE, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene; DDT, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane; do., 

ditto; LD, lab duplicate; No., number; PES, Performance Evaluation Standard; RPD, relative percent difference; USGS, U.S. Geological Survey; ppm, parts per 

million; %, percent; <, actual value shown is less than the minimum reporting limit; *, PES reported value was less than detection; --, not analyzed]

Station

number Town Water body Strontium(ppm)

Tin

(ppm)

Titanium

(%)

Tungsten

(ppm)

Vanadium

(ppm)

Yttrium

(ppm)

Zinc

(ppm)

Zirconium

(ppm)

7-D Arlington Lower Mystic Lake 34 12 0.06 <10 73 12 1,100 3.8

16-D Somerville Upper Mystic River 31 12 .06 <10 50 11 770 4.4

23-D Medford .....do. 27 12 .06 <10 46 9.9 680 3.9

29-D .....do. .....do. 31 22 .06 <10 56 11 760 5.2

52-D Everett Malden River 37 33 .06 <10 76 10 770 6.7

55-D Somerville Upper Mystic River 90 13 .13 <10 99 14 690 19

70-D Chelsea Island End River 73 18 .10 <10 110 11 1,300 14

85-D .....do. Chelsea Creek 54 <10 .12 <10 66 14 190 13

100-D .....do. .....do. 43 <10 .10 <10 56 10 220 10

102-D Boston Boston Inner Harbor 66 <10 .15 <10 85 15 240 15

6-LD Arlington Lower Mystic Lake 93 <10 .06 <10 67 11 980 4.6

18-LD Medford Upper Mystic River 13 <10 .04 <10 22 4.9 170 1.8

25-LD .....do. .....do. 20 <10 .06 <10 33 7.3 330 3.7

36-LD .....do. .....do. 35 18 .07 <10 67 13 980 7.2

42-LD Malden Malden River 12 <10 .03 <10 24 4.2 180 2.7

56-LD Everett Lower Mystic River 100 15 .11 <10 120 12 700 19

66-LD Boston .....do. 71 <10 .13 <10 100 13 320 14

77-LD Chelsea .....do. 56 12 .10 <10 76 12 320 13

95-LD .....do. Chelsea Creek 66 <10 .12 <10 61 12 170 12

104-LD Boston Boston Inner Harbor 46 <10 .12 <10 62 12 230 12

Blank -- -- <.5 <10 <.01 <10 <2 <.5 <.5 <.5

Blank -- -- <.5 <10 <.01 <10 <2 <.5 <.5 <.5

PES, in RPD -- -- -- -- -- -- 61 -- 3 --

PES, in RPD -- -- 3 * 0 * 7 5 3 3

PES, in RPD -- -- 7 * 0 * 5 2 0 1

PES, in RPD -- -- 20 -- 0 -- 24 -- 22 --

PES, in RPD -- -- 20 -- 0 -- 24 -- 21 --

PES, in RPD -- -- 18 -- 0 -- 23 -- 19 --

PES, in RPD -- -- 18 -- 0 -- 19 -- 20 --

PES, in RPD -- -- 15 -- 0 -- 17 -- 18 --

PES, in RPD -- -- 15 -- 0 -- 21 -- 17 --
Table 3. Distribution of element and organic compound concentrations measured in sediment grab samples, Mystic River Basin, 

Massachusetts.—Continued

[Station number: USGS sample identifiers and geographical coordinates are given in table 1; sampling locations shown on figure 3. BHC, 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexachlorocyclohexane; D, duplicate; DDD, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane; DDE, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene; DDT, dichlorodiphenyltrichloro-ethane; 

do., ditto; LD, lab duplicate; No., number; PES, Performance Evaluation Standard; RPD, relative percent difference; USGS, U.S. Geological Survey; ppm, 

parts per million; %, percent; <, actual value shown is less than the minimum reporting limit; *, PES reported value was less than detection; --, not analyzed]

Station

No. Town Water body

PCBs,

Cl1Cl10

(ppm)

Aldrin

(ppm)

alphaBHC

(ppm)

betaBHC

(ppm)

deltaBHC

(ppm)

gammaBHC

(ppm)

DDE

(ppm)

1 Medford Lower Mystic Lake <0.15-0.87 <0.061 <0.059 <0.072 <0.043 <0.069 <0.012

2 Arlington .....do. <0.15-0.87 <.061 <.059 <.072 <.043 <.069 <.012

3 .....do. .....do. <0.15-0.87 <.061 <.059 <.072 <.043 <.069 <.012

4 Medford .....do. <0.15-0.87 <.061 <.059 <.072 <.043 <.069 <.012

5 Arlington .....do. <0.15-0.87 <.061 <.059 <.072 <.043 <.069 <.012

6 .....do. .....do. <0.15-0.87 <.061 <.059 <.072 <.043 <.069 <.012

7 .....do. .....do. <0.15-0.87 <.061 <.059 <.072 <.043 <.069 <.012

8 Medford Upper Mystic River <0.15-0.87 <.061 <.059 <.072 <.043 <.069 <.012

9 .....do. .....do. <0.15-0.87 <.061 <.059 <.072 <.043 <.069 <.012

10 .....do. .....do. <0.15-0.87 <.061 <.059 <.072 <.043 <.069 <.012

11 Cambridge Alewife Brook <0.15-0.87 <.061 <.059 <.072 <.043 <.069 <.012

12 .....do. .....do. <0.15-0.87 <.061 <.059 <.072 <.043 <.069 <.012

13 Somerville .....do. <0.15-0.87 <.061 <.059 <.072 <.043 <.069 <.012

14 .....do. .....do. <0.15-0.87 <.061 <.059 <.072 <.043 <.069 <.012

15 .....do. .....do. <0.15-0.87 <.061 <.059 <.072 <.043 <.069 <.012

16 .....do. Upper Mystic River <0.15-0.87 <.061 <.059 <.072 <.043 <.069 <.012

17 Medford .....do. <0.15-0.87 <.061 <.059 <.072 <.043 <.069 <.012

18 .....do. .....do. <0.15-0.87 <.061 <.059 <.072 <.043 <.069 <.012

19 .....do. .....do. <0.15-0.87 <.061 <.059 <.072 <.043 <.069 <.012

20 .....do. .....do. <0.15-0.87 <.061 <.059 <.072 <.043 <.069 <.012

21 .....do. .....do. <0.15-0.87 <.061 <.059 <.072 <.043 <.069 <.012

22 .....do. .....do. <0.15-0.87 <.061 <.059 <.072 <.043 <.069 <.012

23 .....do. .....do. <0.15-0.87 <.061 <.059 <.072 <.043 <.069 <.012

24 .....do. .....do. <0.15-0.87 <.061 <.059 <.072 <.043 <.069 <.012

25 .....do. .....do. <0.15-0.87 <.061 <.059 <.072 <.043 <.069 <.012

26 .....do. .....do. <0.15-0.87 <.061 <.059 <.072 <.043 <.069 <.012

27 .....do. .....do. <0.15-0.87 <.061 <.059 <.072 <.043 <.069 <.012

28 .....do. .....do. <0.15-0.87 <.061 <.059 <.072 <.043 <.069 <.012

29 .....do. .....do. <0.15-0.87 <.061 <.059 <.072 <.043 <.069 <.012

30 .....do. .....do. <0.15-0.87 <.061 <.059 <.072 <.043 <.069 <.012

31 .....do. .....do. <0.15-0.87 <.061 <.059 <.072 <.043 <.069 <.012

32 .....do. .....do. <0.15-0.87 <.061 <.059 <.072 <.043 <.069 <.012

33 .....do. .....do. <0.15-0.87 <.061 <.059 <.072 <.043 <.069 <.012

34 .....do. .....do. <0.15-0.87 <.061 <.059 <.072 <.043 <.069 <.012

35 .....do. .....do. <0.15-0.87 <.061 <.059 <.072 <.043 <.069 <.012

36 .....do. .....do. <0.15-0.87 <.061 <.059 <.072 <.043 <.069 <.012

37 Somerville .....do. <0.15-0.87 <.061 <.059 <.072 <.043 <.069 <.012

38 Medford .....do. <0.15-0.87 <.061 <.059 <.072 <.043 <.069 <.012

39 .....do. .....do. <0.15-0.87 <.061 <.059 <.072 <.043 <.069 <.012

40 .....do. .....do. <0.15-0.87 <.061 <.059 <.072 <.043 <.069 <.012

41 Everett Upper Mystic River <0.15-0.87 <.061 <.059 <.072 <.043 <.069 <.012

42 Malden Malden River <0.15-0.87 <.061 <.059 <.072 <.043 <.069 <.012

Tables 3–5  61
62 Sediment Quality of Lakes, Rivers, and Estuaries in the Mystic River Basin, Eastern Massachusetts, 2001–03

Table 3. Distribution of element and organic compound concentrations measured in sediment grab samples, Mystic River Basin, 

Massachusetts.—Continued

[Station number: USGS sample identifiers and geographical coordinates are given in table 1; sampling locations shown on figure 3. BHC, 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexachlorocyclohexane; D, duplicate; DDD, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane; DDE, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene; DDT, dichlorodiphenyltrichloro-ethane; 

do., ditto; LD, lab duplicate; No., number; PES, Performance Evaluation Standard; RPD, relative percent difference; USGS, U.S. Geological Survey; ppm, 

parts per million; %, percent; <, actual value shown is less than the minimum reporting limit; *, PES reported value was less than detection; --, not analyzed]

Station

No. Town Water body

PCBs,

Cl1Cl10

(ppm)

Aldrin

(ppm)

alphaBHC

(ppm)

betaBHC

(ppm)

deltaBHC

(ppm)

gammaBHC

(ppm)

DDE

(ppm)

43 .....do. .....do. <0.15-0.87 <0.061 <0.059 <0.072 <0.043 <0.069 <0.012

44 .....do. .....do. <0.15-0.87 <.061 <.059 <.072 <.043 <.069 <.012

45 .....do. .....do. <0.15-0.87 <.061 <.059 <.072 <.043 <.069 <.012

46 Everett Malden River <0.15-0.87 <.061 <.059 <.072 <.043 <.069 <.012

47 .....do. .....do. <0.15-0.87 <.061 <.059 <.072 <.043 <.069 <.012

48 .....do. .....do. <0.15-0.87 <.061 <.059 <.072 <.043 <.069 <.012

49 .....do. .....do. <0.15-0.87 <.061 <.059 <.072 <.043 <.069 <.012

50 .....do. .....do. <0.15-0.87 <.061 <.059 <.072 <.043 <.069 <.012

51 .....do. .....do. <0.15-0.87 <.061 <.059 <.072 <.043 <.069 <.012

52 .....do. .....do. <0.15-0.87 <.061 <.059 <.072 <.043 <.069 <.012

53 .....do. Upper Mystic River <0.15-0.87 <.061 <.059 <.072 <.043 <.069 <.012

54 .....do. .....do. <0.15-0.87 <.061 <.059 <.072 <.043 <.069 <.012

55 Somerville Lower Mystic River <0.15-0.87 <.061 <.059 <.072 <.043 <.069 <.012

56 Everett .....do. <0.15-0.87 <.061 <.059 <.072 <.043 <.069 <.012

57 .....do. .....do. <0.15-0.87 <.061 <.059 <.072 <.043 <.069 <.012

58 Boston .....do. <0.15-0.87 <.061 <.059 <.072 <.043 <.069 <.012

59 .....do. .....do. <0.15-0.87 <.061 <.059 <.072 <.043 <.069 <.012

60 .....do. .....do. <0.15-0.87 <.061 <.059 <.072 <.043 <.069 <.012

61 .....do. .....do. <0.15-0.87 <.061 <.059 <.072 <.043 <.069 <.012

62 Everett .....do. <0.15-0.87 <.061 <.059 <.072 <.043 <.069 <.012

63 Boston .....do. <0.15-0.87 <.061 <.059 <.072 <.043 <.069 <.012

64 Everett .....do. <0.15-0.87 <.061 <.059 <.072 <.043 <.069 <.012

65 .....do. .....do. <0.15-0.87 <.061 <.059 <.072 <.043 <.069 <.012

66 Boston .....do. <0.15-0.87 <.061 <.059 <.072 <.043 <.069 <.012

67 Everett .....do. <0.15-0.87 <.061 <.059 <.072 <.043 <.069 <.012

68 Boston .....do. <0.15-0.87 <.061 <.059 <.072 <.043 <.069 <.012

69 Everett .....do. <0.15-0.87 <.061 <.059 <.072 <.043 <.069 <.012

70 Chelsea Island End River <0.15-0.87 <.061 <.059 <.072 <.043 <.069 <.012

71 Everett .....do. <0.15-0.87 <.061 <.059 <.072 <.043 <.069 <.012

72 .....do. .....do. <0.15-0.87 <.061 <.059 <.072 <.043 <.069 <.012

73 .....do. .....do. <0.15-0.87 <.061 <.059 <.072 <.043 <.069 <.012

74 .....do. .....do. <0.15-0.87 <.061 <.059 <.072 <.043 <.069 <.012

75 Boston Lower Mystic River <0.15-0.87 <.061 <.059 <.072 <.043 <.069 <.012

76 .....do. .....do. <0.15-0.87 <.061 <.059 <.072 <.043 <.069 <.012

77 Chelsea .....do. <0.15-0.87 <.061 <.059 <.072 <.043 <.069 <.012

78 .....do. .....do. <0.15-0.87 <.061 <.059 <.072 <.043 <.069 <.012

79 .....do. .....do. <0.15-0.87 <.061 <.059 <.072 <.043 <.069 <.012

80 .....do. Mill Creek <0.15-0.87 <.061 <.059 <.072 <.043 <.069 <.012

81 Revere Chelsea Creek <0.15-0.87 <.061 <.059 <.072 <.043 <.069 <.012

82 .....do. .....do. <0.15-0.87 <.061 <.059 <.072 <.043 <.069 <.012

83 Chelsea .....do. <0.15-0.87 <.061 <.059 <.072 <.043 <.069 <.012

84 .....do. .....do. <0.15-0.87 <.061 <.059 <.072 <.043 <.069 <.012

85 .....do. .....do. <0.15-0.87 <.061 <.059 <.072 <.043 <.069 <.012
Table 3. Distribution of element and organic compound concentrations measured in sediment grab samples, Mystic River Basin, 

Massachusetts.—Continued

[Station number: USGS sample identifiers and geographical coordinates are given in table 1; sampling locations shown on figure 3. BHC, 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexachlorocyclohexane; D, duplicate; DDD, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane; DDE, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene; DDT, dichlorodiphenyltrichloro-ethane; 

do., ditto; LD, lab duplicate; No., number; PES, Performance Evaluation Standard; RPD, relative percent difference; USGS, U.S. Geological Survey; ppm, 

parts per million; %, percent; <, actual value shown is less than the minimum reporting limit; *, PES reported value was less than detection; --, not analyzed]

Station

No. Town Water body

PCBs,

Cl1Cl10

(ppm)

Aldrin

(ppm)

alphaBHC

(ppm)

betaBHC

(ppm)

deltaBHC

(ppm)

gammaBHC

(ppm)

DDE

(ppm)

86 Boston .....do. <0.15-0.87 <0.061 <0.059 <0.072 <0.043 <0.069 <0.012

87 Chelsea .....do. <0.15-0.87 <.061 <.059 <.072 <.043 <.069 <.012

88 .....do. .....do. <0.15-0.87 <.061 <.059 <.072 <.043 <.069 <.012

89 Boston .....do. <0.15-0.87 <.061 <.059 <.072 <.043 <.069 <.012

90 .....do. .....do. <0.15-0.87 <.061 <.059 <.072 <.043 <.069 <.012

91 Boston Chelsea Creek <0.15-0.87 <.061 <.059 <.072 <.043 <.069 <.012

92 Chelsea .....do. <0.15-0.87 <.061 <.059 <.072 <.043 <.069 <.012

93 .....do. .....do. <0.15-0.87 <.061 <.059 <.072 <.043 <.069 <.012

94 Boston .....do. <0.15-0.87 <.061 <.059 <.072 <.043 <.069 <.012

95 Chelsea .....do. <0.15-0.87 <.061 <.059 <.072 <.043 <.069 <.012

96 .....do. .....do. <0.15-0.87 <.061 <.059 <.072 <.043 <.069 <.012

97 .....do. .....do. <0.15-0.87 <.061 <.059 <.072 <.043 <.069 <.012

98 Boston .....do. <0.15-0.87 <.061 <.059 <.072 <.043 <.069 <.012

99 Chelsea .....do. <0.15-0.87 <.061 <.059 <.072 <.043 <.069 <.012

100 .....do. .....do. <0.15-0.87 <.061 <.059 <.072 <.043 <.069 <.012

101 Boston .....do. <0.15-0.87 <.061 <.059 <.072 <.043 <.069 <.012

102 .....do. Boston Inner Harbor <0.15-0.87 <.061 <.059 <.072 <.043 <.069 <.012

103 .....do. .....do. <0.15-0.87 <.061 <.059 <.072 <.043 <.069 <.012

104 .....do. .....do. <0.15-0.87 <.061 <.059 <.072 <.043 <.069 <.012

7-D Arlington Lower Mystic Lake <0.15-0.87 <.061 <.059 <.072 <.043 <.069 <.012

16-D Somerville Upper Mystic River <0.15-0.87 <.061 <.059 <.072 <.043 <.069 <.012

23-D Medford .....do. <0.15-0.87 <.061 <.059 <.072 <.043 <.069 <.012

29-D .....do. .....do. <0.15-0.87 <.061 <.059 <.072 <.043 <.069 <.012

55-D Somerville Lower Mystic River <0.15-0.87 <.061 <.059 <.072 <.043 <.069 <.012

66-D Boston .....do. <0.15-0.87 <.061 <.059 <.072 <.043 <.069 <.012

70-D Chelsea Island End River <0.15-0.87 <.061 <.059 <.072 <.043 <.069 <.012

100-D .....do. Chelsea Creek <0.15-0.87 <.061 <.059 <.072 <.043 <.069 <.012

4-LD Medford Lower Mystic Lake <0.15-0.87 <.061 <.059 <.072 <.043 <.069 <.012

10-LD .....do. Upper Mystic River <0.15-0.87 <.061 <.059 <.072 <.043 <.069 <.012

10-LD .....do. .....do. <0.15-0.87 <.061 <.059 <.072 <.043 <.069 <.012

19-LD .....do. .....do. <0.15-0.87 <.061 <.059 <.072 <.043 <.069 <.012

19-LD .....do. .....do. <0.15-0.87 <.061 <.059 <.072 <.043 <.069 <.012

27-LD .....do. .....do. <0.15-0.87 <.061 <.059 <.072 <.043 <.069 <.012

27-LD .....do. .....do. <0.15-0.87 <.061 <.059 <.072 <.043 <.069 <.012

28-LD .....do. .....do. <0.15-0.87 <.061 <.059 <.072 <.043 <.069 <.012

34-LD .....do. .....do. <0.15-0.87 <.061 <.059 <.072 <.043 <.069 <.012

54-LD Everett .....do. <0.15-0.87 <.061 <.059 <.072 <.043 <.069 <.012

54-LD .....do. .....do. <0.15-0.87 <.061 <.059 <.072 <.043 <.069 <.012

85-LD Chelsea Chelsea Creek <0.15-0.87 <.061 <.059 <.072 <.043 <.069 <.012

Tables 3–5  63
64  Sediment Quality of Lakes, Rivers, and Estuaries in the Mystic River Basin, Eastern Massachusetts, 2001–03

Table 3. Distribution of element and organic compound concentrations measured in sediment grab samples, Mystic River Basin, 

Massachusetts.—Continued

[Station number: USGS sample identifiers and geographical coordinates are given in table 1; sampling locations shown on figure 3. BHC, 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexachlorocyclohexane; D, duplicate; DDD, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane; DDE, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene; DDT, dichlorodiphenyltrichloro-ethane; 

do., ditto; LD, lab duplicate; No., number; PES, Performance Evaluation Standard; RPD, relative percent difference; USGS, U.S. Geological Survey; ppm, 

parts per million; %, percent; <, actual value shown is less than the minimum reporting limit; *, PES reported value was less than detection; --, not analyzed]

Station

No. Town Water body DDD(ppm)

DDT

(ppm)

Dieldrin

(ppm)

Endosulfan 1

(ppm)

Endosulfan 2

(ppm)

Endrin

(ppm)

Endrin 

aldehyde

(ppm)

1 Medford Lower Mystic Lake <0.045 <0.251 <0.011 <0.015 <0.012 <0.062 <0.012

2 Arlington .....do. <.045 <.251 <.011 <.015 <.012 <.062 <.012

3 .....do. .....do. <.045 <.251 <.011 <.015 <.012 <.062 <.012

4 Medford .....do. <.045 <.251 <.011 <.015 <.012 <.062 <.012

5 Arlington .....do. <.045 <.251 <.011 <.015 <.012 <.062 <.012

6 .....do. .....do. <.045 <.251 <.011 <.015 <.012 <.062 <.012

7 .....do. .....do. <.045 <.251 <.011 <.015 <.012 <.062 <.012

8 Medford Upper Mystic River <.045 <.251 <.011 <.015 <.012 <.062 <.012

9 .....do. .....do. <.045 <.251 <.011 <.015 <.012 <.062 <.012

10 .....do. .....do. <.045 <.251 <.011 <.015 <.012 <.062 <.012

11 Cambridge Alwife Brook <.045 <.251 <.011 <.015 <.012 <.062 <.012

12 .....do. .....do. <.045 <.251 <.011 <.015 <.012 <.062 <.012

13 Somerville .....do. <.045 <.251 <.011 <.015 <.012 <.062 <.012

14 .....do. .....do. <.045 <.251 <.011 <.015 <.012 <.062 <.012

15 .....do. .....do. <.045 <.251 <.011 <.015 <.012 <.062 <.012

16 .....do. Upper Mystic River <.045 <.251 <.011 <.015 <.012 <.062 <.012

17 Medford .....do. <.045 <.251 <.011 <.015 <.012 <.062 <.012

18 .....do. .....do. <.045 <.251 <.011 <.015 <.012 <.062 <.012

19 .....do. .....do. <.045 <.251 <.011 <.015 <.012 <.062 <.012

20 .....do. .....do. <.045 <.251 <.011 <.015 <.012 <.062 <.012

21 .....do. .....do. <.045 <.251 <.011 <.015 <.012 <.062 <.012

22 .....do. .....do. <.045 <.251 <.011 <.015 <.012 <.062 <.012

23 .....do. .....do. <.045 <.251 <.011 <.015 <.012 <.062 <.012

24 .....do. .....do. <.045 <.251 <.011 <.015 <.012 <.062 <.012

25 .....do. .....do. <.045 <.251 <.011 <.015 <.012 <.062 <.012

26 .....do. .....do. <.045 <.251 <.011 <.015 <.012 <.062 <.012

27 .....do. .....do. <.045 <.251 <.011 <.015 <.012 <.062 <.012

28 .....do. .....do. <.045 <.251 <.011 <.015 <.012 <.062 <.012

29 .....do. .....do. <.045 <.251 <.011 <.015 <.012 <.062 <.012

30 .....do. .....do. <.045 <.251 <.011 <.015 <.012 <.062 <.012

31 .....do. .....do. <.045 <.251 <.011 <.015 <.012 <.062 <.012

32 .....do. .....do. <.045 <.251 <.011 <.015 <.012 <.062 <.012

33 .....do. .....do. <.045 <.251 <.011 <.015 <.012 <.062 <.012

34 .....do. .....do. <.045 <.251 <.011 <.015 <.012 <.062 <.012

35 .....do. .....do. <.045 <.251 <.011 <.015 <.012 <.062 <.012

36 .....do. .....do. <.045 <.251 <.011 <.015 <.012 <.062 <.012

37 Somerville .....do. <.045 <.251 <.011 <.015 <.012 <.062 <.012

38 Medford .....do. <.045 <.251 <.011 <.015 <.012 <.062 <.012

39 .....do. .....do. <.045 <.251 <.011 <.015 <.012 <.062 <.012

40 .....do. .....do. <.045 <.251 <.011 <.015 <.012 <.062 <.012

41 Everett Upper Mystic River <.045 <.251 <.011 <.015 <.012 <.062 <.012

42 Malden Malden River <.045 <.251 <.011 <.015 <.012 <.062 <.012

43 .....do. .....do. <.045 <.251 <.011 <.015 <.012 <.062 <.012

44 .....do. .....do. <.045 <.251 <.011 <.015 <.012 <.062 <.012

45 .....do. .....do. <.045 <.251 <.011 <.015 <.012 <.062 <.012
Table 3. Distribution of element and organic compound concentrations measured in sediment grab samples, Mystic River Basin, 

Massachusetts.—Continued

[Station number: USGS sample identifiers and geographical coordinates are given in table 1; sampling locations shown on figure 3. BHC, 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexachlorocyclohexane; D, duplicate; DDD, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane; DDE, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene; DDT, dichlorodiphenyltrichloro-ethane; 

do., ditto; LD, lab duplicate; No., number; PES, Performance Evaluation Standard; RPD, relative percent difference; USGS, U.S. Geological Survey; ppm, 

parts per million; %, percent; <, actual value shown is less than the minimum reporting limit; *, PES reported value was less than detection; --, not analyzed]

Station

No. Town Water body DDD(ppm)

DDT

(ppm)

Dieldrin

(ppm)

Endosulfan 1

(ppm)

Endosulfan 2

(ppm)

Endrin

(ppm)

Endrin 

aldehyde

(ppm)

46 Everett Malden River <0.045 <0.251 <0.011 <0.015 <0.012 <0.062 <0.012

47 .....do. .....do. <.045 <.251 <.011 <.015 <.012 <.062 <.012

48 .....do. .....do. <.045 <.251 <.011 <.015 <.012 <.062 <.012

49 .....do. .....do. <.045 <.251 <.011 <.015 <.012 <.062 <.012

50 .....do. .....do. <.045 <.251 <.011 <.015 <.012 <.062 <.012

51 .....do. .....do. <.045 <.251 <.011 <.015 <.012 <.062 <.012

52 .....do. .....do. <.045 <.251 <.011 <.015 <.012 <.062 <.012

53 .....do. Upper Mystic River <.045 <.251 <.011 <.015 <.012 <.062 <.012

54 .....do. .....do. <.045 <.251 <.011 <.015 <.012 <.062 <.012

55 Somerville Lower Mystic River <.045 <.251 <.011 <.015 <.012 <.062 <.012

56 Everett .....do. <.045 <.251 <.011 <.015 <.012 <.062 <.012

57 .....do. .....do. <.045 <.251 <.011 <.015 <.012 <.062 <.012

58 Boston .....do. <.045 <.251 <.011 <.015 <.012 <.062 <.012

59 .....do. .....do. <.045 <.251 <.011 <.015 <.012 <.062 <.012

60 .....do. .....do. <.045 <.251 <.011 <.015 <.012 <.062 <.012

61 .....do. .....do. <.045 <.251 <.011 <.015 <.012 <.062 <.012

62 Everett .....do. <.045 <.251 <.011 <.015 <.012 <.062 <.012

63 Boston .....do. 0.24 <.251 <.011 <.015 <.012 <.062 <.012

64 Everett .....do. <.045 <.251 <.011 <.015 <.012 <.062 <.012

65 .....do. .....do. <.045 <.251 <.011 <.015 <.012 <.062 <.012

66 Boston .....do. <.045 <.251 <.011 <.015 <.012 <.062 <.012

67 Everett .....do. <.045 <.251 <.011 <.015 <.012 <.062 <.012

68 Boston .....do. <.045 <.251 <.011 <.015 <.012 <.062 <.012

69 Everett .....do. <.045 <.251 <.011 <.015 <.012 <.062 <.012

70 Chelsea Island End River <.045 <.251 <.011 <.015 <.012 <.062 <.012

71 Everett .....do. <.045 <.251 <.011 <.015 <.012 <.062 <.012

72 .....do. .....do. <.045 <.251 <.011 <.015 <.012 <.062 <.012

73 .....do. .....do. <.045 <.251 <.011 <.015 <.012 <.062 <.012

74 .....do. .....do. <.045 <.251 <.011 <.015 <.012 <.062 <.012

75 Boston Lower Mystic River <.045 <.251 <.011 <.015 <.012 <.062 <.012

76 .....do. .....do. <.045 <.251 <.011 <.015 <.012 <.062 <.012

77 Chelsea .....do. <.045 <.251 <.011 <.015 <.012 <.062 <.012

78 .....do. .....do. <.045 <.251 <.011 <.015 <.012 <.062 <.012

79 .....do. .....do. <.045 <.251 <.011 <.015 <.012 <.062 <.012

80 .....do. Mill Creek <.045 <.251 <.011 <.015 <.012 <.062 <.012

81 Revere Chelsea Creek <.045 <.251 <.011 <.015 <.012 <.062 <.012

82 .....do. .....do. <.045 <.251 <.011 <.015 <.012 <.062 <.012

83 Chelsea .....do. <.045 <.251 <.011 <.015 <.012 <.062 <.012

84 .....do. .....do. <.045 <.251 <.011 <.015 <.012 <.062 <.012

85 .....do. .....do. <.045 <.251 <.011 <.015 <.012 <.062 <.012

86 Boston Chelsea Creek <.045 <.251 <.011 <.015 <.012 <.062 <.012

87 Chelsea .....do. <.045 <.251 <.011 <.015 <.012 <.062 <.012

88 .....do. .....do. <.045 <.251 <.011 <.015 <.012 <.062 <.012

89 Boston .....do. <.045 <.251 <.011 <.015 <.012 <.062 <.012

90 .....do. .....do. <.045 <.251 <.011 <.015 <.012 <.062 <.012

Tables 3–5  65
66  Sediment Quality of Lakes, Rivers, and Estuaries in the Mystic River Basin, Eastern Massachusetts, 2001–03

Table 3. Distribution of element and organic compound concentrations measured in sediment grab samples, Mystic River Basin, 

Massachusetts.—Continued

[Station number: USGS sample identifiers and geographical coordinates are given in table 1; sampling locations shown on figure 3. BHC, 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexachlorocyclohexane; D, duplicate; DDD, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane; DDE, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene; DDT, dichlorodiphenyltrichloro-ethane; 

do., ditto; LD, lab duplicate; No., number; PES, Performance Evaluation Standard; RPD, relative percent difference; USGS, U.S. Geological Survey; ppm, 

parts per million; %, percent; <, actual value shown is less than the minimum reporting limit; *, PES reported value was less than detection; --, not analyzed]

Station

No. Town Water body DDD(ppm)

DDT

(ppm)

Dieldrin

(ppm)

Endosulfan 1

(ppm)

Endosulfan 2

(ppm)

Endrin

(ppm)

Endrin 

aldehyde

(ppm)

91 Boston Chelsea Creek <0.045 <0.251 <0.011 <0.015 <0.012 <0.062 <0.012

92 Chelsea .....do. <.045 <.251 <.011 <.015 <.012 <.062 <.012

93 .....do. .....do. <.045 <.251 <.011 <.015 <.012 <.062 <.012

94 Boston .....do. <.045 <.251 <.011 <.015 <.012 <.062 <.012

95 Chelsea .....do. <.045 <.251 <.011 <.015 <.012 <.062 <.012

96 .....do. .....do. <.045 <.251 <.011 <.015 <.012 <.062 <.012

97 .....do. .....do. <.045 <.251 <.011 <.015 <.012 <.062 <.012

98 Boston .....do. <.045 <.251 <.011 <.015 <.012 <.062 <.012

99 Chelsea .....do. <.045 <.251 <.011 <.015 <.012 <.062 <.012

100 .....do. .....do. <.045 <.251 <.011 <.015 <.012 <.062 <.012

101 Boston .....do. <.045 <.251 <.011 <.015 <.012 <.062 <.012

102 .....do. Boston Inner Harbor <.045 <.251 <.011 <.015 <.012 <.062 <.012

103 .....do. .....do. <.045 <.251 <.011 <.015 <.012 <.062 <.012

104 .....do. .....do. <.045 <.251 <.011 <.015 <.012 <.062 <.012

7 Arlington Lower Mystic Lake <.045 <.251 <.011 <.015 <.012 <.062 <.012

16 Somerville Upper Mystic River <.045 <.251 <.011 <.015 <.012 <.062 <.012

23 Medford .....do. <.045 <.251 <.011 <.015 <.012 <.062 <.012

29 .....do. .....do. <.045 <.251 <.011 <.015 <.012 <.062 <.012

55 Somerville Lower Mystic River <.045 <.251 <.011 <.015 <.012 <.062 <.012

66 Boston .....do. <.045 <.251 <.011 <.015 <.012 <.062 <.012

70 Chelsea Island End River <.045 <.251 <.011 <.015 <.012 <.062 <.012

100 .....do. Chelsea Creek <.045 <.251 <.011 <.015 <.012 <.062 <.012

4 Medford Lower Mystic Lake <.045 <.251 <.011 <.015 <.012 <.062 <.012

10 .....do. Upper Mystic River <.045 <.251 <.011 <.015 <.012 <.062 <.012

10 .....do. .....do. <.045 <.251 <.011 <.015 <.012 <.062 <.012

19 .....do. .....do. <.045 <.251 <.011 <.015 <.012 <.062 <.012

19 .....do. .....do. <.045 <.251 <.011 <.015 <.012 <.062 <.012

27 .....do. .....do. <.045 <.251 <.011 <.015 <.012 <.062 <.012

27 .....do. .....do. <.045 <.251 <.011 <.015 <.012 <.062 <.012

28 .....do. .....do. <.045 <.251 <.011 <.015 <.012 <.062 <.012

34 .....do. .....do. <.045 <.251 <.011 <.015 <.012 <.062 <.012

54 Everett .....do. <.045 <.251 <.011 <.015 <.012 <.062 <.012

54 .....do. .....do. <.045 <.251 <.011 <.015 <.012 <.062 <.012

85 Chelsea Chelsea Creek <.045 <.251 <.011 <.015 <.012 <.062 <.012
Table 3. Distribution of element and organic compound concentrations measured in sediment grab samples, Mystic River Basin, 

Massachusetts.—Continued

[Station number: USGS sample identifiers and geographical coordinates are given in table 1; sampling locations shown on figure 3. BHC, 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexachlorocyclohexane; D, duplicate; DDD, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane; DDE, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene; DDT, dichlorodiphenyltrichloro-ethane; 

do., ditto; LD, lab duplicate; No., number; PES, Performance Evaluation Standard; RPD, relative percent difference; USGS, U.S. Geological Survey; ppm, 

parts per million; %, percent; <, actual value shown is less than the minimum reporting limit; *, PES reported value was less than detection; --, not analyzed]

Station

No. Town Water body

Endrin

ketone

(ppm)

Heptachlor

(ppm)

Heptachlor

epoxide

(ppm)

Methoxychlor

(ppm)

Acenaphthene

(ppm)

Acenaphthylene

(ppm)

Anthracene

(ppm)

1 Medford Lower Mystic Lake <0.015 <0.021 <0.072 <0.013 <0.37 <0.22 <0.29

2 Arlington .....do. <.015 <.021 <.072 <.013 <.37 <.22 <.29

3 .....do. .....do. <.015 <.021 <.072 <.013 <.37 <.22 <.29

4 Medford .....do. <.015 <.021 <.072 <.013 <.37 <.22 <.29

5 Arlington .....do. <.015 <.021 <.072 <.013 <.37 <.22 <.29

6 .....do. .....do. <.015 <.021 <.072 <.013 <.37 <.22 <.29

7 .....do. .....do. <.015 <.021 <.072 <.013 <.37 <.22 <.29

8 Medford Upper Mystic River <.015 <.021 <.072 <.013 <.37 <.22 <.29

9 .....do. .....do. <.015 <.021 <.072 <.013 <.37 <.22 <.29

10 .....do. .....do. <.015 <.021 <.072 <.013 <.37 <.22 <.29

11 Cambridge Alewife Brook <.015 <.021 <.072 <.013 <.37 <.22 <.29

12 .....do. .....do. <.015 <.021 <.072 <.013 <.37 <.22 <.29

13 Somerville .....do. <.015 <.021 <.072 <.013 2.2 <.22 <.29

14 .....do. .....do. <.015 <.021 <.072 <.013 <.37 <.22 <.29

15 .....do. .....do. <.015 <.021 <.072 <.013 <.37 <.22 <.29

16 .....do. Upper Mystic River <.015 <.021 <.072 <.013 <.37 <.22 <.29

17 Medford .....do. <.015 <.021 <.072 <.013 <.37 <.22 <.29

18 .....do. .....do. <.015 <.021 <.072 <.013 <.37 <.22 <.29

19 .....do. .....do. <.015 <.021 <.072 <.013 <.37 <.22 <.29

20 .....do. .....do. <.015 <.021 <.072 <.013 <.37 <.22 <.29

21 .....do. .....do. <.015 <.021 <.072 <.013 <.37 <.22 <.29

22 .....do. .....do. <.015 <.021 <.072 <.013 <.37 <.22 <.29

23 .....do. .....do. <.015 <.021 <.072 <.013 <.37 <.22 <.29

24 .....do. .....do. <.015 <.021 <.072 <.013 <.37 <.22 <.29

25 .....do. .....do. <.015 <.021 <.072 <.013 <.37 <.22 <.29

26 .....do. .....do. <.015 <.021 <.072 <.013 <.37 <.22 <.29

27 .....do. .....do. <.015 <.021 <.072 <.013 <.37 <.22 <.29

28 .....do. .....do. <.015 <.021 <.072 <.013 <.37 <.22 <.29

29 .....do. .....do. <.015 <.021 <.072 <.013 <.37 <.22 <.29

30 .....do. .....do. <.015 <.021 <.072 <.013 <.37 <.22 <.29

31 .....do. .....do. <.015 <.021 <.072 <.013 <.37 <.22 <.29

32 .....do. .....do. <.015 <.021 <.072 <.013 <.37 <.22 <.29

33 .....do. .....do. <.015 <.021 <.072 <.013 <.37 <.22 <.29

34 .....do. .....do. <.015 <.021 <.072 <.013 <.37 <.22 <.29

35 .....do. .....do. <.015 <.021 <.072 <.013 <.37 <.22 <.29

36 .....do. .....do. <.015 <.021 <.072 <.013 <.37 <.22 <.29

37 Somerville .....do. <.015 <.021 <.072 <.013 <.37 <.22 <.29

38 Medford .....do. <.015 <.021 <.072 <.013 <.37 <.22 <.29

39 .....do. .....do. <.015 <.021 <.072 <.013 <.37 <.22 <.29

40 .....do. .....do. <.015 <.021 <.072 <.013 <.37 <.22 <.29

41 Everett Upper Mystic River <.015 <.021 <.072 <.013 <.37 <.22 2.5

42 Malden Malden River <.015 <.021 <.072 <.013 <.37 <.22 <.29

43 .....do. .....do. <.015 <.021 <.072 <.013 14 <.22 45

44 .....do. .....do. <.015 <.021 <.072 <.013 4.6 4.2 21

45 .....do. .....do. <.015 <.021 <.072 <.013 13 <.22 26

Tables 3–5  67
68  Sediment Quality of Lakes, Rivers, and Estuaries in the Mystic River Basin, Eastern Massachusetts, 2001–03

Table 3. Distribution of element and organic compound concentrations measured in sediment grab samples, Mystic River Basin, 

Massachusetts.—Continued

[Station number: USGS sample identifiers and geographical coordinates are given in table 1; sampling locations shown on figure 3. BHC, 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexachlorocyclohexane; D, duplicate; DDD, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane; DDE, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene; DDT, dichlorodiphenyltrichloro-ethane; 

do., ditto; LD, lab duplicate; No., number; PES, Performance Evaluation Standard; RPD, relative percent difference; USGS, U.S. Geological Survey; ppm, 

parts per million; %, percent; <, actual value shown is less than the minimum reporting limit; *, PES reported value was less than detection; --, not analyzed]

Station

No. Town Water body

Endrin

ketone

(ppm)

Heptachlor

(ppm)

Heptachlor

epoxide

(ppm)

Methoxychlor

(ppm)

Acenaphthene

(ppm)

Acenaphthylene

(ppm)

Anthracene

(ppm)

46 Everett Malden River <0.015 <0.021 <0.072 <0.013 <0.37 <0.22 <0.29

47 .....do. .....do. <.015 <.021 <.072 <.013 <.37 <.22 7.3

48 .....do. .....do. <.015 <.021 <.072 <.013 <.37 <.22 <.29

49 .....do. .....do. <.015 <.021 <.072 <.013 <.37 <.22 <.29

50 .....do. .....do. <.015 <.021 <.072 <.013 <.37 <.22 <.29

51 .....do. .....do. <.015 <.021 <.072 <.013 <.37 <.22 <.29

52 .....do. .....do. <.015 <.021 <.072 <.013 <.37 <.22 <.29

53 .....do. Upper Mystic River <.015 <.021 <.072 <.013 <.37 <.22 <.29

54 .....do. .....do. <.015 <.021 <.072 <.013 <.37 <.22 7.4

55 Somerville Lower Mystic River <.015 <.021 <.072 <.013 <.37 <.22 1.1

56 Everett .....do. <.015 <.021 <.072 <.013 <.37 <.22 .52

57 .....do. .....do. <.015 <.021 <.072 <.013 <.37 <.22 .29

58 Boston .....do. <.015 <.021 <.072 <.013 <.37 <.22 1.2

59 .....do. .....do. <.015 <.021 <.072 <.013 <.37 <.22 <.29

60 .....do. .....do. <.015 <.021 <.072 <.013 <.37 <.22 .65

61 .....do. .....do. <.015 <.021 <.072 <.013 <.37 <.22 .45

62 Everett .....do. <.015 <.021 <.072 <.013 <.37 <.22 .50

63 Boston .....do. <.015 <.021 <.072 <.013 <.37 .30 .65

64 Everett .....do. <.015 <.021 <.072 <.013 <.37 <.22 .69

65 .....do. .....do. <.015 <.021 <.072 <.013 1.0 3.7 3.9

66 Boston .....do. <.015 <.021 <.072 <.013 <.37 <.22 .65

67 Everett .....do. <.015 <.021 <.072 <.013 <.37 <.22 .63

68 Boston .....do. <.015 <.021 <.072 <.013 <.37 <.22 .63

69 Everett .....do. <.015 <.021 <.072 <.013 <.37 <.22 <.29

70 Chelsea Island End River <.015 <.021 <.072 <.013 3.6 4.6 9.8

71 Everett .....do. <.015 <.021 <.072 <.013 17 19 34

72 .....do. .....do. <.015 <.021 <.072 <.013 .82 2.4 3.5

73 .....do. .....do. <.015 <.021 <.072 <.013 .70 2.0 3.0

74 .....do. .....do. <.015 <.021 <.072 <.013 .58 2.8 3.9

75 Boston Lower Mystic River <.015 <.021 <.072 <.013 <.37 <.22 .35

76 .....do. .....do. <.015 <.021 <.072 <.013 <.37 <.22 .33

77 Chelsea .....do. <.015 <.021 <.072 <.013 .33 2.1 2.6

78 .....do. .....do. <.015 <.021 <.072 <.013 <.37 <.22 .29

79 .....do. .....do. <.015 <.021 <.072 <.013 <.37 <.22 .41

80 .....do. Mill Creek <.015 <.021 <.072 <.013 <.37 <.22 <.29

81 Revere Chelsea Creek <.015 <.021 <.072 <.013 <.37 <.22 <.29

82 .....do. .....do. <.015 <.021 <.072 <.013 <.37 <.22 <.29

83 Chelsea .....do. <.015 <.021 <.072 <.013 <.37 <.22 <.29

84 .....do. .....do. <.015 <.021 <.072 <.013 <.37 <.22 .27

85 .....do. .....do. <.015 <.021 <.072 <.013 <.37 <.22 <.29

86 Boston Chelsea Creek <.015 <.021 <.072 <.013 <.37 <.22 <.29

87 Chelsea .....do. <.015 <.021 <.072 <.013 <.37 <.22 .48

88 .....do. .....do. <.015 <.021 <.072 <.013 <.37 <.22 .45

89 Boston .....do. <.015 <.021 <.072 <.013 <.37 <.22 .61

90 .....do. .....do. <.015 <.021 <.072 <.013 <.37 <.22 .57
Table 3. Distribution of element and organic compound concentrations measured in sediment grab samples, Mystic River Basin, 

Massachusetts.—Continued

[Station number: USGS sample identifiers and geographical coordinates are given in table 1; sampling locations shown on figure 3. BHC, 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexachlorocyclohexane; D, duplicate; DDD, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane; DDE, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene; DDT, dichlorodiphenyltrichloro-ethane; 

do., ditto; LD, lab duplicate; No., number; PES, Performance Evaluation Standard; RPD, relative percent difference; USGS, U.S. Geological Survey; ppm, 

parts per million; %, percent; <, actual value shown is less than the minimum reporting limit; *, PES reported value was less than detection; --, not analyzed]

Station

No. Town Water body

Endrin

ketone

(ppm)

Heptachlor

(ppm)

Heptachlor

epoxide

(ppm)

Methoxychlor

(ppm)

Acenaphthene

(ppm)

Acenaphthylene

(ppm)

Anthracene

(ppm)

91 Boston Chelsea Creek <0.015 <0.021 <0.072 <0.013 <0.37 <0.22 1.1

92 Chelsea .....do. <.015 <.021 <.072 <.013 1.8 1.6 3.7

93 .....do. .....do. <.015 <.021 <.072 <.013 <.37 <.22 1.1

94 Boston .....do. <.015 <.021 <.072 <.013 .59 <.22 1.8

95 Chelsea .....do. <.015 <.021 <.072 <.013 <.37 <.22 <.29

96 .....do. .....do. <.015 <.021 <.072 <.013 <.37 <.22 <.29

97 .....do. .....do. <.015 <.021 <.072 <.013 <.37 <.22 <.29

98 Boston .....do. <.015 <.021 <.072 <.013 <.37 <.22 .70

99 Chelsea .....do. <.015 <.021 <.072 <.013 <.37 <.22 1.0

100 .....do. .....do. <.015 <.021 <.072 <.013 <.37 <.22 .45

101 Boston .....do. <.015 <.021 <.072 <.013 <.37 <.22 .29

102 .....do. Boston Inner Harbor <.015 <.021 <.072 <.013 <.37 <.22 .38

103 .....do. .....do. <.015 <.021 <.072 <.013 <.37 <.22 .34

104 .....do. .....do. <.015 <.021 <.072 <.013 <.37 .26 .73

7 Arlington Lower Mystic Lake <.015 <.021 <.072 <.013 <.37 <.22 <.29

16 Somerville Upper Mystic River <.015 <.021 <.072 <.013 <.37 <.22 <.29

23 Medford .....do. <.015 <.021 <.072 <.013 <.37 <.22 <.29

29 .....do. .....do. <.015 <.021 <.072 <.013 <.37 <.22 <.29

55 Somerville Lower Mystic River <.015 <.021 <.072 <.013 <.37 <.22 1.1

66 Boston .....do. <.015 <.021 <.072 <.013 <.37 <.22 .28

70 Chelsea Island End River <.015 <.021 <.072 <.013 12 7.1 24

100 .....do. Chelsea Creek <.015 <.021 <.072 <.013 <.37 <.22 .35

4 Medford Lower Mystic Lake <.015 <.021 <.072 <.013 <.37 <.22 <.29

10 .....do. Upper Mystic River <.015 <.021 <.072 <.013 <.37 <.22 <.29

10 .....do. .....do. <.015 <.021 <.072 <.013 <.37 <.22 <.29

19 .....do. .....do. <.015 <.021 <.072 <.013 <.37 <.22 <.29

19 .....do. .....do. <.015 <.021 <.072 <.013 <.37 <.22 <.29

27 .....do. .....do. <.015 <.021 <.072 <.013 <.37 <.22 <.29

27 .....do. .....do. <.015 <.021 <.072 <.013 <.37 <.22 <.29

28 .....do. .....do. <.015 <.021 <.072 <.013 <.37 <.22 <.29

34 .....do. .....do. <.015 <.021 <.072 <.013 <.37 <.22 <.29

54 Everett .....do. <.015 <.021 <.072 <.013 1.7 <.22 7.7

54 .....do. .....do. <.015 <.021 <.072 <.013 2.5 <.22 7.3

85 Chelsea Chelsea Creek <.015 <.021 <.072 <.013 <.37 <.22 <.29

Tables 3–5  69
70 Sediment Quality of Lakes, Rivers, and Estuaries in the Mystic River Basin, Eastern Massachusetts, 2001–03

Table 3. Distribution of element and organic compound concentrations measured in sediment grab samples, Mystic River Basin, 

Massachusetts.—Continued

[Station number: USGS sample identifiers and geographical coordinates are given in table 1; sampling locations shown on figure 3. BHC, 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexachlorocyclohexane; D, duplicate; DDD, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane; DDE, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene; DDT, dichlorodiphenyltrichloro-ethane; do., 

ditto; LD, lab duplicate; No., number; PES, Performance Evaluation Standard; RPD, relative percent difference; USGS, U.S. Geological Survey; ppm, parts per 

million; %, percent; <, actual value shown is less than the minimum reporting limit; *, PES reported value was less than detection; --, not analyzed]

Station

No. Town Water body

Benzo[a]-

anthracene

(ppm)

Benzo[b,k]-

fluoranthracene

(ppm)

Benzo[a]-

pyrene

(ppm)

Benzo[g,h,i]-

perylene

(ppm)

Chrysene

(ppm)

Dibenz[a,h]-

anthracene

(ppm)

Fluoranthene

(ppm)

1 Medford Lower Mystic Lake <0.44 <0.29 <0.51 <0.32 <0.28 <0.58 <0.12

2 Arlington .....do. <.44 <.29 <.51 <.32 <.28 <.58 <.12

3 .....do. .....do. <.44 <.29 <.51 <.32 <.28 <.58 <.12

4 Medford .....do. <.44 64 51 <.32 66 <.58 57

5 Arlington .....do. 27 38 33 <.32 41 <.58 63

6 .....do. .....do. 26 49 35 15 49 <.58 66

7 .....do. .....do. 16 27 20 <.32 23 <.58 36

8 Medford Upper Mystic River <.44 <.29 <.51 <.32 <.28 <.58 <.12

9 .....do. .....do. <.44 <.29 <.51 <.32 <.28 <.58 1.8

10 .....do. .....do. 2.9 7.4 <.51 <.32 <.28 <.58 6.8

11 Cambridge Alewife Brook 8.0 14 16 9.9 17 <.58 21

12 .....do. .....do. <.44 1.5 <.51 <.32 1.4 <.58 3.5

13 Somerville .....do. 29 26 32 17 42 8.6 70

14 .....do. .....do. 7.9 10 12 <.32 12 <.58 17

15 .....do. .....do. 11 14 16 15 18 8.7 23

16 .....do. Upper Mystic River 20 31 31 37 36 21 44

17 Medford .....do. <.44 <.29 <.51 <.32 <.28 <.58 <.12

18 .....do. .....do. <.44 <.29 <.51 <.32 <.28 <.58 <.12

19 .....do. .....do. 4.5 6.9 3.9 <.32 5.5 <.58 11

20 .....do. .....do. <.44 <.29 <.51 <.32 <.28 <.58 <.12

21 .....do. .....do. <.44 <.29 <.51 <.32 <.28 <.58 8.6

22 .....do. .....do. 2.6 6.1 5.0 <.32 6.1 <.58 9

23 .....do. .....do. 17 26 26 24 31 <.58 41

24 .....do. .....do. <.44 <.29 <.51 <.32 <.28 <.58 <.12

25 .....do. .....do. 3.8 5.8 6.1 3.9 6.1 <.58 9.5

26 .....do. .....do. 15 25 24 23 26 <.58 30

27 .....do. .....do. 5.4 6.1 6.6 <.32 10 <.58 13

28 .....do. .....do. <.44 <.29 <.51 <.32 <.28 <.58 160

29 .....do. .....do. 18 26 27 27 29 <.58 32

30 .....do. .....do. 16 25 26 22 27 <.58 30

31 .....do. .....do. 13 22 24 22 24 15 26

32 .....do. .....do. 1.3 3.1 1.9 <.32 4.1 <.58 5.7

33 .....do. .....do. <.44 <.29 <.51 <.32 <.28 <.58 5.3

34 .....do. .....do. 12 22 25 21 24 <.58 25

35 .....do. .....do. 14 25 27 19 31 <.58 34

36 .....do. .....do. 9.9 18 19 12 22 <.58 24

37 Somerville .....do. 16 34 39 23 42 <.58 32

38 Medford .....do. 9.7 19 21 14 22 <.58 21

39 .....do. .....do. 9.1 16 16 9.3 19 <.58 18

40 .....do. .....do. <.44 4.9 <.51 <.32 <.28 <.58 7.2

41 Everett Upper Mystic River 8.8 11 13 6.5 15 <.58 16

42 Malden Malden River 4.9 5.8 3.9 <.32 6.6 <.58 14

43 .....do. .....do. 60 55 79 39 83 23 120

44 .....do. .....do. 55 61 74 62 77 23 110

45 .....do. .....do. 24 20 30 14 36 <.58 48
Table 3. Distribution of element and organic compound concentrations measured in sediment grab samples, Mystic River Basin, 

Massachusetts.—Continued

[Station number: USGS sample identifiers and geographical coordinates are given in table 1; sampling locations shown on figure 3. BHC, 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexachlorocyclohexane; D, duplicate; DDD, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane; DDE, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene; DDT, dichlorodiphenyltrichloro-ethane; do., 

ditto; LD, lab duplicate; No., number; PES, Performance Evaluation Standard; RPD, relative percent difference; USGS, U.S. Geological Survey; ppm, parts per 

million; %, percent; <, actual value shown is less than the minimum reporting limit; *, PES reported value was less than detection; --, not analyzed]

Station

No. Town Water body

Benzo[a]-

anthracene

(ppm)

Benzo[b,k]-

fluoranthracene

(ppm)

Benzo[a]-

pyrene

(ppm)

Benzo[g,h,i]-

perylene

(ppm)

Chrysene

(ppm)

Dibenz[a,h]-

anthracene

(ppm)

Fluoranthene

(ppm)

46 Everett Malden River 23 36 42 43 38 11 30

47 .....do. .....do. 36 53 65 61 60 16 56

48 .....do. .....do. 22 39 45 36 44 15 51

49 .....do. .....do. 7.5 10 11 5.2 14 <.58 15

50 .....do. .....do. <.44 <.29 <.51 <.32 <.28 <.58 <.12

51 .....do. .....do. 1.3 3.2 2.3 <.32 3.9 <.58 3.3

52 .....do. .....do. 18 12 24 7.0 19 <.58 8.3

53 .....do. Upper Mystic River 7.8 16 15 7.7 19 <.58 19

54 .....do. .....do. 10 23 23 16 25 <.58 25

55 Somerville Lower Mystic River 2.4 5.7 4.0 3.3 5.4 1.3 10

56 Everett .....do. .85 2.6 1.9 1.3 2.3 1.2 2.9

57 .....do. .....do. .59 .92 .81 <.32 1.0 <.58 2.1

58 Boston .....do. 1.8 3.9 2.9 2.1 3.3 .79 5.7

59 .....do. .....do. <.44 8.3 .72 .42 .8 <.58 .85

60 .....do. .....do. .79 2.1 1.6 1.0 1.7 1.5 2.2

61 .....do. .....do. .98 2.0 1.8 .61 1.8 <.58 2.6

62 Everett .....do. .71 1.4 1.2 .59 1.3 <.58 1.5

63 Boston .....do. 1.0 2.1 1.7 1.3 1.6 .46 2.2

64 Everett .....do. .97 2.2 2.0 1.1 1.9 <.58 2.3

65 .....do. .....do. 5.4 6.0 6.1 3.2 7.4 2.4 14

66 Boston .....do. .88 2.0 1.7 1.2 1.6 <.58 1.8

67 Everett .....do. .96 1.8 1.4 .94 1.4 <.58 2

68 Boston .....do. 1.1 2.3 2.0 1.3 1.8 <.58 2.3

69 Everett .....do. .65 1.4 1.1 <.32 1.1 <.58 1.6

70 Chelsea Island End River 14 24 19 14 21 5.5 46

71 Everett .....do. 40 48 42 23 45 12 120

72 .....do. .....do. 4.4 8.0 7.0 4.0 6.1 1.8 12

73 .....do. .....do. 4.0 6.6 5.9 5.4 6.0 1.6 9.4

74 .....do. .....do. 5.1 8.5 7.8 4.5 7.3 2.2 11

75 Boston Lower Mystic River .51 1.3 1.1 .49 1.0 <.58 1.5

76 .....do. .....do. .76 1.7 1.6 .91 1.2 <.58 1.5

77 Chelsea .....do. 4.5 7.3 6.8 4.2 6.7 2.1 9.3

78 .....do. .....do. .62 1.4 1.2 .71 1.2 <.58 1.4

79 .....do. .....do. .97 1.4 1.4 .71 1.4 <.58 2.0

80 .....do. Mill Creek 1.4 4.5 3.8 1.9 4.0 .84 5.7

81 Revere Chelsea Creek <.44 .11 .87 <.32 1.1 <.58 1.5

82 .....do. .....do. <.44 <.29 <.51 <.32 <.28 <.58 .17

83 Chelsea .....do. <.44 <.29 <.51 <.32 <.28 <.58 <.12

84 .....do. .....do. .43 1.2 .92 .43 .96 <.58 1.4

85 .....do. .....do. <.44 .98 .89 .42 1.0 <.58 1.2

86 Boston .....do. .39 .85 .82 <.32 .89 <.58 .86

87 Chelsea .....do. .61 1.2 1.0 .59 1.1 <.58 1.6

88 .....do. .....do. .68 1.4 1.1 .63 1.3 <.58 4.3

89 Boston .....do. 1.0 1.8 1.7 .83 1.7 <.58 2.6

90 .....do. .....do. .83 1.6 1.7 .71 1.4 <.58 1.6

Tables 3–5  71
72 Sediment Quality of Lakes, Rivers, and Estuaries in the Mystic River Basin, Eastern Massachusetts, 2001–03

Table 3. Distribution of element and organic compound concentrations measured in sediment grab samples, Mystic River Basin, 

Massachusetts.—Continued

[Station number: USGS sample identifiers and geographical coordinates are given in table 1; sampling locations shown on figure 3. BHC, 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexachlorocyclohexane; D, duplicate; DDD, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane; DDE, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene; DDT, dichlorodiphenyltrichloro-ethane; do., 

ditto; LD, lab duplicate; No., number; PES, Performance Evaluation Standard; RPD, relative percent difference; USGS, U.S. Geological Survey; ppm, parts per 

million; %, percent; <, actual value shown is less than the minimum reporting limit; *, PES reported value was less than detection; --, not analyzed]

Station

No. Town Water body

Benzo[a]-

anthracene

(ppm)

Benzo[b,k]-

fluoranthracene

(ppm)

Benzo[a]-

pyrene

(ppm)

Benzo[g,h,i]-

perylene

(ppm)

Chrysene

(ppm)

Dibenz[a,h]-

anthracene

(ppm)

Fluoranthene

(ppm)

91 Boston Chelsea Creek 2.0 3.0 3.3 1.7 3.1 <0.58 4.6

92 Chelsea .....do. 4.5 5.3 6.1 3.3 6.2 1.2 12

93 .....do. .....do. <.44 <.29 <.51 <.32 <.28 <.58 3.6

94 Boston .....do. 2.3 2.6 2.6 1.3 3.0 .33 6.5

95 Chelsea .....do. .44 .89 .67 <.32 .87 <.58 1.1

96 .....do. .....do. <.44 .88 .52 <.32 .44 <.58 .76

97 .....do. .....do. .74 .96 .90 <.32 1.3 <.58 2

98 Boston .....do. 1.4 1.8 1.4 .56 2.3 <.58 3.3

99 Chelsea .....do. 1.6 3.1 2.4 1.4 3.0 <.58 4.3

100 .....do. .....do. .81 1.4 1.1 .51 1.7 .25 2.7

101 Boston .....do. .88 1.3 1.1 <.32 1.3 <.58 1.5

102 .....do. Boston Inner Harbor .78 1.6 1.2 .92 1.4 <.58 1.8

103 .....do. .....do. .84 1.6 1.4 .76 1.5 .34 1.8

104 .....do. .....do. 1.1 2.1 2.1 1.2 1.5 .45 1.6

7 Arlington Lower Mystic Lake 18 30 32 29 32 <.58 42

16 Somerville Upper Mystic River 19 28 30 30 33 7.6 38

23 Medford .....do. 19 29 29 25 32 <.58 39

29 .....do. .....do. 15 23 24 21 26 <.58 28

55 Somerville Lower Mystic River 2.4 5.9 4.3 3.2 5.6 .15 10

66 Boston .....do. .63 1.2 1.0 .69 1 <.58 1.4

70 Chelsea Island End River 20 30 25 17 29 7.2 71

100 .....do. Chelsea Creek .55 1.1 1.0 .42 .97 <.58 1.1

4 Medford Lower Mystic Lake <.44 50 29 <.32 43 <.58 49

10 .....do. Upper Mystic River <.44 <.29 <.51 <.32 <.28 <.58 <.12

10 .....do. .....do. <.44 4.9 <.51 <.32 <.28 <.58 7.9

19 .....do. .....do. <.44 <.29 <.51 <.32 <.28 <.58 4.5

19 .....do. .....do. <.44 5.3 <.51 <.32 4.9 <.58 8.2

27 .....do. .....do. 6.3 6.1 6.9 <.32 9.3 <.58 11

27 .....do. .....do. 5.2 5.7 5.6 <.32 9.4 <.58 12

28 .....do. .....do. <.44 7.7 <.51 <.32 <.28 <.58 22

34 .....do. .....do. 12 22 26 19 23 <.58 24

54 Everett .....do. 12 21 21 10 22 <.58 22

54 .....do. .....do. 11 21 22 9.1 22 <.58 23

85 Chelsea Chelsea Creek <.44 1.0 .73 <.32 .50 <.58 1.2
Table 3. Distribution of element and organic compound concentrations measured in sediment grab samples, Mystic River Basin, 

Massachusetts.—Continued

[Station number: USGS sample identifiers and geographical coordinates are given in table 1; sampling locations shown on figure 3. BHC, 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexachlorocyclohexane; D, duplicate; DDD, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane; DDE, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene; DDT, dichlorodiphenyltrichloro-ethane; do., 

ditto; LD, lab duplicate; No., number; PES, Performance Evaluation Standard; RPD, relative percent difference; USGS, U.S. Geological Survey; ppm, parts per 

million; %, percent; <, actual value shown is less than the minimum reporting limit; *, PES reported value was less than detection; --, not analyzed]

Station

No. Town Water body Fluorene(ppm)

Indeno[1,2,3-cd]-

pyrene

(ppm)

Naphthalene

(ppm)

Phenanthrene

(ppm)

Pyrene

(ppm)

Tribromophenol

(% recovery)

1 Medford Lower Mystic Lake <0.11 <0.40 <0.61 <0.17 <0.05 91

2 Arlington .....do. <.11 <.40 <.61 <.17 <.05 64

3 .....do. .....do. <.11 <.40 <.61 <.17 <.05 82

4 Medford .....do. <.11 <.40 <.61 <.17 48 70

5 Arlington .....do. <.11 <.40 <.61 <.17 52 82

6 .....do. .....do. <.11 31 <.61 17 51 56

7 .....do. .....do. <.11 <.40 <.61 <.17 30 75

8 Medford Upper Mystic River <.11 <.40 <.61 <.17 <.05 83

9 .....do. .....do. <.11 <.40 <.61 <.17 1.9 72

10 .....do. .....do. <.11 <.40 <.61 <.17 7.4 75

11 Cambridge Alewife Brook <.11 11 <.61 5.3 18 81

12 .....do. .....do. <.11 <.40 <.61 <.17 3.5 61

13 Somerville .....do. <.11 19 <.61 53 53 66

14 .....do. .....do. <.11 <.40 <.61 4.6 15 52

15 .....do. .....do. <.11 15 <.61 10 20 86

16 .....do. Upper Mystic River <.11 37 <.61 14 39 90

17 Medford .....do. <.11 <.40 <.61 <.17 <.05 77

18 .....do. .....do. <.11 <.40 <.61 <.17 <.05 51

19 .....do. .....do. <.11 <.40 <.61 <.17 9.8 67

20 .....do. .....do. <.11 <.40 <.61 <.17 <.05 54

21 .....do. .....do. <.11 <.40 <.61 <.17 7.1 67

22 .....do. .....do. <.11 <.40 <.61 <.17 9 78

23 .....do. .....do. <.11 20 <.61 15 36 65

24 .....do. .....do. <.11 <.40 <.61 <.17 <.05 79

25 .....do. .....do. <.11 <.40 <.61 2.9 8.5 81

26 .....do. .....do. <.11 19 <.61 8.7 28 63

27 .....do. .....do. <.11 <.40 <.61 7.9 13 86

28 .....do. .....do. <.11 <.40 <.61 270 120 66

29 .....do. .....do. <.11 24 <.61 6.8 28 95

30 .....do. .....do. <.11 24 <.61 <.17 27 85

31 .....do. .....do. <.11 27 <.61 <.17 27 57

32 .....do. .....do. <.11 <.40 <.61 <.17 4.5 92

33 .....do. .....do. <.11 <.40 <.61 <.17 6.6 76

34 .....do. .....do. <.11 19 <.61 <.17 24 54

35 .....do. .....do. <.11 18 <.61 7.9 30 51

36 .....do. .....do. <.11 11 <.61 4.7 23 60

37 Somerville .....do. <.11 26 <.61 <.17 33 97

38 Medford .....do. <.11 14 <.61 3.4 21 80

39 .....do. .....do. <.11 11 <.61 <.17 19 77

40 .....do. .....do. <.11 <.40 <.61 <.17 6.6 97

41 Everett Upper Mystic River <.11 6.5 <.61 8.2 16 95

42 Malden Malden River <.11 <.40 <.61 <.17 13 71

43 .....do. .....do. 10 46 <.61 98 100 76

44 .....do. .....do. <.11 60 <.61 61 98 49

45 .....do. .....do. 8.2 16 <.61 52 51 50

Tables 3–5  73
74  Sediment Quality of Lakes, Rivers, and Estuaries in the Mystic River Basin, Eastern Massachusetts, 2001–03

Table 3. Distribution of element and organic compound concentrations measured in sediment grab samples, Mystic River Basin, 

Massachusetts.—Continued

[Station number: USGS sample identifiers and geographical coordinates are given in table 1; sampling locations shown on figure 3. BHC, 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexachlorocyclohexane; D, duplicate; DDD, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane; DDE, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene; DDT, dichlorodiphenyltrichloro-ethane; do., 

ditto; LD, lab duplicate; No., number; PES, Performance Evaluation Standard; RPD, relative percent difference; USGS, U.S. Geological Survey; ppm, parts per 

million; %, percent; <, actual value shown is less than the minimum reporting limit; *, PES reported value was less than detection; --, not analyzed]

Station

No. Town Water body Fluorene(ppm)

Indeno[1,2,3-cd]-

pyrene

(ppm)

Naphthalene

(ppm)

Phenanthrene

(ppm)

Pyrene

(ppm)

Tribromophenol

(% recovery)

46 Everett Malden River <0.11 38 <0.61 <0.17 33 94

47 .....do. .....do. <.11 55 <.61 11 58 98

48 .....do. .....do. <.11 39 <.61 14 49 60

49 .....do. .....do. <.11 <.40 <.61 7.4 14 71

50 .....do. .....do. <.11 <.400 <.61 <.17 <.05 88

51 .....do. .....do. <.11 <.4 <.61 <.17 3.9 95

52 .....do. .....do. <.11 8 <.61 <.17 9.8 93

53 .....do. Upper Mystic River <.11 4.9 <.61 <.17 <.05 99

54 .....do. .....do. <.11 13 100 23 24 101

55 Somerville Lower Mystic River <.11 2.9 <.61 4.7 7.7 109

56 Everett .....do. <.11 1.1 <.61 1.1 3.1 104

57 .....do. .....do. <.11 <.40 <.61 .43 1.5 79

58 Boston .....do. .19 1.9 <.61 2.7 5.7 107

59 .....do. .....do. <.11 <.40 <.61 <.17 1.1 92

60 .....do. .....do. <.11 .84 <.61 .58 2.4 99

61 .....do. .....do. <.11 .84 <.61 1.3 3.0 25

62 Everett .....do. <.11 .57 <.61 .61 1.8 60

63 Boston .....do. <.11 1.2 <.61 <.17 2.5 75

64 Everett .....do. <.11 1.1 <.61 .95 3.2 43

65 .....do. .....do. 3.7 3.3 4.8 6 13 109

66 Boston .....do. .12 1 <.61 .72 2.5 81

67 Everett .....do. <.11 .72 <.61 .74 2.5 68

68 Boston .....do. <.11 1.1 <.61 .75 2.7 90

69 Everett .....do. <.11 <.40 <.61 .45 2.0 57

70 Chelsea Island End River 4.9 13 <.61 15 34 114

71 Everett .....do. 28 2.8 2.6 84 86 97

72 .....do. .....do. 1.1 4.1 <.61 3.2 10 107

73 .....do. .....do. 1 3.3 <.61 2.7 9.5 71

74 .....do. .....do. 1.3 4.7 <.61 3.6 12 109

75 Boston Lower Mystic River <.11 <.40 <.61 .66 1.8 67

76 .....do. .....do. <.11 .84 <.61 .51 2.0 45

77 Chelsea .....do. 1 3.9 <.61 2.2 8.7 115

78 .....do. .....do. <.11 .61 <.61 .54 1.9 86

79 .....do. .....do. <.11 .54 <.61 .43 2.6 46

80 .....do. Mill Creek <.11 2.0 <.61 <.17 5.5 55

81 Revere Chelsea Creek <.11 <.40 <.61 .20 1.7 74

82 .....do. .....do. <.11 <.40 <.61 <.17 .22 47

83 Chelsea .....do. <.11 <.40 <.61 <.17 <.05 78

84 .....do. .....do. <.11 <.40 <.61 .81 1.9 105

85 .....do. .....do. <.11 <.40 <.61 .26 1.3 105

86 Boston Chelsea Creek <.11 <.40 <.61 <.17 1.1 92

87 Chelsea .....do. <.11 .53 <.61 .36 1.7 98

88 .....do. .....do. <.11 .54 <.61 .32 5.4 82

89 Boston .....do. <.11 .75 <.61 1.7 4.1 109

90 .....do. .....do. <.11 .71 <.61 .51 3.4 114
Table 3. Distribution of element and organic compound concentrations measured in sediment grab samples, Mystic River Basin, 

Massachusetts.—Continued

[Station number: USGS sample identifiers and geographical coordinates are given in table 1; sampling locations shown on figure 3. BHC, 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexachlorocyclohexane; D, duplicate; DDD, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane; DDE, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene; DDT, dichlorodiphenyltrichloro-ethane; do., 

ditto; LD, lab duplicate; No., number; PES, Performance Evaluation Standard; RPD, relative percent difference; USGS, U.S. Geological Survey; ppm, parts per 

million; %, percent; <, actual value shown is less than the minimum reporting limit; *, PES reported value was less than detection; --, not analyzed]

Station

No. Town Water body Fluorene(ppm)

Indeno[1,2,3-cd]-

pyrene

(ppm)

Naphthalene

(ppm)

Phenanthrene

(ppm)

Pyrene

(ppm)

Tribromophenol

(% recovery)

91 Boston Chelsea Creek 0.10 1.6 <0.61 1.0 4.8 66

92 Chelsea .....do. 2.0 3.1 <.61 7.3 12 92

93 .....do. .....do. <.11 <.40 <.61 1.2 4.9 88

94 Boston .....do. .86 1.2 <.61 7.3 6.0 75

95 Chelsea .....do. <.11 <.40 <.61 .20 1.5 100

96 .....do. .....do. <.11 <.40 <.61 <.17 .95 51

97 .....do. .....do. <.11 <.40 <.61 .36 2.5 90

98 Boston .....do. <.11 .56 <.61 1.4 5.3 64

99 Chelsea .....do. <.11 1.5 <.61 1.7 4.3 89

100 .....do. .....do. <.11 <.40 <.61 .55 2.9 72

101 Boston .....do. <.11 <.40 <.61 .79 1.6 54

102 .....do. Boston Inner Harbor <.11 .97 <.61 .89 2.0 65

103 .....do. .....do. <.11 .78 <.61 .94 2.2 112

104 .....do. .....do. <.11 .93 <.61 .62 3.8 71

7 Arlington Lower Mystic Lake <.11 22 <.61 12 34 88

16 Somerville Upper Mystic River <.11 28 <.61 13 36 85

23 Medford .....do. <.11 25 <.61 14 35 52

29 .....do. .....do. <.11 20 <.61 7.5 25 105

55 Somerville Lower Mystic River .46 2.9 <.61 4.8 7.9 112

66 Boston .....do. <.11 .67 <.61 .50 1.6 71

70 Chelsea Island End River 19 17 5.1 54 56 105

100 .....do. Chelsea Creek <.11 <.40 <.61 .36 1.8 61

4 Medford Lower Mystic Lake <.11 <.40 <.61 <.17 51 52

10 .....do. Upper Mystic River <.11 <.40 <.61 <.17 <.05 63

10 .....do. .....do. <.11 <.40 <.61 <.17 7.2 77

19 .....do. .....do. <.11 <.40 <.61 <.17 7.0 53

19 .....do. .....do. <.11 <.40 <.61 <.17 9.0 65

27 .....do. .....do. <.11 <.40 <.61 3.8 12 73

27 .....do. .....do. <.11 <.40 <.61 4.8 12 94

28 .....do. .....do. <.11 <.40 <.61 <.17 21 92

34 .....do. .....do. <.11 18 <.61 <.17 23 44

54 Everett .....do. <.11 8.3 95 17 22 88

54 .....do. .....do. <.11 13 81 15 21 93

85 Chelsea Chelsea Creek <.11 <.40 <.61 <.17 1.3 63

Tables 3–5  75
76  Sediment Quality of Lakes, Rivers, and Estuaries in the Mystic River Basin, Eastern Massachusetts, 2001–03

Table 4. Distribution of element concentrations measured in sediment core samples, Mystic River Basin, Massachusetts.—Continued

[Station number: USGS sample identifiers and geographical coordinates are given in table 1; sampling locations shown on figure 3. D, duplicate; do., ditto; 

No., number; cm, centimeters; ppm, parts per million; %, percent; <, actual value shown is less than the minimum reporting limit; --, not analyzed]

Station 

No. Town Water body Depth(cm)

Calcium

(%)

Magnesium

(%)

Sodium

(%)

Potassium

(%)

Phosphorus

(%)

Aluminum

(%)

105 Arlington Lower Mystic Lake 00–04 -- -- -- -- -- --

.....do. .....do. 04–8.5 0.81 1.1 1.4 0.37 0.28 1.8

.....do. .....do. 8.5–12.5 .73 1.0 1.4 .35 .27 1.8

.....do. .....do. 12.5–16.5 .71 1.0 1.8 .37 .25 1.9

.....do. .....do. 16.5–20.5 .74 1.1 1.8 .40 .24 2.1

.....do. .....do. 20.5–24.5 .69 1.0 1.5 .44 .22 2.1

.....do. .....do. 24.5–28.5 .68 1.0 1.5 .39 .21 2.1

.....do. .....do. 28.5–32.5 .70 1.1 1.4 .47 .19 2.4

.....do. .....do. 32.5–36.5 .71 1.1 1.4 .42 .20 2.3

.....do. .....do. 36.5–40.5 .72 1.1 1.6 .46 .25 2.5

.....do. .....do. 40.5–44.5 .73 1.1 1.8 .45 .23 2.3

.....do. .....do. 44.5–48.5 .71 1.0 1.6 .44 .23 2.3

.....do. .....do. 48.5–53 .71 .94 1.4 .43 .24 2.5

.....do. .....do. 53–57 .78 1.1 1.2 .52 .26 2.9

.....do. .....do. 57–61 .83 1.0 1.4 .44 .30 2.9

.....do. .....do. 61–65 .79 1.0 1.6 .42 .25 2.7

.....do. .....do. 65–69 .87 1.0 1.4 .41 .28 3.0

.....do. .....do. 69–73 .87 1.0 1.1 .34 .31 3.1

.....do. .....do. 73–77.5 1.2 .92 1.4 .28 .75 6.5

.....do. .....do. 77.5–81 .88 1.0 1.3 .31 .41 3.6

.....do. .....do. 81–85 1.2 1.0 1.4 .32 1.0 4.9

.....do. .....do. 85–89 .81 1.2 1.1 .60 .28 3.1

.....do. .....do. 89–93 .74 1.1 1.0 .50 .21 2.7

.....do. .....do. 93–97 .79 1.1 1.6 .56 .23 2.8

.....do. .....do. 97–101 .73 1.1 1.9 .54 .16 2.5

.....do. .....do. 101–106 .63 1.1 1.6 .64 .13 2.7

.....do. .....do. 106–111 .58 1.0 1.5 .58 .12 2.6

106 .....do. Upper Mystic River 00–08 .59 .76 .19 .44 .16 2.2

.....do. .....do. 08–12 .55 .71 .18 .44 .15 2.1

.....do. .....do. 12–16 .60 .77 .16 .44 .16 2.2

.....do. .....do. 16–20 .61 .76 .17 .46 .15 2.3

.....do. .....do. 20–24 .58 .79 .17 .47 .15 2.3

.....do. .....do. 24–28 .55 1.0 .19 .69 .17 3.0

.....do. .....do. 28–32 .51 1.0 .19 .69 .16 2.9

.....do. .....do. 32–36 .94 1.0 .20 .68 .18 2.8

.....do. .....do. 36–39 .53 .79 .16 .53 .17 2.3

107 Medford Malden River 00–04 .67 .70 .34 .47 .18 2.3

.....do. .....do. 04–08 .66 .66 .30 .45 .16 2.1

.....do. .....do. 08–12 .68 .77 .32 .49 .17 2.3

.....do. .....do. 12–16 .66 .89 .37 .59 .20 2.7

.....do. .....do. 16–19.5 .67 1.0 .40 .53 .22 2.6

.....do. .....do. 19.5–23 .65 1.0 .43 .68 .19 3.0

.....do. .....do. 23–27 .64 1.0 .44 .52 .21 2.6

.....do. .....do. 27–31 .62 .90 .45 .61 .20 2.8

.....do. .....do. 31–35 .61 .90 .52 .49 .21 2.5

.....do. .....do. 35–39 .63 .85 .51 .55 .20 2.6
Table 4. Distribution of element concentrations measured in sediment core samples, Mystic River Basin, Massachusetts.—Continued

[Station number: USGS sample identifiers and geographical coordinates are given in table 1; sampling locations shown on figure 3. D, duplicate; do., ditto; 

No., number; cm, centimeters; ppm, parts per million; %, percent; <, actual value shown is less than the minimum reporting limit; --, not analyzed]

Station 

No. Town Water body Depth(cm)

Calcium

(%)

Magnesium

(%)

Sodium

(%)

Potassium

(%)

Phosphorus

(%)

Aluminum

(%)

107—Continued

Medford Malden River 39–43 0.60 0.87 0.51 0.46 0.20 2.4

.....do. .....do. 43–47 .61 .92 .52 .62 .19 2.8

.....do. .....do. 47–51 .58 .94 .61 .54 .20 2.6

.....do. .....do. 51–55 .62 1.0 .63 .68 .22 3.1

.....do. .....do. 55–59 .58 .91 .59 .55 .24 2.8

.....do. .....do. 59–63 .61 1.0 .65 .67 .21 3.0

.....do. .....do. 63–67 .59 1.0 .63 .60 .23 2.9

.....do. .....do. 67–71 .67 1.1 .76 .74 .24 3.3

.....do. .....do. 71–75 .62 1.0 .74 .58 .26 2.8

.....do. .....do. 75–78 .65 1.0 .74 .62 .28 2.9

108 .....do. Upper Mystic River 00–04 .58 1.1 .48 .60 .16 2.8

.....do. .....do. 04–08 .70 .84 .47 .53 .17 2.3

.....do. .....do. 08–12 .58 1.1 .85 .65 .16 2.8

.....do. .....do. 12–16 .58 1.1 .74 .64 .15 2.8

.....do. .....do. 16–20 .55 1.1 .68 .64 .15 2.8

.....do. .....do. 20–24 .64 1.2 .77 .84 .17 3.3

.....do. .....do. 24–28 .58 1.1 .73 .70 .14 3.0

.....do. .....do. 28–32 .56 .89 .48 .57 .13 2.5

.....do. .....do. 32–36 .56 1.2 .73 .74 .18 3.2

.....do. .....do. 36–40 .60 1.2 .73 .80 .20 3.5

.....do. .....do. 40–44 .59 1.2 .76 .75 .19 3.3

109 Malden .....do. 00–04 -- -- -- -- -- --

.....do. .....do. 04–08 1.9 .88 .25 .61 .13 2.5

.....do. .....do. 08–12 .51 .83 .33 .67 .11 2.6

.....do. .....do. 12–16 .77 1.0 .46 .64 .16 2.9

.....do. .....do. 16–20 .65 1.1 .59 .78 .15 3.2

.....do. .....do. 20–24 .65 1.2 .83 .77 .15 3.2

.....do. .....do. 24–28 .63 1.2 .75 .87 .14 3.4

.....do. .....do. 28–32 .60 1.2 .71 .77 .16 3.2

.....do. .....do. 32–36 .59 1.2 .76 .84 .17 3.5

.....do. .....do. 36–40 .59 1.2 .74 .75 .18 3.1

.....do. .....do. 40–44 .60 1.2 .79 .89 .18 3.6

.....do. .....do. 44–48 .60 1.2 .83 .79 .19 3.3

.....do. .....do. 48–52 .61 1.2 .93 .88 .19 3.4

.....do. .....do. 52–56 .60 1.2 1.0 .78 .20 3.4

.....do. .....do. 56–60 .63 1.2 1.0 .90 .22 3.6

.....do. .....do. 60–64 .58 1.2 .94 .77 .21 3.4

.....do. .....do. 64–68 .70 1.1 .86 .88 .21 3.6

.....do. .....do. 68–72 .68 1.1 1.0 .78 .20 3.3

.....do. .....do. 72–76 .64 1.2 1.2 .92 .23 3.8

.....do. .....do. 76–80 .62 1.2 1.1 .77 .22 3.3

.....do. .....do. 80–84 .63 1.2 1.1 .90 .24 3.7

.....do. .....do. 84–88 .62 1.2 1.1 .80 .25 3.5

.....do. .....do. 88–92 .64 1.2 1.2 1.0 .27 4.2

.....do. .....do. 92–96 .67 1.3 1.2 1.0 .28 4.0

Tables 3–5  77
78  Sediment Quality of Lakes, Rivers, and Estuaries in the Mystic River Basin, Eastern Massachusetts, 2001–03

Table 4. Distribution of element concentrations measured in sediment core samples, Mystic River Basin, Massachusetts.—Continued

[Station number: USGS sample identifiers and geographical coordinates are given in table 1; sampling locations shown on figure 3. D, duplicate; do., ditto; 

No., number; cm, centimeters; ppm, parts per million; %, percent; <, actual value shown is less than the minimum reporting limit; --, not analyzed]

Station 

No. Town Water body Depth(cm)

Calcium

(%)

Magnesium

(%)

Sodium

(%)

Potassium

(%)

Phosphorus

(%)

Aluminum

(%)

110 Somerville Lower Mystic River 00–04 2.6 1.0 2.3 0.62 0.91 2.3

.....do. .....do. 04–08 .72 1.0 1.9 .61 .19 2.3

.....do. .....do. 08–12 .43 .84 1.3 .49 .14 2.1

.....do. .....do. 12–16 .40 .79 1.3 .44 .15 2.5

.....do. .....do. 16–20 .56 .82 2.3 .51 .17 3.6

.....do. .....do. 20–24 .47 .78 2.9 .45 .19 3.4

.....do. .....do. 24–28 .89 1.5 6.7 .62 .57 3.1

.....do. .....do. 28–32 .67 1.5 6.1 .57 .38 2.6

.....do. .....do. 32–36 1.1 1.7 7.9 .62 .82 2.8

.....do. .....do. 36–40 1.1 1.5 6.2 .56 .75 2.9

.....do. .....do. 40–44 .75 1.4 6.8 .61 .47 3.0

.....do. .....do. 44–48 .56 .89 4.3 .52 .32 4.2

.....do. .....do. 48–52 .53 .90 5.0 .51 .35 4.3

111 Boston .....do. 00–04 .64 1.3 3.8 .72 .16 2.2

.....do. .....do. 04–08 .66 1.3 3.2 .77 .19 2.5

.....do. .....do. 08–12 .59 1.2 2.5 .78 .17 2.6

.....do. .....do. 12–16 .49 1.1 2.3 .67 .14 2.4

.....do. .....do. 16–20 .47 1.0 1.9 .65 .21 2.5

.....do. .....do. 20–24 .50 1.0 1.8 .67 .19 2.6

.....do. .....do. 24–28 .51 1.1 1.9 .76 .15 2.7

.....do. .....do. 28–32 .50 1.1 1.8 .78 .14 2.7

.....do. .....do. 32–36 .49 1.1 1.7 .75 .15 2.6

.....do. .....do. 36–40 .48 1.1 1.7 .73 .15 2.5

112 Everett Island End River 00–04 .60 1.0 2.4 .60 .10 1.8

.....do. .....do. 04–08 .61 .87 1.7 .52 .10 1.7

.....do. .....do. 08–12 .48 .82 1.5 .50 .09 1.7

.....do. .....do. 12–16 .60 1.0 1.6 .60 .13 2.0

.....do. .....do. 16–20 .57 1.0 1.6 .62 .12 2.0

.....do. .....do. 20–24 .48 .88 1.5 .54 .10 1.8

.....do. .....do. 24–28 .48 .83 1.4 .52 .09 1.7

.....do. .....do. 28–32 .46 .77 1.3 .47 .09 1.6

.....do. .....do. 32–36 .50 .81 1.5 .48 .09 1.6

.....do. .....do. 36–40 .44 .71 1.2 .42 .09 1.5

.....do. .....do. 40–44 .46 .69 1.2 .40 .10 1.4

.....do. .....do. 44–48 .41 .67 1.1 .39 .09 1.4

105-D Arlington Lower Mystic Lake 12.5–16.5 .72 1.0 1.8 .38 .24 1.9

106-D .....do. Upper Mystic River 08–12 .54 .72 .18 .43 .15 2.0

.....do. .....do. 53–57 .79 1.1 1.2 .51 .26 3.0

.....do. .....do. 101–106 .63 1.1 1.6 .62 .12 2.6

107-D Medford Malden River 08–12 .71 .79 .34 .54 .18 2.5

.....do. .....do. 47–51 .62 1.0 .62 .56 .20 2.7

108-D .....do. Upper Mystic River 04–08 .75 .82 .44 .49 .20 2.2

109-D Malden .....do. 08–12 .52 .86 .34 .71 .12 2.7

.....do. .....do. 52–56 .61 1.2 1.0 .81 .20 3.5

111-D Boston Lower Mystic Lake 00–04 .66 1.3 3.7 .77 .16 2.4

.....do. .....do. 08–12 .45 .85 1.3 .51 .14 2.2

112-D Everett Island End River 00–04 .59 1.0 2.4 .60 .10 1.9

Blank -- -- -- <.01 <.01 <.01 <.01 <.01 <.01
Table 4. Distribution of element concentrations measured in sediment core samples, Mystic River Basin, Massachusetts.—Continued

[Station number: USGS sample identifiers and geographical coordinates are given in table 1; sampling locations shown on figure 3. D, duplicate; do., ditto; 

No., number; cm, centimeters; ppm, parts per million; %, percent; <, actual value shown is less than the minimum reporting limit; --, not analyzed

Station 

No. Town Water body Depth(cm)

Antimony

(ppm)

Arsenic

(ppm)

Barium

(ppm)

Beryllium

(ppm)

Bismuth

(ppm)

Cadmium

(ppm)

105 Arlington Lower Mystic Lake 00–04 -- -- -- -- <5 --

.....do. .....do. 04–8.5 <5 110 270 0.8 <5 5

.....do. .....do. 8.5–12.5 <5 73 190 .9 <5 6

.....do. .....do. 12.5–16.5 <5 56 150 1.0 <5 6

.....do. .....do. 16.5–20.5 <5 55 130 1.1 <5 7

.....do. .....do. 20.5–24.5 <5 50 120 1.0 <5 7

.....do. .....do. 24.5–28.5 <5 50 100 1.1 <5 7

.....do. .....do. 28.5–32.5 <5 44 110 1.1 <5 6

.....do. .....do. 32.5–36.5 <5 44 110 1.1 <5 7

.....do. .....do. 36.5–40.5 <5 51 130 1.3 <5 9

.....do. .....do. 40.5–44.5 <5 49 130 1.2 <5 8

.....do. .....do. 44.5–48.5 <5 48 130 1.2 <5 7

.....do. .....do. 48.5–53 <5 46 130 1.3 <5 5

.....do. .....do. 53–57 <5 70 150 1.4 <5 5

.....do. .....do. 57–61 <5 57 180 1.7 <5 7

.....do. .....do. 61–65 <5 150 150 1.6 <5 9

.....do. .....do. 65–69 <5 140 130 1.7 <5 9

.....do. .....do. 69–73 <5 160 110 1.8 <5 8

.....do. .....do. 73–77.5 10 130 90 3.7 <5 5

.....do. .....do. 77.5–81 6 310 90 2.8 <5 16

.....do. .....do. 81–85 18 250 180 3.2 <5 42

.....do. .....do. 85–89 19 170 110 1.7 <5 46

.....do. .....do. 89–93 <5 100 86 1.4 <5 22

.....do. .....do. 93–97 <5 98 85 1.3 <5 16

.....do. .....do. 97–101 <5 43 68 1.1 <5 5

.....do. .....do. 101–106 <5 22 71 1.2 <5 2

.....do. .....do. 106–111 <5 17 64 1.1 <5 2

106 .....do. Upper Mystic River 00–08 5 24 150 1.2 <5 5

.....do. .....do. 08–12 6 23 150 1.1 <5 5

.....do. .....do. 12–16 <5 25 160 1.2 <5 5

.....do. .....do. 16–20 5 25 160 1.2 <5 5

.....do. .....do. 20–24 <5 30 150 1.2 <5 5

.....do. .....do. 24–28 <5 51 180 1.4 <5 4

.....do. .....do. 28–32 <5 48 140 1.3 <5 3

.....do. .....do. 32–36 <5 49 140 1.3 <5 3

.....do. .....do. 36–39 7 59 160 1.2 <5 5

107 Medford Malden River 00–04 19 15 180 1.2 <5 5

.....do. .....do. 04–08 22 14 170 1.1 <5 5

.....do. .....do. 08–12 14 17 180 1.2 <5 5

.....do. .....do. 12–16 9 22 170 1.3 <5 6

.....do. .....do. 16–19.5 6 23 160 1.3 <5 6

.....do. .....do. 19.5–23 7 24 170 1.3 <5 6

.....do. .....do. 23–27 5 24 160 1.3 <5 7

.....do. .....do. 27–31 9 21 180 1.3 <5 6

.....do. .....do. 31–35 6 23 170 1.2 <5 7

.....do. .....do. 35–39 11 19 180 1.2 <5 7

Tables 3–5  79
80 Sediment Quality of Lakes, Rivers, and Estuaries in the Mystic River Basin, Eastern Massachusetts, 2001–03

Table 4. Distribution of element concentrations measured in sediment core samples, Mystic River Basin, Massachusetts.—Continued

[Station number: USGS sample identifiers and geographical coordinates are given in table 1; sampling locations shown on figure 3. D, duplicate; do., ditto; 

No., number; cm, centimeters; ppm, parts per million; %, percent; <, actual value shown is less than the minimum reporting limit; --, not analyzed

Station 

No. Town Water body Depth(cm)

Antimony

(ppm)

Arsenic

(ppm)

Barium

(ppm)

Beryllium

(ppm)

Bismuth

(ppm)

Cadmium

(ppm)

107—Continued

Medford Malden River 39–43 5 21 170 1.1 <5 7

.....do. .....do. 43–47 8 19 180 1.3 <5 7

.....do. .....do. 47–51 <5 24 160 1.2 <5 7

.....do. .....do. 51–55 8 29 170 1.3 <5 7

.....do. .....do. 55–59 <5 28 130 1.1 <5 7

.....do. .....do. 59–63 8 27 150 1.1 <5 7

.....do. .....do. 63–67 5 27 130 1.1 <5 7

.....do. .....do. 67–71 9 28 170 1.3 <5 8

.....do. .....do. 71–75 <5 26 170 1.1 <5 11

.....do. .....do. 75–78 6 26 190 1.1 <5 9

108 .....do. Upper Mystic River 00–04 <5 29 120 1.4 <5 5

.....do. .....do. 04–08 6 25 120 1.1 <5 4

.....do. .....do. 08–12 <5 34 120 1.4 <5 5

.....do. .....do. 12–16 <5 33 120 1.4 <5 5

.....do. .....do. 16–20 <5 30 110 1.4 <5 5

.....do. .....do. 20–24 <5 28 140 1.6 <5 6

.....do. .....do. 24–28 <5 30 110 1.4 <5 6

.....do. .....do. 28–32 <5 38 98 1.1 <5 5

.....do. .....do. 32–36 <5 51 130 1.5 <5 9

.....do. .....do. 36–40 <5 50 150 1.5 <5 10

.....do. .....do. 40–44 <5 49 150 1.5 <5 10

109 Malden .....do. 00–04 -- -- -- -- -- --

.....do. .....do. 04–08 15 22 130 1.2 <5 4

.....do. .....do. 08–12 13 21 130 1.2 <5 3

.....do. .....do. 12–16 6 30 150 1.3 <5 5

.....do. .....do. 16–20 8 29 170 1.5 <5 5

.....do. .....do. 20–24 <5 25 160 1.4 <5 5

.....do. .....do. 24–28 7 23 170 1.5 <5 5

.....do. .....do. 28–32 <5 26 150 1.4 <5 5

.....do. .....do. 32–36 5 30 170 1.5 <5 6

.....do. .....do. 36–40 <5 31 150 1.4 <5 5

.....do. .....do. 40–44 <5 33 170 1.6 <5 5

.....do. .....do. 44–48 <5 30 160 1.5 <5 6

.....do. .....do. 48–52 <5 30 160 1.5 <5 6

.....do. .....do. 52–56 <5 34 140 1.4 <5 6

.....do. .....do. 56–60 5 35 170 1.6 <5 6

.....do. .....do. 60–64 <5 42 150 1.4 <5 6

.....do. .....do. 64–68 7 40 180 1.5 <5 7

.....do. .....do. 68–72 <5 44 160 1.5 <5 7

.....do. .....do. 72–76 6 49 200 1.6 5 8

.....do. .....do. 76–80 <5 47 170 1.4 <5 9

.....do. .....do. 80–84 6 53 210 1.5 <5 11

.....do. .....do. 84–88 <5 50 200 1.5 <5 16

.....do. .....do. 88–92 5 52 240 1.8 <5 19

.....do. .....do. 92–96 5 59 230 1.7 <5 15
Table 4. Distribution of element concentrations measured in sediment core samples, Mystic River Basin, Massachusetts.—Continued

[Station number: USGS sample identifiers and geographical coordinates are given in table 1; sampling locations shown on figure 3. D, duplicate; do., ditto; 

No., number; cm, centimeters; ppm, parts per million; %, percent; <, actual value shown is less than the minimum reporting limit; --, not analyzed

Station 

No. Town Water body Depth(cm)

Antimony

(ppm)

Arsenic

(ppm)

Barium

(ppm)

Beryllium

(ppm)

Bismuth

(ppm)

Cadmium

(ppm)

110 Somerville Lower Mystic River 00–04 <5 34 97 0.7 <5 2

.....do. .....do. 04–08 <5 34 96 .8 <5 2

.....do. .....do. 08–12 <5 36 88 .6 <5 2

.....do. .....do. 12–16 <5 38 72 .6 <5 2

.....do. .....do. 16–20 <5 56 72 .5 <5 3

.....do. .....do. 20–24 <5 98 67 <.5 <5 2

.....do. .....do. 24–28 <5 100 64 .6 <5 4

.....do. .....do. 28–32 <5 92 66 .5 5 3

.....do. .....do. 32–36 <5 77 69 .6 <5 3

.....do. .....do. 36–40 <5 83 79 .6 6 3

.....do. .....do. 40–44 <5 77 76 .5 <5 3

.....do. .....do. 44–48 <5 41 71 <.5 <5 2

.....do. .....do. 48–52 <5 26 64 <.5 <5 2

111 Boston .....do. 00–04 <5 30 98 .8 <5 2

.....do. .....do. 04–08 <5 31 110 .9 <5 2

.....do. .....do. 08–12 <5 34 110 1.0 <5 2

.....do. .....do. 12–16 <5 36 100 .9 <5 3

.....do. .....do. 16–20 <5 39 100 .8 <5 3

.....do. .....do. 20–24 <5 39 110 .9 <5 3

.....do. .....do. 24–28 <5 42 130 1.0 <5 3

.....do. .....do. 28–32 <5 36 130 1.1 <5 3

.....do. .....do. 32–36 <5 35 120 1.0 <5 4

.....do. .....do. 36–40 <5 36 120 .9 <5 4

112 Everett Island End River 00–04 <5 24 110 .7 <5 2

.....do. .....do. 04–08 <5 21 120 .7 <5 2

.....do. .....do. 08–12 <5 18 100 .6 <5 2

.....do. .....do. 12–16 <5 19 120 .8 <5 3

.....do. .....do. 16–20 <5 20 150 .8 <5 3

.....do. .....do. 20–24 <5 20 130 .7 <5 3

.....do. .....do. 24–28 <5 18 120 .7 <5 13

.....do. .....do. 28–32 <5 17 120 .6 <5 2

.....do. .....do. 32–36 <5 18 120 .7 <5 2

.....do. .....do. 36–40 <5 21 180 .6 <5 5

.....do. .....do. 40–44 <5 22 210 .6 <5 6

.....do. .....do. 44–48 <5 18 160 .6 <5 4

105-D Arlington Lower Mystic Lake 12.5–16.5 <5 57 150 1.0 <5 6

106-D .....do. Upper Mystic Lake 08–12 6 23 140 1.1 <5 5

.....do. .....do. 53–57 <5 68 150 1.5 <5 5

.....do. .....do. 101–106 <5 20 68 1.1 <5 2

107-D Medford Malden River 08–12 16 18 180 1.1 <5 5

.....do. .....do. 47–51 <5 25 160 1.1 <5 7

108-D .....do. Upper Mystic Lake 04–08 6 23 110 1.1 <5 4

109-D Malden .....do. 08–12 8 20 140 1.2 <5 4

.....do. .....do. 52–56 <5 34 150 1.5 <5 6

111-D Boston Lower Mystic Lake 00–04 <5 31 110 .9 <5 2

.....do. .....do. 08–12 <5 33 89 .7 <5 2

112-D Everett Island End River 00–04 <5 25 110 .7 <5 2

Blank -- -- -- <5 <3 <1 <.5 <5 <1

Tables 3–5  81
82 Sediment Quality of Lakes, Rivers, and Estuaries in the Mystic River Basin, Eastern Massachusetts, 2001–03

Table 4. Distribution of element concentrations measured in sediment core samples, Mystic River Basin, Massachusetts.—Continued

[Station number: USGS sample identifiers and geographical coordinates are given in table 1; sampling locations shown on figure 3. D, duplicate; do., ditto; 

No., number; cm, centimeters; ppm, parts per million; %, percent; <, actual value shown is less than the minimum reporting limit; --, not analyzed]

Station 

No. Town Water body Depth(cm)

Chromium

(ppm)

Cobalt

(ppm)

Copper

(ppm)

Iron

(%)

Lanthanum

(ppm)

Lead

(ppm)

Lithium

(ppm)

105 Arlington Lower Mystic Lake 00–04 -- -- -- -- -- -- --

.....do. .....do. 04–8.5 200 24 250 8.2 20 450 26

.....do. .....do. 8.5–12.5 200 23 280 6.8 19 520 25

.....do. .....do. 12.5–16.5 360 23 310 5.9 20 580 25

.....do. .....do. 16.5–20.5 360 22 310 5.5 21 740 28

.....do. .....do. 20.5–24.5 480 21 320 5.4 23 910 32

.....do. .....do. 24.5–28.5 330 22 330 5.0 22 1,200 30

.....do. .....do. 28.5–32.5 380 23 290 5.4 24 1,400 36

.....do. .....do. 32.5–36.5 310 24 300 5.0 23 1,600 34

.....do. .....do. 36.5–40.5 400 31 350 5.4 24 1,500 37

.....do. .....do. 40.5–44.5 420 24 340 5.3 23 1,300 37

.....do. .....do. 44.5–48.5 560 21 240 5.1 21 1,200 33

.....do. .....do. 48.5–53 430 20 210 4.8 21 910 34

.....do. .....do. 53–57 360 25 260 5.3 26 850 40

.....do. .....do. 57–61 340 27 300 5.0 24 940 37

.....do. .....do. 61–65 360 39 390 5.0 25 980 33

.....do. .....do. 65–69 390 62 480 5.2 27 790 38

.....do. .....do. 69–73 360 48 630 5.2 30 580 38

.....do. .....do. 73–77.5 1,100 18 4,200 5.3 51 1,300 27

.....do. .....do. 77.5–81 610 78 1,700 6.3 50 700 37

.....do. .....do. 81–85 1,800 32 4,200 8.6 51 1,700 31

.....do. .....do. 85–89 1,900 44 1,100 4.8 35 380 45

.....do. .....do. 89–93 650 24 590 4.4 26 300 37

.....do. .....do. 93–97 350 24 500 4.3 25 320 36

.....do. .....do. 97–101 220 15 260 3.9 22 270 34

.....do. .....do. 101–106 160 15 150 4.4 25 190 41

.....do. .....do. 106–111 310 15 130 4.6 24 160 39

106 .....do. Upper Mystic River 00–08 430 15 240 3.9 22 400 37

.....do. .....do. 08–12 500 15 220 3.8 22 370 35

.....do. .....do. 12–16 430 16 260 3.9 24 410 37

.....do. .....do. 16–20 440 16 250 3.9 23 400 37

.....do. .....do. 20–24 410 15 230 3.9 23 420 39

.....do. .....do. 24–28 310 15 200 4.4 25 350 50

.....do. .....do. 28–32 250 14 160 4.2 24 270 49

.....do. .....do. 32–36 250 14 180 4.3 23 300 48

.....do. .....do. 36–39 650 12 210 4.5 21 380 40

107 Medford Malden River 00–04 1,800 17 250 4.9 24 580 27

.....do. .....do. 04–08 2,100 17 230 4.9 22 550 25

.....do. .....do. 08–12 1,500 16 250 4.9 24 580 31

.....do. .....do. 12–16 960 16 270 5.2 25 600 39

.....do. .....do. 16–19.5 650 16 270 5.3 26 640 41

.....do. .....do. 19.5–23 810 17 290 5.6 26 640 45

.....do. .....do. 23–27 620 17 310 5.2 25 740 41

.....do. .....do. 27–31 1,000 17 280 5.1 25 700 39

.....do. .....do. 31–35 570 18 280 4.7 23 810 37

.....do. .....do. 35–39 1,100 18 270 4.7 25 780 35
Table 4. Distribution of element concentrations measured in sediment core samples, Mystic River Basin, Massachusetts.—Continued

[Station number: USGS sample identifiers and geographical coordinates are given in table 1; sampling locations shown on figure 3. D, duplicate; do., ditto; 

No., number; cm, centimeters; ppm, parts per million; %, percent; <, actual value shown is less than the minimum reporting limit; --, not analyzed]

Station 

No. Town Water body Depth(cm)

Chromium

(ppm)

Cobalt

(ppm)

Copper

(ppm)

Iron

(%)

Lanthanum

(ppm)

Lead

(ppm)

Lithium

(ppm)

107—Continued

Medford Malden River 39–43 580 18 260 4.1 24 800 36

.....do. .....do. 43–47 840 17 260 4.6 25 820 39

.....do. .....do. 47–51 500 17 280 4.8 24 810 41

.....do. .....do. 51–55 860 18 300 4.9 25 850 47

.....do. .....do. 55–59 580 19 260 4.4 23 790 47

.....do. .....do. 59–63 840 19 270 4.8 25 820 47

.....do. .....do. 63–67 530 17 270 4.6 25 820 49

.....do. .....do. 67–71 940 18 290 5.3 27 1,000 51

.....do. .....do. 71–75 460 17 310 4.6 24 1,100 46

.....do. .....do. 75–78 670 17 310 4.6 25 1,200 44

108 .....do. Upper Mystic River 00–04 360 16 270 5.5 24 440 49

.....do. .....do. 04–08 600 14 210 4.7 20 330 38

.....do. .....do. 08–12 220 16 280 5.6 23 440 51

.....do. .....do. 12–16 230 16 280 5.6 24 440 49

.....do. .....do. 16–20 220 17 280 5.6 23 440 50

.....do. .....do. 20–24 400 18 300 6.0 25 480 56

.....do. .....do. 24–28 230 19 290 5.6 24 500 54

.....do. .....do. 28–32 380 16 200 4.2 20 400 45

.....do. .....do. 32–36 280 25 330 5.9 24 810 56

.....do. .....do. 36–40 480 27 340 6.2 24 770 58

.....do. .....do. 40–44 320 24 340 5.4 25 800 55

109 Malden .....do. 00–04 -- -- -- -- -- -- --

.....do. .....do. 04–08 680 15 220 4.8 21 390 38

.....do. .....do. 08–12 920 14 200 4.8 20 360 35

.....do. .....do. 12–16 310 17 260 5.4 24 490 45

.....do. .....do. 16–20 500 18 270 6.0 26 500 48

.....do. .....do. 20–24 260 18 270 5.9 26 520 54

.....do. .....do. 24–28 570 18 260 5.9 25 520 51

.....do. .....do. 28–32 270 18 260 5.6 25 550 52

.....do. .....do. 32–36 440 19 260 5.8 26 560 54

.....do. .....do. 36–40 300 19 260 5.7 25 550 53

.....do. .....do. 40–44 410 19 270 6.0 27 540 56

.....do. .....do. 44–48 290 19 310 5.6 26 600 55

.....do. .....do. 48–52 390 20 280 5.7 26 640 56

.....do. .....do. 52–56 320 23 290 5.8 25 780 57

.....do. .....do. 56–60 600 31 280 5.9 26 840 57

.....do. .....do. 60–64 320 29 270 5.6 25 880 55

.....do. .....do. 64–68 730 23 260 5.7 25 730 51

.....do. .....do. 68–72 340 26 260 5.7 24 760 50

.....do. .....do. 72–76 570 27 280 6.2 25 830 54

.....do. .....do. 76–80 340 25 290 5.9 24 830 50

.....do. .....do. 80–84 580 27 310 6.0 25 870 54

.....do. .....do. 84–88 410 22 350 5.2 25 870 53

.....do. .....do. 88–92 630 22 400 5.6 28 910 55

.....do. .....do. 92–96 600 24 420 5.8 27 860 56

Tables 3–5  83
84  Sediment Quality of Lakes, Rivers, and Estuaries in the Mystic River Basin, Eastern Massachusetts, 2001–03

Table 4. Distribution of element concentrations measured in sediment core samples, Mystic River Basin, Massachusetts.—Continued

[Station number: USGS sample identifiers and geographical coordinates are given in table 1; sampling locations shown on figure 3. D, duplicate; do., ditto; 

No., number; cm, centimeters; ppm, parts per million; %, percent; <, actual value shown is less than the minimum reporting limit; --, not analyzed]

Station 

No. Town Water body Depth(cm)

Chromium

(ppm)

Cobalt

(ppm)

Copper

(ppm)

Iron

(%)

Lanthanum

(ppm)

Lead

(ppm)

Lithium

(ppm)

110 Somerville Lower Mystic River 00–04 97 12 250 4.4 18 240 34

.....do. .....do. 04–08 110 13 260 4.6 21 270 37

.....do. .....do. 08–12 90 13 250 4.3 18 240 33

.....do. .....do. 12–16 92 13 250 4.4 18 260 33

.....do. .....do. 16–20 100 13 300 4.9 16 290 34

.....do. .....do. 20–24 92 17 370 6.3 12 300 24

.....do. .....do. 24–28 140 15 540 9.5 12 560 16

.....do. .....do. 28–32 120 22 560 11 12 550 14

.....do. .....do. 32–36 140 11 500 9.9 13 530 13

.....do. .....do. 36–40 150 18 560 11 12 530 13

.....do. .....do. 40–44 130 18 500 10 12 500 15

.....do. .....do. 44–48 97 11 290 4.8 14 280 21

.....do. .....do. 48–52 83 8 240 3.9 13 260 19

111 Boston .....do. 00–04 120 11 200 4.0 21 250 37

.....do. .....do. 04–08 140 12 210 4.5 23 260 41

.....do. .....do. 08–12 130 12 210 4.5 24 260 42

.....do. .....do. 12–16 130 12 220 4.3 23 300 39

.....do. .....do. 16–20 130 11 250 4.0 21 290 40

.....do. .....do. 20–24 140 11 260 4.3 22 310 42

.....do. .....do. 24–28 150 12 300 4.7 24 340 44

.....do. .....do. 28–32 150 12 310 4.9 24 340 44

.....do. .....do. 32–36 160 12 340 4.6 23 360 43

.....do. .....do. 36–40 150 12 340 4.4 23 360 41

112 Everett Island End River 00–04 98 9 170 3.3 19 260 30

.....do. .....do. 04–08 100 9 190 3.3 19 310 28

.....do. .....do. 08–12 110 9 160 3.1 19 240 27

.....do. .....do. 12–16 150 10 190 3.6 22 290 33

.....do. .....do. 16–20 130 10 230 3.7 21 400 33

.....do. .....do. 20–24 100 9 210 3.3 20 380 30

.....do. .....do. 24–28 96 9 200 3.2 19 380 29

.....do. .....do. 28–32 90 8 190 3.0 19 370 28

.....do. .....do. 32–36 90 8 190 3.2 19 360 28

.....do. .....do. 36–40 88 8 260 2.9 17 750 25

.....do. .....do. 40–44 88 8 280 3.0 16 1,000 25

.....do. .....do. 44–48 78 8 230 2.9 16 700 24

105-D Arlington Lower Mystic Lake 12.5–16.5 350 23 310 6.0 20 580 25

106-D .....do. Upper Mystic River 08–12 480 15 220 3.9 20 370 34

.....do. .....do. 53–57 360 25 270 5.3 26 870 41

.....do. .....do. 101–106 150 15 140 4.3 24 180 41

107-D Medford Malden River 08–12 1,600 16 250 5.1 24 530 32

.....do. .....do. 47–51 530 16 290 4.8 24 720 43

108-D .....do. Upper Mystic River 04–08 560 13 200 4.4 19 310 37

109-D Malden .....do. 08–12 900 14 210 4.9 20 370 38

.....do. .....do. 52–56 320 24 290 5.9 25 790 58

111-D Boston Lower Mystic River 00–04 120 11 200 4.1 24 250 39

.....do. .....do. 08–12 100 13 240 4.5 20 240 33

112-D Everett Island End River 00–04 100 9 170 3.3 19 270 31

Blank -- -- -- -- <1 <.5 <.01 <.5 <2 <1
Table 4. Distribution of element concentrations measured in sediment core samples, Mystic River Basin, Massachusetts.—Continued

[Station number: USGS sample identifiers and geographical coordinates are given in table 1; sampling locations shown on figure 3. D, duplicate; do., ditto; 

No., number; cm, centimeters; ppm, parts per million; %, percent; <, actual value shown is less than the minimum reporting limit; --, not analyzed]

Station 

No. Town Water body Depth(cm)

Manganese

(ppm)

Molybdenum

(ppm)

Mercury

(ppm)

Nickel

(ppm)

Scandium

(ppm)

Silver

(ppm)

Strontium

(ppm)

105 Arlington Lower Mystic Lake 00–04 -- -- -- -- -- -- --

.....do. .....do. 04–8.5 1,100 4 -- 47 2.8 0.9 130

.....do. .....do. 8.5–12.5 820 5 -- 47 3.0 .8 110

.....do. .....do. 12.5–16.5 730 6 -- 46 3.2 1.1 110

.....do. .....do. 16.5–20.5 630 4 -- 48 3.6 1.0 110

.....do. .....do. 20.5–24.5 540 6 -- 53 3.8 1.3 96

.....do. .....do. 24.5–28.5 410 4 -- 46 3.8 1.4 91

.....do. .....do. 28.5–32.5 400 5 -- 52 4.2 1.5 92

.....do. .....do. 32.5–36.5 360 5 -- 48 4.0 1.5 92

.....do. .....do. 36.5–40.5 370 5 -- 53 4.3 1.9 110

.....do. .....do. 40.5–44.5 370 15 -- 57 4.4 8.3 98

.....do. .....do. 44.5–48.5 370 32 -- 57 4.3 4.4 100

.....do. .....do. 48.5–53 350 12 -- 48 4.5 1.9 100

.....do. .....do. 53–57 380 8 -- 47 5.7 1.1 110

.....do. .....do. 57–61 310 13 -- 47 5.4 1.2 130

.....do. .....do. 61–65 420 17 -- 46 5.1 1.1 120

.....do. .....do. 65–69 400 9 -- 42 5.5 .9 120

.....do. .....do. 69–73 350 5 -- 37 5.2 .7 120

.....do. .....do. 73–77.5 210 7 -- 32 4.2 .3 280

.....do. .....do. 77.5–81 380 5 -- 37 4.9 .5 150

.....do. .....do. 81–85 340 7 -- 32 4.5 .3 330

.....do. .....do. 85–89 490 12 -- 38 6.2 .7 130

.....do. .....do. 89–93 450 13 -- 39 6.2 .4 89

.....do. .....do. 93–97 390 17 -- 35 5.5 1.3 110

.....do. .....do. 97–101 300 25 -- 30 4.9 .7 87

.....do. .....do. 101–106 380 27 -- 33 5.9 .7 65

.....do. .....do. 106–111 370 27 -- 35 5.3 .5 63

106 .....do. Upper Mystic River 00–08 500 6 -- 57 5.0 1.7 52

.....do. .....do. 08–12 460 6 -- 56 4.8 1.5 48

.....do. .....do. 12–16 480 5 -- 59 5.2 1.7 51

.....do. .....do. 16–20 470 5 -- 58 5.1 1.5 53

.....do. .....do. 20–24 470 6 -- 58 5.2 1.5 56

.....do. .....do. 24–28 520 5 -- 52 6.6 1.2 69

.....do. .....do. 28–32 480 5 -- 42 6.4 1.0 62

.....do. .....do. 32–36 450 6 -- 41 6.0 1.2 90

.....do. .....do. 36–39 430 9 -- 50 5.2 1.2 73

107 Medford Malden River 00–04 510 17 -- 110 4.5 .9 65

.....do. .....do. 04–08 500 19 -- 120 4.3 1.0 64

.....do. .....do. 08–12 490 16 -- 97 4.7 .9 69

.....do. .....do. 12–16 520 10 -- 78 5.5 .8 77

.....do. .....do. 16–19.5 530 9 -- 73 5.3 .9 81

.....do. .....do. 19.5–23 550 11 -- 79 5.9 1.1 79

.....do. .....do. 23–27 530 9 -- 75 5.3 1.1 80

.....do. .....do. 27–31 530 10 -- 83 5.7 1.2 79

.....do. .....do. 31–35 450 9 -- 78 4.9 1.1 78

.....do. .....do. 35–39 460 11 -- 95 5.2 1.2 76

Tables 3–5  85
86  Sediment Quality of Lakes, Rivers, and Estuaries in the Mystic River Basin, Eastern Massachusetts, 2001–03

Table 4. Distribution of element concentrations measured in sediment core samples, Mystic River Basin, Massachusetts.—Continued

[Station number: USGS sample identifiers and geographical coordinates are given in table 1; sampling locations shown on figure 3. D, duplicate; do., ditto; 

No., number; cm, centimeters; ppm, parts per million; %, percent; <, actual value shown is less than the minimum reporting limit; --, not analyzed]

Station 

No. Town Water body Depth(cm)

Manganese

(ppm)

Molybdenum

(ppm)

Mercury

(ppm)

Nickel

(ppm)

Scandium

(ppm)

Silver

(ppm)

Strontium

(ppm)

107—Continued

Medford Malden River 39–43 400 8 -- 82 4.8 1.3 72

.....do. .....do. 43–47 430 10 -- 86 5.7 1.2 77

.....do. .....do. 47–51 420 10 -- 80 5.3 1.8 80

.....do. .....do. 51–55 460 12 -- 86 6.0 1.4 88

.....do. .....do. 55–59 400 10 -- 86 5.0 1.4 81

.....do. .....do. 59–63 420 13 -- 82 5.7 1.5 82

.....do. .....do. 63–67 410 10 -- 74 5.5 1.8 80

.....do. .....do. 67–71 480 13 -- 85 6.2 1.7 93

.....do. .....do. 71–75 430 10 -- 75 5.0 2.4 90

.....do. .....do. 75–78 440 10 -- 79 5.0 2.4 96

108 .....do. Upper Mystic River 00–04 490 6 -- 57 5.9 1.6 73

.....do. .....do. 04–08 480 7 -- 57 4.8 1.1 78

.....do. .....do. 08–12 570 7 -- 56 5.8 1.6 81

.....do. .....do. 12–16 560 6 -- 56 5.7 1.5 79

.....do. .....do. 16–20 560 10 -- 56 5.7 1.7 77

.....do. .....do. 20–24 560 13 -- 68 6.8 1.9 90

.....do. .....do. 24–28 560 9 -- 66 6.1 1.9 82

.....do. .....do. 28–32 580 6 -- 59 5.2 1.2 70

.....do. .....do. 32–36 610 6 -- 86 6.2 2.0 98

.....do. .....do. 36–40 540 6 -- 100 6.4 2.1 110

.....do. .....do. 40–44 480 5 -- 89 6.4 2.0 110

109 Malden .....do. 00–04 -- -- -- -- -- -- --

.....do. .....do. 04–08 470 7 -- 61 5.1 1.2 68

.....do. .....do. 08–12 460 8 -- 71 5.0 .9 60

.....do. .....do. 12–16 520 5 -- 60 5.9 1.4 74

.....do. .....do. 16–20 550 8 -- 72 6.4 1.3 82

.....do. .....do. 20–24 560 10 -- 66 6.5 1.6 82

.....do. .....do. 24–28 560 9 -- 78 6.9 1.7 83

.....do. .....do. 28–32 610 4 -- 68 6.5 2.0 81

.....do. .....do. 32–36 620 6 -- 73 6.8 2.0 84

.....do. .....do. 36–40 580 4 -- 67 6.3 2.0 83

.....do. .....do. 40–44 590 7 -- 72 7.1 1.9 87

.....do. .....do. 44–48 530 7 -- 70 6.7 3.1 87

.....do. .....do. 48–52 550 10 -- 80 6.8 2.1 93

.....do. .....do. 52–56 600 9 -- 91 6.5 1.9 89

.....do. .....do. 56–60 700 9 -- 120 7.0 1.8 97

.....do. .....do. 60–64 720 6 -- 100 6.4 1.8 92

.....do. .....do. 64–68 630 8 -- 96 6.9 1.6 98

.....do. .....do. 68–72 560 5 -- 88 6.4 1.6 95

.....do. .....do. 72–76 570 6 -- 100 7.2 1.8 110

.....do. .....do. 76–80 520 4 -- 90 6.3 1.9 97

.....do. .....do. 80–84 560 5 -- 110 7.0 2.1 100

.....do. .....do. 84–88 530 4 -- 100 6.6 2.3 100

.....do. .....do. 88–92 540 5 -- 120 7.8 2.8 110

.....do. .....do. 92–96 580 4 -- 120 7.5 2.9 120
Table 4. Distribution of element concentrations measured in sediment core samples, Mystic River Basin, Massachusetts.—Continued

[Station number: USGS sample identifiers and geographical coordinates are given in table 1; sampling locations shown on figure 3. D, duplicate; do., ditto; 

No., number; cm, centimeters; ppm, parts per million; %, percent; <, actual value shown is less than the minimum reporting limit; --, not analyzed]

Station 

No. Town Water body Depth(cm)

Manganese

(ppm)

Molybdenum

(ppm)

Mercury

(ppm)

Nickel

(ppm)

Scandium

(ppm)

Silver

(ppm)

Strontium

(ppm)

110 Somerville Lower Mystic River 00–04 420 4 -- 37 4.8 2.3 180

.....do. .....do. 04–08 370 4 -- 40 5.0 2.2 78

.....do. .....do. 08–12 340 5 -- 38 4.4 2.0 57

.....do. .....do. 12–16 330 8 -- 40 4.0 1.9 70

.....do. .....do. 16–20 270 6 -- 42 3.7 2.1 100

.....do. .....do. 20–24 190 7 -- 40 2.9 2.2 110

.....do. .....do. 24–28 150 18 -- 34 3.9 2.4 270

.....do. .....do. 28–32 150 12 -- 34 3.3 2.3 180

.....do. .....do. 32–36 150 14 -- 27 3.8 1.7 380

.....do. .....do. 36–40 170 15 -- 32 3.8 2.1 350

.....do. .....do. 40–44 140 12 -- 35 3.3 2.0 220

.....do. .....do. 44–48 150 4 -- 40 2.8 2.1 160

.....do. .....do. 48–52 100 3 -- 31 2.3 1.9 170

111 Boston .....do. 00–04 370 3 -- 43 5.1 1.7 75

.....do. .....do. 04–08 420 3 -- 49 5.9 2.4 73

.....do. .....do. 08–12 430 3 -- 47 6.1 2.6 66

.....do. .....do. 12–16 370 4 -- 50 5.5 2.5 66

.....do. .....do. 16–20 350 4 -- 46 5.2 2.5 84

.....do. .....do. 20–24 360 4 -- 50 5.4 3.1 83

.....do. .....do. 24–28 400 5 -- 51 6.0 3.6 73

.....do. .....do. 28–32 400 5 -- 50 6.0 4.4 70

.....do. .....do. 32–36 390 6 -- 51 5.9 4.4 65

.....do. .....do. 36–40 370 6 -- 51 5.7 3.7 68

112 Everett Island End River 00–04 340 2 -- 32 4.5 1.7 65

.....do. .....do. 04–08 330 2 -- 38 4.3 2.1 63

.....do. .....do. 08–12 330 2 -- 32 4.2 1.9 53

.....do. .....do. 12–16 400 2 -- 37 5.2 2.8 59

.....do. .....do. 16–20 380 3 -- 39 5.1 2.8 61

.....do. .....do. 20–24 330 3 -- 35 4.5 2.0 56

.....do. .....do. 24–28 320 3 -- 36 4.3 2.1 53

.....do. .....do. 28–32 300 2 -- 33 4.1 1.9 52

.....do. .....do. 32–36 300 3 -- 31 4.1 1.8 56

.....do. .....do. 36–40 280 3 -- 33 3.7 1.8 57

.....do. .....do. 40–44 270 4 -- 33 3.5 1.9 62

.....do. .....do. 44–48 260 3 -- 31 3.4 1.4 54

105-D Arlington Lower Mystic Lake 12.5–16.5 730 5 -- 45 3.2 1.1 110

106-D .....do. Upper Mystic Lake 08–12 460 6 -- 56 4.5 1.6 47

.....do. .....do. 53–57 390 8 -- 47 5.7 1.2 110

.....do. .....do. 101–106 380 27 -- 32 5.6 .6 64

107-D Medford Malden River 08–12 500 18 -- 100 4.8 .9 73

.....do. .....do. 47–51 430 11 -- 78 5.2 1.7 82

108-D .....do. Lower Mystic Lake 04–08 470 7 -- 53 4.6 1.1 74

109-D Malden .....do. 08–12 480 8 -- 71 5.2 1.1 61

.....do. .....do. 52–56 620 8 -- 91 6.7 1.9 91

111-D Boston Upper Mystic Lake 00–04 380 3 -- 45 5.6 2.1 77

.....do. .....do. 08–12 350 5 -- 42 4.7 2.1 60

112-D Everett Island End River 00–04 340 2 -- 33 4.6 1.7 64

Blank -- -- -- <2 <1 -- <1 <.5 <.2 <0.5

Tables 3–5  87
88  Sediment Quality of Lakes, Rivers, and Estuaries in the Mystic River Basin, Eastern Massachusetts, 2001–03

Table 4. Distribution of element concentrations measured in sediment core samples, Mystic River Basin, Massachusetts.—Continued

[Station number: USGS sample identifiers and geographical coordinates are given in table 1; sampling locations shown on figure 3. D, duplicate; do., ditto; 

No., number; cm, centimeters; ppm, parts per million; %, percent; <, actual value shown is less than the minimum reporting limit; --, not analyzed]

Station 

No. Town Water body Depth(cm)

Tin

(ppm)

Titanium

(%)

Tungsten

(ppm)

Vanadium

(ppm)

Yttrium

(ppm)

Zinc

(ppm)

Zirconium

(ppm)

105 Arlington Lower Mystic Lake 00–04 -- -- -- -- -- -- --

.....do. .....do. 04–8.5 13 0.11 <10 85 12 1,500 8.5

.....do. .....do. 8.5–12.5 <10 .11 <10 81 12 1,700 7.4

.....do. .....do. 12.5–16.5 <10 .11 <10 83 13 1,800 8.4

.....do. .....do. 16.5–20.5 <10 .12 <10 89 13 1,700 8.9

.....do. .....do. 20.5–24.5 11 .13 <10 90 13 1,800 9.8

.....do. .....do. 24.5–28.5 11 .13 <10 88 13 1,900 8.9

.....do. .....do. 28.5–32.5 11 .15 <10 99 14 1,600 11

.....do. .....do. 32.5–36.5 12 .14 <10 98 14 1,900 10

.....do. .....do. 36.5–40.5 13 .14 <10 130 15 2,100 14

.....do. .....do. 40.5–44.5 21 .14 <10 150 14 1,700 9.6

.....do. .....do. 44.5–48.5 20 .15 <10 150 13 1,600 9.9

.....do. .....do. 48.5–53 12 .17 <10 120 14 1,300 9.1

.....do. .....do. 53–57 20 .19 <10 110 16 1,800 10

.....do. .....do. 57–61 22 .19 <10 120 16 2,900 9.7

.....do. .....do. 61–65 29 .17 <10 86 16 3,500 10

.....do. .....do. 65–69 15 .20 <10 77 19 3,700 9.5

.....do. .....do. 69–73 <10 .21 <10 73 20 3,500 8.0

.....do. .....do. 73–77.5 12 .13 <10 56 43 3,100 5.9

.....do. .....do. 77.5–81 20 .18 <10 69 34 6,900 6.6

.....do. .....do. 81–85 15 .16 <10 61 40 9,600 7.2

.....do. .....do. 85–89 <10 .19 <10 66 22 >10,000 9.2

.....do. .....do. 89–93 <10 .19 <10 62 17 7,200 8.5

.....do. .....do. 93–97 14 .16 <10 64 17 6,000 9.3

.....do. .....do. 97–101 19 .14 <10 56 14 1,900 9.2

.....do. .....do. 101–106 13 .16 11 62 15 760 10

.....do. .....do. 106–111 <10 .15 30 55 14 650 8.8

106 .....do. Upper Mystic River 00–08 17 .12 33 74 14 1,000 14

.....do. .....do. 08–12 15 .11 <10 68 14 960 13

.....do. .....do. 12–16 17 .12 <10 75 15 1,100 15

.....do. .....do. 16–20 17 .12 <10 74 15 1,000 14

.....do. .....do. 20–24 19 .13 <10 82 15 980 14

.....do. .....do. 24–28 21 .15 <10 120 15 890 15

.....do. .....do. 28–32 14 .15 <10 97 14 530 15

.....do. .....do. 32–36 14 .14 <10 99 14 520 14

.....do. .....do. 36–39 22 .13 <10 91 13 1,100 15

107 Medford Malden River 00–04 51 .11 <10 77 15 1,300 16

.....do. .....do. 04–08 55 .11 <10 76 14 1,200 16

.....do. .....do. 08–12 56 .12 <10 84 15 1,100 15

.....do. .....do. 12–16 76 .12 <10 93 16 1,100 15

.....do. .....do. 16–19.5 78 .12 <10 99 17 1,200 15

.....do. .....do. 19.5–23 81 .13 <10 98 16 1,100 16

.....do. .....do. 23–27 86 .12 <10 100 16 1,300 14

.....do. .....do. 27–31 87 .12 <10 96 16 1,200 15

.....do. .....do. 31–35 88 .11 <10 95 15 1,500 13

.....do. .....do. 35–39 88 .12 <10 94 15 1,500 16
Table 4. Distribution of element concentrations measured in sediment core samples, Mystic River Basin, Massachusetts.—Continued

[Station number: USGS sample identifiers and geographical coordinates are given in table 1; sampling locations shown on figure 3. D, duplicate; do., ditto; 

No., number; cm, centimeters; ppm, parts per million; %, percent; <, actual value shown is less than the minimum reporting limit; --, not analyzed]

Station 

No. Town Water body Depth(cm)

Tin

(ppm)

Titanium

(%)

Tungsten

(ppm)

Vanadium

(ppm)

Yttrium

(ppm)

Zinc

(ppm)

Zirconium

(ppm)

107—Continued

Medford Malden River 39–43 85 0.12 <10 95 15 1,500 13

.....do. .....do. 43–47 83 .12 <10 99 15 1,400 14

.....do. .....do. 47–51 95 .12 <10 110 15 1,400 13

.....do. .....do. 51–55 140 .13 <10 110 16 1,800 13

.....do. .....do. 55–59 280 .12 <10 110 15 2,100 12

.....do. .....do. 59–63 110 .13 <10 110 15 1,800 14

.....do. .....do. 63–67 120 .13 <10 110 15 1,800 13

.....do. .....do. 67–71 98 .14 <10 120 16 1,800 14

.....do. .....do. 71–75 87 .12 <10 120 15 2,100 11

.....do. .....do. 75–78 78 .12 <10 120 15 2,200 11

108 .....do. Upper Mystic River 00–04 19 .13 <10 100 15 1,000 17

.....do. .....do. 04–08 15 .11 <10 81 13 830 15

.....do. .....do. 08–12 20 .14 <10 100 15 1,000 15

.....do. .....do. 12–16 19 .13 <10 110 15 1,000 16

.....do. .....do. 16–20 20 .13 <10 110 15 990 15

.....do. .....do. 20–24 24 .14 <10 130 16 1,100 18

.....do. .....do. 24–28 25 .14 <10 130 15 1,100 17

.....do. .....do. 28–32 18 .12 <10 110 13 1,100 14

.....do. .....do. 32–36 34 .14 <10 160 16 2,400 16

.....do. .....do. 36–40 38 .14 <10 160 15 2,900 17

.....do. .....do. 40–44 40 .14 <10 150 16 3,100 16

109 Malden .....do. 00–04 -- -- -- -- -- -- --

.....do. .....do. 04–08 27 .12 23 81 13 760 16

.....do. .....do. 08–12 26 .11 13 76 12 700 18

.....do. .....do. 12–16 32 .14 <10 99 15 950 17

.....do. .....do. 16–20 31 .14 <10 100 16 940 19

.....do. .....do. 20–24 37 .15 <10 110 16 930 18

.....do. .....do. 24–28 36 .15 <10 110 16 920 19

.....do. .....do. 28–32 38 .15 <10 110 15 980 18

.....do. .....do. 32–36 40 .15 <10 110 16 1,000 19

.....do. .....do. 36–40 39 .14 <10 110 15 1,000 17

.....do. .....do. 40–44 40 .16 <10 120 16 970 20

.....do. .....do. 44–48 42 .15 <10 130 16 1,100 18

.....do. .....do. 48–52 42 .16 <10 150 15 1,000 18

.....do. .....do. 52–56 45 .15 <10 140 15 1,300 17

.....do. .....do. 56–60 41 .15 <10 150 16 1,400 19

.....do. .....do. 60–64 43 .15 <10 150 15 1,500 17

.....do. .....do. 64–68 41 .15 <10 140 16 1,500 19

.....do. .....do. 68–72 40 .14 <10 140 16 1,500 17

.....do. .....do. 72–76 47 .15 <10 150 16 2,000 19

.....do. .....do. 76–80 44 .14 <10 140 16 2,300 17

.....do. .....do. 80–84 52 .15 <10 150 16 2,800 19

.....do. .....do. 84–88 52 .14 <10 150 16 3,400 16

.....do. .....do. 88–92 54 .15 <10 180 18 3,000 18

.....do. .....do. 92–96 52 .15 <10 190 18 3,200 17

Tables 3–5  89
90 Sediment Quality of Lakes, Rivers, and Estuaries in the Mystic River Basin, Eastern Massachusetts, 2001–03

Table 4. Distribution of element concentrations measured in sediment core samples, Mystic River Basin, Massachusetts.—Continued

[Station number: USGS sample identifiers and geographical coordinates are given in table 1; sampling locations shown on figure 3. D, duplicate; do., ditto; 

No., number; cm, centimeters; ppm, parts per million; %, percent; <, actual value shown is less than the minimum reporting limit; --, not analyzed]

Station 

No. Town Water body Depth(cm)

Tin

(ppm)

Titanium

(%)

Tungsten

(ppm)

Vanadium

(ppm)

Yttrium

(ppm)

Zinc

(ppm)

Zirconium

(ppm)

110 Somerville Lower Mystic River 00–04 <10 0.03 <10 99 11 460 13

.....do. .....do. 04–08 14 .11 <10 110 12 450 16

.....do. .....do. 08–12 11 .10 <10 110 11 420 15

.....do. .....do. 12–16 10 .10 <10 130 11 420 20

.....do. .....do. 16–20 <10 .08 <10 190 8.7 500 29

.....do. .....do. 20–24 11 .06 <10 200 7.0 570 29

.....do. .....do. 24–28 27 .07 <10 230 10 890 25

.....do. .....do. 28–32 25 .07 <10 210 9.7 900 22

.....do. .....do. 32–36 29 .07 <10 220 11 780 22

.....do. .....do. 36–40 29 .07 <10 230 11 810 23

.....do. .....do. 40–44 26 .07 <10 230 9.3 840 25

.....do. .....do. 44–48 <10 .06 <10 250 6.3 490 33

.....do. .....do. 48–52 <10 .05 <10 220 5.0 410 36

111 Boston .....do. 00–04 17 .12 <10 100 12 450 14

.....do. .....do. 04–08 15 .13 <10 110 14 450 15

.....do. .....do. 08–12 14 .14 <10 120 14 450 16

.....do. .....do. 12–16 17 .13 <10 130 14 560 16

.....do. .....do. 16–20 14 .12 <10 150 13 470 16

.....do. .....do. 20–24 16 .12 <10 170 13 470 16

.....do. .....do. 24–28 19 .13 <10 150 14 510 18

.....do. .....do. 28–32 15 .13 <10 150 14 490 17

.....do. .....do. 32–36 20 .13 <10 150 14 540 17

.....do. .....do. 36–40 20 .13 <10 160 14 540 17

112 Everett Island End River 00–04 11 .11 <10 84 11 360 11

.....do. .....do. 04–08 12 .10 <10 86 11 370 11

.....do. .....do. 08–12 10 .10 <10 79 11 320 11

.....do. .....do. 12–16 11 .11 <10 100 13 380 13

.....do. .....do. 16–20 14 .12 <10 110 13 450 13

.....do. .....do. 20–24 14 .11 <10 94 12 390 11

.....do. .....do. 24–28 12 .11 <10 95 11 380 11

.....do. .....do. 28–32 13 .10 <10 95 11 370 11

.....do. .....do. 32–36 13 .10 <10 79 11 360 11

.....do. .....do. 36–40 <10 .09 <10 87 10 500 9.2

.....do. .....do. 40–44 11 .09 <10 91 10 590 9.6

.....do. .....do. 44–48 14 .09 <10 83 10 480 9.5

105-D Arlington Lower Mystic Lake 12.5–16.5 <10 .12 <10 81 12 1,700 7.8

106-D .....do. Upper Mystic River 08–12 15 .11 <10 65 13 930 13

.....do. .....do. 53–57 14 .19 <10 110 16 1,800 10

.....do. .....do. 101–106 11 .16 <10 59 14 730 9.5

107-D Medford Malden River 08–12 48 .12 <10 84 15 1,200 17

.....do. .....do. 47–51 77 .12 <10 110 15 1,500 13

108-D .....do. Upper Mystic River 04–08 14 .11 <10 77 13 780 14

109-D Malden .....do. 08–12 27 .12 15 80 12 700 18

.....do. .....do. 52–56 46 .16 <10 140 16 1,300 18

111-D Boston Lower Mystic River 00–04 14 .13 <10 100 13 450 15

.....do. .....do. 08–12 12 .11 <10 110 12 400 16

112-D Everett Island End River 00–04 <10 .11 <10 83 12 360 11

Blank -- -- -- <10 <.01 <10 <2 <.5 <.5 <.5
Tables 3–5  91

Table 5. Distribution of organic compound concentrations measured in sediment core samples, Mystic River Basin, 

Massachusetts.—Continued

[Station number: USGS sample identifiers and geographical coordinates are given in table 1; sampling locations shown on figure 3. BHC, 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexachlorocyclohexane; DDD, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane; DDE, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene; DDT, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane; do., ditto; LD, lab 

duplicate; MDL, method detection limit; No., number; PCBs, polychlorinated biphenyls; cm, centimeters; ppm, parts per million; %, percent; <, actual value 

shown is less than the minimum reporting limit; --, not analyzed]

Station

No. Town Water body Depth(cm)

PCBs, Cl1Cl10

(ppm)

Aldrin

(ppm)

alpha-BHC

(ppm)

beta-BHC

(ppm)

delta-BHC

(ppm)

gamma-BHC

(ppm)

105 Arlington Lower Mystic Lake 00–04 <0.15–0.87 <0.059 <0.072 <0.069 <0.043 <0.021

.....do. .....do. 04–08 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

.....do. .....do. 04–12 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

.....do. .....do. 12–16 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

.....do. .....do. 16–20 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

.....do. .....do. 20–24 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

.....do. .....do. 24–28 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

.....do. .....do. 28–32 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

.....do. .....do. 32–36 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

.....do. .....do. 36–40 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

.....do. .....do. 40–44 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

.....do. .....do. 44–48 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

.....do. .....do. 48–53 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

.....do. .....do. 53–57 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

.....do. .....do. 57–61 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

.....do. .....do. 61–65 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

.....do. .....do. 65–69 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

.....do. .....do. 69–73 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

.....do. .....do. 73–77 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

.....do. .....do. 77–81 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

.....do. .....do. 81–85 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

.....do. .....do. 85–89 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

.....do. .....do. 89–93 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

.....do. .....do. 93–97 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

.....do. .....do. 97–101 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

.....do. .....do. 101–106 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

.....do. .....do. 106–111 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

106 .....do. Upper Mystic River 00–08 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

.....do. .....do. 08–12 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

.....do. .....do. 12–16 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

.....do. .....do. 16–20 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

.....do. .....do. 20–24 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

.....do. .....do. 24–28 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

.....do. .....do. 28–32 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

.....do. .....do. 32–36 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

.....do. .....do. 36–39 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

107 Medford Malden River 00–04 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

.....do. .....do. 04–08 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

.....do. .....do. 08–12 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

.....do. .....do. 12–16 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

.....do. .....do. 16–19.5 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021
92 Sediment Quality of Lakes, Rivers, and Estuaries in the Mystic River Basin, Eastern Massachusetts, 2001–03

Table 5. Distribution of organic compound concentrations measured in sediment core samples, Mystic River Basin, 

Massachusetts.—Continued

[Station number: USGS sample identifiers and geographical coordinates are given in table 1; sampling locations shown on figure 3. BHC, 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexachlorocyclohexane; DDD, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane; DDE, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene; DDT, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane; do., ditto; LD, lab 

duplicate; MDL, method detection limit; No., number; PCBs, polychlorinated biphenyls; cm, centimeters; ppm, parts per million; %, percent; <, actual value 

shown is less than the minimum reporting limit; --, not analyzed]

Station

No. Town Water body Depth(cm)

PCBs, Cl1Cl10

(ppm)

Aldrin

(ppm)

alpha-BHC

(ppm)

beta-BHC

(ppm)

delta-BHC

(ppm)

gamma-BHC

(ppm)

107—Continued

Medford Malden River 19.5–23 <0.15–0.87 <0.059 <0.072 <0.069 <0.043 <0.021

.....do. .....do. 23–27 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

.....do. .....do. 27–31 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

.....do. .....do. 31–35 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

.....do. .....do. 35–39 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

.....do. .....do. 39–43 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

.....do. .....do. 43–47 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

.....do. .....do. 47–51 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

.....do. .....do. 51–55 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

.....do. .....do. 55–59 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

.....do. .....do. 59–63 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

.....do. .....do. 63–67 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

.....do. .....do. 67–71 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

.....do. .....do. 71–75 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

.....do. .....do. 75–78 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

108 .....do. Upper Mystic River 00–04 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

.....do. .....do. 04–08 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

.....do. .....do. 08–12 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

.....do. .....do. 12–16 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

.....do. .....do. 16–20 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

.....do. .....do. 20–24 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

.....do. .....do. 24–28 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

.....do. .....do. 28–32 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

.....do. .....do. 32–36 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

.....do. .....do. 36–40 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

.....do. .....do. 40–44 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

109 Malden .....do. 00–04 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

.....do. .....do. 04–08 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

.....do. .....do. 08–12 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

.....do. .....do. 12–16 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

.....do. .....do. 16–20 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

.....do. .....do. 20–24 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

.....do. .....do. 24–28 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

.....do. .....do. 28–32 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

.....do. .....do. 32–36 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

.....do. .....do. 36–40 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

.....do. .....do. 40–44 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

.....do. .....do. 44–48 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

.....do. .....do. 48–52 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

.....do. .....do. 52–56 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

.....do. .....do. 56–60 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021
Tables 3–5  93

Table 5. Distribution of organic compound concentrations measured in sediment core samples, Mystic River Basin, 

Massachusetts.—Continued

[Station number: USGS sample identifiers and geographical coordinates are given in table 1; sampling locations shown on figure 3. BHC, 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexachlorocyclohexane; DDD, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane; DDE, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene; DDT, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane; do., ditto; LD, lab 

duplicate; MDL, method detection limit; No., number; PCBs, polychlorinated biphenyls; cm, centimeters; ppm, parts per million; %, percent; <, actual value 

shown is less than the minimum reporting limit; --, not analyzed]

Station

No. Town Water body Depth(cm)

PCBs, Cl1Cl10

(ppm)

Aldrin

(ppm)

alpha-BHC

(ppm)

beta-BHC

(ppm)

delta-BHC

(ppm)

gamma-BHC

(ppm)

109—Continued

Malden Upper Mystic River 60–64 <0.15–0.87 <0.059 <0.072 <0.069 <0.043 <0.021

.....do. .....do. 64–68 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

.....do. .....do. 68–72 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

.....do. .....do. 72–76 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

.....do. .....do. 76–80 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

.....do. .....do. 80–84 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

.....do. .....do. 84–88 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

.....do. .....do. 88–92 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

.....do. .....do. 92–96 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

110 Somerville Lower Mystic River 00–04 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

.....do. .....do. 04–08 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

.....do. .....do. 08–12 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

.....do. .....do. 12–16 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

.....do. .....do. 16–20 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

.....do. .....do. 20–24 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

.....do. .....do. 24–28 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

.....do. .....do. 28–32 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

.....do. .....do. 32–36 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

.....do. .....do. 36–40 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

.....do. .....do. 40–44 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

.....do. .....do. 44–48 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

111 Boston .....do. 00–04 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

.....do. .....do. 04–08 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

.....do. .....do. 08–12 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

.....do. .....do. 12–16 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

.....do. .....do. 16–20 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

.....do. .....do. 20–24 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

112 Everett Island End River 00–04 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

.....do. .....do. 04–08 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

.....do. .....do. 08–12 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

.....do. .....do. 12–16 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

.....do. .....do. 16–20 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

.....do. .....do. 20–24 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

.....do. .....do. 24–28 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

.....do. .....do. 28–32 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

.....do. .....do. 32–36 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

.....do. .....do. 36–40 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

.....do. .....do. 40–44 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

.....do. .....do. 44–48 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021
94  Sediment Quality of Lakes, Rivers, and Estuaries in the Mystic River Basin, Eastern Massachusetts, 2001–03

Table 5. Distribution of organic compound concentrations measured in sediment core samples, Mystic River Basin, 

Massachusetts.—Continued

[Station number: USGS sample identifiers and geographical coordinates are given in table 1; sampling locations shown on figure 3. BHC, 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexachlorocyclohexane; DDD, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane; DDE, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene; DDT, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane; do., ditto; LD, lab 

duplicate; MDL, method detection limit; No., number; PCBs, polychlorinated biphenyls; cm, centimeters; ppm, parts per million; %, percent; <, actual value 

shown is less than the minimum reporting limit; --, not analyzed]

Station

No. Town Water body Depth(cm)

PCBs, Cl1Cl10

(ppm)

Aldrin

(ppm)

alpha-BHC

(ppm)

beta-BHC

(ppm)

delta-BHC

(ppm)

gamma-BHC

(ppm)

105-LD Arlington Lower Mystic Lake 24–28 <0.15–0.87 <0.059 <0.072 <0.069 <0.043 <0.021

.....do. .....do. 24–28 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

.....do. .....do. 89–93 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

.....do. .....do. 89–93 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

106-LD .....do. Upper Mystic River 16–20 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

.....do. .....do. 16–20 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

107-LD Medford Malden River 19.5–23 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

.....do. .....do. 19.5–23 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

.....do. .....do. 67–71 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

.....do. .....do. 67–71 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

108-LD .....do. Upper Mystic River 36–40 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

.....do. .....do. 36–40 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

109-LD Malden .....do. 00–04 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

.....do. .....do. 08–12 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

.....do. .....do. 08–12 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

.....do. .....do. 56–60 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

.....do. .....do. 56–60 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

.....do. .....do. 84–88 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

.....do. .....do. 84–88 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

111-LD Boston Lower Mystic River 00–04 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

.....do. .....do. 04–08 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

.....do. .....do. 08–12 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

.....do. .....do. 12–16 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

.....do. .....do. 16–20 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

.....do. .....do. 20–24 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

112-LD Everett Island End River 00–04 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

.....do. .....do. 04–08 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

.....do. .....do. 08–12 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

.....do. .....do. 12–16 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

.....do. .....do. 16–20 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

.....do. .....do. 20–24 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

.....do. .....do. 24–28 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

.....do. .....do. 28–32 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

.....do. .....do. 32–36 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

.....do. .....do. 36–40 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

.....do. .....do. 40–44 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021

.....do. .....do. 44–48 <0.15–0.87 <.059 <.072 <.069 <.043 <.021
Tables 3–5  95

Table 5. Distribution of organic compound concentrations measured in sediment core samples, Mystic River Basin, 

Massachusetts.—Continued

[Station number: USGS sample identifiers and geographical coordinates are given in table 1; sampling locations shown on figure 3. BHC, 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexachlorocyclohexane; DDD, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane; DDE, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene; DDT, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane; do., ditto; LD, lab 

duplicate; MDL, method detection limit; No., number; PCBs, polychlorinated biphenyls; cm, centimeters; ppm, parts per million; %, percent; <, actual value 

shown is less than the minimum reporting limit; --, not analyzed]

Station

No. Town Water body Depth(cm)

DDE

(ppm)

DDD

(ppm)

DDT

(ppm)

Dieldrin

(ppm)

Endosulfan 1

(ppm)

Endosulfan 2

(ppm)

Endrin

(ppm)

105 Arlington Lower Mystic Lake 00–04 <0.061 <0.72 <0.015 <0.012 <0.011 <0.012 <0.045

.....do. .....do. 04–08 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

.....do. .....do. 04–12 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

.....do. .....do. 12–16 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

.....do. .....do. 16–20 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

.....do. .....do. 20–24 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

.....do. .....do. 24–28 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

.....do. .....do. 28–32 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

.....do. .....do. 32–36 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

.....do. .....do. 36–40 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

.....do. .....do. 40–44 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

.....do. .....do. 44–48 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

.....do. .....do. 48–53 <.061 1.5 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

.....do. .....do. 53–57 <.061 .80 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

.....do. .....do. 57–61 <.061 1.4 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

.....do. .....do. 61–65 <.061 1.2 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

.....do. .....do. 65–69 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

.....do. .....do. 69–73 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

.....do. .....do. 73–77 <.061 <.72 .90 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

.....do. .....do. 77–81 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

.....do. .....do. 81–85 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

.....do. .....do. 85–89 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

.....do. .....do. 89–93 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

.....do. .....do. 93–97 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

.....do. .....do. 97–101 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

.....do. .....do. 101–106 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

.....do. .....do. 106–111 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

106 .....do. Upper Mystic River 00–08 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

.....do. .....do. 08–12 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

.....do. .....do. 12–16 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

.....do. .....do. 16–20 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

.....do. .....do. 20–24 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

.....do. .....do. 24–28 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

.....do. .....do. 28–32 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

.....do. .....do. 32–36 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

.....do. .....do. 36–39 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

107 Medford Malden River 00–04 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

.....do. .....do. 04–08 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

.....do. .....do. 08–12 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

.....do. .....do. 12–16 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

.....do. .....do. 16–19.5 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045
96  Sediment Quality of Lakes, Rivers, and Estuaries in the Mystic River Basin, Eastern Massachusetts, 2001–03

Table 5. Distribution of organic compound concentrations measured in sediment core samples, Mystic River Basin, 

Massachusetts.—Continued

[Station number: USGS sample identifiers and geographical coordinates are given in table 1; sampling locations shown on figure 3. BHC, 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexachlorocyclohexane; DDD, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane; DDE, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene; DDT, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane; do., ditto; LD, lab 

duplicate; MDL, method detection limit; No., number; PCBs, polychlorinated biphenyls; cm, centimeters; ppm, parts per million; %, percent; <, actual value 

shown is less than the minimum reporting limit; --, not analyzed]

Station

No. Town Water body Depth(cm)

DDE

(ppm)

DDD

(ppm)

DDT

(ppm)

Dieldrin

(ppm)

Endosulfan 1

(ppm)

Endosulfan 2

(ppm)

Endrin

(ppm)

107—Continued

Medford Malden River 19.5–23 <0.061 <0.72 <0.015 <0.012 <0.011 <0.012 <0.045

.....do. .....do. 23–27 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

.....do. .....do. 27–31 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

.....do. .....do. 31–35 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

.....do. .....do. 35–39 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

.....do. .....do. 39–43 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

.....do. .....do. 43–47 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

.....do. .....do. 47–51 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

.....do. .....do. 51–55 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

.....do. .....do. 55–59 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

.....do. .....do. 59–63 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

.....do. .....do. 63–67 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

.....do. .....do. 67–71 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

.....do. .....do. 71–75 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

.....do. .....do. 75–78 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

108 .....do. Upper Mystic River 00–04 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

.....do. .....do. 04–08 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

.....do. .....do. 08–12 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

.....do. .....do. 12–16 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

.....do. .....do. 16–20 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

.....do. .....do. 20–24 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

.....do. .....do. 24–28 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

.....do. .....do. 28–32 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

.....do. .....do. 32–36 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

.....do. .....do. 36–40 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

.....do. .....do. 40–44 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

109 Malden .....do. 00–04 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

.....do. .....do. 04–08 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

.....do. .....do. 08–12 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

.....do. .....do. 12–16 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

.....do. .....do. 16–20 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

.....do. .....do. 20–24 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

.....do. .....do. 24–28 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

.....do. .....do. 28–32 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

.....do. .....do. 32–36 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

.....do. .....do. 36–40 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

.....do. .....do. 40–44 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

.....do. .....do. 44–48 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

.....do. .....do. 48–52 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

.....do. .....do. 52–56 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

.....do. .....do. 56–60 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045
Tables 3–5  97

Table 5. Distribution of organic compound concentrations measured in sediment core samples, Mystic River Basin, 

Massachusetts.—Continued

[Station number: USGS sample identifiers and geographical coordinates are given in table 1; sampling locations shown on figure 3. BHC, 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexachlorocyclohexane; DDD, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane; DDE, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene; DDT, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane; do., ditto; LD, lab 

duplicate; MDL, method detection limit; No., number; PCBs, polychlorinated biphenyls; cm, centimeters; ppm, parts per million; %, percent; <, actual value 

shown is less than the minimum reporting limit; --, not analyzed]

Station

No. Town Water body Depth(cm)

DDE

(ppm)

DDD

(ppm)

DDT

(ppm)

Dieldrin

(ppm)

Endosulfan 1

(ppm)

Endosulfan 2

(ppm)

Endrin

(ppm)

109—Continued

Malden Upper Mystic River 60–64 <0.061 <0.72 <0.015 <0.012 <0.011 <0.012 <0.045

.....do. .....do. 64–68 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

.....do. .....do. 68–72 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

.....do. .....do. 72–76 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

.....do. .....do. 76–80 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

.....do. .....do. 80–84 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

.....do. .....do. 84–88 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

.....do. .....do. 88–92 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

.....do. .....do. 92–96 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

110 Somerville Lower Mystic River 00–04 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

.....do. .....do. 04–08 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

.....do. .....do. 08–12 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

.....do. .....do. 12–16 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

.....do. .....do. 16–20 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

.....do. .....do. 20–24 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

.....do. .....do. 24–28 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

.....do. .....do. 28–32 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

.....do. .....do. 32–36 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

.....do. .....do. 36–40 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

.....do. .....do. 40–44 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

.....do. .....do. 44–48 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

111 Boston .....do. 00–04 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

.....do. .....do. 04–08 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

.....do. .....do. 08–12 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

.....do. .....do. 12–16 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

.....do. .....do. 16–20 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

.....do. .....do. 20–24 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

112 Everett Island End River 00–04 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

.....do. .....do. 04–08 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

.....do. .....do. 08–12 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

.....do. .....do. 12–16 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

.....do. .....do. 16–20 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

Everett Island End River 20–24 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

.....do. .....do. 24–28 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

.....do. .....do. 28–32 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

.....do. .....do. 32–36 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

.....do. .....do. 36–40 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

.....do. .....do. 40–44 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

.....do. .....do. 44–48 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045
98  Sediment Quality of Lakes, Rivers, and Estuaries in the Mystic River Basin, Eastern Massachusetts, 2001–03

Table 5. Distribution of organic compound concentrations measured in sediment core samples, Mystic River Basin, 

Massachusetts.—Continued

[Station number: USGS sample identifiers and geographical coordinates are given in table 1; sampling locations shown on figure 3. BHC, 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexachlorocyclohexane; DDD, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane; DDE, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene; DDT, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane; do., ditto; LD, lab 

duplicate; MDL, method detection limit; No., number; PCBs, polychlorinated biphenyls; cm, centimeters; ppm, parts per million; %, percent; <, actual value 

shown is less than the minimum reporting limit; --, not analyzed]

Station

No. Town Water body Depth(cm)

DDE

(ppm)

DDD

(ppm)

DDT

(ppm)

Dieldrin

(ppm)

Endosulfan 1

(ppm)

Endosulfan 2

(ppm)

Endrin

(ppm)

105-LD Arlington Lower Mystic Lake 24–28 <0.061 <0.72 <0.015 <0.012 <0.011 <0.012 <0.045

.....do. .....do. 24–28 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

.....do. .....do. 89–93 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

.....do. .....do. 89–93 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

106-LD .....do. Upper Mystic River 16–20 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

.....do. .....do. 16–20 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

107-LD Medford Malden River 19.5–23 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

.....do. .....do. 19.5–23 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

.....do. .....do. 67–71 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

.....do. .....do. 67–71 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

108-LD .....do. Upper Mystic River 36–40 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

.....do. .....do. 36–40 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

109-LD Malden .....do. 00–04 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

.....do. .....do. 08–12 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

.....do. .....do. 08–12 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

.....do. .....do. 56–60 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

.....do. .....do. 56–60 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

.....do. .....do. 84–88 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

.....do. .....do. 84–88 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

111-LD Boston Lower Mystic River 00–04 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

.....do. .....do. 04–08 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

.....do. .....do. 08–12 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

.....do. .....do. 12–16 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

.....do. .....do. 16–20 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

.....do. .....do. 20–24 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

112-LD Everett Island End River 00–04 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

.....do. .....do. 04–08 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

.....do. .....do. 08–12 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

.....do. .....do. 12–16 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

.....do. .....do. 16–20 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

.....do. .....do. 20–24 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

.....do. .....do. 24–28 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

.....do. .....do. 28–32 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

.....do. .....do. 32–36 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

.....do. .....do. 36–40 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

.....do. .....do. 40–44 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045

.....do. .....do. 44–48 <.061 <.72 <.015 <.012 <.011 <.012 <.045
Tables 3–5  99

Table 5. Distribution of organic compound concentrations measured in sediment core samples, Mystic River Basin, 

Massachusetts.—Continued

[Station number: USGS sample identifiers and geographical coordinates are given in table 1; sampling locations shown on figure 3. BHC, 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexachlorocyclohexane; DDD, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane; DDE, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene; DDT, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane; do., ditto; LD, lab 

duplicate; MDL, method detection limit; No., number; PCBs, polychlorinated biphenyls; cm, centimeters; ppm, parts per million; %, percent; <, actual value 

shown is less than the minimum reporting limit; --, not analyzed]

Station

No. Town Water body Depth(cm)

Endrin

aldehyde

(ppm)

Endrin

ketone

(ppm)

Heptachlor

(ppm)

Heptachlor

epoxide

(ppm)

Methoxychlor

(ppm)

Acenaphthene

(ppm)

Acenaphthylene

(ppm)

105 Arlington Lower Mystic Lake 00–04 <0.251 <0.024 <0.062 <0.012 <0.015 <0.37 <0.22

.....do. .....do. 04–08 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 <.37 <.22

.....do. .....do. 04–12 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 <.37 <.22

.....do. .....do. 12–16 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 <.37 <.22

.....do. .....do. 16–20 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 <.37 <.22

.....do. .....do. 20–24 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 <.37 <.22

.....do. .....do. 24–28 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 <.37 <.22

.....do. .....do. 28–32 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 <.37 <.22

.....do. .....do. 32–36 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 <.37 .40

.....do. .....do. 36–40 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 <.37 <.22

.....do. .....do. 40–44 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 <.37 <.22

.....do. .....do. 44–48 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 <.37 <.22

.....do. .....do. 48–53 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 <.37 <.22

.....do. .....do. 53–57 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 <.37 .50

.....do. .....do. 57–61 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 .40 7.0

.....do. .....do. 61–65 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 2.1 9.8 9.3

.....do. .....do. 65–69 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 2.3 5.4 16

.....do. .....do. 69–73 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 .40 11 15

.....do. .....do. 73–77 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 3.1 21 44

.....do. .....do. 77–81 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 .30 4.7 17

.....do. .....do. 81–85 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 <.37 .4

.....do. .....do. 85–89 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 <.37 <.22

.....do. .....do. 89–93 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 <.37 <.22

.....do. .....do. 93–97 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 <.37 <.22

.....do. .....do. 97–101 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 <.37 <.22

.....do. .....do. 101–106 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 <.37 <.22

.....do. .....do. 106–111 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 <.37 <.22

106 .....do. Upper Mystic River 00–08 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 <.37 <.22

.....do. .....do. 08–12 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 <.37 <.22

.....do. .....do. 12–16 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 <.37 <.22

.....do. .....do. 16–20 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 <.37 <.22

.....do. .....do. 20–24 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 <.37 <.22

.....do. .....do. 24–28 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 <.37 <.22

.....do. .....do. 28–32 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 <.37 <.22

.....do. .....do. 32–36 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 <.37 <.22

.....do. .....do. 36–39 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 <.37 <.22

107 Medford Malden River 00–04 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 <.37 <.22

.....do. .....do. 04–08 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 <.37 <.22

.....do. .....do. 08–12 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 <.37 .3

.....do. .....do. 12–16 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 <.37 <.22

.....do. .....do. 16–19.5 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 <.37 <.22
100 Sediment Quality of Lakes, Rivers, and Estuaries in the Mystic River Basin, Eastern Massachusetts, 2001–03

Table 5. Distribution of organic compound concentrations measured in sediment core samples, Mystic River Basin, 

Massachusetts.—Continued

[Station number: USGS sample identifiers and geographical coordinates are given in table 1; sampling locations shown on figure 3. BHC, 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexachlorocyclohexane; DDD, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane; DDE, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene; DDT, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane; do., ditto; LD, lab 

duplicate; MDL, method detection limit; No., number; PCBs, polychlorinated biphenyls; cm, centimeters; ppm, parts per million; %, percent; <, actual value 

shown is less than the minimum reporting limit; --, not analyzed]

Station

No. Town Water body Depth(cm)

Endrin

aldehyde

(ppm)

Endrin

ketone

(ppm)

Heptachlor

(ppm)

Heptachlor

epoxide

(ppm)

Methoxychlor

(ppm)

Acenaphthene

(ppm)

Acenaphthylene

(ppm)

107—Continued

Medford Malden River 19.5–23 <0.251 <0.024 <0.062 <0.012 <0.015 <0.37 1.3

.....do. .....do. 23–27 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 <.37 <.22

.....do. .....do. 27–31 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 1.9 .50

.....do. .....do. 31–35 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 3.1 <.22

.....do. .....do. 35–39 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 1.2 <.22

.....do. .....do. 39–43 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 <.37 <.22

.....do. .....do. 43–47 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 <.37 .3

.....do. .....do. 47–51 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 <.37 <.22

.....do. .....do. 51–55 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 <.37 <.22

.....do. .....do. 55–59 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 <.37 <.22

.....do. .....do. 59–63 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 2.3 1.5

.....do. .....do. 63–67 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 <.37 .30

.....do. .....do. 67–71 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 .40 3.2

.....do. .....do. 71–75 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 <.37 .20

.....do. .....do. 75–78 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 .30 1.1 6.2

108 .....do. Upper Mystic River 00–04 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 <.37 <.22

.....do. .....do. 04–08 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 <.37 <.22

.....do. .....do. 08–12 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 <.37 <.22

.....do. .....do. 12–16 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 <.37 <.22

.....do. .....do. 16–20 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 <.37 <.22

.....do. .....do. 20–24 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 <.37 <.22

.....do. .....do. 24–28 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 <.37 <.22

.....do. .....do. 28–32 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 <.37 <.22

.....do. .....do. 32–36 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 <.37 <.22

.....do. .....do. 36–40 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 <.37 <.22

.....do. .....do. 40–44 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 <.37 <.22

109 Malden .....do. 00–04 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 <.37 <.22

.....do. .....do. 04–08 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 <.37 <.22

.....do. .....do. 08–12 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 <.37 <.22

.....do. .....do. 12–16 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 <.37 <.22

.....do. .....do. 16–20 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 <.37 <.22

.....do. .....do. 20–24 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 <.37 <.22

.....do. .....do. 24–28 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 <.37 <.22

.....do. .....do. 28–32 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 <.37 <.22

.....do. .....do. 32–36 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 <.37 <.22

.....do. .....do. 36–40 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 <.37 <.22

.....do. .....do. 40–44 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 <.37 <.22

.....do. .....do. 44–48 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 <.37 <.22

.....do. .....do. 48–52 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 <.37 <.22

.....do. .....do. 52–56 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 <.37 <.22

.....do. .....do. 56–60 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 <.37 <.22
Tables 3–5  101

Table 5. Distribution of organic compound concentrations measured in sediment core samples, Mystic River Basin, 

Massachusetts.—Continued

[Station number: USGS sample identifiers and geographical coordinates are given in table 1; sampling locations shown on figure 3. BHC, 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexachlorocyclohexane; DDD, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane; DDE, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene; DDT, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane; do., ditto; LD, lab 

duplicate; MDL, method detection limit; No., number; PCBs, polychlorinated biphenyls; cm, centimeters; ppm, parts per million; %, percent; <, actual value 

shown is less than the minimum reporting limit; --, not analyzed]

Station

No. Town Water body Depth(cm)

Endrin

aldehyde

(ppm)

Endrin

ketone

(ppm)

Heptachlor

(ppm)

Heptachlor

epoxide

(ppm)

Methoxychlor

(ppm)

Acenaphthene

(ppm)

Acenaphthylene

(ppm)

109—Continued

Malden Upper Mystic River 60–64 <0.251 <0.024 <0.062 <0.012 <0.015 <0.37 <0.22

.....do. .....do. 64–68 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 <.37 <.22

.....do. .....do. 68–72 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 <.37 <.22

.....do. .....do. 72–76 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 <.37 <.22

.....do. .....do. 76–80 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 <.37 <.22

.....do. .....do. 80–84 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 <.37 <.22

.....do. .....do. 84–88 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 <.37 <.22

.....do. .....do. 88–92 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 <.37 <.22

.....do. .....do. 92–96 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 <.37 <.22

110 Somerville Lower Mystic River 00–04 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 <.37 <.22

.....do. .....do. 04–08 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 <.37 <.22

.....do. .....do. 08–12 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 <.37 <.22

.....do. .....do. 12–16 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 <.37 <.22

.....do. .....do. 16–20 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 <.37 <.22

.....do. .....do. 20–24 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 <.37 <.22

.....do. .....do. 24–28 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 <.37 <.22

.....do. .....do. 28–32 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 <.37 <.22

.....do. .....do. 32–36 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 <.37 <.22

.....do. .....do. 36–40 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 <.37 <.22

.....do. .....do. 40–44 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 <.37 <.22

.....do. .....do. 44–48 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 <.37 <.22

111 Boston .....do. 00–04 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 <.37 <.22

.....do. .....do. 04–08 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 <.37 <.22

.....do. .....do. 08–12 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 <.37 <.22

.....do. .....do. 12–16 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 <.37 <.22

.....do. .....do. 16–20 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 <.37 <.22

.....do. .....do. 20–24 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 <.37 <.22

112 Everett Island End River 00–04 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 <.37 <.22

.....do. .....do. 04–08 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 <.37 <.22

.....do. .....do. 08–12 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 <.37 <.22

.....do. .....do. 12–16 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 <.37 <.22

.....do. .....do. 16–20 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 <.37 <.22

.....do. .....do. 20–24 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 <.37 <.22

.....do. .....do. 24–28 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 <.37 <.22

.....do. .....do. 28–32 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 <.37 <.22

.....do. .....do. 32–36 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 <.37 <.22

.....do. .....do. 36–40 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 21 7.8

.....do. .....do. 40–44 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 58 10

.....do. .....do. 44–48 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 22 6.5
102 Sediment Quality of Lakes, Rivers, and Estuaries in the Mystic River Basin, Eastern Massachusetts, 2001–03

Table 5. Distribution of organic compound concentrations measured in sediment core samples, Mystic River Basin, 

Massachusetts.—Continued

[Station number: USGS sample identifiers and geographical coordinates are given in table 1; sampling locations shown on figure 3. BHC, 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexachlorocyclohexane; DDD, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane; DDE, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene; DDT, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane; do., ditto; LD, lab 

duplicate; MDL, method detection limit; No., number; PCBs, polychlorinated biphenyls; cm, centimeters; ppm, parts per million; %, percent; <, actual value 

shown is less than the minimum reporting limit; --, not analyzed]

Station

No. Town Water body Depth(cm)

Endrin

aldehyde

(ppm)

Endrin

ketone

(ppm)

Heptachlor

(ppm)

Heptachlor

epoxide

(ppm)

Methoxychlor

(ppm)

Acenaphthene

(ppm)

Acenaphthylene

(ppm)

105-LD Arlington Lower Mystic Lake 24–28 <0.251 <0.024 <0.062 <0.012 <0.015 <0.37 <0.22

.....do. .....do. 24–28 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 <.37 <.22

.....do. .....do. 89–93 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 <.37 <.22

.....do. .....do. 89–93 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 <.37 <.22

106-LD .....do. Upper Mystic Lake 16–20 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 <.37 <.22

.....do. .....do. 16–20 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 <.37 <.22

107-LD Medford Malden River 19.5–23 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 .015 <.37 .30

.....do. .....do. 19.5–23 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 <.37 <.22

.....do. .....do. 67–71 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 1.0 2.3

.....do. .....do. 67–71 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 1.0 2.0

108-LD .....do. Upper Mystic Lake 36–40 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 <.37 <.22

.....do. .....do. 36–40 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 <.37 <.22

109-LD Malden .....do. 00–04 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 <.37 <.22

.....do. .....do. 08–12 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 <.37 <.22

.....do. .....do. 08–12 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 <.37 <.22

.....do. .....do. 56–60 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 <.37 <.22

.....do. .....do. 56–60 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 <.37 <.22

.....do. .....do. 84–88 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 <.37 <.22

.....do. .....do. 84–88 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 <.37 <.22

111-LD Boston Lower Mystic Lake 00–04 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 <.37 <.22

.....do. .....do. 04–08 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 <.37 <.22

.....do. .....do. 08–12 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 <.37 <.22

.....do. .....do. 12–16 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 <.37 <.22

.....do. .....do. 16–20 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 <.37 <.22

.....do. .....do. 20–24 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 <.37 <.22

112-LD Everett Island End River 00–04 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 <.37 <.22

.....do. .....do. 04–08 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 <.37 <.22

.....do. .....do. 08–12 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 <.37 <.22

.....do. .....do. 12–16 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 <.37 <.22

.....do. .....do. 16–20 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 <.37 <.22

.....do. .....do. 20–24 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 <.37 <.22

.....do. .....do. 24–28 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 <.37 <.22

.....do. .....do. 28–32 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 <.37 <.22

.....do. .....do. 32–36 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 <.37 <.22

.....do. .....do. 36–40 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 19 6.6

.....do. .....do. 40–44 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 38 7.4

.....do. .....do. 44–48 <.251 <.024 <.062 <.012 <.015 21 6.6
Tables 3–5  103

Table 5. Distribution of organic compound concentrations measured in sediment core samples, Mystic River Basin, 

Massachusetts.—Continued

[Station number: USGS sample identifiers and geographical coordinates are given in table 1; sampling locations shown on figure 3. BHC, 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexachlorocyclohexane; DDD, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane; DDE, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene; DDT, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane; do., ditto; LD, lab 

duplicate; MDL, method detection limit; No., number; PCBs, polychlorinated biphenyls; cm, centimeters; ppm, parts per million; %, percent; <, actual value 

shown is less than the minimum reporting limit; --, not analyzed]

Station

No. Town Water body Depth(cm)

Anthracene

(ppm)

Benzo[a]-

anthracene

(ppm)

Benzo[b,k]-

fluoranthracene

(ppm)

Benzo[a]-

pyrene

(ppm)

Benzo[g,h,i]-

perylene

(ppm)

Chrysene

(ppm)

Dibenzo-

[a,h]-

anthracene

(ppm)

105 Arlington Lower Mystic Lake 00–04 <0.29 <0.44 0.4 <0.51 <0.32 <0.28 <0.58

.....do. .....do. 04–08 <.29 .90 7.9 1.4 <.32 2.5 <.58

.....do. .....do. 04–12 <.29 .80 4.9 <.51 <.32 1.8 <.58

.....do. .....do. 12–16 <.29 <.44 2.8 <.51 <.32 <.28 <.58

.....do. .....do. 16–20 <.29 <.44 2.3 <.51 <.32 <.28 <.58

.....do. .....do. 20–24 <.29 1.2 7.0 <.51 <.32 2.8 <.58

.....do. .....do. 24–28 <.29 <.44 2.9 <.51 <.32 >MDL <.58

.....do. .....do. 28–32 1.4 2.9 12 15 1.7 4.6 <.58

.....do. .....do. 32–36 .30 1.6 7.9 3.8 <.32 2.9 <.58

.....do. .....do. 36–40 .20 2.6 11 15 .70 4.4 .10

.....do. .....do. 40–44 <.29 .60 5.4 <.51 <.32 2.1 <.58

.....do. .....do. 44–48 .30 2.5 8.3 7.9 <.32 3.7 <.58

.....do. .....do. 48–53 1.0 3.9 14 11 <.32 6.2 <.58

.....do. .....do. 53–57 3.1 4.3 16 20 3.3 6.8 .90

.....do. .....do. 57–61 7.5 7.2 17 2.6 9.7 12 2.7

.....do. .....do. 61–65 14 11 29 .30 16 19 6.0

.....do. .....do. 65–69 1.1 16 43 1.0 22 25 13

.....do. .....do. 69–73 28 20 51 12 27 33 13

.....do. .....do. 73–77 55 53 100 27 64 68 33

.....do. .....do. 77–81 24 54 46 130 32 43 86

.....do. .....do. 81–85 17 22 49 11 24 31 14.0

.....do. .....do. 85–89 2.6 1.1 <.29 <.51 <.32 1.0 <.58

.....do. .....do. 89–93 <.29 <.44 .30 <.51 <.32 <.28 <.58

.....do. .....do. 93–97 .50 2.4 5.3 <.51 <.32 3.7 <.58

.....do. .....do. 97–101 <.29 1.1 3.1 <.51 <.32 1.4 <.58

.....do. .....do. 101–106 <.29 <.44 <.29 <.51 <.32 <.28 <.58

.....do. .....do. 106–111 <.29 <.44 <.29 <.51 <.32 <.28 <.58

106 .....do. Upper Mystic River 00–08 <.29 <.44 1.2 <.51 <.32 <.28 <.58

.....do. .....do. 08–12 <.29 <.44 2.0 <.51 <.32 <.28 <.58

.....do. .....do. 12–16 <.29 >MDL 3.7 <.51 <.32 1.3 <.58

.....do. .....do. 16–20 <.29 .50 3.4 <.51 <.32 1.4 <.58

.....do. .....do. 20–24 <.29 .40 3.7 <.51 <.32 1.3 <.58

.....do. .....do. 24–28 <.29 >MDL 2.0 <.51 <.32 .60 <.58

.....do. .....do. 28–32 <.29 <.44 .70 <.51 <.32 >MDL <.58

.....do. .....do. 32–36 <.29 <.44 3.7 <.51 <.32 .80 <.58

.....do. .....do. 36–39 <.29 .70 5.5 <.51 <.32 2.0 <.58

107 Medford Malden River 00–04 4.3 7.6 22 33 11 13 <.58

.....do. .....do. 04–08 6.9 10 23 36 6.9 15 <.58

.....do. .....do. 08–12 8.1 11 29 49 14 16 4.6

.....do. .....do. 12–16 4.9 9.5 25 34 12 12 .80

.....do. .....do. 16–19.5 7.1 10 8.8 50 13 16 2.4
104  Sediment Quality of Lakes, Rivers, and Estuaries in the Mystic River Basin, Eastern Massachusetts, 2001–03

Table 5. Distribution of organic compound concentrations measured in sediment core samples, Mystic River Basin, 

Massachusetts.—Continued

[Station number: USGS sample identifiers and geographical coordinates are given in table 1; sampling locations shown on figure 3. BHC, 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexachlorocyclohexane; DDD, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane; DDE, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene; DDT, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane; do., ditto; LD, lab 

duplicate; MDL, method detection limit; No., number; PCBs, polychlorinated biphenyls; cm, centimeters; ppm, parts per million; %, percent; <, actual value 

shown is less than the minimum reporting limit; --, not analyzed]

Station

No. Town Water body Depth(cm)

Anthracene

(ppm)

Benzo[a]-

anthracene

(ppm)

Benzo[b,k]-

fluoranthracene

(ppm)

Benzo[a]-

pyrene

(ppm)

Benzo[g,h,i]-

perylene

(ppm)

Chrysene

(ppm)

Dibenzo-

[a,h]-

anthracene

(ppm)

107—Continued

Medford Malden River 19.5–23 5.4 8.8 25 47 15 14 1.8

.....do. .....do. 23–27 4.3 7.6 18 27 3.4 11 <.58

.....do. .....do. 27–31 8.3 8.3 6.9 33 8.7 12 1.5

.....do. .....do. 31–35 7.9 9.0 19 28 2.8 12 <.58

.....do. .....do. 35–39 2.0 8.6 17 23 1.9 12 <.58

.....do. .....do. 39–43 2.7 6.0 12 10 <.32 8.2 <.58

.....do. .....do. 43–47 7.1 9.3 23 40 10 13 .90

.....do. .....do. 47–51 6.9 8.2 21 30 5.5 12 <.58

.....do. .....do. 51–55 3.3 6.0 16 18 .70 8.2 <.58

.....do. .....do. 55–59 2.7 4.3 2.7 <.51 <.32 5.4 <.58

.....do. .....do. 59–63 13 12 9.7 43 9.2 13 1.8

.....do. .....do. 63–67 7.6 8.0 10 32 6.1 9.6 .60

.....do. .....do. 67–71 8.7 8.0 22 34 11.0 11 1.5

.....do. .....do. 71–75 8.1 7.8 19 22 .60 10 <.58

.....do. .....do. 75–78 5.3 6.2 20 35 9.8 9.4 3.3

108 .....do. Upper Mystic River 00–04 <.29 1.9 5.9 8.3 <.32 2.0 <.58

.....do. .....do. 04–08 <.29 2.7 5.9 6.1 <.32 2.8 <.58

.....do. .....do. 08–12 <.29 <.44 4.6 1.4 <.32 <.28 <.58

.....do. .....do. 12–16 <.29 2.5 7.4 10 <.32 2.6 <.58

.....do. .....do. 16–20 <.29 .40 4.7 6.0 <.32 .40 <.58

.....do. .....do. 20–24 <.29 .50 4.6 9.5 <.32 .50 <.58

.....do. .....do. 24–28 <.29 <.44 .40 <.51 <.32 <.28 <.58

.....do. .....do. 28–32 <.29 <.44 .50 <.51 <.32 <.28 <.58

.....do. .....do. 32–36 <.29 .30 2.0 <.51 <.32 .30 <.58

.....do. .....do. 36–40 <.29 <.44 4.1 3.7 <.32 <.28 <.58

.....do. .....do. 40–44 <.29 <.44 1.5 1.3 <.32 <.28 <.58

109 Malden .....do. 00–04 <.29 3.7 8.4 13 <.32 3.8 <.58

.....do. .....do. 04–08 <.29 .40 5.6 6.5 <.32 .40 <.58

.....do. .....do. 08–12 <.29 5.2 6.6 7.5 <.32 5.3 <.58

.....do. .....do. 12–16 <.29 6.2 8.8 18 7.2 6.4 <.58

.....do. .....do. 16–20 <.29 5.8 8.8 12 <.32 6.0 <.58

.....do. .....do. 20–24 <.29 1.3 3.2 .60 <.32 1.3 <.58

.....do. .....do. 24–28 <.29 <.44 2.6 2.5 <.32 <.28 <.58

.....do. .....do. 28–32 <.29 1.3 4.2 2.3 <.32 1.4 <.58

.....do. .....do. 32–36 <.29 <.44 4.1 1.3 <.32 <.28 <.58

.....do. .....do. 36–40 <.29 1.9 4.4 5.7 <.32 1.9 <.58

.....do. .....do. 40–44 <.29 <.44 <.29 <.51 <.32 <.28 <.58

.....do. .....do. 44–48 <.29 4.5 7.6 9.7 <.32 4.7 <.58

.....do. .....do. 48–52 <.29 <.44 1.2 <.51 <.32 <.28 <.58

.....do. .....do. 52–56 <.29 .20 2.4 3.1 <.32 .20 <.58

.....do. .....do. 56–60 <.29 5.0 7.4 11 <.32 5.2 <.58
Tables 3–5  105

Table 5. Distribution of organic compound concentrations measured in sediment core samples, Mystic River Basin, 

Massachusetts.—Continued

[Station number: USGS sample identifiers and geographical coordinates are given in table 1; sampling locations shown on figure 3. BHC, 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexachlorocyclohexane; DDD, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane; DDE, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene; DDT, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane; do., ditto; LD, lab 

duplicate; MDL, method detection limit; No., number; PCBs, polychlorinated biphenyls; cm, centimeters; ppm, parts per million; %, percent; <, actual value 

shown is less than the minimum reporting limit; --, not analyzed]

Station

No. Town Water body Depth(cm)

Anthracene

(ppm)

Benzo[a]-

anthracene

(ppm)

Benzo[b,k]-

fluoranthracene

(ppm)

Benzo[a]-

pyrene

(ppm)

Benzo[g,h,i]-

perylene

(ppm)

Chrysene

(ppm)

Dibenzo-

[a,h]-

anthracene

(ppm)

109—Continued

Malden Upper Mystic River 60–64 <0.29 <0.44 2.4 2.3 <0.32 <0.28 <0.58

.....do. .....do. 64–68 <.29 .80 4.7 2.2 <.32 .80 <.58

.....do. .....do. 68–72 <.29 .30 .4 <.51 <.32 .30 <.58

.....do. .....do. 72–76 <.29 <.44 2.5 1.5 <.32 <.28 <.58

.....do. .....do. 76–80 <.29 <.44 .60 <.51 <.32 <.28 <.58

.....do. .....do. 80–84 <.29 <.44 4.1 1.5 <.32 <.28 <.58

.....do. .....do. 84–88 <.29 1.0 4.1 1.2 <.32 1.0 <.58

.....do. .....do. 88–92 <.29 <.44 <.29 <.51 <.32 <.28 <.58

.....do. .....do. 92–96 <.29 <.44 .50 <.51 <.32 <.28 <.58

110 Somerville Lower Mystic River 00–04 <.29 <.44 <.29 <.51 <.32 <.28 <.58

.....do. .....do. 04–08 <.29 <.44 <.29 <.51 <.32 <.28 <.58

.....do. .....do. 08–12 <.29 <.44 <.29 <.51 <.32 <.28 <.58

.....do. .....do. 12–16 <.29 <.44 <.29 <.51 <.32 <.28 <.58

.....do. .....do. 16–20 <.29 <.44 <.29 <.51 <.32 <.28 <.58

.....do. .....do. 20–24 <.29 <.44 <.29 <.51 <.32 <.28 <.58

.....do. .....do. 24–28 <.29 <.44 <.29 <.51 <.32 <.28 <.58

.....do. .....do. 28–32 <.29 <.44 <.29 <.51 <.32 <.28 <.58

.....do. .....do. 32–36 <.29 <.44 <.29 <.51 <.32 <.28 <.58

.....do. .....do. 36–40 <.29 <.44 <.29 <.51 <.32 <.28 <.58

.....do. .....do. 40–44 <.29 <.44 <.29 <.51 <.32 <.28 <.58

.....do. .....do. 44–48 <.29 <.44 <.29 <.51 <.32 <.28 <.58

111 Boston .....do. 00–04 <.29 1.7 5.0 1.9 1.9 1.6 <.58

.....do. .....do. 04–08 <.29 <.44 1.9 1.1 <.32 .80 <.58

.....do. .....do. 08–12 <.29 .60 2.7 1.4 .60 .60 <.58

.....do. .....do. 12–16 <.29 1.2 3.8 1.8 1.2 1.1 <.58

.....do. .....do. 16–20 <.29 <.44 1.6 <.51 <.32 .60 <.58

.....do. .....do. 20–24 <.29 <.44 .30 <.51 <.32 <.28 <.58

112 Everett Island End River 00–04 5.2 4.2 12 5.9 3.2 4.9 <.58

.....do. .....do. 04–08 4.0 5.5 9.8 5.3 2.8 3.3 <.58

.....do. .....do. 08–12 15 20 26 18 10 12. 4.4

.....do. .....do. 12–16 1.4 3.6 6.8 3.5 1.5 2.9 <.58

.....do. .....do. 16–20 2.8 6.2 11 6.1 3.5 4.1 <.58

.....do. .....do. 20–24 4.6 10 15 9.8 4.8 7.2 2.1

.....do. .....do. 24–28 4.8 9.2 15 9.0 5.5 4.9 2.2

.....do. .....do. 28–32 5.2 12 17 11 5.3 7.4 2.2

.....do. .....do. 32–36 5.5 12 14 9.6 3.9 7.7 1.6

.....do. .....do. 36–40 53 59 57 37 15 37 7.9

.....do. .....do. 40–44 98 89 79 50 19 57 10

.....do. .....do. 44–48 57 75 68 44 15 49 8.1
106  Sediment Quality of Lakes, Rivers, and Estuaries in the Mystic River Basin, Eastern Massachusetts, 2001–03

Table 5. Distribution of organic compound concentrations measured in sediment core samples, Mystic River Basin, 

Massachusetts.—Continued

[Station number: USGS sample identifiers and geographical coordinates are given in table 1; sampling locations shown on figure 3. BHC, 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexachlorocyclohexane; DDD, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane; DDE, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene; DDT, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane; do., ditto; LD, lab 

duplicate; MDL, method detection limit; No., number; PCBs, polychlorinated biphenyls; cm, centimeters; ppm, parts per million; %, percent; <, actual value 

shown is less than the minimum reporting limit; --, not analyzed]

Station

No. Town Water body Depth(cm)

Anthracene

(ppm)

Benzo[a]-

anthracene

(ppm)

Benzo[b,k]-

fluoranthracene

(ppm)

Benzo[a]-

pyrene

(ppm)

Benzo[g,h,i]-

perylene

(ppm)

Chrysene

(ppm)

Dibenzo-

[a,h]-

anthracene

(ppm)

105-LD Arlington Lower Mystic Lake 24–28 <0.29 0.60 4.5 <0.51 <0.32 1.2 <0.58

.....do. .....do. 24–28 <.29 <.44 2.8 <.51 <.32 1.3 <.58

.....do. .....do. 89–93 <.29 <.44 .4 <.51 <.32 <.28 <.58

.....do. .....do. 89–93 <.29 <.44 .3 <.51 <.32 <.28 <.58

106-LD .....do. Upper Mystic River 16–20 <.29 .40 3.2 <.51 <.32 1.3 <.58

.....do. .....do. 16–20 <.29 .50 3.7 <.51 <.32 1.6 <.58

107-LD Medford Malden River 19.5–23 4.8 8.6 25 41 13 13 1.6

.....do. .....do. 19.5–23 4.3 8.0 25 35 9.5 13 1.3

.....do. .....do. 67–71 6.7 6.5 18 30 9.1 9.6 1.6

.....do. .....do. 67–71 6.5 6.7 19 30 6.1 9.4 1.6

108-LD .....do. Upper Mystic River 36–40 <.29 <.44 1.7 .90 <.32 <.28 <.58

.....do. .....do. 36–40 <.29 <.44 1.5 <.51 <.32 <.28 <.58

109-LD Malden .....do. 00–04 <.29 2.1 3.5 3.1 <.32 2.1 <.58

.....do. .....do. 08–12 <.29 2.9 6.0 7.0 <.32 1.9 <.58

.....do. .....do. 08–12 <.29 3.2 6.3 8.5 <.32 3.3 <.58

.....do. .....do. 56–60 <.29 6.7 8.3 17 <.32 6.9 <.58

.....do. .....do. 56–60 <.29 6.2 8.0 15 <.32 6.4 <.58

.....do. .....do. 84–88 <.29 <.44 1.4 1.0 <.32 <.28 <.58

.....do. .....do. 84–88 <.29 2.0 5.4 8.1 <.32 2.1 <.58

111-LD Boston Lower Mystic River 00–04 <.29 .60 1.9 .70 <.32 1.1 <.58

.....do. .....do. 04–08 <.29 <.44 2.2 .80 <.32 .90 <.58

.....do. .....do. 08–12 <.29 .60 2.2 .60 <.32 .60 <.58

.....do. .....do. 12–16 .40 <.44 3.2 1.7 .50 1.6 <.58

.....do. .....do. 16–20 <.29 <.44 <.29 <.51 <.32 <.28 <.58

.....do. .....do. 20–24 <.29 <.44 1.6 <.51 <.32 .50 <.58

112-LD Everett Island End River 00–04 5.2 3.7 7.3 5.0 2.3 4.2 <.58

.....do. .....do. 04–08 4.4 6.8 12 7.8 3.5 5.0 <.58

.....do. .....do. 08–12 13 21 23 17 6.3 12 3.2

.....do. .....do. 12–16 2.0 2.9 5.6 3.0 1.0 1.6 <.58

.....do. .....do. 16–20 2.2 6.1 9.6 5.9 3.6 4.2 <.58

.....do. .....do. 20–24 5.4 12 18 12 6.3 8.2 2.1

.....do. .....do. 24–28 3.9 9.2 15 9.4 5.0 4.8 1.4

.....do. .....do. 28–32 5.4 13 18 11 5.4 8.0 1.7

.....do. .....do. 32–36 7.1 12 17 11 5.2 8.2 1.6

.....do. .....do. 36–40 49 68 62 40 15 44 6.0

.....do. .....do. 40–44 86 91 73 42 16 59 8.4

.....do. .....do. 44–48 57 83 86 50 22 57 16.0
Tables 3–5  107

Table 5. Distribution of organic compound concentrations measured in sediment core samples, Mystic River Basin, 

Massachusetts.—Continued

[Station number: USGS sample identifiers and geographical coordinates are given in table 1; sampling locations shown on figure 3. BHC, 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexachlorocyclohexane; DDD, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane; DDE, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene; DDT, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane; do., ditto; LD, lab 

duplicate; MDL, method detection limit; No., number; PCBs, polychlorinated biphenyls; cm, centimeters; ppm, parts per million; %, percent; <, actual value 

shown is less than the minimum reporting limit; --, not analyzed]

Station

No. Town Water body Depth(cm)

Fluoranthene

(ppm)

Fluorene

(ppm)

Indeno-

[1,2,3-cd]-

pyrene

(ppm)

Naphthalene

(ppm)

Phenanthrene

(ppm)

Pyrene

(ppm)

Tribromophenol

(% recovery)

105 Arlington Lower Mystic Lake 00–04 20 <0.11 <0.4 <0.61 <0.17 9.7 85

.....do. .....do. 04–08 14 <.11 <.4 <.61 1.6 10 87

.....do. .....do. 04–12 14 <.11 <.4 <.61 <.17 6.8 80

.....do. .....do. 12–16 10 <.11 <.4 <.61 <.17 5.4 71

.....do. .....do. 16–20 9.8 <.11 <.4 <.61 <.17 5.2 72

.....do. .....do. 20–24 13 <.11 <.4 <.61 <.17 14 70

.....do. .....do. 24–28 9.7 <.11 <.4 <.61 <.17 5.3 106

.....do. .....do. 28–32 32 <.11 <.4 <.61 3.9 16 77

.....do. .....do. 32–36 19 <.11 <.4 <.61 1.9 10 104

.....do. .....do. 36–40 27 <.11 1.4 <.61 2.3 14 73

.....do. .....do. 40–44 13 <.11 <.4 <.61 <.17 7.4 70

.....do. .....do. 44–48 26 <.11 <.4 <.61 3.1 13 70

.....do. .....do. 48–53 37 <.11 <.4 <.61 5.0 20 75

.....do. .....do. 53–57 38 <.11 3.1 <.61 4.7 20 114

.....do. .....do. 57–61 44 2.9 8.4 <.61 14 43 81

.....do. .....do. 61–65 69 15 15 1.0 29 67 86

.....do. .....do. 65–69 100 15 24 2.3 36 83 73

.....do. .....do. 69–73 120 19 25 <.61 62 110 75

.....do. .....do. 73–77 270 66 62 <.61 110 240 86

.....do. .....do. 77–81 140 7.8 25 <.61 53 140 75

.....do. .....do. 81–85 100 7.1 21 <.61 39 95 114

.....do. .....do. 85–89 25 <.11 <.4 <.61 13 22 97

.....do. .....do. 89–93 19 <.11 <.4 <.61 3.8 9.3 120

.....do. .....do. 93–97 16 <.11 <.4 <.61 4.8 15 52

.....do. .....do. 97–101 8.3 <.11 <.4 <.61 .40 7.4 109

.....do. .....do. 101–106 8.8 <.11 <.4 <.61 <.17 4.5 108

.....do. .....do. 106–111 4.7 <.11 <.4 <.61 <.17 2.7 97

106 .....do. Upper Mystic River 00–08 1.8 <.11 <.4 <.61 <.17 4.1 83

.....do. .....do. 08–12 4.1 <.11 <.4 <.61 <.17 4.6 73

.....do. .....do. 12–16 5.3 <.11 <.4 <.61 <.17 5.4 54

.....do. .....do. 16–20 5.6 <.11 <.4 <.61 <.17 5.6 73

.....do. .....do. 20–24 4.8 <.11 <.4 <.61 <.17 5.5 79

.....do. .....do. 24–28 4.0 <.11 <.4 <.61 <.17 6.0 120

.....do. .....do. 28–32 2.1 <.11 <.4 <.61 <.17 4.9 108

.....do. .....do. 32–36 5.0 <.11 <.4 <.61 <.17 9.1 36

.....do. .....do. 36–39 4.6 <.11 <.4 <.61 <.17 8.4 102

107 Medford Malden River 00–04 42 <.11 5.5 <.61 9.3 38 61

.....do. .....do. 04–08 52 <.11 2.1 <.61 11 45 65

.....do. .....do. 08–12 56 <.11 11 <.61 14 50 80

.....do. .....do. 12–16 40 <.11 5.9 <.61 9.5 37 37

.....do. .....do. 16–19.5 54 .40 11 <.61 16 49 117
108  Sediment Quality of Lakes, Rivers, and Estuaries in the Mystic River Basin, Eastern Massachusetts, 2001–03

Table 5. Distribution of organic compound concentrations measured in sediment core samples, Mystic River Basin, 

Massachusetts.—Continued

[Station number: USGS sample identifiers and geographical coordinates are given in table 1; sampling locations shown on figure 3. BHC, 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexachlorocyclohexane; DDD, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane; DDE, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene; DDT, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane; do., ditto; LD, lab 

duplicate; MDL, method detection limit; No., number; PCBs, polychlorinated biphenyls; cm, centimeters; ppm, parts per million; %, percent; <, actual value 

shown is less than the minimum reporting limit; --, not analyzed]

Station

No. Town Water body Depth(cm)

Fluoranthene

(ppm)

Fluorene

(ppm)

Indeno-

[1,2,3-cd]-

pyrene

(ppm)

Naphthalene

(ppm)

Phenanthrene

(ppm)

Pyrene

(ppm)

Tribromophenol

(% recovery)

107—Continued

Medford Malden River 19.5–23 48 0.70 12 <0.61 12 43 45

.....do. .....do. 23–27 40 <.11 5.0 <.61 11 37 96

.....do. .....do. 27–31 42 .70 5.5 <.61 12 40 55

.....do. .....do. 31–35 44 3.5 1.5 <.61 14 44 118

.....do. .....do. 35–39 46 1.5 .6 <.61 13 43 111

.....do. .....do. 39–43 30 <.11 <.4 <.61 6.2 29 47

.....do. .....do. 43–47 50 .40 6.0 <.61 17 44 93

.....do. .....do. 47–51 43 <.11 .6 <.61 13 38 100

.....do. .....do. 51–55 29 <.11 1.0 <.61 2.9 29 55

.....do. .....do. 55–59 20 <.11 <.4 <.61 4.8 13 104

.....do. .....do. 59–63 56 6.8 .5 <.61 27 50 111

.....do. .....do. 63–67 39 .70 3.6 <.61 14 37 64

.....do. .....do. 67–71 48 4.5 5.0 <.61 16 42 75

.....do. .....do. 71–75 42 .80 1.0 <.61 16 40 80

.....do. .....do. 75–78 29 1.5 6.6 <.61 9.7 29 105

108 .....do. Upper Mystic River 00–04 5.3 <.11 <.4 <.61 <.17 7.9 66

.....do. .....do. 04–08 6.5 <.11 <.4 <.61 <.17 6.6 51

.....do. .....do. 08–12 1.5 <.11 <.4 <.61 <.17 4.6 81

.....do. .....do. 12–16 4.7 <.11 <.4 <.61 <.17 6.5 75

.....do. .....do. 16–20 4.7 <.11 <.4 <.61 <.17 5.8 58

.....do. .....do. 20–24 4.3 <.11 <.4 <.61 <.17 6.6 60

.....do. .....do. 24–28 <.12 <.11 <.4 <.61 <.17 2.7 70

.....do. .....do. 28–32 <.12 <.11 <.4 <.61 <.17 1.2 53

.....do. .....do. 32–36 <.12 <.11 <.4 <.61 <.17 5.5 74

.....do. .....do. 36–40 1.9 <.11 <.4 <.61 <.17 5.3 71

.....do. .....do. 40–44 2.3 <.11 <.4 <.61 <.17 5.5 79

109 Malden .....do. 00–04 6.4 <.11 .9 <.61 <.17 6.3 46

.....do. .....do. 04–08 5.9 <.11 <.4 <.61 <.17 5.9 31

.....do. .....do. 08–12 6.8 <.11 <.4 <.61 <.17 7.4 35

.....do. .....do. 12–16 10 <.11 4.4 <.61 <.17 10 93

.....do. .....do. 16–20 12 <.11 1.1 <.61 <.17 11 108

.....do. .....do. 20–24 7.1 <.11 <.4 <.61 <.17 8.1 149

.....do. .....do. 24–28 3.6 <.11 <.4 <.61 <.17 3.9 44

.....do. .....do. 28–32 4.1 <.11 <.4 <.61 <.17 5.2 104

.....do. .....do. 32–36 1.1 <.11 <.4 <.61 <.17 5.0 91

.....do. .....do. 36–40 4.7 <.11 <.4 <.61 <.17 5.0 80

.....do. .....do. 40–44 1.3 <.11 <.4 <.61 <.17 1.3 84

.....do. .....do. 44–48 5.8 <.11 <.4 <.61 <.17 8.3 76

.....do. .....do. 48–52 1.5 <.11 <.4 <.61 <.17 4.8 95

.....do. .....do. 52–56 1.0 <.11 <.4 <.61 <.17 3.8 80

.....do. .....do. 56–60 9.2 <.11 <.4 <.61 <.17 12 99
Tables 3–5  109

Table 5. Distribution of organic compound concentrations measured in sediment core samples, Mystic River Basin, 

Massachusetts.—Continued

[Station number: USGS sample identifiers and geographical coordinates are given in table 1; sampling locations shown on figure 3. BHC, 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexachlorocyclohexane; DDD, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane; DDE, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene; DDT, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane; do., ditto; LD, lab 

duplicate; MDL, method detection limit; No., number; PCBs, polychlorinated biphenyls; cm, centimeters; ppm, parts per million; %, percent; <, actual value 

shown is less than the minimum reporting limit; --, not analyzed]

Station

No. Town Water body Depth(cm)

Fluoranthene

(ppm)

Fluorene

(ppm)

Indeno-

[1,2,3-cd]-

pyrene

(ppm)

Naphthalene

(ppm)

Phenanthrene

(ppm)

Pyrene

(ppm)

Tribromophenol

(% recovery)

109—Continued

Malden Upper Mystic River 60–64 2.6 <0.11 <0.4 <0.61 <0.17 5.5 98

.....do. .....do. 64–68 3.9 <.11 <.4 <.61 <.17 6.4 74

.....do. .....do. 68–72 3.4 <.11 <.4 <.61 <.17 6.1 83

.....do. .....do. 72–76 <.12 <.11 <.4 <.61 <.17 4.5 86

.....do. .....do. 76–80 <.12 <.11 <.4 <.61 <.17 3.2 81

.....do. .....do. 80–84 1.1 <.11 <.4 <.61 <.17 6.7 91

.....do. .....do. 84–88 2.6 <.11 <.4 <.61 <.17 7.6 95

.....do. .....do. 88–92 1.6 <.11 <.4 <.61 <.17 6.0 68

.....do. .....do. 92–96 <.12 <.11 <.4 <.61 <.17 6.0 94

110 Somerville Lower Mystic River 00–04 <.12 <.11 <.4 <.61 <.17 <.05 --

.....do. .....do. 04–08 <.12 <.11 <.4 <.61 <.17 <.05 --

.....do. .....do. 08–12 <.12 <.11 <.4 <.61 <.17 <.05 --

.....do. .....do. 12–16 <.12 <.11 <.4 <.61 <.17 <.05 --

.....do. .....do. 16–20 <.12 <.11 <.4 <.61 <.17 2.1 --

.....do. .....do. 20–24 <.12 <.11 <.4 <.61 <.17 1.9 --

.....do. .....do. 24–28 .40 <.11 <.4 <.61 <.17 4.0 --

.....do. .....do. 28–32 1.4 <.11 <.4 <.61 <.17 1.5 --

.....do. .....do. 32–36 1.7 <.11 <.4 <.61 <.17 2.9 --

.....do. .....do. 36–40 <.12 <.11 <.4 <.61 <.17 <.05 --

.....do. .....do. 40–44 <.12 <.11 <.4 <.61 <.17 <.05 --

.....do. .....do. 44–48 1.2 <.11 <.4 <.61 <.17 2.2 --

111 Boston .....do. 00–04 5.5 <.11 1.5 <.61 <.17 4.5 --

.....do. .....do. 04–08 1.6 <.11 .6 <.61 <.17 2.1 --

.....do. .....do. 08–12 1.2 <.11 .8 <.61 <.17 2.4 --

.....do. .....do. 12–16 2.4 <.11 .9 <.61 .70 3.4 --

.....do. .....do. 16–20 .90 <.11 <.4 <.61 <.17 2.2 --

.....do. .....do. 20–24 1.3 <.11 <.4 <.61 <.17 2.5 --

112 Everett Island End River 00–04 15 <.11 3.3 <.61 4.9 13 --

.....do. .....do. 04–08 14 <.11 2.7 <.61 4.6 20 --

.....do. .....do. 08–12 57 <.11 12 <.61 3.1 48 --

.....do. .....do. 12–16 5.1 <.11 1.4 <.61 1.0 10 --

.....do. .....do. 16–20 12 <.11 4.1 <.61 2.7 17 --

.....do. .....do. 20–24 31 <.11 5.8 <.61 3.2 25 --

.....do. .....do. 24–28 19 <.11 5.5 <.61 2.1 19 --

.....do. .....do. 28–32 35 <.11 6.0 <.61 2.9 28 --

.....do. .....do. 32–36 35 <.11 4.5 <.61 5.0 25 --

.....do. .....do. 36–40 220 22 18 <.61 20 140 --

.....do. .....do. 40–44 370 78 24 <.61 140 220 --

.....do. .....do. 44–48 260 35 19 <.61 92 160 --
110 Sediment Quality of Lakes, Rivers, and Estuaries in the Mystic River Basin, Eastern Massachusetts, 2001–03

Table 5. Distribution of organic compound concentrations measured in sediment core samples, Mystic River Basin, 

Massachusetts.—Continued

[Station number: USGS sample identifiers and geographical coordinates are given in table 1; sampling locations shown on figure 3. BHC, 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexachlorocyclohexane; DDD, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane; DDE, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene; DDT, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane; do., ditto; LD, lab 

duplicate; MDL, method detection limit; No., number; PCBs, polychlorinated biphenyls; cm, centimeters; ppm, parts per million; %, percent; <, actual value 

shown is less than the minimum reporting limit; --, not analyzed]

Station

No. Town Water body Depth(cm)

Fluoranthene

(ppm)

Fluorene

(ppm)

Indeno-

[1,2,3-cd]-

pyrene

(ppm)

Naphthalene

(ppm)

Phenanthrene

(ppm)

Pyrene

(ppm)

Tribromophenol

(% recovery)

105-LD Arlington Lower Mystic Lake 24–28 12 <0.11 <0.4 <0.61 <0.17 6.1 106

.....do. .....do. 24–28 13 <.11 <.4 <.61 <.17 6.6 108

.....do. .....do. 89–93 18 <.11 <.4 <.61 3.3 9.4 91

.....do. .....do. 89–93 20 <.11 <.4 <.61 4.5 9.8 120

106-LD .....do. Upper Mystic River 16–20 6.0 <.11 <.4 <.61 <.17 5.2 72

.....do. .....do. 16–20 5.0 <.11 <.4 <.61 <.17 5.0 76

107-LD Medford Malden River 19.5–23 44 <.11 10 <.61 12 40 44

.....do. .....do. 19.5–23 47 <.11 6.5 <.61 12 42 55

.....do. .....do. 67–71 38 4.4 5.9 <.61 14 34 89

.....do. .....do. 67–71 43 2.6 4.5 <.61 14 37 96

108-LD .....do. Upper Mystic River 36–40 2.8 <.11 <.4 <.61 <.17 5.1 56

.....do. .....do. 36–40 .90 <.11 <.4 <.61 <.17 5.0 63

109-LD Malden .....do. 00–04 7.9 <.11 <.4 <.61 <.17 8.1 53

.....do. .....do. 08–12 5.9 <.11 <.4 <.61 <.17 5.9 85

.....do. .....do. 08–12 5.1 <.11 1.2 <.61 <.17 5.9 70

.....do. .....do. 56–60 8.3 <.11 <.4 <.61 <.17 12 83

.....do. .....do. 56–60 6.8 <.11 <.4 <.61 <.17 11 76

.....do. .....do. 84–88 1.6 <.11 <.4 <.61 <.17 7.4 48

.....do. .....do. 84–88 3.2 <.11 <.4 <.61 <.17 7.6 61

111-LD Boston Lower Mystic River 00–04 3.3 <.11 <.4 <.61 <.17 3.4 --

.....do. .....do. 04–08 1.3 <.11 .4 <.61 <.17 2.7 --

.....do. .....do. 08–12 1.6 <.11 <.4 <.61 <.17 2.6 --

.....do. .....do. 12–16 2.2 <.11 <.4 <.61 <.17 3.5 --

.....do. .....do. 16–20 1.8 <.11 <.4 <.61 <.17 2.7 --

.....do. .....do. 20–24 1.0 <.11 <.4 <.61 <.17 2.2 --

112-LD Everett Island End River 00–04 14 <.11 2.8 <.61 5.9 12 --

.....do. .....do. 04–08 14 <.11 4.4 <.61 3.6 20 --

.....do. .....do. 08–12 58 <.11 8.5 <.61 2.1 50 --

.....do. .....do. 12–16 6.4 <.11 1.2 <.61 1.2 10 --

.....do. .....do. 16–20 11 <.11 3.1 <.61 1.3 16 --

.....do. .....do. 20–24 31 <.11 6.8 <.61 3.1 25 --

.....do. .....do. 24–28 18 <.11 5.1 <.61 1.6 18 --

.....do. .....do. 28–32 35 <.11 6.4 <.61 2.7 27 --

.....do. .....do. 32–36 34 <.11 6.0 <.61 4.4 24 --

.....do. .....do. 36–40 240 17 19 <.61 18 140 --

.....do. .....do. 40–44 340 60 19 <.61 120 220 --

.....do. .....do. 44–48 260 30 28 <.61 89 160 --