Chemical constituents in sediment in Lake Pontchartrain and in street mud and canal sediment in New Orleans, Louisiana, following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, 2005

Peter C. Van Metre; Jennifer T. Wilson; Arthur J. Horowitz; Stanley C. Skrobialowski; William T. Foreman; Christopher C. Fuller; Mark R. Burkhardt; Kent A. Elrick; Barbara Mahler; James J. Smith; Steven D. Zaugg

doi:10.3133/ds206

USGS · ds206

Chemical constituents in sediment in Lake Pontchartrain and in street mud and canal sediment in New Orleans, Louisiana, following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, 2005

Peter C. Van Metre·Jennifer T. Wilson·Arthur J. Horowitz·Stanley C. Skrobialowski·William T. Foreman·Christopher C. Fuller·Mark R. Burkhardt·Kent A. Elrick·Barbara Mahler·James J. Smith·Steven D. Zaugg

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Abstract

Samples of street mud, suspended and bottom sediment in canals discharging to Lake Ponchartrain, and suspended and bottom sediment in the lake were collected and analyzed for chemical constituents to help evaluate the effects of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita and the subsequent unwatering of New Orleans, Louisiana. The approach used for sampling and analysis of chemical data for the study is presented herein. Radionuclides, major and trace elements, and numerous organic compounds in sediment were analyzed. The organic compounds include organochlorine pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, urban waste indicator compounds, and current-use pesticides. Methods for the analysis of urban waste indicator compounds and current-use pesticides in sediment were developed only recently.

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Source-reported bounding extent: 30.007273923504556° to 30.417887641071157° latitude; -90.42572021484374° to -89.74456787109375° longitude. This indicates report coverage, not an exact sampling location. View area on OpenStreetMap.

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Peter C. Van Metre, Jennifer T. Wilson, Arthur J. Horowitz, Stanley C. Skrobialowski, William T. Foreman, Christopher C. Fuller, Mark R. Burkhardt, Kent A. Elrick, Barbara Mahler, James J. Smith, Steven D. Zaugg. 2007. Chemical constituents in sediment in Lake Pontchartrain and in street mud and canal sediment in New Orleans, Louisiana, following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, 2005. https://doi.org/10.3133/ds206

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