•f 1977
c. 2
TD223.3
G842 905R77106
GUIDELINES FOR THE POLLUTIONAL CLASSIFICATION
OF GREAT LAKES 11AR29R SEDIMENTS
U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
REGION V
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS
April, 1977
J^-eSt,'. ;;;"J-j p|0or
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Guidelines for the evaluation of Great Lakes harbor sediments, based on bulk
sediment analysis, have been developed by Region V of the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency. These guidelines, developed under the pressure of the need
to make immediate decisions regarding the disposal of dredged material, have
not been adequately related to the impact of the sediments on the lakes and are
considered interim guidelines until more scientifically sound guidelines are
developed.
The guidelines are based on the following facts and assumptions:
1. Sediments that have been severely altered by the activities of
man ?re most like?,y to have adv.rse environmental impacts.
^f 2. The variability of the sampling and analytical techniques is
such that the assessment of any sample must be based on all
<~j
^° factors and not on any single parameter with the exception of
mercury and pqlychlorinated biphenyls (PCB's).
3. Due to the documented bioaccumulation of mercury and PCB's, rigid
limitations are used which override all other considerations.
Sediments are classified as heavily polluted, moderately polluted, or nonpolluted
by evaluating each parameter measured against the scales shown below. The
overall classification of the sample is based on the most predominant classifi-
cation of the individual parameters. Additional factors such as elutriate test
results, source of contamination, particle size distribution, benthic macroin-
vertebrate populations, color, and odor are also considered. These factors are
interrelated in a complex manner and their interpretation is necessarily somewhat
subjective.
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The following ranges used to classify sediments from Great' Lakes harbors are
^ ,
based on compilations of data from over 100 different harbors since 1967.
NONPOLLUTED
MODERATELY POLLUTED
HEAVILY POLLUTED
<5
<40,000
<1,000
<1,000
<4Q
<90
5-8
40,000-80,000
1,000-2,000
1,000-2,000
40-60
. 90-200
>8
>80,000
>2,000
>2,000
:60
>200
Volatile Solids (%)
COD (mg/kg dry weight)
TKN
Oil and Grease
(Hexane Solubles)
(mg/kg dry weight)
Lead (mg/kg dry weight)
Zinc
The following supplementary ranges used to classify sediments from Great Lakes
harbors have been developed to the point where they are usable but are still
subject to modification by the addition of new data. Ther.e ranges are based
on 260 samples from 34 harbors sampled during 1974 and 1975.
NONPOLLUTED
MODERATELY POLLUTED HEAVILY POLLUTED
Ammonia (mg/kg dry weight) <75
Cyanide
Phosphorus "
Iron
Nickel
Manganese "
Arsenic "
Cadmium "
Chromium
Barium
Copper
n n
n ii
ii ii
ii
<75
<0.10
<420
<17,000
<20
<300
<3
*
<25
<20
<25
75-200
0.10-C.25
420-650
17,000-25,000
20-50
300-500
3-8
*
25-75
20-60
25-50
>200
>0.25
>650
>25,000
>50
>500
>8
>6
>75
>CO
>50
*Lower limits not established
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The guidelines stated below for mercury and PCB's are based upon the best avail-
able information and are subject to revision as new information becomes available.
Methylation of mercury at levels j> 1 mg/kg has been documented (1,2). Methyl
" mercury is directly available for bioaccumulation in the food chain.
Elevated PCB levels in large fish have been found in all of the Great Lakes. The
accumulation pathways are not well understood. However, bioaccumulation of PCB's
at levels _>_ 10 mg/kg in fathead minnows has been documented (3).
Because of the known bioaccumulation of these toxic compounds, a rigid limitation
is used. If the guideline values are exceeded, the sediments are classified as
polluted and unacceptable for open lake disposal no matter what the other data
indicate.
POLLUTED
Mercury >. * m8/kg dry weight
Total PCB's j> 10 mg/kg dry weight
The pollutional classification of sediments with total PCB concentrations between
1.0 mg/kg and 10.0 mg/kg dry weight will be determined on a case-by-case basis.
a. Elutriate test results.
The elutriate test was designed to simulate the dredging and disposal process.
In the test, sediment and dredging site water are mixed in the ratio of 1:4
by volume. The mixture is shaken for 30 minutes, allowed to settle for 1 hour,
centrifuged, and filtered through a O.A5 y filter. The filtered water (elu-
triate water) is then chemically analyzed.
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A sample of the dredging site water used in the elutriate test is filtered
through- a 0.45 y filter and chemically analyzed.
A comparison of the elutriate water with the filtered dredging site water
for like constituents indicates whether a constituent was or was not released
in the test.
The value of elutriate test results are limited for overall pollutional
classification because they reflect only immediate release to the water
column under aerobic and near neutral pH conditions. However, elutriate
test results can be used to confirm releases of toxic materials and to
influence decisions where bulk sediu.^nt results are marginal between two
classifications. If there is release or non-release, particularly of a
more toxic constituent, the elutriate test results can shift the classifi-
cation toward the more polluted or the less polluted range, respectively.
b. Source of sediment contamination.
In many cases the sources of sediment contamination are readily apparent.
Sediments reflect the inputs of paper mills, steel mills, sewage discharges,
and heavy industry very faithfully. Many sediments may have moderate or
high concentrations of TKN, COD, and volatile solids yet exhibit no evidence
of man made pollution. This usually occurs when drainage from a swampy area
reaches the channel or harbor, or when the project itself is located in a
low lying wetland area. Pollution in these projects may be considered natural
and some leeway may be given in the range values for TKN, COD, and volatile
solids provided that toxic materials are not also present.
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Field observations. %
Experience has shown that field observations are a most reliable indicator
of sediment condition. Important factors are color, texture, odor, presence
of detritus, and presence of oily material.
Color. A general guideline is the lighter the color the cleaner the sediment.
There are exceptions to this rule when natural deposits have a darker color.
These conditions are usually apparent to the sediment sampler during the survey.
Texture. A general rule is the finer the material the more polluted it is.
Sands and gravels usually have low concentrations of pollutants while silts
usually have higher concentrations. Silts are frequently carried from pol-
luted upstream areas, whereas, sand usually comes from lateral drift along
the shore of the lake. Once again, this general rule can have exceptions
and it must be applied with care.
Odor. This is the odor noted by the sampler when the sample is collected.
These odors can vary widely with temperature and observer and must be used
carefully. Lack of odor, a beach odor, or a fishy odor tends to denote
cleaner samples.
Detritus. Detritus may cause higher values for the organic parameters COD,
TKN, and volatile solids. It usually denotes pollution from natural sources.
Note: The determination of the "naturalness" of a sediment depends upon the
establishment of a natural organic source and a lack of man made pollution
sources with low values for metals and oil and grease. The presence of
detritus is not decisive in itself.
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Oily material. This almost always comes from industry or shipping activities.
Samples showing visible oil are usually highly contaminated. If chemical
results are marginal, a notation of oil is grounds for declaring the sediment
to be polluted.
d. Benthos.
Classical biological evaluation of benthos is not applicable to harbor or
channel sediments because these areas very seldom support a well balanced
population. Very high concentrations of tolerant organisms indicate organic
contamination but do not necessarily preclude open lake disposal of the
sediment^. A moderate concentration of oligochaetes or other tolerant organisms
frequently characterizes an acceptable sample. The worst case exists when
there is a complete lack or very limited number of organisms. This may
indicate a toxic condition.
In addition, biological results must be interpreted in light of the habitat
provided in the harbor or channel. Drifting r.and can be a very harsh habitat
which may support only a few organisms. Silty material, on the other hand,
usually provides a good habitat for sludgeworms, leeches, fingernail clams,
and perhaps, amphipods. Material that is frequently disturbed by ship's
. propellers provides a poor habitat.
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REFERENCES
1. Jensen, S., and JernelSv, A., "Biological Methylation of Mercury in Aquatic
Organisms," Nature, 223, August 16, 1969 pp 753-754.
2. Magnuson, J.J., Forbes, A., and Hall, R., "Final Report - An Assessment of
the Environmental Effects of Dredged Material Disposal in Lake Superior -
Volume 3: Biological Studies," Marine Studies Center, University of
Wisconsin, Madison, March, 1976.
3. Halter, M.T., and Johnson, H.E., "A Model System to Study the Release of
PCB from Hydrosoils and Subsequent Accumulation by Fish," presented to
American Society for Testing and Materials, Symposium on Aquatic Toxicology
and Hazard Evaluation," October 25-26, 1976, Memphis, Tennessee
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Region 5, Library (PI -''"
77 West Jackson ?•: :~
Chicago, IL 60t',
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