United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Region 10
1200 Sixth Avenue
Seattle WA 98101
September 1988
Environmental Services Division
EPAS10J9-8&-216
&EPA
Coeur d'Alene Basin
EPA Water Quality Monitoring
1972-1986
Coeur d Alene Basin
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U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Region 10
Coeur dPAlene Basin — EPA Water Quality Monitoring (1972-1986)
C. Evan Hornig
David A, Terpening
M. William Bogue
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ABSTRACT
The Region 10 Office of the U.S. EPA has conducted chemical and
biological monitoring during low-flow conditions from 1972 to 1986 along the
South Fork Coeur d'Alene River in northern Idaho, a stream with a long history
of severe metals pollution from mining activities. During 1986, metals
analysis of sediments and tissues from the lower Coeur d'Alene River and Coeur
d'Alene Lake was also conducted. Due chiefly to effluent controls at the
Bunker Hill Complex, low-flow season South Fork concentrations of zinc,
cadmium, and lead downstream of Kellogg were reduced during the 1970*s from
13.6 mg/1, 0.24 mg/1, and 0.75 mg/1 to levels of 5.0 mg/1, 0.03 mg/1, and 0.03
mg/1, respectively. During the 1986 low-flow survey, metal loadings were
primarily a result of nonpermitted inputs to the stream, chiefly from the
vicinity of the Bunker Hill Central Impoundment Area and from Canyon Creek, a
tributary near Wallace. Although levels of zinc and cadmium remain well above
national criteria for protection of cold water biota in both the South Fork
and lower mainstem of the Coeur d'Alene, recovery of aquatic life has been
substantial,, with the lower mainstem now supporting a successful sports
fishery. Sediments in the lower Coeur d'Alene system remain heavily
contaminated with toxic metals, although high levels in edible fish tissue
were not found. In terms of immediate benefits to the mainstem biota, the
cessation or treatment of the major discrete CIA seep at the Bunker Hill
Superfund Site is estimated to reduce mainstem summer low-flow zinc
concentrations by over 150 ug/1. Allowable permit limits (as of 1986) for
metals (primarily cadmium) have the potential of increasing in-stream metals
concentrations substantially above the levels resulting from nonpermitted
sources. Water quality-based permits are particularly important for aquatic
life protection of the South Fork upstream of Mull an and the mainstem
downstream of the S.F. confluence. Water quality management should take a
basin-wide, integrated approach that considers effects on downstream reaches
from upstream sources, cost of rehabilitation of mine tailings and control of
seeps, further control of point and nonpoint sources, and habitat recovery.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Special thanks to Ray Peterson for his continuous lead support of EPA's
Coeur d*Alene monitoring throughout the 70's and 80s, to Barry Baldigo for his
considerable field and on-site laboratory biological support provided during
the 1986 survey, and to the EPA Region 10 and ORD laboratory staffs for
performing a variety of toxicity tests and chemical analyses on sediment,
water, and fish samples collected during the studies. Additional individuals
who contributed to the 1986 study and this report included Andy Hess, Sylvia
Kawabata, Mike Silverman, Mike Watson, Amber Wong, Ken Mosbaugh, Joyce
Crosson, Kim Coble, Jack Sceva, Joe Cummins, Carolyn Gangmark, Bob Rieck, John
Yearsley, Wayne Grotheer, Roy Jones, Dan McDonough, Oiedre Gibson, Gina Foti,
Blythe SherFey, Barbara Lambourne, Al Nebeker, and Ooe Amato of the EPA; Mike
Beckwith, Jim OeSmet, Ed Tulloch and Bill Clark of IOHW; Ned Homer, Larry
LaBolle, Bill Morton, and Cindy Robertson of IDFG; and John Wolflin, Jim Nee,
and Maureen Loughlin of the USFWS.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION 1
HEAVY METAL LOADINGS AND CONCENTRATIONS, 1972-1986 1
1986 SURVEY RESULTS ".. 3
Heavy Metal Loadings and Concentrations 3
Point and Nonpoint Contributions 6
Toxicity Tests 6
Benthic Invertebrate Survey 8
Coeur d*Alene System Sediment and Fish Tissue Heavy Metal Loads . 10
CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 11
Monitoring and Research Needs 12
REFERENCES 13
TABLES A-l
MAPS B-l
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LIST OF TABLES
1 COEUR O'ALENE BASIN SAMPLE SITES A-l
2 SAMPLE ANALYSES AT D'ALENE SAMPLE SITES 1986 AND
1987. ..................... A-3
3 HEAVY METAL CONTRIBUTIONS BY SOUTH FORK REACHES BETWEEN 1972 AND
1986 A-6
4 SURVIVAL OF RAINBOW TROUT HELD IN LIVE BOXES AT SOUTH FORK AND
MAINSTEM SITES A-7
5 SURVIVAL OF CUTTHROAT TROUT EXPOSED TO BUNKER HILL CIA SEEP AND
D'ALENE . .......... A-8
6 SURVIVAL AND OF TO HILL
CIA SEEP AND SOUTH FORK COEUR D'ALENE RIVER WATER . . . . A-9
7 SURVIVAL AND GROWTH OF LARVAL FATHEAD MINNOWS EXPOSED TO BUNKER
HILL CIA SEEP WATER A-10
8 GROWTH OF THE ALGAE, SELENASTRUM CAPRICORNUTAM, EXPOSED TO SOUTH
FORK COEUR D'ALENE RIVER WATER A-ll
9 METAL LEVELS IN COLLECTED THE EPA 1986 SURVEY. A-12
10 SURVIVAL OF AND HYALELLA EXPOSED TO COEUR D'ALENE RIVER
AND LAKE SEDIMENTS A-14
11 METAL LEVELS IN FISH TISSUE COLLECTED DURING THE EPA 1986-87
SURVEY A-15
LIST OF MAPS
I D'ALENE STUDY SITES. ... B-l
2 STUDY SITES IN THE VICINITY OF KELLOGG, IDAHO 8-2
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LIST OF FIGURES
1 ZINC CONCENTRATIONS-UPSTREAM AND DOWNSTREAM OF BUNKER HILL COMPLEX. 2
2 CADMIUM CONCENTRATIONS-UPSTREAM AND DOWNSTREAM OF BUNKER HILL
COMPLEX 2
3 LEAD CONCENTRATIONS-UPSTREAM AND DOWNSTREAM OF BUNKER HILL COMPLEX 2
4 COPPER CONCENTRATIONS-UPSTREAM AND DOWNSTREAM OF BUNKER HILL
COMPLEX 2
5 ZINC CONCENTRATIONS-1986 COEUR D'ALENE LOW FLOW SURVEY 4
6 CADMIUM CONCENTRATIONS-1986 COEUR D'ALENE LOW FLOW SURVEY 4
7 LEAD CONCENTRATIONS-1986 COEUR D'ALENE LOW FLOW SURVEY 5
8 COPPER CONCENTRATIONS-1986 COEUR D'ALENE LOW FLOW SURVEY 5
9 IRON CONCENTRATIONS-1986 COEUR D'ALENE LOW FLOW SURVEY 5
10 MANGANESE CONCENTRATIONS-1986 COEUR- D'ALENE LOW FLOW SURVEY. ... 5
11 ZINC CONCENTRATIONS-1986 COEUR D'ALENE STUDY POINT VS NONPOINT
CONTRIBUTIONS. 7
12 CADMIUM CONCENTRATIONS-1986 COEUR D'ALENE STUDY POINT VS NONPOINT
CONTRIBUTIONS 7
13 ZINC CONCENTRATIONS-1986 COEUR D'ALENE STUDY WORST-CASE CONDITIONS. 7
14 CADMIUM CONCENTRATIONS-1986 COEUR D'ALENE STUDY WORST-CASE
CONDITIONS 7
15 TAXA RICHNESS-1986 COEUR D'ALENE STUDY INVERTEBRATE SURVEY 9
16 NUMBER OF ORGANISMS-1986 COEUR D'ALENE STUDY INVERTEBRATE SURVEY. . 9
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INTRODUCTION
Wholesale deposition of mine tailings directly into the South Fork Coeur
d'Alene River occurred from the 1880s until construction of tailing ponds
during the 1960s. In 1972, the Clean Water Act was passed, requiring effluent
limits on all industrial and municipal point source discharges and mandating
the Environmental Protection Agency to oversee implementation of these
controls. At the same time, EPA's Region 10 Office began a monitoring program
on the South Fork of the Coeur d'Alene to update conditions, document
improvements, and identify remaining important sources of heavy metals. These
studies, conducted during late summer low-flow periods, focused on inputs from
permitted dischargers and groundwater seeps and characterized conditions
during the most critical season to stream biota. Recommendations generated by
the EPA studies has led to stricter control of dischargers and fewer "plant
upsets", particularly in the Bunker Hill complex.
EPA conducted late-summer, low-flow season monitoring for heavy metals
during 1972, 1974, 19.75, 1976, 1979, 1980, 1982, 1984, and 1986. The most
recent survey included analysis of fish tissues and sediments from the lower
Coeur d*Alene River, including the lateral lakes, and from Lake Coeur d'Alene.
This report summarizes the water quality trends during the 1970s and describes
current conditions. 1986 study sites and analyses are listed in Tables 1 and
2 and located on basin maps (Maps 1 and 2). Details on methods, including
quality assurance aspects, and data printouts of chemistry and
macroinvertebrate survey results are available from Region 10*s Water
Monitoring and Analysis Section. A considerable amount of additional data
sources and study results.from the Coeur d'Alene system are available and have
recently been compiled (Wai, et al. 1985; Savage, 1986; Woodward-Clyde
Consultants and Terragraphics, 1986; Neufield, 1987; Tetra Tech, Inc. and
Morrison-Knudsen Engineers, Inc., 1987),
HEAVY METAL LOADINGS AND CONCENTRATIONS, 1972-19861
The heavy metals of concern on the Coeur d'Alene system have been zinc,
cadmium, and copper for aquatic life impact and lead and cadmium for animal
and human health concerns. From 1972 through 1986, low flow season
concentrations of these metals upstream of the Bunker Hill (BH) complex in
Kellogg (at Bunker Avenue bridge) have been relatively constant while water
quality downstream of the BH complex (near Airport Avenue Bridge) has improved
considerably (Figs. 1-4).
The differences in metals concentrations between these two sites can be
explained by loadings upstream of and from the Bunker Hill complex (Table 3).
Zinc loadings upstream of the Bunker Avenue bridge showed no apparent trends:
1984 level (1100 #/day) was similar to that during 1972 (1153 #/day), while
the 1986 level (591 I/day) was similar to the 1979 level (682 #/day). Cadmium
loadings also did not vary noticeably; 1972 and values were 8 and 6
*A11 Values are for totals (dissolved and total results for metals during
the low-flow sampling seasons have consistently been nearly equal).
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FIS. f. ZINC CONCENTRATIONS
UPSTREAM AND DOWNSTREAM OF
BUNKER HILL COMPLEX
FI6. 2. CADMIUM CONCENTRATIONS
UPSTREAM AND DOWNSTREAM
OF BUNKER HILL COMPLEX
AVI. ea. UHPOCT AW. M.
SOUTH FORK SITE
BUNKfiH
AERPQRT U(t. «ffl«€
SOLTTri FORK SITE
FIS. 3. LEAD CONCENTRATIONS
AND DOWNSTREAM OF
BUNKEfl HILL COMPLEX
330 -
FIS. 4. eCWCeNTRATIONS
UPSTREAM AND DOWNSTREAM OF
BUNKER HILL COMPLEX
*»c, FUJ55 *!i¥>(KT »V£.
E2UTH FOflK SIT£
10 -
SITE
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#/day, respectively, while 1975 and 1984 both had loadings of 11 #/day. There
is some evidence of a trend in upstream lead loadings: values varied between
18 and 49 #/day from 1972 to 1976 and between 9 and 13 from 1979 to 1984. The
lead loading during the 1986 survey was three #/day.
The difference in metal levels between the Bunker Avenue bridge site and
the site immediately above Bunker Creek reflect loadings immediately adjacent
to the Bunker Hill CIA (Table 3). Although the CIA remains a major
contributor of zinc to the basin, substantial reductions of CIA zinc loadings
occurred since the 1970s; zinc loads (#/day) to this stream reach ranged from
10Z5 to 3692 prior to 1982, and from 365 to 582 during the mid-1980s.
CIA contribution of cadmium has always been relatively minor, with load
increases between the two sampling sites that bracket the CIA varying between
0 and 5 #/day. Some loading of lead over this reach was evident during the
earlier surveys: 27, 24, and 16 #/day during 1974, 1975, and 1976,
respectively- However, almost no lead loadings were apparent here from 1980
through 1986.
The next EPA sampling site downstream on the South Fork is located near
the Airport Avenue bridge. This site and the above Bunker Creek site bracket
Bunker and Government {Silver King) Creeks and differences in load values
between these sites reflect loads released from the Bunker Hill complex to the
South Fork via these two creeks. Up until the mid-1970s, this area
experienced massive loadings of cadmium and lead in addition to further
substantial loads of zinc (Table 3). The implementation of effluent controls
at the Bunker Hill complex has resulted in a dramatic success story as
evidenced by the monitoring data; during the mid 1970s, zinc contributions
ranged from 1852 to 2919 I/day» cadmium loads from 33 to 57 #/day, and lead
loads from 48 to 78 #/day. Between 1979 and 1986, however, load increases
over this reach of the South Fork did not exceed 288 I/day for zinc, 9 I/day
for cadmium and 13 #/day for lead, ' In summary, the Bunker Hill Complex was
responsible for the great majority of the metals loading observed in the early
1970s. Between 1972 and 1986, the low-flow loads of zinc, cadmium, and lead
from the tributaries and seeps of the Bunker Hill complex were reduced
respectively from 8247, 158, and 469 pounds to 509, 7, and Z pounds (Table 3).
1986 SURVEY RESULTS
Heavy Metal Loadings and Concentrations
Although loadings of metals into the S.F. Coeur d'Alene have decreased
substantially since 1972, low-flow concentrations of zinc and cadmium remain
well above national criteria levels for protection of aquatic life (Figs. 5
and 6).1 The first major upstream increases of these metals are a result of
nonpoint source loadings from Canyon Creek (located between the S.F. above
Canyon Creek and S.F. above Lake Creek sites).
National criteria for many metals are dependent on hardness and vary
accordingly along the Coeur d'Alene system.
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FI6, 5. ZINC CONCENTRATIONS
1986 COEUfl D'ALENE
LOW FLOW SURVEY
61* CrlUrl*
icut«
Tottl
FIS. 6, CADMIUM CONCENTRATIONS
1986 CQEUR D'ALENE
LOW FLOW SURVEY
US/L
The next major increase of zinc occurs along the South Fork river reach
bordering the Bunker Hill Central Impoundment Area (CIA). The zinc
concentration in the South Fork increased here (between Bunker Avenue bridge
and Bunker Creek) from 1480 to 2500 ug/1. Although much of this increase
might be attributed to diffuse contamination, a single discrete seepage
running from the base of the CIA to the river that was sampled during the EPA
1986 survey had a concentration of 15,900 ug/1 and a gaged flow of 2.35 cfs.
The loading of over 200 Ibs/day of zinc from this seep accounted for 528 ug/1
concentration at the above Bunker Creek site or over 50% of the zinc increase
found over this reach. Curtailment or treatment of this seep alone would
translate to a low-flow season reduction of over 150 ug/1 or 18% of the zinc
concentration on the mainstem Coeur d'Alene.
A substantial increase for cadmium occurred at the Airport Avenue Bridge
in Kellogg, due to point and nonpoint discharges directly to the South Fork
and to Bunker Creek. The lead values in the water column during low-flow
season fall between the national acute and chronic criteria levels, while
copper levels remained below both chronic and acute criteria (Figs. 7 and 8).
Iron and manganese, which are not generally considered as toxic problems for
aquatic life, show highly elevated levels on the South Fork along and
downstream of the Bunker Hill Site, and these metals could well be adding to
the water quality problems along this reach (Figs. 9 and 10). Of particular
note is the obvious flocculent deposits in the vicinity of the Bunker Hill
Site, which continues to affect the benthic habitat quality.
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FIG,
UG/L
7. l£AD CONCENTRATIONS
1996 COEUR D'ALENE
LOW FLOW SURVEY
FI6. 8. COPPSl CONCENTRATIOKS
1986 COEUR D'ALENE
LOW FLOW SURVEY
FI6. 9. IRON
D'ALENE
LOW FLOW SURVEY
USA,
F16. 10. CONCOnHATlOMS
O'ALENE
LOW FLOW SURVEY
US/L
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Point and Nonpoint Contributions
Largely due to depressed silver prices during the summer of 1986, the
majority of mining operations along the South Fork were either sharply reduced
or curtailed. As a result, the relative contribution of metals from point
sources, as calculated from the industries' September, 1986,. Discharge
Monitoring Reports, was generally minor (Figs. 11 and 12). The one relatively
important point source loading at the time of the study was cadmium from the
Syringa discharge to Bunker Creek. However, recent startup of additional
control equipment decreased the cadmium contribution from Syringa about
10-fold from September to November of 1986 (Discharge Monitoring Reports,
Syringa, Inc).
An estimate of "worst-case" conditions for point source contribution of
zinc and cadmium (using 1986 NPOES permit limits) does, however, indicate that
point sources do have the potential for substantial contribution of these
metals to the system (Figs. 13 and 14).* These conditions would be realized
if al1 permitted discharges were contributing their maximum allowable average
load during the lowest 7-day flow conditions that is expected to occur on the
average of once every 10 years. Of particular note, is the potential
importance of permitted zinc and cadmium loading to the water quality of the
South Fork upstream of Canyon Creek at Wallace and (to a lesser extent) of
permitted cadmium loading to water quality throughout the system.
Toxicity Tests
Results of 1986 EPA livebox bioassays with hatchery rainbow trout
fingerlings showed considerable acute mortality downstream from Canyon Creek
at Wallace (Table 4). Similar livebox bioassays conducted during previous EPA
low flow surveys showed similar patterns of toxicity. Considering the levels
of cadmium and zinc in the water are each well above acute criteria levels,
these results are not surprising.
Dilution series acute toxicity tests conducted with hatchery cutthroat
trout during the 1986 survey resulted in an LC50 of 2 to 3% (i.e. a mixture of
approximately 2 to 3% Bunker Hill CIA seep water to 97-98% control water
caused mortality to half the exposed fish). The LC50 of South Fork Coeur
d'Alene water collected above Pine Creek was approximately 10% (Table 5).
Chronic and acute toxicity tests conducted at the Ouluth EPA Lab with
the water flea, Ceriodaphnia dubia and the fathead minnow, Pimephales
promelas, and at the Region 10 lab with the algae, Selenastrum capricornutam
also confirmed the toxic conditions found along the S.F. Coeur d'Alene (Tables
6, 7, and 8). Particularly toxic was the CIA seep, which showed acute
toxicity to Ceriodaphnia at the 1% dilution level.
This
imits
iis aneiysis excluded several of the permitted dischargers, where load
for specific metals were not defined in the permits.
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FIS. 11. ZINC CONCSfTBATIONS
1986 COEUR D'ALENE STUDY
POINT VS. NONPOINT CONTRIBUTIONS
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1966 COEUa D'ALENE STUDY
POINT VS. NONPOINT CONTRIBUTIONS
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FIS. 13. ZIKC CONCSfTRATIONS
1986 O'ALENE STUDY
WORST-CASE CONDITIONS
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FIS. 14. CADMJUH
1986 D'ALENE STUDY
HOflST-CASE CONDITIONS
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Benthic Invertebrate Survey
An invertebrate survey was conducted during mid-August, 1986, of the
South Fork Coeur d'Alene from upstream of the mining district (above Mullen)
to its mouth (at Enanville), the mainstem above the confluence of the South
Fork (unimpacted background site), and the mainstem downstream of the South
Fork confluence at Cataldo. The purposes of the survey were to 1) determine
the availability of a salmonid food base, 2) provide information on the actual
biological consequences of the Silver Valley pollution, including
determination of the degree to which the more sensitive indigenous cold-water
species are present in the impacted areas, 3) document effectiveness of
previous controls towards restoring Coeur d'Alene biota, and 4) provide
baseline information to be used towards assessing further recovery of system
or for detecting unexpected pollution events.
Surveys conducted in the early 1930s (Ellis, 193Z), early 1950s (Wilson,
1952), and early 1960s (Olson, 1963) found virtually no benthic invertebrates
throughout the impacted areas of the South Fork and mainstem Coeur d'Alene
River downstream of the South Fork. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, with
the advent of Silver Valley tailings ponds and subsequent decrease of
discharge of mine slimes to the stream bottom, the more tolerant midge fly
larvae (Chironomidae) became established first on the mainstem (Cataldo site)
and later on the impacted reaches of the South Fork Coeur d'Alene. By 1971,
the ubiquitous mayfly species, Baetfs trfcaudatus, and riffle beetles had also
been collected from impacted sites on the mainstem and lower South Fork
(Stokes, 1969; Savage and Rabe, 1973). EPA Region 10 collections in 1975
yielded numerous midges and a few mayflies from the South Fork and impacted
mainstem. Caddisflies were also common in the mainstem collection, with a few
collected from the lower South Fork.
The EPA Region 10 1986 survey demonstrated that recovery of benthic
invertebrates has made considerable further progress. Species richness,
although depressed along the impacted South Fork compared to control sites
(South Fork upstream of Mull an and mainstem upstream of the South Fork),
showed a remarkable recovery from earlier times (Fig. 15). Total insect
numbers at the affected sites were also comparable to that found at the
control sites and sufficient to eliminate lack of food as a limiting factor
for fish populations (Fig. 16).1 The reestablishment of the Coeur d'Alene
fauna coincides with the implementation of South Fork effluent controls and
the resultant large reductions in South Fork metals concentrations.
The 1986 biological survey provides insight on the relative sensitivity
of the major groups (orders) of insects. The mayflies were the most sensitive
to the Silver Valley metals pollution, with all but one species virtually
absent from all impacted sites. The stoneflies exhibited intermediate
sensitivity to the Silver Valley contaminants, with numbers and diversity
similar at the more moderately impacted sites (South Fork just above Canyon
The high nutrient levels and profuse algal growth at the above Pine
Creek site (downstream of the Smeltervi11e POTW effluent} are the probable
causes of the excessive numbers of organisms (chiefly f i 1 ter-feecii ng black
flies and caddisf1ies).
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FI6. IS. TAX* RICHNESS
1986 COEUH Q'ALENE STUOY
INVERTEBRATE SURVEY
FI6. 16. NUHBEH OF OHGANISKS
1986 COEUfl D'ALENE STUDY
INVERTEBRATE SURVEY
Organ 13^3
Creek and mainstem downstream of the South Fork at Cataldo) to those at the
unirapacted sites. Greatest-" tolerance to metals pollution was demonstrated by
the caddisflies and true fHes; their numbers and diversity were similar at
all sites. Several inter-specific -and inter-generic differences in metals
tolerances were also indicated, particularly among the mayflies, crane flies,
and riffle beetles.
The increase in metal levels immediately downstream of the Bunker Hill
Superfund Site did not show a corresponding increased impact on the late-
summer benthic invertebrates as collected at the above Pine Creek site. This
may be partly due to the increase in water hardness that occurs from Kellogg
to Pine Creek and to the high organic matter at the Pine Creek Site, Dissolved
organic matter can decrease bioavailability by increasing chelation (binding)
of metal ions {Stephenson and Mackie, 1988). However, these factors are much
less important in the mainstem downstream of the South Fork confluence, due to
a 2:1 dilution of softer waters from the upstream mainstem, and less nutrients.
A 15% to 20% decrease in zinc concentrations, as would occur with
cessation of the principal CIA seep channel, could be expected to improve the
biological health of the lower mainstem. For example, the more metals-
sensitive populations of benthic fauna will continue to reestablish
themselves, allowing further recovery towards a more diverse "natural"
community. In addition, chronic or subletnal effects of heavy metals on the
resident and migrating mainstem fish populations should be reduced (e.g. less
of the biological energy "budget" could be allocated to detoxification needs
and more towards growth, disease resistance, reproduction, etc).
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Coeur d'Alene System Sediment and Fish Tissue Heavy Metal Loads
Mining operations in the Silver Valley from the last century and into
the 1960s resulted in approximately 72 million tons of contaminated tailings
released into the South Fork Coeur d'Alene River.- These tailings were washed
into the lower Coeur d'Alene River and Lake system (Keely, et al. 1976).
Bottom sediment sampling conducted in the early 70s confirmed that levels of
metals in the Coeur d'Alene delta area were comparable to that found in the
mine tailings themselves and that high levels of contamination extended
throughout the northern two-thirds of Lake Coeur d'Alene, Coeur d'Alene River
and the lateral lakes (Funk et al., 1973; Maxfield, et al., 1974a,b; Rabe and
Bauer, 1977; Reece et al., 1978).
The purpose of the 1986 sampling was to provide a general update of the
extent and degree of sediment contamination, particularly of the metals of
greatest concern to human health: cadmium and lead. Nine locations on Coeur
d'Alene Lake, two locations on the lower Coeur d'Alene River, and one each
from two of the lateral lakes were sampled. In addition, sediments were
collected from 10 sites within the South Fork Coeur d'Alene basin.
Results from these analyses indicate that heavy metal contamination of
sediments remains severe throughout the South Fork, lower mainstem, and
northern two-thirds of the lake (Table 9). Levels of lead are essentially the
same as that found in the early seventies, while cadmium levels have decreased
approximately five fold. Sediment toxicity tests performed on the amphipod,
Hyalella azteca with sediments from some of these sites indicate the toxicity
of metals in these sediments to aquatic organisms is currently low (Table 10).
Similar conclusions cannot be made from results of the Daphnia magna tests, as
this species showed high mortality in the "clean" sediments collected near the
mouth of the St. Joe River.
The Region 10 Laboratory conducted heavy metal analyses on composites of
several species of game fish collected by the Idaho Department of Fish and
Game from Coeur d'Alene Lake, the mainstem lateral lakes, and the South Fork
at Mullan. The purpose of these analyses was not to provide a full human
health risk assessment, but rather to get a general picture of the degree of
contamination in edible tissues, and to locate which species and locations
would be candidates for follow-up analyses. The preliminary results from
these analyses indicate that the heavy metals, which are at very elevated
levels in the sediments, are not accumulating in edible fish tissue at levels
considered dangerous to sports fishermen (Table 11). High levels of cadmium,
however, were found in liver and kidney organs, which indicates that this
metal remains bioavailable and points to the potential of using these organs
for assessing long term trends in cadmium levels.
10
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CONCLUSIONS AND DISCUSSION
Although heavy metal concentrations in the South Fork and lower mainstem
Coeur d'Alene River have been dramatically reduced over the last two decades,
concentrations of cadmium and zinc remain well above criteria levels for
protection of aquatic life. Acute toxicity test results conducted on
laboratory invertebrates and hatchery trout confirm the toxicity of the river
water. Nevertheless, conditions are now suitable on the South Fork for many
of the less sensitive indigenous populations of aquatic biota, while
conditions on the mainstem are supporting a successful sports fishery.
This apparent contradiction is not surprising, considering that many
other waters with high metal content also support aquatic life (LaPoint et
al-, 1984). Metals toxicity varies with differing combinations of the
numerous characteristics of water, e.g. hardness, pH» organic and inorganic
constituents (Connell and Miller, 1984). Field and laboratory tests also show
fish and invertebrate tolerance to metals will increase when exposed to
sublethal levels (Thomas, et al,, 1985; Brown, 1976),
Concentrations of cadmium and zinc are the major limiting factors for
continued restoration of aquatic biota in the South Fork and mainstem Coeur
d'Alene River, Although much of the loading of these metals are diffuse, at
least one discrete seepage channel (at the Bunker Hill CIA) contributes to a
substantial proportion of the total zincjoading into the system. Its
cessation or treatment should result in further recovery of the downstream
biota.
The potential for relatively important metals contributions from point
sources to the system indicates the need here for water quality-based
permitting. Water quality-based controls on the South Fork are of particular
importance upstream of Mull an and on the mainstem downstream of the South Fork
confluence, where State Standards currently include protection of aquatic
life.
Additional substantial sources of these metals from Wallace downstream
may not be so easily addressed since they are generally related to
contaminated aquifers and diffuse seepages from tailings, particularly in the
Kellogg area and along Canyon Creek. Restoration plans of tailings along the
South Fork and tributaries have been developed (Eisenbarth and Wrigley, 1978;
Gross, 1982). However, cost estimates for restoration together with the
potential for introduction of contamination resulting from reclamation
activities have not yet been determined. As with point sources, nonpoint
source controls on the South Fork need to address metal levels and aquatic
life protection of the mainstem downstream of the South Fork confluence.
A whole basin environmental management approach to the Coeur d'Alene
system should also address the relative importance of habitat degradation and
other factors (e.g. nonpoint impacts from agricultural or forestry practices)
in the prevention of full potential of aquatic resources. The dynamics of
cadmium and lead in the ecosystem also needs to be further addressed,
including the relative importance of the contribution of present South Fork
loadings of these metals to the downstream sediments and biota.
11
-------
Monitoring and Research Needs
Future assessments should further document status and condition of
populations, particularly of those fish that inhabit the mainstem Coeur
d'Alene and lateral lakes and the salmonids that use the Coeur d'Alene River
for migration to spawning areas upstream of the South Fork confluence.
Now that inputs from point source and groundwater seeps have been
characterized, and in the case of point sources, largely reduced, a critical
issue to be resolved is the loading of heavy metals from high-flow runoff
events. This is particularly important for lead due to its high affinity to
binding with sediments. Monitoring of Silver Valley pollutants should
therefore be conducted year round, with particular emphasis placed on
collection of samples during high-flow events.
Because of the possibility that periodic grab samples of water chemistry
will "miss" unsuspected pollution events caused by tailings failures or "plant
upsets", integrative monitoring methods should also be employed for purposes
of detecting their occurrence and possibly locating their sources. Sampling
of benthic invertebrates is well suited for this purpose, as weeks or months
are required for these relatively sessile animals to recover from a toxic
event. When an effect on the biota is detected, the source may be located by
sampling upstream to where the effect begins (Hynes, 1960). If a point source
is suspected, follow-up investigations might then include use of automatic
water samplers for more frequent surveillance of water quality. Fortunately,
invertebrate density and diversity have recovered in the Coeur d'Alene system
to the point that they can be used for this purpose. Continuous monitoring
techniques using indicator parameters, such as data pods with conductivity
probes, may also be useful for flagging a spike of heavy metal pollution.
Research efforts should be encouraged that elucidate how the specific
physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of the Coeur d'Alene River
and Lake system may affect the availability and toxicity of Silver Valley
metal pollutants to the different components of the ecosystem. Results from
such studies, together with continued assessments of water quality and biota
in the Coeur d'Alene River (mainstem and South Fork) can then be used towards
predicting environmental results of control actions.
12
-------
REFERENCES
Brown, 8.E. 1976. Observations on the tolerance of the isopod Asellus
meridianus Rac. to copper and lead. Water Research 10: 555-559,
Connell, D.W. and G.J. Miller. 1984. Chemistry and Eeotoxicology of
Pollution, John Wiley & Sons, New York. 444 pp.
Eisenbarth, F. and J. Wriglty. 1978. A plan to rehabilitate the South
Fork Coeur d'Alene River. Idaho Water Resource Board.
Ellis, M.M. 1932. Pollution of the Coeur d'Alene River and adjacent
waters by mine wastes. Manuscript Report to the Commissioner. U.S. Bureau of
Fisheries, Washington, D.C,
Funk, W.H., F.W, Rabe, R. Filby, J.I. Parker, J.E. Winner, L. Bartlett,
N,L, Savage, P, Dunigan, N. Thompson, R. Condit, P.J, Bennett, and K. Shah.
1973. Biological impact of combined metallic and organic pollution in the
Coeur d'Alene-Spokane River drainage system. Office of Water Resources
Research Project Completion Report Nos. B-044 WASH & B-015 IDA. 187 pp.
Gross, M.R. 1982. Reclamation plans for abandoned mill tailing
impoundments in the South Fork Coeur d'Alene River basin. M.S. Thesis.
University of Idaho, Moscow, ID.
Hynes, H.B.N. 1960. The biology of polluted waters. Liverpool University
Press. Liverpool, England, 202 pp.
Keely, J.F., F.I. Hutchison, M.G. Sholley, and C.M. Wai. 1976. Heavy
metal pollution in the Coeur d'Alene mining district. Project Technical
Report of National Science Foundation, Grant no. EPP75^08500.
LaPoint, T.W., S.M. Melancon, and M.K. Morris. 1984. Relationships among
observed metal concentrations, criteria, and benthic community structural
responses in 15 streams. J. Wat. Pollut. Contr. Fed. 56; 1030-1038.
Lyman, W.J., A.E. Glazer, J,H, Ong, and S.F. Coons. 1987. An overview of
sediment quality in the United States. EPA-90Q/9-88-OQ2. Office of Water
Regulations and Standards, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington,
D.C.
Maxfield, 0., J.M. Rodriguez, M. Buettner, J. Davis, L. Forbes, R. Kovacs,
W. Russel, L. Schultz, R. Smith, J, Stanton, and C.M. Wai. 1974a. Heavy
metal content in the sediments of the southern part of the Coeur d'Alene Lake.
Environ. Pollut- 6: 263-266.
Maxfield, 0., J.M. Rodriguez, M. Buettner, J. Davis, L, Forbes, R. Kovacs,
W. Russel, L. Schultz, R. Smith, J, Stanton, and C.M, Wai. 1974b. Heavy
metal pollution in the sediments of the Coeur d'Alene River delta. Environ.
Pollut. 7: 1-6.
Nauen, C.E. 1983. Compilation of legal limits for hazardous metals in fish
and fishery product. FAQ Fisheries Circular 764. 102pp.
13
-------
Neufield, J. 1987. A summary of heavy metal contamination in the lower
Coeur d'Alene River valley with particular reference to the Coeur d'Alene
River Wildlife Management Area. In-house Report. Idaho Department of Fish
and Game, Coeur d'Alene, ID.
Olson, R.P. 1963. Biological Survey of the Coeur d'Alene River.
Unpublished Report. State of Idaho Engineering and Sanitation Division.
Rabe, F.W., and S.B. Bauer. 1977. Heavy metals in lakes of the Coeur
d'Alene River Valley, Idaho. Northwest Sci. 51: 183-197.
Reece, D.E., J.R. Pel key, and C.M. Wai. 1978. Heavy metal pollution in
the sediments of the Coeur d'Alene River, Idaho. Environmental Geology
2: 289-293.
Savage, N.L. and F.W. Rabe. 1973. The effects of mine and domestic wastes
on macroinvertebrate community structure in the Coeur d'Alene River.
Northwest Sci. 47: 159-168.
Savage, N.L. 1986. A topical review of environmental studies in the Coeur
d'alene river-lake system. Idaho Water Resources Research Institute.
University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho.
Stephenson, M. and G.L. Mackie, 1988. MuKivariate analysis of correlations
between environmental parameters and cadmium concentrations in Hyalella azteca
(Crustacea: Amphipoda) from central Ontario Lakes. Can 0, Fish. Aquat. Sci.
45: 1705-1710.
Stokes, L.W. 1969. Biological survey of the Coeur d'Alene River.
Unpublished Report.
Tetra Tech, Inc. and Morrison-Knudsen Engineers, Inc. 1987. Bunker Hill
site remedial investigation/feasibility study work plan for unpopulated areas.
Gulf Resources and Chemical Corporation, Boston, MA.
Thomas, D.G., M.W. Brown, D. Shurben, J.F. del G. Sol be, A. Cryer, and 0.
Kay. 1985. A comparison of the sequestration of cadmium and zinc in the
tissues of rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri) following exposure to the metals
singly or in combination. Comp, Biochem. Physiol. 82: 55-62.
USEPA. 1986. Quality criteria for water. EPA-440/5-86-001. U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency. Washington, O.C.
Wai, C.M., S.G. Hutchison, J.D. Kauffman, and F.I. Hutchison. 1985. A
bibliography of environmental studies of the Coeur d'Alene mining area, Idaho-
Project completion report to IDHW-EPA. Water Resources Research Institute,
University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho.
Wilson, 0. 1952. Report on biological reconnaissance of the Coeur d'Alene
River system, Idaho. Unpublished Report. U.S. Public Health Service,
Portland, OR.
Woodward-Clyde Consultants and Terragraphics. 1986. Site characterization
report - Bunker Hi I! superfund site. EPA contract No. 68-01-6939.
14
-------
Table 1. COEUR O'ALENE BASIN SAMPLE SITES.
MAP STORET
STATION STATION
# # STATION NAME AND LOCATION
01
02
03
04
05
06
07
08
09
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
153541 S.F. Coeur d Alene R, @ Culvert @ Shoshone Park above
Mull an
153368 S.F, Coeur d Alene R. below Lucky Friday #003
03#052 Heel a Star Morning #002 discharge
03E011 S.F. Coeur d Alene R. below Hecla Star Morning #002
di scharge
153097 S.F. Coeur d Alene R. 100-ft above Canyon Creek at
Wai 1 ace
153125 Canyon Creek at mouth at Wallace
153132 Ninemile Creek at mouth at Wallace
153100 S.F. Coeur d Alene R. 100-ft above Lake Creek
153137 Lake Creek at mouth
153369 S.F. Coeur d Alene R. at Silverton
153104 S.F. Coeur d Alene R. at bridge above Big Creek
153147 Big Creek at mouth
03#009 Sunshine Mine effluent
03E009 S.F. Coeur d Alene R. above Kellogg
153148 Milo Creek near mouth
153108 S.F. Coeur d Alene R. at Bunker Ave Bridge, Kellogg
03Z038 Cook Creek near mouth
Q3#061 Bunker CIA seep #1 to S.F. Coeur d Alene R., 1986
03#062 Bunker CIA seep #2 to S.F. Coeur d Alene R., 1986
03#063 Bunker CIA seep #3 to S.F. Coeur d Alene R., 1986
03#064 Bunker CIA seep #4 to S.F, Coeur d Alene R., 1986
03#065 Bunker CIA seep #5 to S.F. Coeur d Alene R., 1986
03#066 Bunker CIA seep #6 to S.F. Coeur d Alene R., 1986
153362 S.F. Coeur d Alefie R. 100-ft above Bunker Creek
03#055 • Bunker Ltd. discharge #006 (CIA)
153165 Bunker Creek at mouth
153152 Silver King (Government) Creek at mouth
153110 S.F. Coeur d Alene R. at Airport Ave Bridge, Kellogg
153616 Page Pond STP effluent channel
153810 S.F. Coeur d Alene R. below Smelterville
153333 S.F. Coeur d Alene R. above Pine Creek
153207 Pine Creek near mouth
153023 S.F. Coeur d Alene R. at mouth
03A056 Coeur d Alene R. near Enaville at EPA Bioassay Trailer
si te
153019 Coeur d Alene R. 150-m above mouth of South Fork at
Enavi11e
A- 1
-------
Table 1 (cent.). COEUR D'ALENE 8ASIN SAMPLE SITES.
MAP STORET
STATION STATION
# #
STATION NAME AND LOCATION
36 153018 Coeur d Alene R. near 1-90 bridge at Cataldo
*37 Mission Flats Slough near Cataldo
38 153007 Coeur d Alene R. above bridge near Rose Lake
*39 03A057 Killarney Lake
40 03A041 Coeur d Alene R. adjacent to Blue Lake
41 03A04Z Thompson Lake near center
42 03A043 Anderson Lake near center
43 03A048 Coeur d Alene River delta
44 03D005 Chatcolet Lake at Chatcolet (near St. Joe River mouth)
*45 030007 Round Lake near Chatcolet
46 03D006 Lake Coeur d Alene 200-m east of Conk!ing Point
47 03D002 Lake Coeur d Alene centered between Conkling Point &
Shingle Bay
48 03A047 Lake Coeur d Alene centered between Rockford and East
Points
49 03A040 Lake Coeur d Alene center!ine Rockford Bay near mouth
50 03A050 Lake Coeur d Alene at center of Carl in Bay
51 03A046 Lake Coeur d Alene center-off Carl in Bay
52 Lake Coeur d Alene at center of Delcardo Bay
53 03A049 Lake Coeur d Alene Echo Bay 400-m from mouth
54 Wolf Lodge Creek at 1-90 bridge
55 03Z039 Lake Coeur d-Alene in Wolf Lodge Bay
56 03Z037 Lake Coeur d Alene in Wolf Lodge Bay btw Blue Creek &
Beauty Bay
57 03A055 Lake Coeur d Alene Northern portion
58 03A051 Lake Coeur d Alene 500-m south of Sanders Beach
59 03A045 Lake Coeur d Alene at outlet
Samples collected in the spring of 1987
A- 2
-------
Table 2. SAMPLE ANALYSES PERFORMED AT COEUR D'ALENE STUDY SITES DURING 198S
AND 1987. (See Table 1 for description of study sites and Figs, 1 and Z for
maps of study sites.)
MAP
SITE
NUMBER
01
02.
03
04
05
06
07
08
09
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
G
a
9
1
n
9
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
CHEMISTRV
S
e
d
i
m
e
n
t
X
X
X
X
w
a
t
e
r
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
T
1
S
S
u
e
X
X
BIOASSAYS
S
e
d
i
m
e
n
t
A
c
u
t
e
X
C
h
r
0
n
c
X
X
X
X
X
X
L
i
V
e
b
0
X
X
X
X
X
X
BIQSl
P
1
a
n
k
t
0
n
JRVEY
B
e
n
t
h
o
S
X
X
X
X
A- 3
-------
Table 2 (cont.). SAMPLE ANALYSES PERFORMED AT COEUR D'ALENE STUDY SITES
DURING 1986 AND 1987. (See Table 1 for description of study sites and
Figs. 1 and 2 for maps of study sites.)
MAP
SITE
NUMBER
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
G
a
g
i
n
g
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
CHEMISTRY
s
e
d
i
m
e
n
t
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
W
a
t
e
r
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
T
i
s
s
u
e
X
X
BIOASSAYS
S
e
d
i
m
e
n
t
X
X
A
c
u
t
e
X
C
h
r
0
n
i
c
X
X
X
X
L
i
V
e
b
o
X
X
X
X
X
X
BIOSl
P
1
a
n
k
t
0
n
JRVEY
B
e
n
t
hi
0
s
X
X
X
X
A-
-------
Table 2 (cont.). SAMPLE ANALYSES AT D'ALENE STUDY SITES
AND 1987. (See Table 1 for description of study sites and
Figs. 1 and 2 for maps of study sites.)
MAP
SITE
NUMBER
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
G
a
9
i
n
9
CHEMISTRY
S
e
d
i
m
e.
n
t
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
w
a
t
e
r
X
X
X
X
X
X
T
i
s
s
u
e
X
X
X
X
X
BIOASSAYS
S
e
d
i
m
e
n
t
X
X
X
X
A
c
u
t
e
C
h
r
0
n
i
c
L
i
V
e
b
o
X
BIOSL
P
1
a
n
k
t
o
n
X
X
X
X
X
X
IRVEY
B
e
n
t
h
0
s
A- 5
-------
Table 3. HEAVY METAL CONTRIBUTIONS BY SOUTH FORK REACHES BETWEEN 1972 AND
1986.
STREAM REACH
UPSTREAM OF BUNKER AV. BR. BUNKER CR. BUNKER AV. BR.
BUNKER AV. BR. TO BUNKER CR. TO AIRPORT BR. TO AIRPORT BR.
YEAR
1972
1974
1975
1976
1979
1980
1982
1984
1986
1153
1494
975
1229
682
1070
991
1100
591
ZINC LOADINGS
_
1198
2552
3692
1167
1025
570
582
365
(pounds/day)
_
1852
1947
2919
0
123
288
23
144
8247
3050
4499
6611
1167
1148
858
605
509
CADMIUM LOADINGS fpounds/day1
1972 8 - 158
1974 4 5 33 38
1975 11 0 57 57
1976 6 3 46 49
1979 4178
1980 71 9 10
1982 4358
1984 11 0 6 6
1986 6077
LEAP LOADINGS fpounds/davl
1972 49 469
1974 21 27 48 75
1975 33 24 78 102
1976 18 16 67 83
1979 9606
1980 13 0 13 13
1982 12 1 5 6
1984 9022
1986 3022
A-6
-------
Table 4. SURVIVAL OF TROUT HELD IN LIVE AT SOUTH FORK AND
MAINSTEH SITES, (Ten* hatchery rainbow trout 10-15 cm long were placed in
each livebox.)
OF FISH ALIVE AT OF:
SITE
S.F. Coeur d'Alene
River above Mull an
S.F, Coeur d'Alene
River above Canyon Creek
S.F. Coeur d'Alene
River above Big Creek
S.F. Coeur d'Alene
River above Kellogg
S.F. Coeur d'Alene
River at Bunker Ave.
S.F. Coeur d'Alene
River below Smelterville
* S.F. Coeur d'Alene
above Pine Creek
S.F. Coeur d'Alene
River at mouth
Coeur d'Alene River
at Enaville
Coeur d'Alene River
7-hrs
10
10
10
9
10
10
6
10
10
10
24-hrs
10
10
10
4
10
10
5
10
10
10
48-hrs
10
10
0
1
3
3
1
7
10
10
72-hr s
10
10
0
0
3
1
0
7
10
9
96-hrs
10
10
0
0
3
0
0
6
10
7
at Cataldo
* Only six trout were placed in the chamber at Pine Creek.
A- 7
-------
Table 5. SURVIVAL OF CUTTHROAT TROUT EXPOSED TO BUNKER HILL CIA SEEP AND
SOUTH FORK COEUR D'ALENE RIVER WATER. (Ten hatchery cutthroat trout 3-4 cm
long were placed in each chamber.)1
AUGUST TEST (BUNKER HILL CIA SEEPS)
TEST
HOUR
24
48
72
96
REP. SURVIVAL AND DILUTIONS
# 100% 50% 25% 12% 6.2% 3.1% 1.6%
1
2
1
2
1
2
1
2
SEPTEMBER
TEST
HOUR
24
48
72
96
REP
#
1
2
1
2
1
2
1
2
02558
02889
00000
00001
00000
00000
00000
00000
TEST (ABOVE PINE CREEK)
SURVIVAL AND
100% 50% 25% 12%
7 6 7 10
4789
1014
0103
1002
0002
1000
0002
8 10
10 10
5 8
8 9
2 8
5 9
2 7
4 7
DILUTIONS
6.2% 3.1%
10 10
10 10
10 10
10 10
10 10
10 10
10 10
10 10
0.8% 0% LCI LC50 UCI
9 10 16 21 29
10 10
8 10 2.7 3.5 4.4
8 10
7 10 1.9 2.4 3.1
7 10
7 10 1.7 2.2 2.8
7 10
0% LCI LC50 UCI
10 appx. 100
10
10 9.6 — 11.3 -- 13,4
10
10 8.9 — 10.1 — 11.6
10
10 8.6 9.4 10.4
10
Tests conducted in cm-site, mobile bioassay trailer operated by EPA Las
Vegas Environmental Monitoring and Support Laboratory,
A- 8
-------
Table 6. SURVIVAL AND REPRODUCTION OF CERIQDAPHNIA EXPOSED TO BUNKER HILL
CIA SEEP AND SOUTH FORK COEUR O'ALENE RIVER WATER.1
SITE
Control Water
Lake Superior
S.F, Coeur d* Alene
R. above Mullan
S,F. Coeur d' Alene
R. above Canyon Creek
S.F. Coeur d' Alene
R. above Big Creek
S.F. Coeur d' AT ene
R. above Kel logg
Di 1 ution
S.F. Coeur d* Al ene
R. at Bunker Ave Br.
Bunker CIA Seeps
Di 1 ution
S.F, Coeur d ' Al ene
R. at Ai rport Av. Bri
TEST
CONC
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
30%
10%
3%
1%
Control**
100%
10.0%
3.0%
1.0%
0 . 3%
0.1%
control **
100%
dge
MEAN # 95 PERCENT
OF YOUNG CONIDENCE INTERVAL
22.6 17.9 — 27.3
23.1 16.0 — 30,1
0*
0*
0*
0*
0*
20.6 14.6 — 26.8
19.7 15.4 — 24.0
24.3 18.8 — 29.9
0*
0*
0*
0*
15.1 11.5 — 18.7
18.6 16.2 -- 21.0
17.4 14.8 — 20.0
0*
7 DAY %
SURVIVAL
100
90
0*
0*
0*
0*
0*
90
100
90
0*
0*
0*
0*
90
100
100
0*
* Significantly lower than the control water value at P < 0.05.
** Dilution water was from Coeur d
'Alene River above S.F. mouth.
LTests conducted with Ceriodaphm'a dubia at the EPA Duluth Environmental
Research Laboratory.
A- 9
-------
Table 6 (cont.). SURVIVAL AND REPRODUCTION OF CERIODftPHHIA EXPOSED TO BUNKER
HILL CIA SEEP AND SOUTH FORK COEUR D'ALENE RIVER WATER,
TEST MEAN # 95 PERCENT
SITE
S.F. toeur
above Pine
S.F. Coeur
R. at mouth
CONC OF YOUNG CONIDENCE INTERVAL
d* Alene R.
Creek 30%
10%
3%
1%
Dilution Control**
d' Alene 100%
0*
0*
0*
22.0 15.9 -- 28.0
24.8 21.9 — 27.7
27.3 24.9 — 29.7
0*
7 DAY %
SURVIVAL
0*
0*
0*
70
90
100
0*
Coeur d1 Alene R. 100% Q* 0*
at Cataldo
Table 7. SURVIVAL AND GROWTH OF LARVAL FATHEAD MINNOWS EXPOSED TO BUNKER HILL
CIA SEEP WATER.1
TEST
SITE
Bunker CIA Seeps 30.0%
10.0%
3.0%
1.0%
0.3%
Dilution control
REPLICATES
A
B
, A
B
A
B
A
' B
A
B..
A
B
INDIVIDUAL
DRY WEIGTH fmql
0.345
0.430
0.542
0.466
0.780
0.645
0.609
0,633
7 DAY %
SURVIVAL
0*
0*
0*
0*
60
20
90
80
90
80
100
100
* Significantly lower than the control water value at P < 0.05.
** Dilution water was from Coeur d'Alene River above S.F. mouth.
conducted with Pimephales promelas at the EPA Duluth Environmental
Research Laboratory.
A-1Q
-------
Table 8. GROWTH OF THE ALGAE, SELEHASTRUM CAPRICORNUTAM, EXPOSED TO SOUTH
FORK COEUR D'ALENE RIVER WATER.1
SITE
Control — Algal
Assay Medium
(AAM) w/0 EOTA*
S.F. Coeur d'Alene
R. above Pine Creek
September
w/o AAM Nutrients
S.F. Coeur d'Alene
R. above Pine Creek
October
w/o AAM Nutrients
S.F. Coeur d'Alene
R. above Kellogg
October
w/o AAM Nutrients
TEST
CONC
0%
6%
12%
25%
50%
100%
100%
6%
12%
25%
50%
100%
100%
6%
12%
25%
50%
100%
100%
FOUR DAY
MEAN NUMBER
OF CELLS/ML
409,300
19,900
16,,300
13,300
14,500
11,900
13,600
19,300
16,000
11,600
15,400
13,200
10,700
34,100
19,000
14,400
11,000
11,000
11,900
FOUR DAY
ALGAL STANDING CROP
(MG/L. DRY WEIGHT)
7.81022
0.84629
0.79296
0.62169
0.54370
0.33755
0.45162
0.91600
0.76108
0.50324
0.52219
0.39388
0.30920
0.99366
0.80150
0.69158
0.44748
0.32743
0.31659
This solution also served as the dilution water.
Tests conducted with Selemstrutn capricornutam at the EPA Region 10
Laboratory, Manchester, Washington.
A-ll
-------
TABLE 9. METAL LEVELS (mg/kg wet wt) IN SEDIMENTS COLLECTED DURING THE EPA
1986 SURVEY. Nationwide levels (Lyman, et al) are included for comparison
purposes.
LOCATION
LEAD
CADMIUM
ZINC
ARSENIC
COPPER
LAKE COEUR D'ALENE
NORTHERN PART
Lake Outlet at
Spokane River 1146 8.2 2740 16.4
500 meters south of
Sanders Beach (City
of Coeur d' Alene) 573Z 7.8 5360 37.7
Echo Bay 4716 7.1 5190 56.4
Delcardo Bay 2718 7.3 4720 79.0
Carlin Bay 2262 6.6 4320 87.0
LAKE COEUR D'ALENE
CENTRAL PART
Rockford Bay 2136 7.7 3620 96.6
Coeur d 'Al ene
River Delta 4158 8.0 3680 83.2
Coeur d 'Alene
River Delta (1971)* 3700 43.0 3800
LAKE COEUR D'ALENE
SOUTH PART
Blue Point
(Conkling Park) 367 9.9 1310 14.5
Near St. Joe R. Mouth 10 0.6 77 3.9
(Chacolet Lake)
LATERAL LAKES
Anderson Lake 2492 9.7 2180 46.1
Thompson Lake 3386 8.9 2560 95.9
64
197
176
141
109
135
110
115
36
26
88
97
* Mean levels from surface layer of multiple core samples taken throughout
the delta (Maxfield, et al. 1974b).
A-12
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TABLE 9 (cont.). METAL LEVELS (mg/kg wet wt) IN SEDIMENTS COLLECTED DURING
THE EPA 1986 SURVEY.
_QCATION
CADMIUM
LEAD
ARSENIC
COPPER ZINC
LOWER COEUR D'ALENE
RIVER
Near Blue Lake
Rose Lake Bridge
At Cataldo
SOUTH FORK
COEUR D'ALENE RIVER
At Mouth
Abv. Pine Cr.
Page Pond STP
Effluent Channel
At Airport Ave. Bridge
Silver King Cr.
Mouth
Bunker Cr. Mouth
CIA Seep Area
Cook Cr. at Mouth
At Banker Ave. Bridge
Abv. Kellogg
Median Level in
sediments ( nationwide)*
95% of sediments
nationwide have
level s bel ow:*
8.3
7.2
4.8
3.1
2.9
3.1
3.0
4.0
4.5
3.6
4.3
3.4
3.5
1.0
12.0
3992
3870
2310
5768
4298
4106
4967
5636
298
996
292
7048
7897
16
199
77.5
50.1
90.0
180
230
114
191
0.1
12
0.2
106
232
57
4.0
39
124
153
52
220
210
210
160
600
550
32
59
160
185
_
4220
7300
1350
29740
26680
16520
4080
9780
28400
27260
203
1634
10600
41
379
'Lyman et al., 1987.
A-13
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Table 10. SURVIVAL OF DAPHNIA AND HYALELLA EXPOSED TO COEUR D'ALENE RIVER
AND LAKE SEDIMENTS.1
SITE
Chatcolet Lake at
Railroad Bridge
(Control site)
Coeur d'Alene River
near Rose Lake Bridge
Coeur d'Alene River
near Blue Lake
Coeur d'Alene Lake
at Coeur d'Alene
River Delta
BEAKER
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
No. Daphina
alive after
48-hr (n=10)
4
5
1
7
10
5
3
3
2
8
7
4
No. HyaleUa
alive after
96-hr(n=2Q)
17
16
20
13
14
12
5
9
8
15
18
15
Coeur d'Alene Lake
near Conk! ing Point
Coeur d'Alene Lake
in Rockford Bay near
mouth
A
B
C
A
B
C
5
6
10
9
. 9
8
20
20
16
18
16
12
lSediment toxieity tests conducted with Ddphnia msgna and HyaleTla azteca
at the the EPA Coryallis Environmental Research Laboratory.
A-14
-------
Table 11. METAL LEVELS (nig/kg wet wt) IN FISH TISSUE COLLECTED DURING THE EPA
1986-87 SURVEY.1 (International legal limits for fish consumption included.)
SPECIES
ORGAN
I
1 Cadmium
Lead
METALS
Arsenic Mercurv
Cooper
Zinc
COEUR D'ALENE LAKE
Chinook
Chinook
Chinook
Chinook
Chinook
Chinook
Chinook
Kokanee
Kokanee
Kokanee
Kokanee
Kokanee
Kokanee
Kokanee
Kokanee
Kokanee
F
K
L
CK
CK
CL
CL
F
F
F
F
F
W
w
CF
CF
0,050.
5.27
2,14
3.67
5,91
1.73
1.92
0.08
0.13
0,11
0.22
0.17
0.72
0.79
0.012
0.052
0.02U
0.50
0,32
0.20
0.02U
0.08
0.16
0.02U
0.02U
0.02U
0.46
0.02U
0-58
0,20
1.12
0.02U
0.04 0.13
0.10 0.07
0.16 0.18
0.14 *
0,22 *
0.28 *
0.02U *
0.06 *
0,06 *
0.14 *
0.02 *
0.18 *
0.02U *
0.02U *
0.04 0.039
0.12 0.032
0.38
2.60
66,9
1,88
4.64
33.4
24.9
1.12
0.54
0.58
1.12
0.68
2.16
0.66
0,22
0.44
4.9
36.5
66.1
31.2
32.5
66.5
51.7
8.7
8.4
6.7
8.9
11.5
48.3
51.7
4.5
9.2
* - Parameter not analyzed
U - Compound was not detected; number is the minimum detection limit.
F - Single filet CF - Composite filet
K - Single kidney CK - Composite kidney
L - Single liver CL - Composite liver
W - Single Whole fish
"All Salmonids were collected during August-September, 1986; other
species collected during June, 1987.
A-15
-------
Table ll(cont.). METAL (mg/kg wet wt) LEVELS IN FISH TISSUE COLLECTED DURING
THE EPA 1986-87 SURVEY.
Lead Arsenic Mercury Copper Zinc
WOLF LODGE CREEK AT COEUR O'ALENE
Cutthroat F
Chinook CF
Chinook CF
Chinook CF
MISSION SLOUGH
B. Bull head F
Y. Perch CF
N.Pike CF
KILLARNEY LAKE
B. Bull head CF
Y. Perch CF
B.Crappie CF
LgM.Bass CF
N.Pike CF
ROUND LAKE
B. Bullhead CF
Y. Perch CF
B.Crappie CF
LgM.Bass CF
N.Pike F
S.F, COEUR D'ALENE
Rainbow CF
Salmonids CF
0.032
0.006
0.014
0.006
0.03
0.006
0.012
0.031
0.011
0.022
0.007
0.011
0.008
0.008
0.011
0.01
0.007
RIVER
0.01
0.06
0.20
0.02U
0.02U
0.02U
0.08
0.06
0.01U
0.49
0.03
0.01U
0.01U
0.01U
0.01U
0.01U
0.11
0.01U
0.01U
ABOVE MULLAN
0.02U
0.02U
MEDIAN INTERNATIONAL LEGAL LIMITS FOR
0.02U
0.02U
0.12
0.02U
0.15
0.22
0.09
0.12
0.18
0.18
0.21
0.26
0.23
0.11
0.30
0.25
0.23
0.48
0.08
FISH CONSUMPT
0.095
0.138
0.164
0.141
0.035
0.063
0.034
0.14
0.086
0.12
0.37
0.21
0.016
0.088
0.28
0.18
0.18
0.005
0.008
ION (Hauen
0.36
0.58
1.9
0.24
0.28
0.14
0.24
0.39
0.22
0.17
0.14
0.22
0.29
0.11
0.13
0.30
0.33
0.52
0.82
. 1983)
5.7
3.8
8.1
3.9
6.4
4.6
4.3
5.5
7.8
5.9
3.9
6.5
4.5
5.1
6.1
4.4
3.6
4.3
6.3
45
A-16
-------
MAE. 1. COEUft D" A1.ENE STUDY SITES. (Soo Tables 1 & 2-for- site and sampling description).
-------
MAP, 2, STUDY SITiS IN VICINITY OF KELLOG6, IDAHO. (See Tables 1 & 2 for site and sampling description).
i
oa
------- |