Biological Activity and Chemical Characteristics of Dredge Material from Ten Sites on the Upper Mississippi River.
Abstract
This study was conducted to determine the biological activity and chemical characteristics of dredge material from ten sites on the Upper Mississippi River between St. Paul and Winona, Minnesota. Sediment samples from the ten sites were characterized as being of two types: predominately sand and fine sand with substantial amounts of silt, clay and colloidal materials. Toxic activity observed in particulate phase exposures was related to the type of sediment material. Samples which predominantly sand were essentially nontoxic, samples which contained substantial amounts of silt, clay and colloidal material often produced a toxic effect (mortality). The only sediment samples which were classified as heavily polluted were those from the Red Wing Commercial Harbor and the St. Paul Barge Terminal. These two samples consisted of large proportions of silt and clay and reflected a strong inverse correlation noted between particle size and concentration of the contaminants among the ten sample sites. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 1980
- Accession Number
- ADA118027
Entities
People
- Jeff R. Rach
- John L. Allen
- Leif L. Marking
- Terry D. Bills
- Verdel K. Dawson