Water Quality in the Anacostia River

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Water Quality in the Anacostia River

• Tony Smith
• December 1, 2005

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Introduction

• Purpose identify sources of contaminant
• Data
• NHD (USGS)
• NED (USGS)
• Land cover (USGS)
• USGS bioavailability studies (Phelps 2002, 2003,
  2004)
• Conclusion

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PAHs

• Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
• occur naturally
• produced in combustion reactions
• Known or suspected carcinogens and mutagens
• Integrated Risk Information System
• RfD (naphthalene) 20 µg / kg day (estimate of
  daily exposure to population without appreciable
  deleterious effect)

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The Anacostia River

• Watershed
• covers 176 square miles
• home to 800,000
• Three main drainage areas
• northwest (32)
• northeast (45)
• Tidal (23)
• 1988 - 1995 spills totaling 60,000 gallons
• One of Americas 10 worst rivers

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HUC 02070010 Middle Potomac-Anacostia-Occoquan
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Land Cover
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Catchments and Industry
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Predictions based on land cover

• High concentrations in tidal drainage streams
• Little contaminant contribution from NW and NE
  branches

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PAH concentrations, 2001
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PAH Concentrations, 2002
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PAH Concentrations, 2003
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Summary of Data and Conclusion

• 20 of 23 higher than reference (plt0.05)
• Clam survival 6 98
• NE and Tidal Branches are primary contributors
• Beltsville Agricultural Research Center is US EPA
  National Priority Site
• US Navy Yard, Washington Gas Light Facility

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PAH Concentrations, 2002
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Additional Factors

• Sediment
• Stream gage
• Suspended sediment
• Precipitation
• Frequency of water quality monitoring
• Scope of land cover classification
• EPA Priority Sites

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Thanks