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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 America’s 10 worst rivers”

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HUC 02070010 Middle Potomac-Anacostia-Occoquan

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Land Cover

Land Cover Distribution

29.8

10.423.0

3.37.2

7.9

4.613.9

Low Intensity Residential

Commercial/Industrial/Transportation

Deciduous Forest

Evergreen Forest

Mixed Forest

Pasture/Hay

Urban/Recreational Grasses

other

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Catchments and IndustryDensity of Industry

137

112

142

116

123 127

130

131

135

138149

151

145

0.00

0.05

0.10

0.15

0.20

0.25

0.30

0.35

0.40

Drainage Area

fra

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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

0 3,900 7,800 11,700 15,6001,950Meters

PAH bioavailability, 2001

Legend

MonitoringPoint

UG_KG

412

413 - 855

856 - 1502

1503 - 2350

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PAH Concentrations, 2002

0 3,900 7,800 11,700 15,6001,950Meters

PAH bioavailability, 2002

Legend

monitor02

UG_KG

180.000000 - 598.000000

598.000001 - 1576.000000

1576.000001 - 2789.000000

2789.000001 - 4612.000000

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PAH Concentrations, 2003

0 3,600 7,200 10,800 14,4001,800Meters

PAH bioavailability, 2003

Legend

MonitoringPoint03

UG_KG

279

280 - 336

337 - 419

420 - 478

479 - 601

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Summary of Data and Conclusion

20 of 23 higher than reference (p<0.05)

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

0 3,900 7,800 11,700 15,6001,950Meters

PAH bioavailability, 2002

Legend

monitor02

UG_KG

180.000000 - 598.000000

598.000001 - 1576.000000

1576.000001 - 2789.000000

2789.000001 - 4612.000000

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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

Satisfaction with GIS

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