Contaminant Concentrations in Sediments, Aquatic Invertebrates, and Fish in Proximity to Rail Tracks Used for Coal Transport in the Pacific Northwest (USA): A Baseline Assessment

摘要: Railway transport of coal poses an environmental risk, because dust contains polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), mercury, and other trace metals. In the Pacific Northwest United States, proposed infrastructure projects could result in increase by train through Columbia River corridor. Baseline information is needed on current distributions, levels, spatial patterns dust-derived contaminants habitats organisms adjacent to existing lines. To that end, we collected aquatic surface sediments, insects, juvenile fish 2014 2015 from Horsethief Lake State Park Steigerwald National Wildlife Refuge, both located Washington state close rail line within Gorge Scenic Area. Two subsites each area were selected: one far line. Detected PAH concentrations relatively low compared with those measured at more urbanized areas. Some higher line, but it was not possible link a definitive source. Trace metal only slightly than background concentrations, few sensitive benchmarks exceeded, including for arsenic, lead, selenium tissue fluoranthene, cadmium, copper, manganese, nickel, zinc, iron, arsenic sediments. At Lake, Chinook salmon yellow perch showed lower total mercury body burdens species, did differ significantly among species. Differences species caught number invertebrate samples rendered food web comparisons difficult, these data show PAHs metals, are accumulating wetland sites some resident organisms.