Effects of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita on the Chemistry of Bottom Sediments in Lake Pontchartrain, Louisiana, USA

The effects of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita and the subsequent unwatering of New Orleans, Louisiana, on the sediment chemistry of Lake Pontchartrain were evaluated by chemical analysis of samples of street mud and suspended and bottom sediments. The highest concentrations of urban-related elements an...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Environmental science & technology 2006-11, Vol.40 (22), p.6894-6902
Main Authors: Van Metre, Peter C, Horowitz, Arthur J, Mahler, Barbara J, Foreman, William T, Fuller, Christopher C, Burkhardt, Mark R, Elrick, Kent A, Furlong, Edward T, Skrobialowski, Stanley C, Smith, James J, Wilson, Jennifer T, Zaugg, Stephen D
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Applied sciences
Chemistry
Chlordan - analysis
Contaminated sediments
Disasters
Earth sciences
Earth, ocean, space
Engineering and environment geology. Geothermics
Environmental Monitoring
Exact sciences and technology
Fresh Water
Geologic Sediments - analysis
Geologic Sediments - chemistry
Hazardous Substances - analysis
Hurricanes
Lakes
Louisiana
Metals, Heavy - analysis
Pollution
Pollution sources. Measurement results
Pollution, environment geology
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons - analysis
Sediments
Soil and sediments pollution
Soil Pollutants - analysis
Water Pollutants - analysis
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Summary:The effects of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita and the subsequent unwatering of New Orleans, Louisiana, on the sediment chemistry of Lake Pontchartrain were evaluated by chemical analysis of samples of street mud and suspended and bottom sediments. The highest concentrations of urban-related elements and compounds (e.g., Pb, Zn, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and chlordane) in bottom sediments exceeded median concentrations in U.S. urban lakes and sediment-quality guidelines. The extent of the elevated concentrations was limited, however, to within a few hundred meters of the mouth of the 17th Street Canal, similar to results of historical assessments. Chemical and radionuclide analysis of pre- and post-Hurricane Rita samples indicates that remobilization of near-shore sediment by lake currents and storms is an ongoing process. The effects of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita on the sediment chemistry of Lake Pontchartrain are limited spatially and are most likely transitory.
ISSN:0013-936X
1520-5851
DOI:10.1021/es060933g