Effects of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita on the chemistry of bottom sediments in Lake Pontchartrain, Louisiana, U.S.A.
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.
Van Metre
Peter C
PC
U.S. Geological Survey, 8027 Exchange Drive, Austin Texas, USA. pcvanmet@usgs.gov
Horowitz
Arthur J
AJ
Mahler
Barbara J
BJ
Foreman
William T
WT
Fuller
Christopher C
CC
Burkhardt
Mark R
MR
Elrick
Kent A
KA
Furlong
Edward T
ET
Skrobialowski
Stanley C
SC
Smith
James J
JJ
Wilson
Jennifer T
JT
Zaugg
Stephen D
SD
D002706:Chlordan / Q000032:analysis; D004190:Disasters; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D005618:Fresh Water; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry*; D015386:Hazardous Substances / Q000032:analysis*; D008145:Louisiana; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000032:analysis; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons / Q000032:analysis; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000032:analysis; D014873:Water Pollutants / Q000032:analysis
D015386:Hazardous Substances; D019216:Metals, Heavy; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons; D012989:Soil Pollutants; D014873:Water Pollutants; D002706:Chlordan