title: Effects of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita on the chemistry of bottom sediments in Lake Pontchartrain, Louisiana, U.S.A.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: U.S. Geological Survey, 8027 Exchange Drive, Austin Texas, USA. pcvanmet@usgs.gov
authors.forename: Peter C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Van Metre
authors.forename: Arthur J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Horowitz
authors.forename: Barbara J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Mahler
authors.forename: William T
authors.initials: WT
authors.lastname: Foreman
authors.forename: Christopher C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Fuller
authors.forename: Mark R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Burkhardt
authors.forename: Kent A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Elrick
authors.forename: Edward T
authors.initials: ET
authors.lastname: Furlong
authors.forename: Stanley C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Skrobialowski
authors.forename: James J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Jennifer T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.forename: Stephen D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Zaugg
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D015386:Hazardous Substances; D019216:Metals, Heavy; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons; D012989:Soil Pollutants; D014873:Water Pollutants; D002706:Chlordan