Sediment-Contaminant Database

Sampling Purpose: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service collected sediment samples in December 1987 for a preliminary evaluation of sediment toxicity on the Illinois River. Sediment cores were collected at six sites along the Illinois, Chicago, and Des Plaines Rivers and analyzed for water content, metals, polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons, organochlorines, and polychlorinated biphenyls. Bioassays were conducted using fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas) and Daphnia magna. As a result of the bioassays, one sample collected from the Chicago River was determined to be the most toxic and a complete priority pollutant analysis was performed. Coordinate information was not provided with this study, however, coordinates were approximated in ArcView using detailed descriptions of sampling sites included in the report. Note: water content was calculated for the database using original laboratory data sheets and is not included in the original report.