DETERMINING TRACE ELEMENT AND PCB CONCENTRATIONS IN SURFACE SEDIMENTS FROM THE SAVANNAH RIVER AND LITTLE BACK RIVER IN SAVANNAH, GA, USA by CHELSEA LYNN PARRISH SAVANNAH STATE UNIVERSITY April 2016 i DEDICATION This work is dedicated to those who persevere and overcome any obstacle that may come their way. To my amazing family, Mom, Dad, and William, who have continued to support me mentally and emotionally throughout my educational career. I have always been the “forever student” in their eyes but they continued to follow me as I pursued my passion. To my wonderful friends I’ve made during my tenure at Savannah State…Coral, Charriz, Jenn, Emma, Sarah, Becky, Jessica, and so many others…You have kept me sane. You have kept me strong. I will always remember that. And to the boy who lived for “Happiness can be found in the darkest of times if one only remembers to turn on the light.” You have all made an imprint on my heart and I will forever love you. Always. iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS A special thank you to my committee members, Drs. Dionne Hoskins, Carol Pride, and Sue Ebanks for their support and assistance both moral and written. I could not have made it this far without your consistent perseverance. This has been a long journey, but a journey that I am proud to have finished. I would also like to acknowledge Florida A&M University, lead institution of the Environmental Cooperative Science Center under the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, for allowing me to utilize their laboratory and instruments. I would like to personally thank Drs. Chuck Jagoe, Hsin-Chieh Ma, and Victor Ibeanusi for their help and assistance with analyzing my samples at FAMU. Thank you, Captain Shawn for braving the Savannah River shipping channel when I needed to collect sediment samples. I am certainly grateful for your skills and knowledge navigating through those waters. I would also like to thank my funding source, the National Science Foundation GK-12 Ocean Literacy Program (DGE-0841372). This material is also based upon work supported by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Educational Partnership Program, U.S. Department of Commerce, under agreement No. #NA11SEC481002. This study would not have been possible without the help of many volunteers including Coral Thompson, Emma Schultz, Sarah Webb, David Reece, Chloe Brett, Brigette Brinton, Cameron Brinton, Keya Jackson, Jennifer Güt, James White, Brittany Bush, Keyundrea Meadows, Kris Ballou, and Triandos Morris. iv ABSTRACT Trace elements released into the aquatic environment eventually settle in the sediments of estuaries and coastal zones (Bellas et al., 2007). These pollutants do not remain in the sediments indefinitely but are released again to the water column by biological, chemical, and physical processes (Fichet et al., 1998). The purpose of this study was to determine trace element concentrations in surface sediments from the Little Back River (LBR) and Savannah River (SR), Georgia prior to the Savannah Harbor Expansion Project (SHEP). Surface sediment samples were collected using a Petersen or Van Veen grab aboard the R/V Margaret C. Robinson. Ten stations were sampled in both the LBR and the SR. Three grabs were collected at each station: left bank (L-bank), right bank (R-bank), and main channel (Channel). Grain size distributions were determined by wet sieving and loss on ignition was used to determine organic content. Chromium, manganese, iron, nickel, copper, zinc, cadmium, and lead were analyzed using a Perkin Elmer Optima 8000 ICP-OES. Samples were analyzed for mercury using USEPA Method 7473 on a Direct Mercury Analyzer (DMA-80). The concentration levels of all the metals in the LBR and SR decreased in the order Fe> Mn> Zn> Cr> Cu> Pb> Ni> Cd> Hg. The major finding of this study was that the Little Back River contained greater mean concentrations of all of the elements compared to the Savannah River but, manganese was the only metal with concentrations that were significantly different between the two rivers (p=0.0109) (398.61±71.39 ppm and 217.52±42.51 ppm, respectively). There were no detectable levels of the 7 PCBs analyzed in the sediment samples. Percent organic content and mean grain size significantly affected overall metal concentrations (p=0.001 for both). Because most trace elements and PCBs have a strong v affinity to sediment, benthic organisms are more susceptible to PCB exposure. Once dredging begins, buried sediments may be resuspended and may have high concentrations of hazardous trace element and organic contaminants. vi TABLE OF CONTENTS DEDICATION ................................................................................................................ iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ............................................................................................ iv ABSTRACT ......................................................................................................................v TABLE OF CONTENTS ............................................................................................... vii Determining trace element and PCB concentrations in surface sediments from the Savannah River and Little back River in Savannah, GA, USA ........................................1 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................2 MATERIALS AND METHODS ........................................................................19 RESULTS ...........................................................................................................29 DISCUSSION .....................................................................................................37 LITERATURE CITED .......................................................................................55 TABLES AND FIGURES ..............................................................................................64 APPENDICIES .............................................................................................................134 Appendix A: Figures .........................................................................................134 Appendix B: GK-12 Published Activity We’re Gonna Crush It! Sediment Creation through Destruction ............................................................................146 vii LIST OF TABLES Table 1. Surface sediment samples were taken from 10 stations along the Little Back River (LBR). There were a total of 3 grabs conducted at each station: main channel (Channel), left bank (L-Bank), and right bank (R-Bank). GPS coordinates were taken for each grab and are listed below ............................................64 Table 2. Surface sediment samples were taken from 10 stations along the Savannah River (SR). There were a total of 3 grabs conducted at each station: main channel (Channel), left bank (L-Bank), and right bank (R-Bank). GPS coordinates were taken for each grab and are listed below ............................................65 Table 3. Water quality measurements were taken at Little Back River (LBR) and Savannah River (SR) in February and March 2015. The mean temperature, salinity, pH, and dissolved oxygen were determined ± 1 standard error ........................66 Table 4. Results of grabs (N = 3 grabs per station) along the Little Back River (LBR): left bank (a), right bank (b), and main channel (c). Sediments were analyzed for polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) using a Gas Chromatograph— Electron Capture Detector (GC-ECD). Sample concentrations were measured within the limits of the machine. Any readings that were lower than the detection level were not recorded ...................................................................................................67 Table 5. Results of grabs (N = 3 grabs per station) along the Savannah River (SR): left bank (a), right bank (b), and main channel (c). Sediments were analyzed for polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) using a Gas Chromatograph— Electron Capture Detector (GC-ECD). Sample concentrations were measured within the limits of the machine. Any readings that were lower than the detection level were not recorded ...................................................................................................68 Table 6. ERL and ERM guideline values for metals and organic compounds (ppmand ppb (dry wt), respectively) as per Long et al. (1995). Percent incidence of effects is also listed below as ranges that have been defined by the ERL and ERM. ...............................................................................................................................69 viii LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1. The sampling sites are all located on the eastern part of the United States in Savannah, GA. Sediment samples were collected from the Little Back River and the Savannah River.........................................................................................70 Figure 2. Sampling stations along the Little Back River and Savannah River. The sampling sites are all located on the eastern part of the United States in Savannah, GA. Little Back River and the Savannah River were sampled. There were 3 grabs conducted at each station: left bank, right bank, and main channel ......................71 Figure 3. Sampling stations along the Little Back River (LBR). Sediments grabs (N = 3 grabs per station) were taken along the LBR: left bank (a), right bank (b), and main channel (c) .......................................................................................................72 Figure 4. Sampling