Water Quality in the Lower Susquehanna River Basin, Pennsylvania and Maryland, 1992-95

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Summary of compound detections and concentrations

The following tables summarize data collected for NAWQA studies during 1992-1995 by showing results for the Lower Susquehanna River Basin Study Unit compared to the NAWQA national range for each compound detected. The data were collected at a wide variety of places and times. In order to represent the wide concentration ranges observed among Study Units, logarithmic scales are used to emphasize the general magnitude of concentrations (such as 10, 100, or 1,000), rather than the precise numbers. The complete data set used to construct these tables is available upon request. The groups of compounds analyzed for were selected on the basis of national usage of pesticides and other criteria. This summary includes compounds that may not be registered for use in Pennsylvania or Maryland. Some of the compounds analyzed for have previously been registered in Pennsylvania or Maryland, but either have not been renewed or have had the registration revoked.

Water samples: Compounds detected || Compounds not detected

Fish tissue and bed sediment samples: Compounds detected || Compounds not detected

Concentrations of herbicides, insecticides, volatile organic compounds, and nutrients detected in ground water and streams of the Lower Susquehanna River Basin Study Unit.

[mg/L, milligrams per liter; µg/L, micrograms per liter; pCi/L, picocuries per liter; %, percent; <, less than; - -, not measured; trade names may vary]

EXPLANATION

Symbols and colors representing water-quality standards and NAWQA data

Herbicide (Trade or common name)	Rate of detec- tion^b	Concentration, in µg/L
Acetochlor (Harness, Surpass)	13% 0%
Acifluorfen (Blazer, Tackle 2S)	1% 1%
Alachlor (Lasso)	34% 5%
2,6-Diethylaniline (Alachlor metabolite)	<1% <1%
Atrazine (AAtrex)	96% 66%
Atrazine, Desethyl^c (Atrazine metabolite)	95% 72%
Benfluralin (Balan, Benefin)	2% <1%
Bentazon (Basagran, bentazone)	0% 2%
Bromacil (Hyvar X)	0% 1%
Butylate (Sutan)	<1% <1%
Cyanazine (Bladex)	33% 4%
2,4-D (Esteron, Weedone)	10% 1%
DCPA (Dacthal)	5% 0%
Dicamba (Banvel)	1% 1%
Diuron (Karmex)	7% 3%
EPTC (Eptam)	2% <1%

Herbicide (Trade or common name)	Rate of detec- tion^b	Concentration, in µg/L
Linuron (Lorox, Linex)	4% 1%
MCPA (Selectyl 40,)	1% 0%
Metolachlor (Dual, Pennant)	89% 28%
Metribuzin (Lexone, Sencor)	4% <1%
Napropamide (Devrinol)	1% 1%
Oryzalin (Surflan)	0% 1%
Pebulate (Tillam)	<1% 1%
Pendimethalin (Prowl)	13% <1%
Prometon (Pramitol)	75% 32%
Pronamide (Kerb, propyzamid)	0% 1%
Propachlor (Ramrod, propachlore)	1% 0%
Simazine (Aquazine, Princep)	87% 36%
Tebuthiuron (Spike, Tebusan)	26% 6%
Terbacil^c (Sinbar)	2% 1%
Trifluralin (Treflan)	4% <1%

Insecticide (Trade or common name)	Rate of detec- tion^b	Concentration, in µg/L
Azinphos-methyl^c (Guthion)	6% 0%
Carbaryl^c (Sevin, Sevimol)	14% 4%
Carbofuran^c (Furadan)	6% 2%
Chlorpyrifos (Dursban, Lorsban)	8% 0%
p,p'-DDE (p,p'-DDT metabolite)	<1% <1%
Diazinon (Spectracide)	6% <1%
Dieldrin (Panoram D-31, Octalox)	1% 1%

Insecticide (Trade or common name)	Rate of detec- tion^b	Concentration, in µg/L
Ethoprop (Mocap)	1% 0%
Fonofos (Dyfonate)	<1% 0%
Malathion (malathon, Cythion)	3% 0%
Methomyl (Lannate, Nudrin)	1% 0%
Methyl parathion (Penncap-M)	<1% 0%
Terbufos (Counter)	<1% 0%

Volatile organic compound (Trade or common name)	Rate of detec- tion^b	Concentration, in µg/L
1,1,1-Trichloroethane	-- 7%
1,1-Dichloroethane	-- 1%
1,1-Dichloroethene (Vinylidene chloride)	-- 1%
1,2,4-Trimethylbenzene (Pseudocumene)	-- 2%
1,3,5-Trimethylbenzene (Mesitylene)	-- 2%
Benzene	-- 2%
Dichlorodifluoromethane (CFC 12)	-- 1%
Dichloromethane (Methylene chloride)	-- 2%
Dimethylbenzenes (Xylenes (total))	-- 3%
Ethylbenzene (Phenylethane)	-- 2%

Volatile organic compound (Trade or common name)	Rate of detection^b	Concentration, in µg/L
Isopropylbenzene (Cumene)	-- 1%
Methylbenzene (Toluene)	-- 2%
Naphthalene	-- 1%
Tetrachloromethane	-- 2%
total Trihalomethanes	-- 11%
Trichloroethene (TCE)	-- 5%
cis-1,2-Dichloroethene	-- 2%
n-Propylbenzene (Isocumene)	-- 1%
p-Isopropyltoluene (p-Cymene)	-- 1%

Volatile organic compound (Trade or common name)	Rate of detec- tion^b	Concentration, in µg/L
Methyl tert-butyl ether^d (MTBE)	-- 11%
Tetrachloroethene (Perchloroethene)	-- 7%

Nutrient (Trade or common name)	Rate of detection^b	Concentration, in mg/L
Dissolved ammonia	90% 76%
Dissolved ammonia plus organic nitrogen as nitrogen	55% 5%
Dissolved phosphorus as phosphorus	70% 38%
Dissolved nitrite plus nitrate	100% 92%

Other	Rate of detection^b	Concentration, in pCi/L
Radon 222	-- 100%

Herbicides, insecticides, volatile organic compounds, and nutrients not detected in ground and surface waters of the Lower Susquehanna River Basin Study Unit.

Herbicides

2,4,5-T (Fruitone A)
2,4,5-TP (Silvex, Fenoprop)
2,4-DB (Butyrac)
Bromoxynil ( Bromotril)
Chloramben (Amiben)
Clopyralid (Stinger)
Dacthal mono-acid (Dacthal metabolite)
Dichlorprop (2,4-DP)
Dinoseb (Dinitro)
Ethalfluralin (Sonalan)
Fenuron (Fenulon)
Fluometuron (Flo-Met)
MCPB (Thistrol)
Molinate (Ordram)
Neburon (Neburyl)
Norflurazon (Evital)
Picloram (Grazon, Tordon)
Propham (Tuberite)
Thiobencarb (Bolero)
Triallate (Far-Go, Avadex)
Triclopyr (Garlon)

Insecticides

3-Hydroxycarbofuran (Carbofuran metabolite)
Aldicarb sulfone (Standak)
Aldicarb sulfoxide (Aldicarb metabolite)
Aldicarb (Temik, Ambush)
Disulfoton (Disyston)
Methiocarb (Slug-Geta)
Oxamyl (Vydate L)
Parathion (Roethyl-P)
Phorate (Thimet, Granutox)
Propargite (Comite, Omite)
Propoxur (Baygon)
alpha-HCH (alpha-lindane)
cis-Permethrin (Ambush)
gamma-HCH (Lindane)

Volatile organic compounds

1,1,1,2-Tetrachloroethane
1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane
1,1,2-Trichloro-1,2,2-trifluoroethane (Freon 113, CFC 113)
1,1,2-Trichloroethane
1,1-Dichloropropene
1,2,3-Trichlorobenzene
1,2,3-Trichloropropane
1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene
1,2-Dibromo-3-chloropropane (DBCP)
1,2-Dibromoethane (EDB, Ethylene dibromide)
1,2-Dichlorobenzene
1,2-Dichloroethane
1,2-Dichloropropane
1,3-Dichlorobenzene
1,3-Dichloropropane
1,4-Dichlorobenzene
1-Chloro-2-methylbenzene (o-Chlorotoluene)
1-Chloro-4-methylbenzene (p-Chlorotoluene)
2,2-Dichloropropane
Bromobenzene
Bromochloromethane
Bromomethane
Chlorobenzene
Chloroethane
Chloroethene (Vinyl Chloride)
Dibromomethane
Ethenylbenzene (Styrene)
Hexachlorobutadiene
cis-1,3-Dichloropropene
tert-Butylbenzene
trans-1,2-Dichloroethene
trans-1,3-Dichloropropene

Nutrients

No non-detects

Concentrations of semivolatile organic compounds, organochlorine compounds, and trace elements detected in fish tissue and streambed sediment of the Lower Susquehanna River Basin Study Unit.

[µg/g, micrograms per gram; µg/kg, micrograms per kilogram; %, percent; <, less than; - -, not measured; trade names may vary]

EXPLANATION

Symbols and colors representing water-quality standards and NAWQA data

Semivolatile organic compound	Rate of detec- tion^b	Concentration, in µg/kg
1,2-Dichlorobenzene	-- 14%
1,2-Dimethylnaphthalene	-- 43%
1,4-Dichlorobenzene	-- 24%
1,6-Dimethylnaphthalene	-- 52%
1-Methyl-9H-fluorene	-- 48%
1-Methylphenanthrene	-- 67%
1-Methylpyrene	-- 76%
2,2-Biquinoline	-- 24%
2,3,6-Trimethylnaphthalene	-- 52%
2,6-Dimethylnaphthalene	-- 100%
2-Ethylnaphthalene	-- 53%
2-Methylanthracene	-- 71%
3,5-Dimethylphenol	-- 10%
4,5-Methylenephenanthrene	-- 90%
9H-Carbazole	-- 52%
9H-Fluorene	-- 76%
Acenaphthene	-- 52%
Acenaphthylene	-- 100%
Acridine	-- 52%
Anthracene	-- 100%
Anthraquinone	-- 76%
Azobenzene	-- 5%

Semivolatile organic compound	Rate of detec- tion^b	Concentration, in µg/kg
Benz[ a ]anthracene	-- 90%
Benzo[ a ]pyrene	-- 100%
Benzo[ b ]fluoranthene	-- 100%
Benzo[g,h,i] perylene	-- 81%
Benzo[ k ]fluoranthene	-- 100%
Butylbenzylphthalate	-- 81%
Chrysene	-- 100%
Di- n -butylphthalate	-- 90%
Di- n -octylphthalate	-- 24%
Dibenz[ a,h ] anthracene	-- 57%
Dibenzothiophene	-- 62%
Diethylphthalate	-- 33%
Dimethylphthalate	-- 19%
Fluoranthene	-- 100%
Indeno[1,2,3- cd ] pyrene	-- 90%
Isoquinoline	-- 24%
Naphthalene	-- 48%
N-Nitrosodiphenylamine	-- 10%
Phenanthrene	-- 100%
Phenanthridine	-- 24%
Phenol	-- 86%
Pyrene	-- 100%
Quinoline	-- 24%
bis(2-Ethylhexyl)phthalate	-- 100%
p-Cresol	-- 95%

Organochlorine compound (Trade name)	Rate of detec- tion^b	Concentration, in µg/kg
total-Chlordane	82% 43%
DCPA (dacthal, chlorthal-dimethyl)	10% 0%
p,p'-DDE	100% 81%
total-DDT	100% 86%
Dieldrin (Panoram D-31, Octalox)	29% 24%
Endosulfan I (alpha-endosulfann)	-- 19%
beta-HCH (beta-BHC, beta)	5% 5%
gamma-HCH (lindane)	5% 0%
Heptachlor epoxide	2% 5%
Hexachlorobenzene	2% --
PCB, total	83% 5%
Pentachloroanisole	12% 0%

Trace element	Rate of detec- tion^b	Concentration, in µg/g
Arsenic	51% 100%
Cadmium	90% 100%
Chromium	67% 100%
Copper	100% 100%
Lead	31% 100%
Mercury	74% 100%
Nickel	56% 100%
Selenium	100% 100%
Zinc	100% 100%

Semivolatile organic compounds, organochlorine compounds, and trace elements not detected in fish tissue and streambed sediment of the Lower Susquehanna River Basin Study Unit.

Semivolatile organic compounds

1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene
1,3-Dichlorobenzene
2,4-Dinitrotoluene
2,6-Dinitrotoluene
2-Chloronaphthalene
2-Chlorophenol
4-Bromophenyl-phenylether
4-Chloro-3-methylphenol
4-Chlorophenyl-phenylether
Benzo [c] cinnoline
C8-Alkylphenol
Isophorone
N-Nitrosodi-n-propylamine
Nitrobenzene
Pentachloronitrobenzene
bis (2-Chloroethoxy)methane

Organochlorine compounds

Aldrin (HHDN, Octalene)
Chloroneb (Tersan SP)
Endrin
Heptachlor
Isodrin
Mirex (Dechlorane)
Toxaphene (Camphechlor)
alpha-HCH (alpha-BHC, alpha-lindane)
cis-Permethrin (Ambush, Pounce)
delta-HCH (delta-BHC)
o,p'-Methoxychlor
p,p'-Methoxychlor
trans-Permethrin (Ambush, Pounce)

Trace elements

No non-detects

^a Selected water-quality standards and guidelines (Gilliom and others, in press).

^b Rates of detection are based on the number of analyses and detections in the Study Unit, not on national data. Rates of detection for herbicides and insecticides were computed by only counting detections equal to or greater than 0.01 µg/L in order to facilitate equal comparisons among compounds, which had widely varying detection limits. For herbicides and insecticides, a detection rate of "<1%" means that all detections are less than 0.01 µg/L, or the detection rate rounds to less than one percent. For other compound groups, all detections were counted and minimum detection limits for most compounds were similar to the lower end of the national ranges shown. Method detection limits for all compounds in these tables are summarized in Gilliom and others (in press).

^c Detections of these compounds are reliable, but concentrations are determined with greater uncertainty than for the other compounds and are reported as estimated values (Zaugg and others, 1995).

^d The guideline for methyl tert-butyl ether is between 20 and 40 µg/L; if the tentative cancer classification C is accepted, the lifetime health advisory will be 20 µg/L (Gilliom and others, in press).

^e Selected sediment-quality guidelines (Gilliom and others, in press).

U.S. Geological Survey Circular 1168

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Suggested citation:
Lindsey, B.D., Breen, K.J., Bilger, M.D., and Brightbill, R.A., 1998, Water Quality in the Lower Susquehanna River Basin, Pennsylvania and Maryland, 1992-95: U.S. Geological Survey Circular 1168, on line at <URL: https://water.usgs.gov/pubs/circ1168>, updated June 22, 1998 .

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Last modified: Thu Jul 23 16:03:44 1998