Quality
of Sediment Discharging From the Barton Springs System, Austin, Texas, 2000-2002
In cooperation with the U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service
U.S. Geological Survey
Fact Sheet 089-03
By B.J. Mahler
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Contents
Four spring outlets of the Barton Springs system provide
the only known habitat for the Barton Springs salamander
Key Findings
The Barton Springs system
How we collect a suspended sediment sample ...
... and how it's analyzed
Hydrophobic, or "Water Fearing," Contaminants
and Their Sources
Organochlorine Compounds
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons
Metals
Study Results and What They Mean
Organochlorine Compounds
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons
Metals
What Can We Conclude About Sediments Discharging
From the Springs and Transported in Urban Creeks?
References Cited
Figures
1. Map showing location of Barton Springs system.
2. Map showing locations of sampling sites for suspended
sediments in surface water.
3. Graphs showing the difference between concentrations
of DDE and total PAH in suspended sediments discharging from the springs of
the Barton Springs system and in runoff in nearby creeks.
4. Graphs showing comparison of concentrations of selected
metals in suspended sediments discharging from springs and in surface streams.
5. Graphs showing correlation of concentrations of different
metals to concentration of iron in suspended sediments indicates which samples
might have an anthropogenic contribution.
Table
1. Concentrations of organic carbon, DDE, selected PAHs,
and metals in suspended sediments discharging from the Barton Springs
system
