USGS

 

Dissolved Pesticide and Organic Carbon Concentrations Detected in Surface Waters, Northern Central Valley, California, 2001–2002

By James L. Orlando, Lisa A. Jacobson, and Kathryn M. Kuivila

 

ONLINE ONLY--June 14, 2004

 

U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY

Open-File Report 2004-1214

Sacramento, California 2004


In cooperation with the
California Bay-Delta Authority



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Abstract

    Field and laboratory studies were conducted to determine the effects of pesticide mixtures on Chinook salmon under various environmental conditions in surface waters of the northern Central Valley of California. This project was a collaborative effort between the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the University of California. The project focused on understanding the environmental factors that influence the toxicity of pesticides to juvenile salmon and their prey. During the periods January through March 2001 and January through May 2002, water samples were collected at eight surface water sites in the northern Central Valley of California and analyzed by the USGS for dissolved pesticide and dissolved organic carbon concentrations. Water samples were also collected by the USGS at the same sites for aquatic toxicity testing by the Aquatic Toxicity Laboratory at the University of California Davis; however, presentation of the results of these toxicity tests is beyond the scope of this report. Samples were collected to characterize dissolved pesticide and dissolved organic carbon concentrations, and aquatic toxicity, associated with winter storm runoff concurrent with winter run Chinook salmon out-migration. Sites were selected that represented the primary habitat of juvenile Chinook salmon and included major tributaries within the Sacramento and San Joaquin River Basins and the Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta. Water samples were collected daily for a period of seven days during two winter storm events in each year. Additional samples were collected weekly during January through April or May in both years. Concentrations of 31 currently used pesticides were measured in filtered water samples using solid-phase extraction and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry at the U.S. Geological Survey's organic chemistry laboratory in Sacramento, California. Dissolved organic carbon concentrations were analyzed in filtered water samples using a Shimadzu TOC-5000A total organic carbon analyzer.

CONTENTS

 

Abstract

Introduction

Purpose and Scope

Project Design

Acknowledgments

Study Design and Methodology

Selection of Sampling Sites

Sample Collection

Pesticide Samples

DOC Samples

Toxicity Samples

Sample Processing and Analysis

Pesticide Analysis

DOC Analysis

Dissolved Pesticide and DOC Concentrations

References Cited

Tables


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