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Hydrogeology and chemical quality of water and bottom sediment at three stormwater detention ponds, Pinellas County, Florida

Water-Resources Investigations Report 92-4139
By:  and 
https://doi.org/10.3133/wri924139

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Abstract

An investigation of three detention ponds in Pinellas County, Florida indicated little potential for chemical contamination of surficial-aquifer ground water; however, concentrations of contami- nants in some sediments are sufficient to indicate possible hazardous levels of bioconcentration in benthic organisms. The general direction of ground- water movement at three pond sites indicates that the ponds are ground-water discharge points. Shallow ground water tends to move laterally toward these ponds, which have surface outflow, instead of from the ponds into the aquifer. Surface-water and pond-sediment samples from a 1-year-old pond were collected and analyzed for inorganic constituents and organic compounds. The concentrations were either near or below analytical detection limits. Surface-water and pond-sediment samples from the other two ponds, 20- and 30-years old, respectively, also were analyzed for inorganic constituents and organic compounds. The water quality of these older ponds was not significantly different from that of the 1-year-old pond. However, bottom sediments in the 20- and 30-year-old ponds contained 16 and 23 organic compounds, respectively. None of the organic compounds were in sufficient concentrations to cause concern about their chronic effects on aquatic life. Concentrations of dichlordiphenyl-trichlorethane, dieldrin, and heptachlor were above the hazardous level with respect to bioconcentration in the food chain.

Suggested Citation

Fernandez, M., Hutchinson, C.B., 1993, Hydrogeology and chemical quality of water and bottom sediment at three stormwater detention ponds, Pinellas County, Florida: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 92-4139, iv, 31 p. :ill. ;28 cm., https://doi.org/10.3133/wri924139.

Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Hydrogeology and chemical quality of water and bottom sediment at three stormwater detention ponds, Pinellas County, Florida
Series title Water-Resources Investigations Report
Series number 92-4139
DOI 10.3133/wri924139
Year Published 1993
Language ENGLISH
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey ; U.S. Geological Survey, Earth Science Information Center, Open-File Reports Section [distributor],
Description iv, 31 p. :ill. ;28 cm.
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