Study Identifies Presence of Major and Trace Elements in Water, Sediment, and Biota in the Upper Illinois River Basin

The distribution of 22 major and trace elements was examined in water, sediment, and biota in the upper Illinois River Basin in Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin, according to a report recently released by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), U.S. Department of the Interior. The study is part of a pilot National Water-Quality Assessment project done by the USGS from 1987 through 1990. The 22 elements examined are aluminum, antimony, arsenic, barium, beryllium, boron, cadmium, chromium, cobalt, copper, iron, lead, manganese, mercury, molybdenum, nickel, phosphorus, selenium, silver, strontium, vanadium, and zinc.

Of the 22 elements, concentration of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) priority pollutants were elevated in the Chicago area in water, sediment, and biota. Some of the priority pollutants also were found at elevated concentrations in agricultural areas in the basin. Results indicate that accumulation of pollutants in biota is compounded by complex geochemical and biological processes that differ throughout the upper Illinois River Basin.

The report, titled "Surface-water-quality assessment of the upper Illinois River Basin in Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin: Major and trace elements in water, sediment, and biota, 1978-90," by Faith A. Fitzpatrick, Barbara C. Scudder, J. Kent Crawford, Arthur R. Schmidt, Jennifer B. Sieverling, and others is published as U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 95-4045. Copies are available for inspection at the U.S. Geological Survey, 221 N. Broadway, Urbana, Ill., and at most large libraries nationwide. Paper and microfiche copies can be purchased at cost from the U.S. Geological Survey, Information Services, Box 25286, Federal Center, Denver, Colo. 80225 (telephone 303-202-4700). Orders must include check or money order payable to U.S. Department of Interior-USGS and must specify report number WRIR 95-4045.