Suspended sediment and organic contaminants in the San Lorenzo River, California, water years 2009-2010

Draut, Amy E.; Conaway, Christopher H.; Echols, Kathy R.; Storlazzi, Curt D.; Ritchie, Andrew

Abstract:

This report presents analyses of suspended sediment and organic contaminants measured during a two-year study of the San Lorenzo River, central California, which discharges into the Pacific Ocean within the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Most suspended-sediment transport occurred during flooding caused by winter storms; 55 percent of the sediment load was transported by the river during a three-day flood in January 2010. Concentrations of polyaromatic hydrocarbons can exceed regulatory criteria during high-flow events in the San Lorenzo River. These results highlight the importance of episodic sediment and contaminant transport in steep, mountainous, coastal watersheds and emphasize the importance of understanding physical processes and quantifying chemical constituents in discharge from coastal watersheds on event-scale terms.

Genre:

USGS Numbered Series

ProdID:

70004553

Citation Author:

Draut, Amy E.; Conaway, Christopher H.; Echols, Kathy R.; Storlazzi, Curt D.; Ritchie, Andrew

Citation Contributing Office:

Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

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Citation LatN:

0372500

Citation LatS:

0365000

Citation LonE:

-1215000

Citation LonW:

-1221500

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Citation Phsyical Description:

iv, 24 p.; Tables Folder

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Open-File Report

Citation Series Code:

OFR

Citation Series Number:

2011-1120

Citation Search Results Text:

Suspended sediment and organic contaminants in the San Lorenzo River, California, water years 2009-2010; 2011; OFR; 2011-1120; Draut, Amy E.; Conaway, Christopher H.; Echols, Kathy R.; Storlazzi, Curt D.; Ritchie, Andrew