Detection of Persistent Organic Pollutants in the Mississippi Delta Using Semipermeable Membrane Devices

By L.R. Zimmerman, E.M. Thurman, and K.C. Bastian

Abstract

From semipermeable membrane devices (SPMDs) placed in five Mississippi Delta streams in 1996 and 1997, the persistent organic pollutants (POPs) aldrin, chlordane, DCPA, DDT, dieldrin, endrin, heptachlor, mirex, nonachlor, and toxaphene were detected. In addition, the insecticides chlorpyriphos, endosulfan, and hexachlorocyclohexanes were detected. Two low-solubility herbicides not detected commonly in surface water, pendimethalin and trifluralin, were also detected.

Additional information about the Organic Geochemistry Research Laboratory can be found at: http://ks.water.usgs.gov/Kansas/studies/reslab/

Zimmerman, L.R., Thurman, E.M., and Bastian, K.C., 2000, Detection of persistent organic pollutants in the Mississippi Delta using semipermeable membrane devices: Science of the Total Environment, v. 248, nos. 2-3, p. 169-179.

To request a paper copy of this journal article, email: scribner@usgs.gov