A data release containing information on macroinvertebrate communities and sediment toxicity in the Buffalo River Area of Concern (AOC) and reference areas immediately upstream of the AOC collected during 2017 and 2020. Macroinvertebrate community samples were collected using bottom-deployed multiplate artificial substrate samplers and organisms were identified to the lowest practical taxonomic resolution and used to calculate metrics of biological integrity following standard New York State Department of Environmental Conservation procedures. Bed sediments were collected using a petite Ponar dredge and used for toxicity tests with two test species, Chironomus dilutus and Hyalella azteca, following USEPA test methods 100.2 and 100.1, respectively. In situ habitat measurements and sediment samples for determination of grain size distribution and total organic carbon concentration were also taken at the time of sample collection at all sites. The data release has four separate tables: one containing site locations and habitat information, one containing the results of 10-day sediment toxicity tests, one containing macroinvertebrate identifications, and one containing standard New York State Department of Environmental Conservation metrics of macroinvertebrate community integrity calculated from the macroinvertebrate identifications. First posted – May 10, 2019 (version 1.0, available from author) Revised – September 17, 2021 (version 2.0) Version 1.0: This version of the dataset contains one table that contains the results of sediment toxicity tests from 2017. All data in Version 1.0 are contained in Version 2.0. Version 2.0: This version of the dataset has four separate tables with data from 2017 and 2020 sampling events: one containing site locations and habitat information, one containing the results of 10-day sediment toxicity tests, one containing macroinvertebrate identifications, and one containing standard New York State Department of Environmental Conservation metrics of macroinvertebrate community integrity calculated from the macroinvertebrate identifications. Additionally, the title of the data release has been changed from "Data for Assessing the Status of Macroinvertebrate Communities and Sediment Toxicity in the Buffalo River Area of Concern, New York" to "Macroinvertebrate community and sediment toxicity data from the Buffalo River Area of Concern, New York (ver. 2.0)". All data in Version 1.0 have been retained in Version 2.0 and are unchanged.

Data from 10-day sediment toxicity tests of bed sediments from the Buffalo River Area of Concern (AOC) and reference reaches on the Buffalo River upstream of the AOC, Erie County, New York, respectively. Specifically, the data was used to compare the survival and growth of two macroinvertebrate species in sediments from study sites and laboratory controls. Results are from 10-day sediment exposures of two test species, Chironomus dilutus and Hyalella azteca. Sediment samples were collected from 8 sites within the AOC and from 6 reference sites upstream of the AOC. Bed-sediments were collected from depositional areas using a petite Ponar (0.03 square meter) dredge. At each site, approximately five grabs were composited into a bucket, mixed, and a 4-liter (L) subsample was stored in a polyethylene container. Sediment toxicity testing were then conducted by a contract laboratory to quantify toxicity with the dipteran, Chironomus dilutus, and the amphipod, Hyalella azteca, during 10-day survival and growth bioassays following USEPA test methods 100.2 and 100.1, respectively. (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2000, Methods for measuring the toxicity and bioaccumulation of sediment associated contaminants with freshwater invertebrates. Second edition: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development EPA 600/R-99/064.) This spreadsheet contains 16 columns. The first 8 columns describe the sample collection information, the remaining 8 columns provide the survival and growth results of two test species used in sediment toxicity tests. The data include the stream name, site ID, National Water Information System (NWIS) ID, latitude and longitude, replicate number, and site type. The following eight columns present results from 10-day sediment exposures of two test species, Chironomus dilutus and Hyalella azteca. The following endpoints were measured for each species following the 10-day exposure: number of surviving organisms, percentage of organisms surviving (hereafter survival), average ash-free dry weight of the surviving organisms (hereafter growth), and ash-free dry weight of the surviving organisms divided by the initial number of organisms (hereafter biomass).

Data from 10-day sediment toxicity tests of bed sediments from the Buffalo River Area of Concern (AOC) and reference reaches on the Buffalo River upstream of the AOC, Erie County, New York, respectively. Specifically, the data was used to compare the survival and growth of two macroinvertebrate species in sediments from study sites and laboratory controls. Results are from 10-day sediment exposures of two test species, Chironomus dilutus and Hyalella azteca. Sediment samples were collected from 8 sites within the AOC and from 6 reference sites upstream of the AOC. Bed-sediments were collected from depositional areas using a petite Ponar (0.03 square meter) dredge. At each site, approximately five grabs were composited into a bucket, mixed, and a 4-liter (L) subsample was stored in a polyethylene container. Sediment toxicity testing were then conducted by a contract laboratory to quantify toxicity with the dipteran, Chironomus dilutus, and the amphipod, Hyalella azteca, during 10-day survival and growth bioassays following USEPA test methods 100.2 and 100.1, respectively. (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2000, Methods for measuring the toxicity and bioaccumulation of sediment associated contaminants with freshwater invertebrates. Second edition: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development EPA 600/R-99/064.) This spreadsheet contains 16 columns. The first 8 columns describe the sample collection information, the remaining 8 columns provide the survival and growth results of two test species used in sediment toxicity tests. The data include the stream name, site ID, National Water Information System (NWIS) ID, latitude and longitude, replicate number, and site type. The following eight columns present results from 10-day sediment exposures of two test species, Chironomus dilutus and Hyalella azteca. The following endpoints were measured for each species following the 10-day exposure: number of surviving organisms, percentage of organisms surviving (hereafter survival), average ash-free dry weight of the surviving organisms (hereafter growth), and ash-free dry weight of the surviving organisms divided by the initial number of organisms (hereafter biomass).

A data release containing information on macroinvertebrate communities and sediment toxicity in the Niagara River and adjacent areas collected during a sampling effort conducted between 2019 and 2020, and a sampling effort conducted in 2022. During the first sampling effort, bed sediments were collected at 60 sites in the Niagara River, 5 sites on lower Smoke Creek, and 6 sites on Hoyt Lake for use in sediment toxicity testing and determination of grain size distribution and total organic carbon concentration. Additionally, macroinvertebrate samples were collected from the 60 sites on the Niagara River. During the second sampling effort, bed sediments were collected at 10 sites on lower Smoke Creek (5 of which were repeated from the first sampling effort), 5 reference sites on upper Smoke Creek, and 6 sites on Hoyt Lake (all of which were repeated from the first sampling effort) for toxicity testing, macroinvertebrate community assessment, and and determination of grain size distribution and total organic carbon concentration. Additionally, sediments were collected at 10 sites in the Black Rock Canal, 5 reference sites in the upper Black Rock Canal, and 5 sites in Erie Basin Marina for macroinvertebrate community assessment. The selection of site locations and analyses was done by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation based on existing data gaps and prior sediment chemistry data. For both sampling efforts, in situ habitat measurements were taken at the time of sample collection at all sites. All sediment samples were collected using a petite Ponar dredge. Ten-day sediment toxicity tests were performed using two test species, Chironomus dilutus and Hyalella azteca, following standard USEPA test methods. Macroinvertebrates were identified to the lowest practical taxonomic resolution and used to calculate metrics of biological integrity following standard New York State Department of Environmental Conservation procedures. A morphological deformity analysis was also conducted on the mentum mouthpart of midge larvae in the genus Chironomus as an additional measure of toxicity following standard New York State Department of Environmental Conservation procedures. The data release has five separate tables: one containing site locations and habitat information, one containing the results of sediment toxicity tests, one containing macroinvertebrate identifications, one containing standard New York State Department of Environmental Conservation metrics of macroinvertebrate community integrity calculated from the macroinvertebrate identifications, and one containing the results of the morphological deformity analysis.

A data release containing information on macroinvertebrate communities and sediment toxicity in the Niagara River and adjacent areas collected during a sampling effort conducted between 2019 and 2020, and a sampling effort conducted in 2022. During the first sampling effort, bed sediments were collected at 60 sites in the Niagara River, 5 sites on lower Smoke Creek, and 6 sites on Hoyt Lake for use in sediment toxicity testing and determination of grain size distribution and total organic carbon concentration. Additionally, macroinvertebrate samples were collected from the 60 sites on the Niagara River. During the second sampling effort, bed sediments were collected at 10 sites on lower Smoke Creek (5 of which were repeated from the first sampling effort), 5 reference sites on upper Smoke Creek, and 6 sites on Hoyt Lake (all of which were repeated from the first sampling effort) for toxicity testing, macroinvertebrate community assessment, and and determination of grain size distribution and total organic carbon concentration. Additionally, sediments were collected at 10 sites in the Black Rock Canal, 5 reference sites in the upper Black Rock Canal, and 5 sites in Erie Basin Marina for macroinvertebrate community assessment. The selection of site locations and analyses was done by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation based on existing data gaps and prior sediment chemistry data. For both sampling efforts, in situ habitat measurements were taken at the time of sample collection at all sites. All sediment samples were collected using a petite Ponar dredge. Ten-day sediment toxicity tests were performed using two test species, Chironomus dilutus and Hyalella azteca, following standard USEPA test methods. Macroinvertebrates were identified to the lowest practical taxonomic resolution and used to calculate metrics of biological integrity following standard New York State Department of Environmental Conservation procedures. A morphological deformity analysis was also conducted on the mentum mouthpart of midge larvae in the genus Chironomus as an additional measure of toxicity following standard New York State Department of Environmental Conservation procedures. The data release has five separate tables: one containing site locations and habitat information, one containing the results of sediment toxicity tests, one containing macroinvertebrate identifications, one containing standard New York State Department of Environmental Conservation metrics of macroinvertebrate community integrity calculated from the macroinvertebrate identifications, and one containing the results of the morphological deformity analysis.

A data release containing information on benthic macroinvertebrate communities and sediment toxicity in the Eighteenmile Creek Area of Concern and a nearby reference area at Oak Orchard Creek. Bed sediments were collected during summer 2021 at 8 sites on Eighteenmile Creek and at 6 sites on Oak Orchard Creek using a petite Ponar dredge for macroinvertebrate identification and sediment toxicity testing. Macroinvertebrates were identified to the lowest practical taxonomic resolution and used to calculate metrics of biological integrity following standard New York State Department of Environmental Conservation procedures. 10-day sediment toxicity tests were conducted using two test species, Chironomus dilutus and Hyalella azteca, following USEPA test methods 100.2 and 100.1, respectively. In situ habitat measurements and sediment samples for determination of grain size distribution and total organic carbon concentration were also taken at the time of sample collection at all sites. The data release has four separate tables: one containing site locations and habitat information, one containing the results of sediment toxicity tests, one containing macroinvertebrate identifications, and one containing standard New York State Department of Environmental Conservation metrics of macroinvertebrate community integrity calculated from the macroinvertebrate identifications.

A data release containing information on benthic macroinvertebrate communities and sediment toxicity in the Eighteenmile Creek Area of Concern and a nearby reference area at Oak Orchard Creek. Bed sediments were collected during summer 2021 at 8 sites on Eighteenmile Creek and at 6 sites on Oak Orchard Creek using a petite Ponar dredge for macroinvertebrate identification and sediment toxicity testing. Macroinvertebrates were identified to the lowest practical taxonomic resolution and used to calculate metrics of biological integrity following standard New York State Department of Environmental Conservation procedures. 10-day sediment toxicity tests were conducted using two test species, Chironomus dilutus and Hyalella azteca, following USEPA test methods 100.2 and 100.1, respectively. In situ habitat measurements and sediment samples for determination of grain size distribution and total organic carbon concentration were also taken at the time of sample collection at all sites. The data release has four separate tables: one containing site locations and habitat information, one containing the results of sediment toxicity tests, one containing macroinvertebrate identifications, and one containing standard New York State Department of Environmental Conservation metrics of macroinvertebrate community integrity calculated from the macroinvertebrate identifications.

Data from 10-day sediment toxicity tests of bed sediments from the Eighteenmile Creek Area of Concern and Oak Orchard Creek (nearby reference stream), Niagara and Orleans County, New York, respectively. Specifically, the data was used to compare the survival and growth of two macroinvertebrate species in sediments from study sites and laboratory controls. Results are from 10-day sediment exposures of two test species, Chironomus dilutus and Hyalella azteca. Sediment samples were collected from five sites on each stream. Bed-sediments were collected from depositional areas using a petite Ponar (0.03 square meter) dredge. At each site, approximately five grabs were composited into a bucket, mixed, and a 4-liter (L) subsample was stored in a polyethylene container. Sediment toxicity testing were then conducted by a contract laboratory to quantify toxicity with the dipteran, Chironomus dilutus, and the amphipod, Hyalella azteca, during 10-day survival and growth bioassays following USEPA test methods 100.2 and 100.1, respectively. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2000, Methods for measuring the toxicity and bioaccumulation of sediment associated contaminants with freshwater invertebrates. Second edition: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development EPA 600/R-99/064. This spreadsheet contains 13 columns. The first 7 columns describe the sample collection information, the remaining 6 columns provide the survival and growth results of two test species used in sediment toxicity tests. The data include the stream name, site ID, latitude and longitude, replicate number, and site type. Six columns of results from 10-day sediment exposures of two test species, Chironomus dilutus and Hyalella azteca. The following endpoints were measured for each species following the 10-day exposure: number of surviving organisms, percentage of organisms surviving (hereafter survival), and average ash-free dry weight of the surviving organisms (hereafter growth).

Data from 10-day sediment toxicity tests of bed sediments from the Eighteenmile Creek Area of Concern and Oak Orchard Creek (nearby reference stream), Niagara and Orleans County, New York, respectively. Specifically, the data was used to compare the survival and growth of two macroinvertebrate species in sediments from study sites and laboratory controls. Results are from 10-day sediment exposures of two test species, Chironomus dilutus and Hyalella azteca. Sediment samples were collected from five sites on each stream. Bed-sediments were collected from depositional areas using a petite Ponar (0.03 square meter) dredge. At each site, approximately five grabs were composited into a bucket, mixed, and a 4-liter (L) subsample was stored in a polyethylene container. Sediment toxicity testing were then conducted by a contract laboratory to quantify toxicity with the dipteran, Chironomus dilutus, and the amphipod, Hyalella azteca, during 10-day survival and growth bioassays following USEPA test methods 100.2 and 100.1, respectively. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2000, Methods for measuring the toxicity and bioaccumulation of sediment associated contaminants with freshwater invertebrates. Second edition: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development EPA 600/R-99/064. This spreadsheet contains 13 columns. The first 7 columns describe the sample collection information, the remaining 6 columns provide the survival and growth results of two test species used in sediment toxicity tests. The data include the stream name, site ID, latitude and longitude, replicate number, and site type. Six columns of results from 10-day sediment exposures of two test species, Chironomus dilutus and Hyalella azteca. The following endpoints were measured for each species following the 10-day exposure: number of surviving organisms, percentage of organisms surviving (hereafter survival), and average ash-free dry weight of the surviving organisms (hereafter growth).

Fish tissue from 159 samples collected at four locations in the Buffalo River Area of Concern in 2017 were analyzed for a wide range of analytes including Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs), pesticides, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, organochlorine and other persistent organic compounds, metals, lipid and moisture. Over 230 analytes were analyzed in the tissue samples, including 160 PCB congeners. The data set includes a variety of laboratory quality assurance data including sample replicates, laboratory blank data, laboratory spike data, matrix spike recoveries, and replicate matrix spike recoveries.