This dataset includes mercury and other constituent concentration and physical properties data for seven deep sediment profiles (ranging from 79 cm to 214 cm in length) collected from the thalwag of Alviso Slough, a major tributary to South San Francisco Bay (California, USA). Field sampling occurred during May 2012 (4 sites) and January 2016 (3 sites). Each profile was comprised of 1–4 core sub-sections, which were collected from adjacent boreholes with 10–18 cm of vertical overlap. This data product includes two data tables (*.csv): 1) ‘T1_ALSL_DC_Sed_Data.csv’, the deep core analytical results; 2) ‘T2_ALSL_DC_QA_Data.csv’, quality assurance data. The two image files, ‘ALSL_DC_Log_2012.pdf’ and ‘ALSL-DC_Log_2016.pdf’, provide photography of the 23 split core sections and complimentary multi-sensor core logger gamma density and magnetic susceptibility scans. The geospatial file, ‘ALSL_DC_2012_2016.kmz’, allows for the mapping of the sampling site locations in Google Earth.

This dataset includes mercury and other constituent concentration and physical properties data for seven deep sediment profiles (ranging from 79 cm to 214 cm in length) collected from the thalwag of Alviso Slough, a major tributary to South San Francisco Bay (California, USA). Field sampling occurred during May 2012 (4 sites) and January 2016 (3 sites). Each profile was comprised of 1–4 core sub-sections, which were collected from adjacent boreholes with 10–18 cm of vertical overlap. This data product includes two data tables (*.csv): 1) ‘T1_ALSL_DC_Sed_Data.csv’, the deep core analytical results; 2) ‘T2_ALSL_DC_QA_Data.csv’, quality assurance data. The two image files, ‘ALSL_DC_Log_2012.pdf’ and ‘ALSL-DC_Log_2016.pdf’, provide photography of the 23 split core sections and complimentary multi-sensor core logger gamma density and magnetic susceptibility scans. The geospatial file, ‘ALSL_DC_2012_2016.kmz’, allows for the mapping of the sampling site locations in Google Earth.

USGS conducted preliminary assays on aged (3 mo.) surface sediment (0-4 cm) collected from 13 sites during October 1998 in order to decipher general spatial trends in Hg-speciation, microbiology and relevant biogeochemistry. During the second field campaign sample processing and incubations were conducted at ambient temperature within hours of sediment collection to provide a more accurate measure of in-situ process rates and analyte concentrations. The third field sampling (October 1999), involving 14 sampling and was conducted with a similar approach as in June 1999. The latter two data sets provide a direct seasonal comparison (summer/fall, high/lo flow conditions) of Hg transformation dynamics in the CRS. Sediment depth profiles (0-16 cm) were investigated at four sites during June 1999 and at two of these four during October 1999. Eroding vertical bank material was sampled in the Hg-contaminated Fort Churchill region during both 1999 dates. Laboratory experiments were conducted using sediment collected during the latter two sampling dates. The study purpose sought to: a) identify important zones of net methylmercury (MeHg) production and consumption within the CRS, b) determine which environmental factors most strongly influence these processes and c) provide estimates of seasonal variability. Measurements were made of microbial Hg-transformations (via radiotracer) and in-situ Hg speciation (total mercury (Hgt), MeHg, and particle-associated acid-extractable Hg(II)). Acid extractable Hg(II) was used as a surrogate measure for the Hg(II) most readily available to bacteria for methylation. A novel Hg-biosensor technique was also used to assess bioavailable Hg(II) in pore-water. A suite of ancillary microbial processes and sediment geochemical parameters were also measured to more fully characterize each site, and to relate these measurements to observed Hg-transformation rates and Hg-speciation. The EPA is publishing this data in support of the Carson River Mercury NPL Site in Nevada. Data was compiled and evaluated for the OU2 Remedial Investigation Report (EPA, 2017), which describes the nature and extent of contamination from the Site. The report contains the Human Health Risk Assessment and Ecological Risk Assessment. Literature and other source Hg data are summarized in the RI for surface waters, sediments, and biological tissues.

Twenty-eight samples of new (2018-19) or archived (2008-09) particulate material from the Bremerton Naval Complex or surface sediment from Sinclair Inlet or representative bays in Puget Sound were analyzed for total mercury and mercury isotopes.

Twenty-eight samples of new (2018-19) or archived (2008-09) particulate material from the Bremerton Naval Complex or surface sediment from Sinclair Inlet or representative bays in Puget Sound were analyzed for total mercury and mercury isotopes.

The Region 9 CRMS risk assessor specifically identified the need to obtain data for Tribal lands near Fallon, Nevada. Based on a 1994 study performed on OU1 samples, an estimated 12% of total mercury measurements is mercuric chloride (HgCl2). The Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP) summarized the OU1 historical analytical approaches for “speciation” with currently available methods summarized. Based on team scoping meeting with EPA Region 10 and the Region 9 Toxicologist, use of the Brooks Applied Lab (BRL) sequential extraction was selected primarily for reasons of comparability of approaches to simplify data assessment. (EPA Method 3200 was presented for comparative purposes.) There are significant sources of uncertainty in “speciation” using any approach, as each is technically a procedurally defined fractionation that may include other mercury species not specifically identified. As an example of this uncertainty, under the OU1 study of the EPA Las Vegas Lab data, it was unclear which fraction would have captured mercury oxide or whether the residual chlorides caused minor amounts of sulfide to combine with the nitric acid fraction. While the Oak Ridge approach may have reported mercuric chloride in the elemental mercury fraction. The primary factors driving the need for this speciation data were uncertainty about the quality of the historical OU1 data; applicability of the OU1 data at the locations below Lahontan Reservoir, and concerns expressed by the Region 9 CRMS risk assessor to better obtain direct measurement data near the Fallon Paiute-Shoshone Tribe. The data generated by this sampling were reviewed for laboratory quality control but decisions with the data were made by the EPA Region 9 CRMS risk assessor.

San Francisco Bay, California is considered a mercury-impaired watershed. Elevated concentrations of mercury are found in water and sediment as well as fish and estuarine birds. Sources of mercury to the watershed since 1845 include sediment-associated mercury from mercury mining, mercury losses from gold amalgamation activities in mines of the Sierra Nevada, aerial deposition of mercury from global and regional emissions to air, and the direct discharge of mercury to Bay waters associated with the urbanization and industrialization of the estuary. We assessed historical trends in mercury bioaccumulation by measuring mercury concentrations in feathers of the endangered California Ridgway’s rail (formerly California Clapper Rail) using museum specimens. We developed a structural equation model to attribute variation in historical mercury bioaccumulation in rails to sources of mercury, and estimated the toxicological consequences of extreme mercury exposure to rails from known correlations between feather and blood mercury concentrations.

USGS conducted preliminary assays on aged (3 mo.) surface sediment (0-4 cm) collected from 13 sites during October 1998 in order to decipher general spatial trends in Hg-speciation, microbiology and relevant biogeochemistry. During the second field campaign sample processing and incubations were conducted at ambient temperature within hours of sediment collection to provide a more accurate measure of in-situ process rates and analyte concentrations. The third field sampling (October 1999), involving 14 sampling and was conducted with a similar approach as in June 1999. The latter two data sets provide a direct seasonal comparison (summer/fall, high/lo flow conditions) of Hg transformation dynamics in the CRS. Sediment depth profiles (0-16 cm) were investigated at four sites during June 1999 and at two of these four during October 1999. Eroding vertical bank material was sampled in the Hg-contaminated Fort Churchill region during both 1999 dates. Laboratory experiments were conducted using sediment collected during the latter two sampling dates. The study purpose sought to: a) identify important zones of net methylmercury (MeHg) production and consumption within the CRS, b) determine which environmental factors most strongly influence these processes and c) provide estimates of seasonal variability. Measurements were made of microbial Hg-transformations (via radiotracer) and in-situ Hg speciation (total mercury (Hgt), MeHg, and particle-associated acid-extractable Hg(II)). Acid extractable Hg(II) was used as a surrogate measure for the Hg(II) most readily available to bacteria for methylation. A novel Hg-biosensor technique was also used to assess bioavailable Hg(II) in pore-water. A suite of ancillary microbial processes and sediment geochemical parameters were also measured to more fully characterize each site, and to relate these measurements to observed Hg-transformation rates and Hg-speciation. The EPA is publishing this data in support of the Carson River Mercury NPL Site in Nevada. Data was compiled and evaluated for the OU2 Remedial Investigation Report (EPA, 2017), which describes the nature and extent of contamination from the Site. The report contains the Human Health Risk Assessment and Ecological Risk Assessment. Literature and other source Hg data are summarized in the RI for surface waters, sediments, and biological tissues.

Samples were collected from Clear Lake, California from 2019-2022 by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) California Water Science Center, the USGS Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center (FRESC), the US Environmental Protection Agency, and EA Engineering Science and Technology Inc. to assess the extent and cycling of legacy mercury (Hg) contamination from Sulphur Bank Mine. Samples of waste rock, sediments, groundwater, and biological tissue (zooplankton, bluegill, smallmouth bass, Mississippi silversides, and largemouth bass) were analyzed for Hg stable isotopes by the U.S. Geological Survey Mercury Research Laboratory. Mercury concentrations for sediments, waste rocks, and groundwaters are included within this data release and information for biological Hg concentrations can be found in the companion data release (https://doi.org/10.5066/P96912PN).

Samples were collected from Clear Lake, California from 2019-2022 by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) California Water Science Center, the USGS Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center (FRESC), the US Environmental Protection Agency, and EA Engineering Science and Technology Inc. to assess the extent and cycling of legacy mercury (Hg) contamination from Sulphur Bank Mine. Samples of waste rock, sediments, groundwater, and biological tissue (zooplankton, bluegill, smallmouth bass, Mississippi silversides, and largemouth bass) were analyzed for Hg stable isotopes by the U.S. Geological Survey Mercury Research Laboratory. Mercury concentrations for sediments, waste rocks, and groundwaters are included within this data release and information for biological Hg concentrations can be found in the companion data release (https://doi.org/10.5066/P96912PN).