Sediment Quality in Puget Sound Year 2 - Center for Coastal ...

This method is recommended by the PSEP Protocols (PSEP, 1996c) for the determination of
mercury in Puget Sound sediment.
Butyl Tins
Butyl tins in sediments were analyzed by the Manchester method (Manchester Environmental
Laboratory, 1997). This method consists of solvent extraction of sediment, derivitization of the
extract with the Grignard reagent hexylmagnesium bromide, cleanup with silica and alumina, and
analysis by Atomic Emission Detector (AED).
BaseINeutrallAcid (BNA) Organic Compounds
USEPA Method 846 8270, a recommended PSEP method (PSEP, 1996d), was used for semi-
volatile analysis. This is a capillary column, GCIMS method.
Polynuclear Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH) (extended list)
At NOAA's request, the extended analyte list was modified by the inclusion of additional PAH
compounds. The PAH analytes were extracted separately using the EPA method SW846 3545.
This method uses a capillary column GCIMS system set up in selective ion monitoring (SIM)
mode to quantify PAHs. Quantitation is performed using an isotopic dilution method modeled
after USEPA Method SW 846 8270, referenced in PSEP, 1996d.
Chlorinated Pesticides and Polychlorinated Biphenyl (PCB) Aroclors
EPA Method 808 1 for chlorinated pesticides and PCB was used for the analysis of these
compounds. This method is a GC method with dual dissimilar column confirmation. Electron
capture detectors were used.
PCB Congeners
PCB methodology was based on the NOAA congener methods detailed in Volume IV of the
NS&T Sampling and Analytical Methods documents (Lauenstein and Cantillo, 1993). The
concentrations of the standard NOAA list of 20 congeners were determined.
Benthic Community Analyses
Sample Processing and Sorting
All methods, procedures, and documentation (chain-of-custody forms, tracking logs, and data
sheets) were similar to those described for the PSEP (1987) and in the PSAMP Marine Sediment
Monitoring Component - Final Quality Assurance Project and Implementation Plan (Dutch et al.,
1998).
Upon completion of field collection, benthic infaunal samples were checked into the benthic
laboratory at Ecology's headquarters building. After a minimum fixation period of 24 hours (and
maximum of 7- 10 days), the samples were washed on sieves to remove the formalin (1.0 mm
fraction on a 0.5 mrn sieve, 0.5 mm fraction on a 0.25 mm sieve) and transferred to 70% ethanol.
Sorting and taxonomic identification of the 0.5 mm fraction will be completed separately by a
NOAA contractor outside of the scope of work of this effort. The results of these separate
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