December 2000

Study Summary: Water and Sediment Chemistry

After the April 2000 Potomac Electric Power Company (PEPCO) pipeline oil spill near Benedict, Maryland, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (MDNR), and the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) are assessing and restoring injured natural resources. This effort, called a natural resource damage assessment (NRDA), involves implementing studies to identify and quantify injured resources and services. This fact sheet provides summary information about one of the studies being implemented.

Study Objective

The objective of this study is to document the geographic extent and magnitude of petroleum hydrocarbons over time in the Patuxent River and its tributaries. Data from these studies are also being used to quantify the exposure of aquatic resources to the spilled oil.

Methodology Overview

Water and sediment samples were collected for petroleum hydrocarbon analysis using general sampling and documentation procedures outlined in the Natural Resource Damage Assessment Emergency Guidance Manual (NOAA 1997). There have been five studies that focused on water and sediment chemistry. These surveys were initiated within 24 hours of the release and continued through August 2000. During the first 5 days of the spill, three separate studies were conducted in Swanson Creek and the Patuxent River. In general, these surveys consisted of collecting water samples from near the surface of the water column and surface sediments. The first survey was conducted on April 8 in Swanson Creek. The second survey was conducted on April 10 in Swanson Creek and the Patuxent River. The third survey was conducted April 12–13 between Black Swamp Creek (located 6 miles upstream from Swanson Creek) and Broomes Island (approximately 11 miles downstream from Swanson Creek). During this survey, sampling was conducted in the mainstem of the Patuxent River and in seven tributaries including Swanson Creek, Indian Creek, and Trent Hall Creek. The fourth study consisted of 10 sampling surveys at up to 26 stations in the Patuxent River between April 17 and July 11. The fifth survey was conducted throughout the spill area in August 2000. Samples were collected between Deep Landing (approximately 4 miles upstream of Swanson Creek) and Broomes Island.

Status

Field surveys and requested laboratory analysis are complete for the initial five surveys. Some samples have been archived pending further analytical review. Reports are currently being prepared by the field investigators. Findings from these studies will be used to assess the level of injuries to aquatic resources. Additional water and sediment sampling is scheduled through at least 2001 as part of the long-term monitoring program.

Investigators

The first and second surveys were developed and implemented by representatives of FWS and PEPCO. The third survey was developed by the NRDA Council consisting of representatives of NOAA, FWS, MDNR, MDE, ST Services, and PEPCO. The fourth survey was conducted by the University of Maryland–Chesapeake Biological Laboratory with assistance from representatives of the NRDA Council. The fifth study was developed and implemented by PEPCO representatives with approval and oversight from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and approval of state and federal resource agencies (NOAA, FWS, MDNR, and MDE).

For More Information

Contact one of the following individuals or visit a web site for more information.

NOAA

Jim Hoff
Lisa Pelstring
NOAA Damage Assessment Remediation and Restoration Program
1305 East West Highway
Building 4, Room 10218
Silver Spring, MD 20910
301.713.3038 x195
Fax 301.713.4387

This summary is meant to provide only an overview. More information on NRDA studies can be found in the Swanson Creek administrative record located at the following sites:

Light Point Commerce Center 30383 Three Notch Road Charlotte Hall, MD 301.290.0946 1.800.685.1266 fax 301.290.0943 Monday–Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Calvert Industrial Park 230 Bugeye Square Prince Frederick, MD 202.721.5009 Fax 202.721.5028 Monday–Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Information Resource Center Maryland Department of Natural Resources 580 Taylor Avenue, B–3 Annapolis, MD 21401 410.260.8830 Fax 410.260.8951 Monday–Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.