Abstract
By using a combination of chemistry, toxicological evaluation, ecological analysis, and radiodating, this investigation has defined the ecological effects and the nature and extent of sediment contamination in the Tannery Bay area of eastern White Lake. The sediments in Tannery Bay represent a source of chromium transport for most of the eastern basin of White Lake. The recent deposition of chromium contaminated sediments exceeding 500 mg/kg in down gradient locations shows that export processes are responsible for the movement of this material from Tannery Bay. Arsenic and mercury appear to be less mobile and are retained in the sediments of Tannery Bay. Chromium export from Tannery Bay into White Lake proper will continue as long as the contaminated sediments are influenced by hydrodynamic circulation patterns and wave action.
Keywords
White Lake, Whitehall, Michigan, Tannery Bay, Sediment, Ecosystem Health, Contamination
Disciplines
Environmental Monitoring
ScholarWorks Citation
Rediske, Richard; Fahnenstiel, Gary; Nalepa, Tom; Meier, Peter; and Schelske, Claire, "Preliminary Investigation of the Extent and Effects of Sediment Contamination in White Lake Near Whitehall Leather Tannery" (1997). Scientific Technical Reports. 12.
https://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/scitechreports/12
