Application of a Sediment Quality Index to the Lower Laurentian Great Lakes

Abstract

A sediment quality index (SQI) was developed using an equation incorporating three elements; scope--the % of variables that did not meet guidelines; area frequency--the % of failed tests divided by the total number of tests in a group of sites; and amplitude - the magnitude by which failed variables exceeded guidelines. The SQI calculation produces a numerical score with a maximum value of 100 representing the highest sediment quality. A modified SQI was also developed using only the scope and amplitude elements, which computed a score per site with no grouping. The SQI was applied to assessment of sediment quality in Lakes Erie and Ontario using Canadian Federal and Ontario Provincial guidelines for 34 compounds, Spatial trends in sediment quality in both lakes reflected overall trends for most individual contaminant classes, including mercury and polychlorinated biphenyls. In Lake Erie, there was a trend toward lower SQI values from the eastern basin to the western basin, and from the northern area to the southern area of the central basin. Sediment quality in the eastern basin and the northern area of the central basin was classified as excellent (>95); sediments in other areas of Lake Erie ranged from fair to good. In Lake Ontario, the poorest sediment quality was associated with the three major depositional basins; sediment quality among the three basins was quite consistent. The SQI values based on all three elements (scope, frequency and amplitude) for the Niagara basin. Mississauga Basin and Rochester Basin were 67 (fair), 65 (fair) and 70 (fair), respectively. Comparison of SQI values for all lower lake basins showed generally poorer sediment quality in Lake Ontario, compared to Lake Erie.