Summary

Description

A survey was conducted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to assess habitat quality on the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge NWR. Sediment samples were collected at 32 sites within n14 or adjacent n18 to the NWR. The survey showed only site and usespecific contamination. Much of the area surveyed possessed little or no contaminant residues. Sediment composition sandsiltclay and total organic carbon around St. Marks NWR was comparable to coastal areas of the northeastern Gulf of Mexico. Metal contamination of sediments was not found on the refuge, but was found at 6 offrefuge sites and included moderate concentrations of copper and mercury. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon PAH contamination was also not found on the refuge; however, offrefuge PAH contamination was slightly more widespread than metal contamination being found at 9 offrefuge sites. No organochlorine contamination was detected in samples taken on or offrefuge. Sixteen sites, including both on and offrefuge sites, were found to have relatively high concentrations of aliphatic hydrocarbons. Oil and grease contamination was found at 11 sites total, but only 1 site on the NWR. The survey objective was to provide baseline information from which to determine the need for additional monitoring and for use in developing management strategies.