Home > Explore Data & Reports > A Baseline Chemical Contaminants Assessment of Sediment from the Nu’uuli Pala Lagoon, American Samoa

Citation:

Mason, A.L., and D.R. Whitall. 2019. A Baseline Chemical Contaminants Assessment of Sediment from the Nu’uuli Pala Lagoon, American Samoa. NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS NCCOS 267. Silver Spring, MD. 35 pp. doi:10.25923/3sqf-vh06

Data/Report Type:

NOAA Technical Memorandum

Description

Thirteen marine sediment samples were collected as part of an effort to characterize and assess chemical contamination in the Nu’uuli Pala Lagoon on the island of Tutuila, American Samoa. Overall, concentrations of organic contaminants in sediment from the Nu’uuli Pala Lagoon are low as compared to other studies conducted by NOAA’s National Status and Trends (NS&T) Program, and are similar to those measured in the nearby Faga’alu watershed and bay. The only organic contaminants measured in the Pala Lagoon that exceeded any known guidelines or thresholds was for total DDT, and then only the Effects Range Low. PBDEs in the Pala Lagoon also appear to be elevated as compared to other relatively lower population coastal US areas. The concentrations of trace and major elements had a number of exceedances of established guidelines, including arsenic, chromium, copper, nickel, and zinc. Nickel was the only metal that exceeded both the ERL and ERM, pointing towards likely adverse impacts to the Pala Lagoon.

Note to readers with disabilities: Some scientific publications linked from this website may not conform to Section 508 accessibility standards due to the complexity of the information being presented. If you need assistance accessing this electronic content, please contact the lead/corresponding author, Primary Contact, or nccos.webcontent@noaa.gov.

Explore Similar Data/Reports

About NCCOS

NCCOS delivers ecosystem science solutions for stewardship of the nation’s ocean and coastal resources to sustain thriving coastal communities and economies.

Stay Connected

Sign up for our quarterly newsletter or view our archives.

NCCOS Multimedia

Visit our new NCCOS Multimedia Gallery. 

Follow us on Social

Listen to our Podcast

Check out our new podcast "Coastal Conversations"