Tidal San Jacinto River ambient toxicity study: August 2-9, 1988 and January 10-17, 1989. Final report.

The tidal San Jacinto River is an estuary located in southeast Texas adjacent to the City of Houston. A dredged channel, the Houston Ship Channel, was created along portions of the San Jacinto River. The Houston Ship Channel system is influenced by numerous point source dischargers as well as nonpoint source urban runoff and intrusion of contaminated groundwater. A concern exists as to whether the high quality aquatic life beneficial use of the San Jacinto River may be impaired by toxic materials from the tidal portions of the San Jacinto River and the Houston Ship channel ( Texas State Water Quality Segments 1001, 1005, and 1006). The Environmental Research Laboratory, Narrangansett, Rhode Island (ERL-N) conducted toxicity tests on the water and sediments of the tidal San Jacinto River under contract with EPA Region VI to partially address this question. Two test series were conducted, 2 August-9 August 1988 during warm weather and 10 January-17 January 1989 during colder weather, to determine whether seasonal variability in toxicity existed. These studies will serve as part of a base line evaluation to determine the degree of ambient toxicity and chemical contamination of the tidal San Jacinto River.