Assessment of Dioxin Contamination in the Houston Ship Channel

Date

2003

Authors

Rifai, Hanadi S., Monica P. Suarez, Randy Palachek, Kirk Dedn, Paul Jensen, Michael Bloom, and Larry Koenig

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Galveston Bay Estuary Program

Abstract

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (dioxin) are extremely persistent in the environment, and can affect human health at low concentrations. As a result of dioxin found in seafood organism tissue, a seafood consumption advisory for catfish and blue crabs was issued by the Texas Department of Health in September 1990 for the upper portion of Galveston Bay and the Houston Ship Channel in Texas. As a result of the advisory, the HSC system was placed on the 303(d) list and a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) study was initiated. This paper presents the results of analyses conducted in support of a TMDL assessment in the HSC.

Description

pg. 109

Keywords

water quality, habitat, ecology, watershed management, dioxin, houston ship channel, polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, dibenzofurans, seafood, seafood consumption advisory, emissions, wastewater, ambient water, sediments, tissue, sludges, effluents, air emissions, runoff

Citation