In comparison to the present sediment quality ratings for offshore waters 
(98% of the total survey area rated as good, < 1% rated as fair, and < 1% rated 
as poor), estuarine habitats along the West Coast show a relatively higher 
incidence of sediment contamination, particularly in the moderate concentration 
ranges. For example, U.S. EPA (2004), based on the same contaminants and 
methods, found 79% of estuarine sediments along the West Coast of the U.S. in 
good condition, 18% in fair condition, and 3% in poor condition. While only two 
contaminants (4,4'-DDE and total DDT) were found in excess of ERM guideline 
values in the present offshore study, several contaminants were found above 
ERM levels in adjacent estuaries, including chromium, mercury, copper, DDT, 
several PAHs, and PCBs. In the present offshore survey, all stations where ERM 
values were exceeded (22 stations) were in California near Los Angeles. In the 
estuarine assessment, there were 24 stations where ERMs were exceeded, 
including 20 in California (majority in the San Francisco estuary and Los Angeles 
Harbor area) and four in Washington (three in the Puget Sound system and one 
in the Columbia River). 
Table 3.3.2. ERM and ERL guidance values in sediments (Long et al. 1995). 
Metals (pg/g) 
ERL 
ERM 
Arsenic 
8.2 
70 
Cadmium 
1.2 
9.6 
Chromium 
81 
370 
Copper 
34 
270 
Lead 
46.7 
218 
Mercury 
0.15 
0.71 
Nickel 
20.9 
51.6 
Silver 
1 
3.7 
Zinc 
150 
410 
Organics (ng/g) 
ERL 
ERM 
Acenaphthene 
16 
500 
Acenaphthylene 
44 
640 
Anthracene 
85.3 
1100 
Fluorene 
19 
540 
2-Methylnaphthalene 
70 
670 
Naphthalene 
160 
2100 
Phenanthrene 
240 
1500 
Benzo(a)anthracene 
261 
1600 
Benzo(a)pyrene 
430 
1600 
Chrysene 
384 
2800 
Dibenz(a,h)Anthracene 
63.4 
260 
Fluoranthene 
600 
5100 
Pyrene 
665 
2600 
Low molecular weight PAHs 
552 
3160 
High molecular weight PAHS 
1700 
9600 
Total PAHs 
4020 
44800 
4,4-DDE 
2.2 
27 
Total DDT 
1.58 
46.1 
Total PCBs 
22.7 
180 
64 
