The Heinz Center's State of the Nation's Ecosystems
ecosystem: Core National Indicators
indicator Name: Contamination in Bottom Sediments: sediment contamination--estuaries
page # in printed report: 72
location on page: lower
data source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program (EMAP) Coverage: lower 48 states, excluding the North Atlantic, Southern California, and Pacific Northwest. Guidelines are from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
notes: please see technical notes for further details on accessing these data from their original source; this data table comes from a specific graphic in The State of the Nation's Ecosystems report (www.heinzctr.org/ecosystems)

units: % of Estuary Area Exceeding Indicated Number of Guidelines
  1990-1997 1999-2000
Possible effects (1-4 contaminants) 19 34
Possible effects (5 or more contaminants) 39 8
Probable effects (1 or more contaminants) 2 7