The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Program has three objectives, one of which is "to define trends (or lack of trends) in water quality." Water-quality trends reflect the relation between water quality and human activities, chronicling changes in concentrations of environmental contaminants, introduction of new contaminants, and successful efforts in environmental pollution remediation. This study uses paleolimnology techniques to describe natural and anthropogenic changes in water quality in drainage basins of reservoirs. The techniques include radiochemical dating of sediment cores; measurement of major, minor, and trace elements, chlorinated organic compounds, and PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons); and interpretation of various sedimentary and geomorphic properties in cores. In one setting, historical changes in diatoms and pollen were also evaluated.

To view the available data for each site, either go to each site directly or use the national map of sediment coring sites to see a geographically arranged display. Many (but not all) of the sediment coring sites are within NAWQA study units.

Watch a video clip (.wmv) about our study at Great Salt Lake. View a transcript of the video. Download the Windows Media Player. Video is provided courtesy of the KSL News.