Lake Ontario Sediment - Mirex Relationships

Sediment samples collected from within the eastern basin of Lake Ontario, the Oswego River and harbor indicate that mirex, a persistent, chlorinated hydrocarbon continues to accumulate in harbor and offshore lake sediments. A high statistical relationship exists between mirex and organic carbon concentrations in deep water lake sediments. Mirex-contaminated sediments are accumulating in the deeper waters (>100m) of the lake at rates ranging from about 2.2–7.0 mm/yr. Nearshore bottom sediments are subject to redistribution, providing a continuing source of mirex to lake organisms.