Here, we report the results of the first intensive survey of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in the surficial sediment of the Indiana Harbor and Ship Canal (IHSC) in East Chicago, Indiana, a part of the Calumet River tributary of Lake Michigan (2006). PCB congeners were measured using tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) in multiple reaction monitoring mode (MRM), a method that provides a high-level selectivity and sensitivity for PCBs in complex environmental samples. The PCB concentrations (sum of 163 congeners or coeluting peaks) range from 53 to 35,000 ng/g dry weight (d.w.). The PCB congener signal strongly resembles the original technical mixture Aroclor 1248 that has experienced a small amount of weathering — less than 2.5% by mass for the statistically different congeners. Further, total organic carbon (TOC) is also reported.

Values = 0 indicates non-detected or below the limit of quantification.