An investigation to evaluate impacts of the release of dredged material on chemical aspects of the aquatic and benthic environments was conducted in Lake Erie off Ashtabula, Ohio, from June 1975 through September 1976. Samples and measurements were taken prior to, during, and after the release of materials from a hopper dredge during August 1975 and May 1976. The impact on the water column was short-lived with a return to ambient predisposal conditions for most parameters within 90 minutes after release of dredged material. Impacts on interstitial water generally dissipated in less than 90 days after disposal. The benthic environment was the most affected in terms of chemical changes. A return of predisposal conditions did occur within a year primarily due to erosion. There was no evidence of heavy metals accumulations by either benthos or fish as a consequence of disposal of dredged material. A Standard Elutriate Test preparation time dependency study also was done. This investigation resulted in some suggested changes for improving reliability. (Author).