Relationships among observed metal concentrations, criteria, and benthic community structural responses in 15 streams
Physical, chemical, and biological data were collected summer and fall, 1980, from 15 river systems impacted by publicly owned treatment works. Elevated metal concentrations in these polluted streams were compared to federally recommended aquatic life criteria and to resident macro-invertebrate communities above and below pollutant sources. In those rivers limited to metal problems benthic invertebrate fauna were predictable indicators of pollution impact. In more complicated systems subject to influence from complex organic effluents or with variable substrate characteristics, community structural responses were less readily predictable. In these cases, particularly in rivers with low hardness, recommended criteria had limited utility for predictions of biological community health. Use of seasonal sampling to establish critical flow periods and the value of supplemental on-site toxicity bioassays using resident taxa and effluent waters are also discussed. 55 references, 10 figures, 1 table.
- Research Organization:
- Univ. of Nevada, Las Vegas
- OSTI ID:
- 5822990
- Journal Information:
- J. - Water Pollut. Control Fed.; (United States), Vol. 56:9
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Biological Monitoring Program for East Fork Poplar Creek
Effects of acid mine drainage on water, sediment and associated benthic macroinvertebrate communities
Related Subjects
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
RIVERS
CONTAMINATION
WATER POLLUTION
BIOLOGICAL INDICATORS
WATER TREATMENT PLANTS
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS
BENTHOS
MONITORING
SEASONAL VARIATIONS
TOXICITY
WATER QUALITY
AQUATIC ORGANISMS
ECOSYSTEMS
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
POLLUTION
STREAMS
SURFACE WATERS
VARIATIONS
520200* - Environment
Aquatic- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (-1989)
560304 - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology- Invertebrates- (-1987)