Bioassay of nonpoint source pollution in selected water-sheds of the greater Louisville (Kentucky) area

Miscellaneous · Wed Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1992

OSTI ID:5981689

Marsh, J M

First flush (first twenty minutes) and composite (first three hours) samples of stormwater runoff were collected during a one year period (1991--1992) from six sites in the Louisville, Kentucky, metropolitan area. Each collection was analyzed for organic and inorganic compounds, pesticides, nutrients, dissolved solids, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, alkalinity, and conductivity, hardness, pH and temperature. The toxicity of the water was then determined by bioassay of fathead minnows (Pimphales promelas). Mortality in the bioassay was most affected by low DO concentrations in the runoff. High concentrations of chlorides, methoxychlor, and endrin were measured at all the sites throughout the course of the study. The main contributors to toxicity were pesticides, the heavy metals copper and zinc, particulates from road and tire wear, and airborne and liquid deposits on roadways. Season and rainfall amount and frequency were also important factors. Dilution of toxins and nutrients occurred between the first flush runoff and the runoff at the end of storms, sometimes to below Federal criteria.

• Research Organization: Louisville Univ., KY (United States)
• OSTI ID: 5981689
• Resource Relation: Other Information: Thesis (Ph.D.)
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
RUNOFF
WATER POLLUTION
BIOASSAY
CHLORIDES
COPPER
INORGANIC COMPOUNDS
KENTUCKY
METALS
MORTALITY
NUTRIENTS
OXYGEN
PARTICULATES
PESTICIDES
ROADS
SOLIDS
TOXICITY
TURBIDITY
VEHICLES
ZINC
CHLORINE COMPOUNDS
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
ELEMENTS
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
HALIDES
HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
MASS TRANSFER
NONMETALS
NORTH AMERICA
PARTICLES
POLLUTION
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
USA
540320* - Environment
Aquatic- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (1990-)