Effects of lead tailings on benthos and water quality of three Ozark streams

Journal Article · Sat Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1983 · Trans. Mo. Acad. Sci.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5318636

Duchrow, R M

Lead mine tailings were discharged into two Missouri Ozark streams (Saline and Logan creeks) on March 28-29, 1977 following heavy rainfall and runoff. Sedimentation caused severe damage to benthic invertebrate communities inhabiting the receiving streams. Adult fish populations seemed unaffected; no dead fish were found during each study. Degradation in a secondary receiving stream (Little St. Francis River) was limited to the reduction of pollution-sensitive mayfly and stonefly taxa. Benthic invertebrate communities began to recover in both study streams about 2 months after the tailings discharges, but still showed signs of adverse effects after 1 year. Dissolved heavy metal concentrations never reached acutely toxic levels in either stream. Their concentrations were also below safe limit guidelines for the protection of aquatic life in most samples. The cause of degradation in both streams was primarily the physical effects of the tailings (sedimentation, smothering, and abrasion). Heavy metals did not appear to contribute significantly to the degradation of the biota of either stream. Effects on early life stages of fish and benthos were not studied. 30 references, 8 figures, 1 table.

• Research Organization: Missouri Dept. of Conservation, Columbia
• OSTI ID: 5318636
• Journal Information: Trans. Mo. Acad. Sci.; (United States), Journal Name: Trans. Mo. Acad. Sci.; (United States) Vol. 17:2; ISSN MISTB
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560304* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology-- Invertebrates-- (-1987)
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ANIMALS
AQUATIC ORGANISMS
ARTHROPODS
BENTHOS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
ELEMENTS
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
FEDERAL REGION VII
FISHES
INHIBITION
INSECTS
INVERTEBRATES
LEAD
METALS
MINING
MISSOURI
MORTALITY
NORTH AMERICA
POPULATIONS
SEDIMENTATION
SILT
SOLID WASTES
STREAMS
SURFACE WATERS
TAILINGS
USA
VERTEBRATES
WASTES
WATER QUALITY