Hexagenia mayflies: Biological monitors of water quality in the upper Mississippi River
- Winona State Univ., MN (USA)
Analysis of Hexagenia mayfly distribution patterns has proven to be a simple, inexpensive method of monitoring water quality in the Upper Mississippi River. Burrowing Hexagenia nymphs live at the mud-water interface intimately associated with the organically enriched sediments that have a strong affinity for contaminants. By their presence or absence in silted habitats, they assess the synergistic effects of hypoxia, toxins, and other stresses throughout the year. Adults are large and easily collected, providing inexpensive water quality monitoring on a river so large that comprehensive chemical, physical, and biological analyses are not logistically feasible or affordable. Pollution abatement in metropolitan Minneapolis-St. Paul allowed a recurrence of Hexagenia in formerly denuded areas of Pool 2 and Lake Pepin during the early 1980s, but the drought of 1988 caused a population crash in both areas, demonstrating that the environment at the mud-water interface was intolerable to Hexagenia during low flow conditions. 39 refs., 3 figs.
- OSTI ID:
- 5629950
- Journal Information:
- Journal of the Minnesota Academy of Science; (USA), Journal Name: Journal of the Minnesota Academy of Science; (USA) Vol. 55:1; ISSN 0026-539X; ISSN JMNAA
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Bioturbation and bioaccumulation of cadmium by nymphs of the burrowing mayfly Hexagenia bilineata exposed to cadmium-spiked sediment
Actions and interactions of temperature, pH and photoperiod on mercury bioaccumulation by nymphs of the burrowing mayfly Hexagenia rigida, from the sediment contamination source
Related Subjects
540320* -- Environment
Aquatic-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (1990-)
560300 -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ANIMALS
ANOXIA
ARTHROPODS
BIOLOGICAL INDICATORS
HABITAT
INSECTS
INTERFACES
INVERTEBRATES
MISSISSIPPI RIVER
POLLUTION
RIVERS
SEDIMENT-WATER INTERFACES
SENSITIVITY
STREAMS
SURFACE WATERS
WATER POLLUTION