Distribution of biota in a stream polluted by acid mine-drainage

Journal Article · Fri Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1971 · Ohio J. Sci.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5663573

Warner, R W

Acidic water draining from coal mines has severly restricted the diversity of biota inhabiting Roaring Creek, eastern West Virginia. Polluted reaches of the stream (median pH values ranging from 2.8 to 3.8) were inhabited by 3 to 12 genera of bottom-dwelling invertebrates and 10 to 19 species of periphytic algae. Invertebrates tolerant of the pollution included Sialis sp., chironomus plumosus and other Chironomidae, dytiscid beetles, and Ptilostomis sp. Predominant among the tolerant periphyton were Ulothrix tenerrima, Pinnularia termitina, Eunotia exigua, and Euglena mutabilis. Six other species of algae were tolerant of the acid mine-pollution, but were never numerous. Sections of Roaring Creek not severely polluted by acid drainage (pH medians of 4.5 or higher) supported diverse communities of 25 or more kinds of benthic animals and 27 or more species of periphytic algae. These stream reaches were inhibited by blackflies, crayfish, mayflies, stoneflies, and many species of caddisflies; these forms did not inhabit the more acidic stream reaches. Because of the complex and varying chemical composition of the acid mine-drainage, and also because of possible physical influences, measurements of pH values in the stream seemed to provide the most reliable, as well as unique, index of the effects of acid mine-drainage on aquatic life.

• OSTI ID: 5663573
• Journal Information: Ohio J. Sci.; (United States), Vol. 71:4
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ACID MINE DRAINAGE
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
STREAMS
ACIDIFICATION
AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS
COAL MINES
WATER POLLUTION
WEST VIRGINIA
ECOSYSTEMS
FEDERAL REGION III
MINES
NORTH AMERICA
POLLUTION
SURFACE WATERS
UNDERGROUND FACILITIES
USA
520200* - Environment
Aquatic- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (-1989)