Effects of acid mine drainage on the stream ecosystem of the east fork of the Obey River, Tennessee

Journal Article · Mon Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1973 · J. Tenn. Acad. Sci.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5804814

Nichols, L E; Bulow, F L

The stream ecosystem of the east fork of the Obey River, Tennessee was studied from January through December 1970. Emphasis centered on water quality, macroinvertebrates, fish and aquatic flora affected by acid mine drainage. Two control stations were established within the study area, one located below the zone of pollution. A reservoir station was established to detect any neutralization occurring within Dale Hollow Reservoir below the confluence of the east fork and west fork. An area approximately 40 miles in length was found to be severely degraded by acid mine drainage. Limited macroinvertebrate populations existed within this region. Chironomus and Sialis were the predominate benthic indicator organisms present in the polluted zone. Euglena mutabilis was the most abundant representative organism of the aquatic flora. This organism was found to be characteristic of acid mine pollution. Fish were recovered above and below, but not within, the zone of pollution. Fish recovered were characteristic of the type of habitat in which they were collected, being either typical stream or reservoir fish. A fish kill occurred in the east fork embayment of Dale Hollow on August 15, 1970 from acid mine drainage discharged upstream.

• OSTI ID: 5804814
• Journal Information: J. Tenn. Acad. Sci.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Tenn. Acad. Sci.; (United States) Vol. 48; ISSN JTASA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ACID MINE DRAINAGE
ACIDIFICATION
ALGAE
ANIMALS
AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS
AQUATIC ORGANISMS
BENTHOS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIOLOGICAL INDICATORS
ECOSYSTEMS
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
EUGLENA
FEDERAL REGION IV
FISHES
INVERTEBRATES
MASS TRANSFER
MASTIGOPHORA
MICROORGANISMS
NORTH AMERICA
PLANTS
POLLUTION
RIVERS
SPECIES DIVERSITY
STREAMS
SURFACE WATERS
TENNESSEE
UNICELLULAR ALGAE
USA
VERTEBRATES
WATER POLLUTION
WATER QUALITY