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Use of watershed characteristics to select control streams for estimating effects of metal mining wastes on extensively disturbed streams

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:5811874
Impacts of sediments and heavy metals on the biota of streams in the copper-mining district of southwestern Montana were examined by comparing aquatic communities of impacted streams with those of control streams. Control streams were chosen through the use of a technique that identifies similar streams based on similarities in their watershed characteristics. Significant differences between impacted and control sites existed for surface substrate, riparian vegetation, and the number of macro-invertebrate taxa.
Research Organization:
Illinois Univ., Urbana (USA). Dept. of Ecology, Ethology and Evolution
OSTI ID:
5811874
Report Number(s):
PB-86-166063/XAB
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English