Relation between urbanization and water quality of streams in the Austin area, Texas

Book · Mon Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1990

OSTI ID:6793048

Veenhuis, J E; Slade, R M ^[1]

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1. Geological Survey, Austin, TX (United States)

Selected water quality properties and constituents of stormflow and base flow at 18 sites on 11 streams in the Austin area, Texas, were compared to determine the relation between degree of urbanization and water quality. Sample sites were grouped into four development classifications based on percentage of impervious cover of the drainage basin. For each site and development classification, concentrations and densities of water quality properties and constituents in samples collected during base flow were compared. Except for dissolved solids, concentrations during the rising stage of stormflow generally were larger than during the falling stage. The concentrations in stormflow were larger than in base flow. For the five sites that had sufficient samples from each flow category for statistical comparisons, median concentrations in stormflow were significantly larger than in base flow. Concentrations in the rising stage were more variable and significantly larger than in the falling stage. Except for dissolved solids, median concentrations in samples collected during stormflow increased with increasing urbanization. Medians for base flow also were larger for more urban classifications. The ratio of the number of samples with detectable concentrations to total sample analyzed of 18 minor inorganic constituents and the concentrations of many of these constituents increased with increasing urbanization. Twenty-two of 42 synthetic organic compounds investigated were detected in one or more samples and were detected more frequently and in larger concentrations at sites with more urban classifications.

• OSTI ID: 6793048
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540320* -- Environment
Aquatic-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (1990-)
CONTAMINATION
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
DISASTERS
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
FEDERAL REGION VI
MASS TRANSFER
MONITORING
NORTH AMERICA
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
POLLUTION
POLLUTION SOURCES
RUNOFF
STORMS
STREAMS
SURFACE WATERS
TEXAS
URBAN AREAS
USA
WATER POLLUTION
WATERSHEDS