Dissolved-solids sources, loads, yields, and concentrations in streams of the conterminous United States

Abstract

For more information on the USGS-the Federal source for science about the Earth, its natural and living resources, natural hazards, and the environment, visit http://www.usgs.gov or call 1-888-ASK-USGS.For an overview of USGS information products, including maps, imagery, and publications, visit http://www.usgs.gov/pubprodTo order this and other USGS information products, visit http://store.usgs.gov Any use of trade, firm, or product names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.Although this information product, for the most part, is in the public domain, it also may contain copyrighted materials as noted in the text. Permission to reproduce copyrighted items must be secured from the copyright owner.Suggested citation: Anning, D.W, and Flynn, M.E., 2014, Dissolved-solids sources, loads, yields, and concentrations in streams of the conterminous United States: U. S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2014-5012, 101 p., http://dx.doi.org/10.3133/sir20145012. ISSN 2328-0328 (online) iii FOREWORDThe U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is committed to providing the Nation with reliable scientific information that helps to enhance and protect the overall quality of life and that facilitates effective management of water, biological, energy, and mineral resources (http://www.usgs.gov/). Information on the Nation's water resources is critical to ensuring long-term availability of water that is safe for drinking and recreation and is suitable for industry, irrigation, and fish and wildlife. Population growth and increasing demands for water make the availability of that water, measured in terms of quantity and quality, even more essential to the long-term sustainability of our communities and ecosystems.The USGS implemented the National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Program in 1991 to support national, regional, State, and local information needs and decisions related to water-quality management and policy (http://water.usgs.gov/nawqa). The NAWQA Program is designed to answer: What is the quality of our Nation's streams and groundwater? How are conditions changing over time? How do natural features and human activities affect the quality of streams and groundwater, and where are those effects most pronounced? By combining information on water chemistry, physical characteristics, stream habitat, and aquatic life, the NAWQA Program aims to provide science-based insights for current and emerging water issues and priorities. From 1991 to 2001, the NAWQA Program completed interdisciplinary assessments and established a baseline understanding of water-quality conditions in 51 of the Nation's river basins and aquifers, referred to as Study Units (http://water.usgs.gov/nawqa/studies/ study_units.html ).National and regional assessments are ongoing in the second decade (2001)(2002)(2003)(2004)(2005)(2006)(2007)(2008)(2009)(2010)(2011)(2012) of the NAWQA Program as 42 of the 51 Study Units are selectively reassessed. These assessments extend the findings in the Study U...

Monitoring Marcellus: A Case Study of a Collaborative Volunteer Monitoring Project to Document the Impact of Unconventional Shale Gas Extraction on Small Streams

“…High conductivity in developed watersheds are likely the result of the extensive use of road salts in urban areas, as well as high conductance metals that are typically found in urban stormwater runoff (Anning and Flynn 2014;Bannerman et al 1993;Wilderman 2004). The influence of limestone on stream conductivity is also corroborated in the literature, where it is well documented that the solubility of limestone within watersheds, producing calcium, bicarbonate, and carbonate ions,…”

“…The identification of developed lands and limestone bedrock as the primary predictors of conductivity in the volunteer-collected database is also in agreement with the results of a recent USGS study on the sources of dissolved solids in streams in the conterminous United States (Anning and Flynn 2014). In that study, researchers identified and ranked the major sources of dissolved solids in US streams, using sophisticated models and data from more than 2,500 water quality monitoring stations.…”

A peony-leaves-derived liquid corrosion inhibitor: protecting carbon steel from NaCl

“…In the U.S. alone, about 20 million tons of chloride-based salts are used annually to keep roadways free of snow and ice (4). These salts are highly soluble, very mobile, difficult to remove, and inherently corrosive.…”

Assessment of water resources and the potential effects from oil and gas development in the Bureau of Land Management Tri-County planning area, Sierra, Doña Ana, and Otero Counties, New Mexico

“…Major ions such as silica, bicarbonate, calcium, sodium, potassium, magnesium, chloride, and sulfate contribute to TDS concentrations and contribute to the salinity of water (Anning and Flynn, 2014). The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) lists TDS on their national secondary drinking water regulations, which are non-enforceable guidelines for constituents in water that may cause cosmetic or aesthetic effects in public supply drinking water (EPA, 2017).…”