Effects of urban development on stream ecosystems in nine metropolitan study areas across the 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. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication DataEffects of urban development on stream ecosystems in nine metropolitan study areas across the United States : the quality of our nation's waters / by James F. Coles ... [et al.].p. cm. -(Circular ; 1373) Quality of our nation's waters Includes bibliographical references and index. ForewordThe United States has made major investments in assessing, managing, regulating, and conserving natural resources such as water, minerals, soils, and timber. Sustaining the quality of the Nation's water resources and the health of our ecosystems depends on the availability of sound water-resources data and information to develop effective, science-based policies. Effective management of water resources also brings more certainty and efficiency to important economic sectors. Taken together, these actions lead to immediate and long-term economic, social, and environmental benefits that make a difference to the lives of millions of people (http://water.usgs.gov/nawqa/applications/).Two decades ago, the Congress established the U.S. Geological Survey's National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Program to meet this need. Since then it has served as a primary source of nationally consistent information on the quality of the Nation's streams and groundwater; how water quality changes over time; and how natural features and human activities affect the quality of streams and groundwater. Objective and reliable data, water-quality models and related decision support tools, and systematic scientific studies characterize where, when, and why the Nation's water quality is degradedand what can be done to improve and protect it for human and ecosystem needs. This information is critical to our future because the Nation faces an increasingly complex and growing need for clean water to support population, economic growth, and healthy ecosystems. For example, two thirds of U.S. estuaries are impacted by nutrients and dead zones that no longer fully support healthy fish and other aquatic communities. Forty-two percent of the Nation's streams are in poor or degraded condition compared to reference conditions. Eighty percent of urban streams have at least one pesticide that exceeds criteria to protect aquatic life. Groundwater from about 20 percent of p...

Consequential Environmental and Economic Life Cycle Assessment of Green and Gray Stormwater Infrastructures for Combined Sewer Systems

“…To evaluate the economic costs of water quality improvements against resulting environmental impacts (i.e., greenhouse gas emissions, resource depletion) for each stormwater management alternative, a cost−benefit ratio of water improvement can be defined as − = Δ Δ Δ Δ cost benefit ratio of water improvement $ or CO or resource WQI 2 (2) where Δ$, ΔCO 2 , and Δresource are the annualized life cycle economic costs, greenhouse gas emissions, and energy consumption, respectively, of the alternative as compared to the base case. ΔWQI, a measure of the marginal benefit of water quality improvement, is the annual reduction in any of the four water-associated environmental categories (freshwater eutrophication, marine eutrophication, freshwater ecotoxicity, and marine ecotoxicity) by a stormwater management alternative for a given precipitation scenario, as compared to the base case.…”

Historical changes in fish communities in urban streams of the south‐eastern United States and the relative importance of water‐quality stressors

“…Studies that have examined changes in fish communities related to urbanization often have utilized a 'space for time' gradient approach (Coles et al, 2012). Studies that have examined changes in fish communities related to urbanization often have utilized a 'space for time' gradient approach (Coles et al, 2012).…”

“…suggested that step-wise alterations in fish communities may occur over decades as a result of patterns of land-use change and associated ecosystem alteration. those effects may not be reflected at a regional scale because of high variability in relations between urbanization and stream habitat at larger geographic scales(Coles et al, 2012). Although relations between urbanization and habitat alteration may have significant effects on fish communities at a local scale (e.g Walters et al, 2003),.…”

Ecotoxicological evaluation of water and sediment of an urban and coastal water reservoir in northeastern Brazil

“…Esse processo é comum a compostos hidrofóbicos, como é o caso dos poluentes orgânicos persistentes (POPs) e os metais, compostos que persistem no ambiente principalmente por se associarem ao sedimento e à matéria orgânica (COLES et al, 2012;NOWELL et al, 2013), podendo acarretar efeitos agudos e crônicos para as comunidades que vivem ou entram em contato com o sedimento e acumulam-se em concentrações superiores àquelas encontradas no meio aquoso (ZAGATTO; BERTOLETTI, 2014). Portanto, o estudo do sedimento de um corpo hídrico é tão importante quanto a análise da água superficial.…”