Surface-water-quality assessment of the Yakima River Basin in Washington;  spatial and temporal distribution of trace elements in water, sediment, and aquatic biota, 1987-91

Fuhrer, Gregory J.; Cain, Daniel J.; McKenzie, Stuart W.; Rinella, Joseph F.; Crawford, J.K.; Skach, Kenneth A.; Hornberger, Michelle I.; Gannett, Marshall W.

doi:10.3133/ofr95440

Cited by 4 publications

References 29 publications

(63 reference statements)

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Responses of Physical, Chemical, and Biological Indicators of Water Quality to a Gradient of Agricultural Land Use in the Yakima River Basin, Washington

Cuffney¹,

Meador²,

Porter³

et al. 2000

Monitoring Ecological Condition in the Western United States

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Abstract. The condition of25 stream sites in the Yakima River Basin, Washington, were assessed by the V.S. Geological Survey's National Water-Quality Assessment Program. Multimetric condition indices were developed and used to rank sites on the basis of physical, chemical, and biological characteristics. These indices showed that sites in the Cascades and Eastern Cascades ecoregions were largely unimpaired. In contrast, all but two sites in the Columbia Basin ecoregion were impaired, some severely. Agriculture (nutrients and pesticides) was the primary factor associated with impairment and all impaired sites were characterized by multiple indicators of impairment. All indices of biological condition (fish, invertebrates, and algae) declined as agricultural intensity increased. The response exhibited by invertebrates and algae suggested a threshold response with conditions declining precipitously at relatively low levels of agricultural intensity and little response at moderate to high levels of agricultural intensity. This pattern of response suggests that the success of mitigation will vary depending upon where on the response curve the mitigation is undertaken. Because the form ofthe community condition response is critical to effective water-quality management, the National Water-Quality Assessment Program is conducting studies to examine the response ofbiota to gradients ofland-use intensity and the relevance ofthese responses to water-quality management. These land-use gradient pilot studies will be conducted in several urban areas starting in 1999.

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Responses of Physical, Chemical, and Biological Indicators of Water Quality to a Gradient of Agricultural Land Use in the Yakima River Basin, Washington

Cuffney¹,

Meador²,

Porter³

et al. 2000

Monitoring Ecological Condition in the Western United States

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Cuffney

Meador

Porter

et al. 2000

Environmental Monitoring and Assessment

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Water-quality trends for a stream draining the Southern Anthracite Field, Pennsylvania

Cravotta

Bilger

2001

GEEA

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Stream flow, chemical and biological data for the northern part of Swatara Creek, which drains a 112 km 2 area in the Southern Anthracite Field of eastern Pennsylvania, indicate progressive improvement in water quality since 1959, after which most mines in the watershed had been flooded. Drainage from the flooded mines contributes substantially to base flow in Swatara Creek. Beginning in 1995, a variety of treatment systems and surface reclamation were implemented at some of the abandoned mines. At Ravine, Pa., immediately downstream of the mined area, median SO 4 concentration declined from about 150 mg l −1 in 1959 to 75 mg l −1 in 1999 while pH increased from acidic to near-neutral values (medians: c. pH 4 before 1975; c. pH 6 after 1975). Fish populations rebounded from non-existent during 1959–1990 to 21 species identified in 1999. Nevertheless, recent monitoring indicates (1) episodic acidification and elevated concentrations and transport of Fe, Al, Mn, and trace metals during storm flow; (2) elevated concentrations of Fe, Mn, Co, Cu, Pb, Ni, and Zn in streambed sediments relative to unmined areas and to toxicity guidelines for aquatic invertebrates and fish; and (3) elevated concentrations of metals in fish tissue, notably Zn. The metals are ubiquitous in the fine fraction (<0.063 mm) of bed sediment in mining-affected tributaries and the main stem of Swatara Creek. As a result of scour and transport of streambed deposits, concentrations of suspended solids and total metals in the water column are correlated, and those for storm flow typically exceed base flow. Nevertheless, the metals concentrations are poorly correlated with stream flow because concentrations of suspended solids and total metals typically peak prior to peak stream stage. In contrast, SO 4 , specific conductance and pH are inversely correlated with stream flow as a result of dilution of poorly buffered stream water with weakly acidic storm runoff derived mainly from low-pH rainfall. Declines in pH to values approaching 5.0 during storm flow events or declines in redox potential during burial of sediment could result in the remobilization of metals associated with suspended solids and streambed deposits.

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Surface-water-quality assessment of the Yakima River Basin in Washington; spatial and temporal distribution of trace elements in water, sediment, and aquatic biota, 1987-91

Cited by 4 publications

References 29 publications

Responses of Physical, Chemical, and Biological Indicators of Water Quality to a Gradient of Agricultural Land Use in the Yakima River Basin, Washington

Responses of Physical, Chemical, and Biological Indicators of Water Quality to a Gradient of Agricultural Land Use in the Yakima River Basin, Washington

Untitled

Water-quality trends for a stream draining the Southern Anthracite Field, Pennsylvania

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