Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/11681/21201
Title: Water quality studies in the upper watershed of Steele Bayou, Mississippi
Authors: Ashby, Steven L.
Sturgis, Thomas C.
Price, Cynthia B.
Brannon, James M.
Pennington, Judith C.
Keywords: Water quality--Mississippi--Steele Bayou Watershed
River sediments--Mississippi--Rolling Fork Region
Pesticides--Environmental aspects--Mississippi
Organic carbon
Publisher: Environmental Laboratory (U.S.)
Series/Report no.: Miscellaneous Paper;MP EL-91-23
Abstract: Abstract: Sediment and water quality sampling was conducted during a 1-year period at several locations in the watershed of Steele Bayou, Mississippi, to describe spatial and temporal trends. Physicochemical and biological water quality parameters displayed dynamic distribution patterns that were attributed to influences of hydrologic events, channel morphometry, hydrology, and local land uses. Influences of hydrologic events were most obvious, with elevated concentrations of suspended material coincident with precipitation and runoff events. Pronounced material transport was suggested by relatively high values of total solids, total suspended solids, and total nutrients. Diel variations of dissolved oxygen concentrations and seasonally high concentrations of nutrients and chlorophyll 𝘢 suggested a highly productive system, particularly in the downstream regions of Main Canal, Black Bayou, and Steele Bayou. An organic-rich system was indicated by relatively high dissolved organic carbon concentrations. Highly variable distribution of parameter concentrations during the summer low-flow period suggested that local conditions markedly influence water quality. Local influences of riparian vegetation were most apparent in evaluation of the phytoplankton community. In the canopied reach near Leroy Percy State Park, phytoplankton productivity was lower, and chlorophyll 𝘢 concentrations were higher when compared to open reaches. Insecticide and herbicide concentrations were detected occasionally in the surface waters of the study area; however, concentrations were generally near detection limits. PPDDD, PPDDE, PPDDT, and heptachlor were the most commonly detected pesticides in surface sediment samples. The highest average concentration of most pesticides was in the MC2 subwatershed. However, all pesticides were detected in low concentrations in surface sediments (<0.1 mg/kg).
URI: http://hdl.handle.net/11681/21201
Appears in Collections:Miscellaneous Paper

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