National Water Quality Network Research Articles

Pesticide mixtures show potential toxicity to aquatic life in U.S. streams, water years 2013–2017

During water years (WY) 2013–2017, the U.S. Geological Survey, National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Project, sampled the National Water Quality Network – Rivers and Streams (NWQN) year-round and reported on 221 pesticides at 72 sites across the United States in agricultural, developed, and mixed land use watersheds. The Pesticide Toxicity Index (PTI) was used to estimate the potential chronic and acute toxicity to three taxonomic groups – fish, cladocerans, and benthic invertebrates. For invertebrates (either cladocerans, benthic invertebrates, or both), the maximum PTI score exceeded the predicted acute toxicity screening level at 18 of the 72 sites (25%) at some point during WY 2013–2017. The predicted toxicity of a single pesticide compound was found to overwhelm the toxicity of other pesticides in the mixtures after concentrations were toxicity weighted. For this study, about 71%, 72%, and 92% of the Fish-, Cladoceran-, and Benthic Invertebrate-PTI scores, respectively, had one pesticide compound primarily contributing to sample potential toxicity (>50%).There were 17 (13 insecticides, 2 herbicides, 1 fungicide, and 1 synergist) of the 221 pesticide compounds analyzed that were the primary drivers of potential toxicity in each water sample in which the PTI and TUmax (toxic unit score for the pesticide that makes the single largest contribution to the PTI) scores were above predicted chronic (>0.1) or acute (>1) toxicity levels for one of the three taxa. For cladocerans and benthic invertebrates, the drivers of predicted chronic (>0.1) and acute (>1) PTIs were mostly insecticides. For cladocerans, the pesticide compounds driving the PTI scores were bifenthrin, carbaryl, chlorpyrifos, diazinon, dichlorvos, dicrotophos, diflubenzuron, flubendiamide, and tebupirimfos. For benthic invertebrates, atrazine (an herbicide), as well as the insecticides – bifenthrin, carbaryl, carbofuran, chlorpyrifos, diazinon, dichlorvos, fipronil, imidacloprid, and methamidophos – were the drivers of predicted toxicity. For fish, there were three pesticide types that contributed the most to predicted chronic (>0.1) PTIs – acetochlor, an herbicide; carbendazim, a fungicide degradate; and piperonylbutoxide, a synergist.

Perception of water clarity and colour in terms of suitability for recreational use

Undoubtedly, the clarity and colour of waters can strongly influence their use for recreation, so it is surprising that few attempts to relate suitability-for-use to these aspects of visual water quality have been published. In New Zealand, visual clarity of river waters in a national water quality network is routinely measured by 15 Water Resources Survey field parties who have become expert in the black disk visibility technique. The Water Resources Survey officers were surveyed using a Delphi technique for their opinions regarding the position of curves (response or sub-index curves) relating suitability-for-use of waters for bathing and aesthetics to black disk visibility and to water hue on the Munsell scale. The consensus curve for clarity showed that suitability for bathing changed from “marginally suitable” above 1·1 m to “suitable” above 1·6 m black disk visibility. This consensus curve agrees closely with the findings of an earlier study using a completely different method (interviews of recreational users at beaches of water-bodies having different measured clarity). The clarity curve for aesthetics was very similar to that for bathing. The consensus curve for colour shows that yellow-hued waters are poorly regarded for aesthetic reasons, whilst green-yellow waters are “marginal”; the preferred colours being green to blue (“suitable” or better).

Statistical needs in national water quality monitoring programs

The concept that a few well chosen, strategically placed, water quality stations can provide valuable scientific information to water managers is common to many countries. Historically within Canada, water quality regional networks (Great Lakes network, Prairie Provinces Water Board network, Long Range Transport of Airborne Pollutants network, etc.) have been successfully operating for many years. This paper will describe the difficulties associated with developing a national water quality network for a country the size of Canada. In particular, it will describe some of the statistical tools presently being used in regional networks which are suitable for a national network, and discuss the need to develop new statistical tools for environmental monitoring in the 1990's.

Seasonal Variation in Plankton Populations in the Arkansas River near the Confluence of Red Rock Creek

One-hundred twenty-eight taxa of phytoplankton and 32 taxa of zooplankton were collected from three stations in the Arkansas River near its con- fluence with Red Rock Creek. Samples were taken on six dates between April 1975 and January 1976. Maximum numbers of taxa of both groups occurred in late spring. Minimum variety of phytoplankton existed in summer, while both variety and density of zooplankton were extremely low in fall and winter. Density of phytoplankton ranged from 34.2 to 533.1 cells/ml. Density values were low in winter and early spring and reached maximum levels in early fall. Zooplankton density ranged from 0.5 to 129.3 individuals/i with maximum density occurring in summer. Diversity (d) of phytoplankton in the river was high ranging from 2.3 to 3.8. Values on most dates exceeded three. Diversity of zooplankton was generally low except in late spring. Chlorophyll a ranged from 0.04 to 0.30 mg/m3. Highest values were measured in summer, while lowest values occurred in winter and late spring. Plankton populations have been used as indicators of the degree and severity of organic enrichment. Williams (1963) described spe- cies composition of phytoplankton and zooplankton populations at 65 stations of the National Water Quality Network. He concluded that pollution alters the normal population patterns and the organ- isms serve as important indicators of water quality. Data on the dis- tribution of these organisms in Oklahoma is sparse. It was the objec- tive of this study to describe seasonal variation in species composition and diversity of phytoplankton and zooplankton populations in the Arkansas River near its confluence with Greasy and Red Rock Creeks in northcentral Oklahoma and to measure phytoplankton chlorophyll concentration. METHODS. Three stations were established on the Arkansas River (U, M, and D = Upstream, Middle, Downstream). Station U is located about 15 km south- east of Ponca City, Oklahoma, and about 1.5 km above the confluence of the river with Red Rock Creek. Station M is immediately below the joining of the two streams. Station D is about 5 km below Station M and immediately below

The nation's rivers.

The nation's rivers.

Identification of Chlorinated Hydrocarbon Pesticides in River Water

This article discusses a method now in use at the laboratory of the Omaha, Nebraska, Metropolitan Utilities District for isolating and identifying many of the chlorinated hydrocarbon pesticides in Missouri River water. By combining the carbon filter technique for concentration with the paper chromatographic methods of Mills and Mitchell, pesticide concentrations of 2 ppb or less can be identified. The solubility and column chromatographic separation of the carbon‐chloroform extract (CCE) practiced by the U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS) National Water Quality Network takes the place of other cleanup procedures, leaving fractions that can be chromatographed without further purification.

471. Chlorinated hydrocarbons in rivers: Breidenbach, A. W. & Lichtenberg, J. J. (1963). Identification of DDT and dieldrin in rivers—a report of the National Water Quality Network. Science141, 899

471. Chlorinated hydrocarbons in rivers: Breidenbach, A. W. & Lichtenberg, J. J. (1963). Identification of DDT and dieldrin in rivers—a report of the National Water Quality Network. Science141, 899

DDT AND DIELDRIN IN RIVERS: A REPORT OF THE NATIONAL WATER QUALITY NETWORK.

As a part of the waterquality surveillance activities of the National Water Quality Network at 101 sampling stations, insecticides were identified in 38 samples from ten rivers during the period May through December 1962. Both DDT and dieldrin were identified by infrared and gas chromatographic analysis of carbon adsorption extracts.

DDT and Dieldrin in Rivers: A Report of the National Water Quality Network

As a part of the water-quality surveillance activities of the National Water Quality Network at 101 sampling stations, insecticides were identified in 38 samples from ten rivers during the period May through December 1962. Both DDT and dieldrin were identified by infrared and gas chromatographic analysis of carbon adsorption extracts.

Nature and Control of Radioactive Wastes in Pennsylvania Waters

This article discusses the Pennsylvania program of assessing radioactivity levels and controlling radioactive wastes, which is still in its developmental stage. During 1961, it is hoped that a statewide stream‐sampling network of approximately 150 stations will be established. Analyses for radioactivity will be among those performed on the samples collected in this network. The U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS) is continuing to expand its national water quality network, and Philadelphia has, for some time, been making analyses of radioactivity found in the water it uses. The article discusses radioactive discharges, discharges to sewerage systems, control of burial, and radioactivity in water supplies.