Organic waste contamination indicators in small Georgia Piedmont streams
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Author(s)
Burke, Roger A.
Molinero, Jon
Advisor(s)
Editor(s)
Hatcher, Kathryn J.
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Abstract
We monitored concentrations of dissolved
organic carbon (DOC) and dissolved oxygen (DO), and
other parameters in 17 small streams of the South Fork
Broad River watershed on a monthly basis for 15 months.
We observed a strong inverse relationship between mean
DOC and mean DO, and low DO concentrations (2 mg/L)
during summer in some of the streams. Elevated DOC levels
and corresponding low DO may result from watershed
sources of organic wastes and/or nutrients. Potential sources
of watershed organic wastes include animal manure applied
to the land and/or human wastes from wastewater treatment
plants or septic tanks. Here we present estimates of the
amounts of organic waste input to these watersheds and
evaluate the possible impact of the waste on stream DOC
concentrations. Our results suggest that application of
poultry litter at recommended rates may impact stream DOC
levels if applied to a high enough percentage of the
watershed land area. We also present a few measurements
of the stable nitrogen isotope ratio of plants growing in the
channel and of potential denitrification rate in the sediments
of a few of these streams on a few dates shortly after the
monthly monitoring ended. These preliminary results
suggest that stable nitrogen isotope ratios and potential
denitrification rates are positively correlated with estimates
of stream watershed human waste loading and thus are
potentially effective indicators of waste contamination in
these watersheds. In some cases, stable isotopic, potential
denitrification rate, and other biogeochemical indicators of
organic waste and/or nutrient contamination may be useful
to regulators and managers charged with protecting water
quality.
Sponsor
Sponsored by:
Georgia Environmental Protection Division
U.S. Geological Survey, Georgia Water Science Center
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service
Georgia Institute of Technology, Georgia Water Resources Institute
The University of Georgia, Water Resources Faculty
Date
2005-04
Extent
Resource Type
Text
Resource Subtype
Proceedings