Phase II Contaminants Investigation of Buffalo Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Texas 1993-1994
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U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Region 2 Contaminants Program PHASE II CONTAMINANTS INVESTIGATION OF BUFFALO LAKE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE, TEXAS 1993 - 1994 by Denise L. Baker 1, Joel D. Lusk 2, and Craig M. Giggleman U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Arlington Ecological Services Field Office 711 Stadium Drive, East, Suite #252 Arlington, Texas 76011 September 1998 PHASE II CONTAMINANTS INVESTIGATION OF BUFFALO LAKE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE, TEXAS 1993 - 1994 ABSTRACT Buffalo Lake National Wildlife Refuge is located in the Southern High Plains in Randall County, Texas. The lake from which the Refuge received its name has not contained water since the 1980s. In 1987, a Phase I contaminants investigation of the Refuge was conducted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Arlington, Texas, Field Office. The results of this investigation indicated that elevated concentrations of nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus compounds), salts, copper, strontium, and zinc were found in and downstream of cattle feedlot waste retention lagoons; Tierra Blanca Creek, the major lotic contributor of the Refuge, had degraded water quality, primarily attributed to run-off and discharges from cattle feedlots; and that nutrient concentrations retained in soils in the dry reservoir bed in Buffalo Lake National Wildlife Refuge were elevated to the extent that inundation could create unacceptably high nutrient concentrations in the surface water. Consequentially, in 1993, a Phase II contaminants study was initiated at the Refuge by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to evaluate the extent of contamination in stormwater run-off entering the Refuge via Tierra Blanca Creek; to determine the extent of contamination in soils and vegetation within the Refuge; to evaluate the ability of crops grown in the Refuge to reduce soil contaminant concentrations; and to monitor contaminant levels in soils, surface water, and vegetation of moist soil management units constructed in the southern portion of the Refuge. To accomplish these objectives, surface water samples, representing a stormwater surge, were collected in Tierra Blanca Creek, upstream of the Refuge, analyzed for nutrient and total metal content, and compared with water data from the Phase I study and criteria values protective of aquatic life. Surface water, groundwater, soil, and biological samples were collected within the boundaries of the Refuge and analyzed for total metal and nutrient content. Data from these water analyses were compared with criteria and other screening values protective of aquatic life, while data obtained from the soils component of this study were compared with U.S. median background levels. The soil data were also statistically compared with data from the Phase I study to determine if contaminant levels had increased or decreased within the Refuge between 1987 and 1993. Biological samples consisting of vegetation and terrestrial invertebrates were analyzed for total metals. The resulting data from this portion of the study were statistically analyzed and compared with criteria protective of wildlife to determine the bioavailability of contaminants within the Refuge. In 1994, sediment and additional surface water, groundwater, soil, and biological samples were collected from the Refuge. The water samples were analyzed for dissolved metal and nutrient content. Soil and sediment samples were analyzed for total metal and nutrient content. Biological samples consisted of vegetation, aquatic macroinvertebrates, aquatic vertebrates, and avian specimens which were analyzed for total metals. In addition, sediment, soil, and biological samples were analyzed for total polychlorinated biphenyls and organochlorine pesticide residues. Water, soils, sediment, and biological data resulting from these analyses were compared with criteria and screening values protective of wildlife resources to further interpret contaminant levels within the Refuge. In general, surface water in Tierra Blanca Creek appeared to be as contaminated in 1993 as it was in 1987. This may be attributed to residual nitrates and other nutrient compounds leaching from sediments which were previously saturated with contaminants because the rainfall event sampled was not of significant duration or intensity to cause the discharge of nutrient laden waste from cattle feedlots located upstream of the Refuge. With the exception of one pond (Pond No. 2), surface water within the Refuge was relatively un-impacted by contaminants. Pond No. 2 contained elevated metals which may be attributed to the high clay content within the sediments. No obvious trends of contaminant infiltration into the groundwater at the Refuge were detected. Farming of selected areas within the dry reservoir bed at the Refuge has been practiced since 1988. Detected phosphorus levels in soils from this area were lower in 1993 in comparison to the soils data collected in 1987; however, nitrogen soil levels were elevated in comparison to the 1987 data. Significant surface water inflow into the Refuge has not occurred since the Phase I study was conducted in 1987. Nutrient contaminants in run-off from the cattle feedlots that stimulated undesirable eutrophic conditions and caused fish kills in the reservoir now appear to function as fertilizer for crops in the dry reservoir bed. The nitrogen levels in the soils were elevated but did not appear to be causing adverse effects to wildlife that feed on plants grown in these soils. Metal concentrations detected in soils of the dry reservoir bed were not at levels considered detrimental to wildlife. Nitrogen levels detected in soils from the moist soil management units were more elevated than concentrations detected in the dry reservoir bed. This may be attributed to the moist soil management units functioning in the capacity of wetlands, thus acting as sinks for nutrients transported into the Refuge via Tierra Blanca Creek. Total polychlorinated biphenyls and residual organochlorine pesticides did not appear to represent a concern within the Refuge. Based on the results of this study, vegetation and wildlife currently at the Refuge do not appear to be adversely impacted. As long as the dry reservoir bed within the Refuge is managed as a grassland, and not as a reservoir, there is no cause for concern. However, if the reservoir is allowed to fill again, eutrophication will likely occur resulting in situations similar to the 1960s and 1970s fish kills. The moist soil management units located in the southern portion of the Refuge serve as a limited buffer against contaminated stormwater intrusion from Tierra Blanca Creek. However, it is suggested that regulatory agencies re-evaluate permitting so many large scale cattle feedlots in such a small watershed that contains sensitive habitats, because the potential exists that Buffalo Lake National Wildlife Refuge could be severely impacted by millions of gallons of raw, untreated waste from these feedlots in the event of a rainfall of significant intensity and duration. Project ID No. 9320001-2N14 1Denise L. Baker is the Supervisory Environmental Contaminants Specialist with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Region 1 Field Office, 510 Desmond Drive SE, Suite 102, Lacey, Washington 98503- 1273. 2Joel D. Lusk is an Environmental Specialist with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Region 2 Field Office, 2105 Osuna NE, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87113. Acknowledgments: The authors wish to express their extreme gratitude to Mr. Lynn Nymeyer and Ms. Kathy Payne for their tireless efforts in monitoring rainfall and collecting samples. The authors also wish to acknowledge Mr. Alvin Payne for preparing the sampling vehicle and expediting the safety training. The authors wish to further acknowledge Ms. Joy Winkel for assistance in preparation of the study proposal and work plan. PHASE II CONTAMINANTS INVESTIGATION OF BUFFALO LAKE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE, TEXAS 1993 - 1994 Project ID No. 9320001-2N14 TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION .................................................... 1 STUDY AREA & BACKGROUND ......................................... 1 MATERIALS & METHODS.............................................. 5 RESULTS & DISCUSSION.............................................. 10 CONCLUSIONS & RECOMMENDATIONS .................................. 31 REFERENCES...................................................... 33 LIST OF FIGURES & TABLES ............................................ ii i LIST OF FIGURES & TABLES Figure 1. Buffalo Lake National Wildlife Refuge ..............................2 Figure 2. Tierra Blanca Creek Watershed ...................................3 Figure 3. Tierra Blanca Creek Sampling Sites ................................6 Figure 4. Sampling Sites within Buffalo Lake National Wildlife Refuge................7 Figure 5. Organic Nitrogen in Tierra Blanca Creek, 1987 & 1993 .................. 14 Figure 6. Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen in Tierra Blanca Creek, 1987 & 1993 .............. 14 Figure 7. Total Nitrate-Nitrogen in Tierra Blanca Creek, 1987 & 1993 ............... 15 Figure 8. Ammonia-Nitrogen in Tierra Blanca Creek, 1987 & 1993 ................. 15 Figure 9. Chemical Oxygen Demand in Tierra Blanca Creek, 1987 & 1993 ............ 16 Table 1. Comparison of 1993 Tierra Blanca Creek Water Quality Data with Surface Water Quality Criteria for Texas Streams and Other Numeric Criteria .............. 10 Table 2. Comparison of 1993 Water Quality Data from Buffalo Lake National Wildlife Refuge Surface Water Impoundments with Surface Water Quality Criteria for Texas Streams