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Dc Wrrc Report No. 100 the Anacostia River

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Dc Wrrc Report No. 100 the Anacostia River D. C. WRRC REPORT NO. 100 THE ANACOSTIA RIVER: ECOLOGICAL STUDIES OF WATER POLLUTION BIOLOGY BY DR. VICTORIA C. GUERRERO A FINAL REPORT USGS GRANT AGREEMENT NO. MARCH 1991 "The research on which the report is based was financed in part by the United States Department of the Interior, Office of Geological Survey through the D. C. Water Resources Research Center." "The contents of the publication do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the United States Department of the Interior, nor does mention of trade name or commercial products constitute their endorsement by the U. S. Government." TABLE OF CONTENTS TABLE OF CONTENTS Abstract 1. Introduction 1 1.1 Review of Literature 2 2. Objectives and Scope of the Study 3 3. Methodology 4 3.1 Sampling Procedure 3.2 Water Quality 3.3 Water Chemistry 3.4 Soil Chemistry 3.5 Biological Analysis 3.6 Descriptive Statistics 4. Results 6 5. Discussions and Conclusion 12 A. Water Quality 5.1 Temperature 5.2 pH 5.3 Dissolved Oxygen (DO) 5.4 Conductivity 5.5 Turbidity 5.6 Plankton, Turbidity, and Sediment 5.7 Storm Water Quality B. Chemical Analysis 13 C. Physical Analysis 16 D. Biological Analysis 10 5.8 Coliform 5.9 Plankton and Benthos 5.10 Benthos 5.11 Plankton 5.12 Plankton Productivity 5.13 Benthos Productivity Conclusion 29 6. References 30 7. Appendix 8. Photographs 83 LIST OF FIGURES LIST OF FIGURES FIGURE 1.0 The map of Anacostia River 36a FIGURE 1.0A Station locations in the Anacostia River 36b FIGURE 2.0 Temperature in the different stations from 37 1988 to 1990 A. 1988 B. 1989 C. 1990 FIGURE 3.0 Temperature and pH in the different stations 38 A. 1988 B. 1989 C. 1990 FIGURE 4.0 Relationship between dissolved oxygen and pH 39 A. 1988 B. 1989 40 - 43 C. 1990 FIGURE 5.0 Relationship between conductivity and pH 44 - 46 A. 1988 B. 1989 C. 1990 FIGURE 6.0 Alkalinity in the different stations from 47 1988 to 1990 A. 1988 B. 1989 C. 1990 FIGURE 7.0 Relationship between dissolved oxygen and 48 temperature A. 1988 49 B. 1989 C. 1990 FIGURE 8.0 Relationship between temperature and conductivity 50 A. 1988 51 B. 1989 52 FIGURE 9.0 Plankton species identified from April 1988 to 53 March 1990 FIGURE 10.0 Benthic species identified from April 1988 to 54 March 1990 FIGURE 11.0 Relationship between alkalinity and carbon 55 dioxide in the different stations FIGURE 12.0 Relationship between alkalinity and calcium 56 ab in the different stations A. 1988 B. 1989 57-58 FIGURE- 12.0 C. Relationship between dissolved oxygen and conductivity, 1988 D. 1989, Dissolved oxygen and conductivity E. 1990, Dissolved oxygen and conductivity F. Carbon dioxide in stations-(1988 -- 1990) G. Coliform iv LIST OF PHOTOGRAPHS LIST OF PHOTOGRAPHS PAGES FIGURE 13.0 Anacostia River, collecting station # 4 83 FIGURE 14.0 Watts Branch at Anacostia River, Station # 5 84 FIGURE 15.0 South Side of Station # 8, Hickey Run 85 FIGURE 16.0 Sediment build -up, Station # 8, Hickey Run 86 FIGURE 17.0 Station # 12 on Kingman Island 87 FIGURE 18.0 Kingman Island, Station # 12 88 FIGURE 19.0 Concrete factory, Station # 14, department of Public Works 89 FIGURE 20.0 Heavy accumulation of cement, Station # 14 90 FIGURE 21.0 Destroyed sea-wall, Station # 16 (District Yacht Club) 91 FIGURE 22.0 Vegetation corridor in Station # 16 92 FIGURE 23.0 Marginal vegetation growth and sedimentation build-up in Station # 24 93 FIGURE 24.0 Vegetation in Station # 24 94 FIGURE 25.0 Sedimentation build-up in Station # 25 95 FIGURE 26.0 a Station # 26, East side of the Anacostia River on Anacostia Park and Sousa Bridge 96 FIGURE 26.0 b Uprooted trees, Station # 26 97 FIGURE 27.0 Drainage located on the east side of the river (Station # 26 98 LIST OF TABLES LIST OF TABLES PAGES TABLE 1.0 Summary of water quality 61 A. 1988 A. 1990 C. 1991 TABLE 2.0 Storm water quality 62 TABLE 3.0 Chemical Analysis 63 TABLE 4.0 Water analysis, total means 64 TABLE 5.0 Range values 65 TABLE 6.0 Turbidity data TABLE 7.0 Water data from September 1988 to 1989 66a m TABLE 8.0 Substrate composition and water condition 67abc TABLE 9.0 Analysis of soils and sediments 68a-v TABLE 10.0 Coliform test 68w TABLE 11.0 Biotic index of pollution status of water 69a-b quality TABLE 12.0 Pollution status of benthic species 23 TABLE 13.0 Total species identified during the study TABLE 14.0 Diversity Index of species TABLE 15.0 Species composition of plankton 70 a-b (April - September 1988) TABLE 16.0 Species composition of plankton 71 (September 1988 - July 1989) TABLE 17.0 Species composition of plankton 72 (September - December 1989) TABLE 18.0 Species composition of plankton 73a -b (February - July 1990) TABLE 19.0 Diversity Index of all individual species (April - July 1988) 74a -b -c TABLE 20.0 Diversity Index of all individual species (September - December 1989) 75a-b TABLE 21.0 Diversity Index of all individual species 76a-b (February - March 1990) TABLE 22.0 Pollution status composition of benthic 77 species (April - November 1988) TABLE 23.0 Pollution status composition of benthic species (September 1988 - July 1989) 78 a-b TABLE 24.0 Pollution status of benthic species 79 a- b (September - December 1989) TABLE 25.0 Pollution status composition of benthic species (February - July 1990) 80 a-b TABLE 26.0 Summary of totals for plankton species (April 1988 - July 1990) 81 TABLE 27.0 Summary of average totals for benthic species (April 1988 - July 1990) 82 a-b ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The author wishes to thank the U.S. Geological Survey for the generous grant to undertake this study. The author also wishes to thank the following individuals for their generous cooperation and assistance: Miss Cecile Grant - Research Assistant Mrs. Maria S. Hille - Research Assistant Mr. Alouisse Cisse - Computer Programmer Mr. Robert Juma - Student Assistant Mr. Mohammad Ali - Student Assistant Mr. Rayburn Robinson - Technician for WRRC Dr. Hame M. Watt - Director, WRRC viii ABSTRACT THE ANACOSTIA RIVER: ECOLOGICAL STUDIES OF RIVER POLLUTION BIOLOGY The objectives of this research are: 1. To obtain the basic data on water, and water-related variables such as: water quality values for: pH, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, temperature, conductivity, dissolved solids, chemical, and bacterial properties. 2. To provide a taxonomic survey of the plankton and benthic organisms, and identify the extent of pollution using the biotic community of organisms as indicator species. 3. To study the chemical composition of the river bottom sediments. 4. To determine the community ecology of the river. A total of nine stations were established to survey the ecology and water quality of the Anacostia River for three years: August 1987 to July 1988; August 1988 to July 1989; August 1989 to July 1990. The collecting stations selected are located close to drainage outlets of either combined or separate storm sewers. Water samples were taken from the main channel of the river. Sloughs, inlets, and backwater areas were given attention for comparison with the main river waters. Phytoplanktons and zooplanktons were collected using the Petersen Grabber and water bottles. The samples were taken from depths of 0 ft. to 5 ft. Water samples were analyzed for dissolved oxygen, temperature, pH, conductivity, and other water quality parameters using a Hydro lab apparatus. Soil samples and sediments were analyzed using the Soil Test Kit. Identification and actual counting of the organisms were made possible with the aid of a Counting cell and a microscope. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS AND SIGNIFICANCE: PHASE I Life in the Anacostia River is threatened by factors such as sedimentation, siltation, sewer overflow, water run-off, and other anthropogenic activities. Non-biodegradable materials from construction sites, as well as natural litter are continuously poured out into the river. Overall water samples collected were yellowish, slightly turbid, and at times have pungent odor. The physiography and ecology of the river has been changed tremendously by sedimentation, siltation and accumulation of litter. Existing vegetation and the watershed are being turned into a swampland. Water quality tests conducted from April to August 1988 showed high temperature values (13.1 - 28.8 o C); low dissolved oxygen (DO) in majority of the stations; slightly acidic waters (6.1-6.9); and conductivity values (298-606 us/cm). ix Water quality tests conducted during storm events for the months of April, June and July 1988 showed no significant difference between the water quality data during non-storm events and after a heavy storm for temperature, pH, and conductivity. However, the amount of dissolved oxygen (DO) appears to be a few mg/l higher in majority of the stations and significantly lower in two of the study stations (# 25 and # 26). Conductance values for these two stations were several times lower after a storm event. Turbidity data showed the highest amount of suspended matter and particulates on April 13, 1988, and had the lowest reading three months after. Turbidity ranged from 7.0 in Station # 26 to 25.0 NTU in Stations # 25 and 26. Analysis of bottom sediments showed high magnesium (Station 14) ; high phosphorus (Station 5, 24, 25, 26 and 12 ) ; high ammonia (Station 4, 5) ; high calcium (Station 8 and 12). Total dissolved solids ranged from 160 - 380, the highest being in Station # 24. The results obtained for magnesium, iron, and nitrate appear to be statistically significant, with iron, magnesium, and nitrate exceeding the standard amount required for safe levels.
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