Occurrence and Distribution of Algal Biomass and Its Relation to Nutrients and Selected Basin ...

160 Pages·2009·6 MB·English

Prepared in cooperation with the Indiana Department of Environmental Management,
Division of Water, Assessment Branch
Occurrence and Distribution of Algal Biomass
and Its Relation to Nutrients and Selected Basin
Characteristics in Indiana Streams, 2001–2005
Scientific Investigations Report 2008–5203
U.S. Department of the Interior
U.S. Geological Survey

Occurrence and Distribution of Algal Biomass and
Its Relation to Nutrients and Selected Basin
Characteristics in Indiana Streams, 2001–2005
By B. Scott Lowe, Donald R. Leer, Jeffrey W. Frey, and Brian J. Caskey
Prepared in cooperation with the Indiana Department of
Environmental Management, Division of Water, Assessment Branch
Scientific Investigations Report 2008–5203
U.S. Department of the Interior
U.S. Geological Survey
U.S. Department of the Interior
DIRK KEMPTHORNE, Secretary
U.S. Geological Survey
Mark D. Myers, Director
U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia: 2008
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Suggested citation:
Lowe, B.S., Leer, D.R., Frey, J.W., and Caskey, B.J., 2008, Occurrence and distribution of algal biomass and its rela-
tion to nutrients and basin characteristics in Indiana streams: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report
2008–5203, 146 p.
ISBN 978-1-4113-2294-3

Front cover photographs
Upper left: An algal mass in water, unknown location in Indiana.
Photograph from USGS Indiana Water Science Center files.
Upper right: Cobb Ditch near Kouts, Ind.
Photograph by B. Scott Lowe, USGS, taken on September 21, 2004.
Lower left: A tractor applying fertilizer to a farm field in the Leary Weber Ditch watershed.
Photograph by John T. Wilson, USGS, taken on April 23, 2003.
Lower right: Water flowing through a farm field in the Sugar Creek watershed.
Photograph by John T. Wilson, USGS, taken on June 17, 2003.
iii
Contents
Abstract ...........................................................................................................................................................1
Introduction.....................................................................................................................................................2
Purpose and Scope ..............................................................................................................................2
Description of Study Area ...................................................................................................................3
Comparison of Major River Basin Characteristics .................................................................3
West Fork White River Basin .....................................................................................................5
Whitewater River Basin ..............................................................................................................5
East Fork White River Basin .......................................................................................................5
Upper Wabash River Basin ........................................................................................................5
Kankakee River Basin .................................................................................................................5
Lower Wabash River Basin ........................................................................................................5
Tributaries to the Great Lakes Basin ........................................................................................6
St. Joseph River Basin .......................................................................................................6
Maumee River Basin ..........................................................................................................6
Tributaries to the Lake Michigan Basin .........................................................................6
Tributaries to the Ohio River Basin ...........................................................................................6
Study Methods ............................................................................................................................................14
Site Selection and Sampling Strategies .........................................................................................14
Data Collection and Processing Methods ......................................................................................14
Data Analysis .......................................................................................................................................15
Basin Characteristics ................................................................................................................15
Nutrient Analysis........................................................................................................................16
Statistical Analysis ....................................................................................................................16
Comparison with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Data .........................................16
Quality Assurance Methods .............................................................................................................16
Field Blanks .................................................................................................................................17
Environmental Samples ............................................................................................................17
Comparison between Laboratories ........................................................................................17
Occurrence and Distribution of Algal Biomass in Indiana Streams ...................................................18
Periphyton Chlorophyll a ...................................................................................................................21
Periphyton Chlorophyll a Trophic Level ..................................................................................21
Ash-Free Dry Mass .............................................................................................................................22
Seston Chlorophyll a...........................................................................................................................22
Seston Chlorophyll a Trophic Level .........................................................................................24
Particulate Organic Carbon ..............................................................................................................24
Relations of Algal Biomass to Nutrients and Selected Basin Characteristics ..................................26
Nutrients ...............................................................................................................................................26
Basin Size .............................................................................................................................................28
Periphyton Chlorophyll a ..........................................................................................................28
Ash-Free Dry Mass ....................................................................................................................28
Seston Chlorophyll a .................................................................................................................28
Particulate Organic Carbon .....................................................................................................29
iv
Basin Size and Chlorophyll a ...................................................................................................29
Streamflow ...........................................................................................................................................30
West Fork White River Basin ...................................................................................................41
Whitewater River Basin ............................................................................................................41
East Fork White River Basin .....................................................................................................41
Upper Wabash River Basin ......................................................................................................41
Kankakee River Basin ...............................................................................................................46
Lower Wabash River Basin ......................................................................................................46
Tributaries to the Great Lakes Basin ......................................................................................46
Tributaries to Ohio River Basin ................................................................................................46
Substrate Type .....................................................................................................................................51
Periphyton Chlorophyll a ..........................................................................................................51
Ash-Free Dry Mass ....................................................................................................................51
Turbidity ................................................................................................................................................53
Turbidity Comparison to Periphyton and Seston Chlorophyll a by Drainage Area .........54
Comparison of Data to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Ecoregion Nutrient Criteria ..........57
Summary........................................................................................................................................................66
Acknowledgments .......................................................................................................................................67
References Cited..........................................................................................................................................67
Figures
1–8. Maps showing:
1. Major river basins and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Aggregate Nutrient Ecoregions and Level III Ecoregions ............................................4
2. Sampling locations and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Aggregate Nutrient Ecoregions and Level III Ecoregions of the West Fork
White River Basin, Indiana, 2001 .......................................................................................7
3. Sampling locations and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Aggregate Nutrient Ecoregions and Level III Ecoregions of the
Whitewater and East Fork White River Basins, Indiana, 2002 .....................................8
4. Sampling locations and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Aggregate Nutrient Ecoregions and Level III Ecoregions of the
Upper Wabash River Basin, Indiana, 2003 ......................................................................9
5. Sampling locations and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Aggregate Nutrient Ecoregions and Level III Ecoregions of the
Kankakee River Basin, Indiana, 2004 ..............................................................................10
6. Sampling locations and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Aggregate Nutrient Ecoregions and Level III Ecoregions of the
Lower Wabash River Basin, Indiana, 2004 ....................................................................11
7. Sampling locations and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Aggregate Nutrient Ecoregions and Level III Ecoregions of the
Saint Joseph, Maumee and Tributaries to Lake Michigan Basins,
Indiana, 2005 .......................................................................................................................12
8. Sampling locations and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Aggregate Nutrient Ecoregions and Level III Ecoregions of the
Tributaries to the Ohio River Basin, Indiana, 2005 ........................................................13
v
9–38. Graphs showing:
9. Median concentrations of periphyton and seston chlorophyll a for field
blank and environmental samples, Indiana, 2001–2005 ..............................................17
10. Relative standard deviation by year for algal biomass data, Indiana,
2001–2005 ............................................................................................................................18
11. Comparison of seston and periphyton chlorophyll a and ash-free dry mass
values from the Indiana Algal Biomass Laboratory and National
Water Quality Laboratory .................................................................................................19
12. Differences between seston and periphyton chlorophyll a and ash-free
dry mass values by year, reported by the Indiana Algal Biomass
Laboratory and National Water Quality Laboratory .....................................................20
13. Algal biomass concentrations in Indiana, 2001–2005 ..................................................21
14. Algal biomass concentrations by individual basins in Indiana, 2001–2005 .............22
15. Algal biomass concentrations by USEPA Ecoregions in Indiana,
2001–2005 ............................................................................................................................24
16. Algal biomass concentrations by season in Indiana, 2001–2005 ..............................26
17. Periphyton chlorophyll a concentrations by basin size in Indiana,
2001–2005 ............................................................................................................................29
18. Ash-free dry mass concentrations by basin size in Indiana, 2001–2005 ..................31
19. Seston chlorophyll a concentrations by basin size in Indiana, 2001–2005 ..............32
20. Particulate organic carbon concentrations by basin size in Indiana,
2001–2005 ............................................................................................................................33
21. Algal biomass concentrations by basin size in Indiana, 2001–2005 ..........................33
22. Periphyton and seston chlorophyll a relations to drainage area, Indiana,
2001–2005 ............................................................................................................................34
23. Discharge and periphyton chlorophyll a concentrations at Big Walnut
Creek near Roachdale, Indiana, 2002 .............................................................................38
24. Discharge and periphyton chlorophyll a concentrations at Big Walnut
Creek near Roachdale, Indiana, 2003 .............................................................................39
25. Discharge and periphyton chlorophyll a concentrations at Big Walnut
Creek near Roachdale, Indiana, 2004 .............................................................................40
26. Discharge of three variously sized basins within the West Fork White
River Basin, Indiana, 2001 ................................................................................................42
27. Discharge at three variously sized basins within the Whitewater River
Basin, Indiana, 2002 ...........................................................................................................43
28. Discharge at three variously sized basins within the East Fork White
River Basin, Indiana, 2002 ................................................................................................44
29. Discharge at three variously sized basins within the Upper Wabash River
Basin, Indiana, 2003 ...........................................................................................................45
30. Discharge at three variously sized basins within the Kankakee River
Basin, Indiana, 2004 ...........................................................................................................47
31. Discharge at three variously sized basins within the Lower Wabash
River Basin, Indiana, 2004 ................................................................................................48
32. Discharge at three variously sized basins within the Great Lakes
Tributaries Basin, Indiana, 2005 ......................................................................................49
33. Discharge at three variously sized basins within the Ohio River
Tributaries Basin, Indiana, 2005 ......................................................................................50
34. Concentrations of periphyton chlorophyll a by substrate type for all
basins in Indiana, 2001–2005 ............................................................................................52
vi
35. Concentrations of ash-free dry mass by substrate type for all basins in
Indiana, 2001–2005. ............................................................................................................53
36. Concentrations of turbidity by basin size in Indiana, 2001–2005. ..............................54
37. Periphyton chlorophyll a relations to turbidity by basin size, Indiana,
2001–2005. ..........................................................................................................................55
38. Seston chlorophyll a relations to turbidity by basin size, Indiana,
2001–2005. ...........................................................................................................................56
Tables
1. Algal biomass concentrations by individual basin in Indiana, 2001–2005 ........................23
2. Algal biomass concentrations by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Ecoregions in Indiana, 2001–2005 ............................................................................................25
4. Statistically significant Spearman rho relations of the algal biomass and
nutrient parameters, Indiana, 2001–2005 ...............................................................................27
3. Algal biomass concentrations by season, Indiana, 2001–2005 ...........................................27
5. Algal biomass concentrations by basin size, Indiana, 2001–2005 ......................................30
6. Discharge summary for U.S. Geological Survey streamflow-gaging stations,
for three National Water Quality Assessment trend sites in Indiana, 2001–2005 ............35
7. Discharge summary for U.S. Geological Survey streamflow-gaging stations,
in selected basins in Indiana, 2001–2005 ................................................................................36
8. Algal biomass concentrations by substrate type in Indiana, 2001–2005 ...........................52
9. Total Kjeldahl nitrogen-N concentrations for water samples collected 2001
through 2005, from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management/
U.S. Geological Survey study of Indiana streams and published
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency concentrations for Aggregate Nutrient
Ecoregions VI, VII, and IX and Level III Ecoregions 54, 55, 56, 71 and 72 ..........................58
10. Nitrate-N concentrations for water samples collected 2001 through 2005,
from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management/U.S. Geological
Survey study of Indiana streams and published U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency concentrations for Aggregate Nutrient Ecoregions VI, VII, and IX and
Level III Ecoregions 54, 55, 56, 71 and 72 ................................................................................59
11. Total nitrogen-N concentrations for water samples collected 2001 through
2005, from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management/
U.S. Geological Survey study of Indiana streams and published
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency concentrations for Aggregate Nutrient
Ecoregions VI, VII, and IX and Level III Ecoregions 54, 55, 56, 71, and 72 .........................60
12. Total phosphorus-P concentrations for water samples collected 2001 through
2005, from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management/
U.S. Geological Survey study of Indiana streams and published
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency concentrations for Aggregate Nutrient
Ecoregions VI, VII, and IX and Level III Ecoregions 54, 55, 56, 71, and 72 .........................61
13. Mean periphyton chlorophyll a concentrations for water samples collected
2001 through 2005, from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management/
U.S. Geological Survey study of Indiana streams and published
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency concentrations for Aggregate Nutrient
Ecoregions VI, VII, and IX and Level III Ecoregions 54, 55, 56, 71, and 72 .........................62
vii
14. Mean seston chlorophyll a concentrations for water samples collected 2001
through 2005, from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management/
U.S. Geological Survey study of Indiana streams and published
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency concentrations for Aggregate Nutrient
Ecoregions VI, VII, and IX and Level III Ecoregions 54, 55, 56, 71, and 72 .........................63
15. Mean Ash-Free Dry Mass concentrations for water samples collected 2001
through 2005, from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management/
U.S. Geological Survey study of Indiana streams and published
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency concentrations for Aggregate Nutrient
Ecoregions VI, VII, and IX and Level III Ecoregions 54, 55, 56, 71, and 72 .........................64
16. Mean Particulate Organic Carbon (POC) concentrations for water samples
collected 2001 through 2005, from the Indiana Department of Environmental
Management/U.S. Geological Survey study of Indiana streams and published
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency concentrations for Aggregate Nutrient
Ecoregions VI, VII, and IX and Level III Ecoregions 54, 55, 56, 71, and 72 .........................65
Appendixes
1. Location and ecoregion designations of the 34 algal-biomass sampling sites
in the West Fork White River Basin, Indiana, July through September 2001 ...................72
2. Basin characteristics of the 34 algal-biomass sampling sites in the
West Fork White River Basin, Indiana, July through September 2001 ..............................74
3. Location and ecoregion designations of the 38 algal-biomass sampling sites
in the Whitewater River Basin, Indiana, May through September, 2002 ...........................76
4. Basin characteristics of the 38 algal-biomass sampling sites in the
Whitewater River Basin, Indiana, May through September 2002 ......................................78
5. Location and ecoregion designations of the 38 algal-biomass sampling sites
in the East Fork White River Basin, Indiana, May through September, 2002 ....................80
6. Basin characteristics of the 38 algal-biomass sampling sites in the
East Fork White River Basin, Indiana, May through September 2002 ...............................82
7. Location and ecoregion designations of the 38 algal-biomass sampling sites
in the Upper Wabash River Basin, Indiana, May through October 2003 ...........................85
8. Basin characteristics of the 38 algal-biomass sampling sites in the
Upper Wabash River Basin, Indiana, May through October 2003 ......................................87
9. Location and ecoregion designations of the 45 algal-biomass sampling sites
in the Kankakee River Basin, Indiana, June through October 2004 ...................................90
10. Basin characteristics of the 45 algal-biomass sampling sites in the
Kankakee River Basin, Indiana, June through October 2004 ..............................................93
11. Location and ecoregion designations of the 44 algal-biomass sampling sites
in the Lower Wabash River Basin, Indiana, June through October 2004 ..........................96
12. Basin characteristics of the 44 algal-biomass sampling sites in the
Lower Wabash River Basin, Indiana, June through October 2004 .....................................99
13. Location and ecoregion designations of the 42 algal-biomass sampling sites
in the Great Lakes Tributaries, Indiana, May through October 2005 ................................102
14. Basin characteristics of the 42 algal-biomass sampling sites in the
Great Lakes Tributaries, Indiana, May through October 2005 ...........................................105
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15. Location and ecoregion designations of the 43 algal-biomass sampling sites
in the Ohio River Tributaries, Indiana, May through October 2005 ...................................108
16. Basin characteristics of the 43 algal-biomass sampling sites in the
Ohio River Tributaries, Indiana, May through October 2005 ..............................................111
17. Algal biomass and nutrient concentrations in Indiana, 2001–2005 ..................................114