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Spatial and Temporal Trends of Algal Biomass in Indiana Streams (2001-05)

Explore the study on algal biomass trends in small and large streams in Indiana from 2001-2005, factors affecting chlorophyll concentrations, and implications for nutrient enrichment. The research aims to develop Indiana-specific Nutrient Criteria based on algal data.

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Spatial and Temporal Trends of Algal Biomass in Indiana Streams (2001-05)

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  1. Spatial and temporal trends of algal biomass in small and large streams in Indiana, 2001-05 Jeffrey W. Frey, Brian J. Caskey, Donald R. Leer,Timothy R. Lathrop,and B. Scott Lowe U.S. Geological Survey U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. Geological Survey

  2. OUTLINE OF TALK • What is Nutrient Enrichment? • USEPA Nutrient Criteria • Relation between chlorophyll a and nutrients • IDEM/USGS algal biomass study • Factors affecting chlorophyll a concentrations • Conclusions

  3. WHAT IS NUTRIENT ENRICHMENT? USEPA Nutrient Criteria 25th Percentile (Nutrient Ecoregions VI, VII, IX) • Total Nitrogen0.54 – 2.18 mg/L • Total Phosphorus0.033 – 0.076 mg/L • Chlorophyll aseston1.54 – 2.7mg/L • Chlorophyll aperiphyton20.4 mg/m2 IDEM/USGS 25th Percentile • Chlorophyll aperiphyton6.9 – 28.4 mg/m2

  4. ALGAL BIOMASS VARIABLES • Chlorophyll a - total amount of autotrophic organisms in the sample • Algal types Seston – free floating algae Periphyton – attached algae

  5. Chlorophyll a:Total Nitrogen Criteria Periphyton Seston

  6. Total Nitrogen:Chlorophyll a Criteria Periphyton Seston

  7. IDEM/USGS ALGAL BIOMASS STUDY: Objectives • Fill in missing chlorophyll a data • Collect data to develop Indiana specific Nutrient Criteria • Do biological communities show impacts of nutrient enrichment?

  8. IDEM/USGS ALGAL BIOMASS STUDY: Approach • Sites were randomly selected within each basin • Stream flow rarely monitored • 34-38 sites were sampled 3 times for chlorophyll (May, July, September) • 2-3 NAWQA trend sites 7-10 times per year (May-October)

  9. ALGAL BIOMASS SAMPLING SITES 2001 - 2005

  10. FACTORS AFFECTING CHLOROPHYLL a • Seasonal Patterns • Hydrology • Stream size • Spatial Differences

  11. CHLOROPHYLL CONCENTRATIONS Sugar Creek 2004 Seasonal Factors

  12. CHLOROPHYLL CONCENTRATIONS Big Walnut Creek USEPA 25th percentile Hydrologic Factors

  13. CHLOROPHYLL CONCENTRATIONS Seston Periphyton Stream Size Factors

  14. CHLOROPHYLL CONCENTRATIONS Seston Periphyton Tributaries Spatial Factors

  15. IDEM/USGS ALGAL BIOMASS STUDY: Conclusions • Few relations between nutrients and chlorophyll a • Many factors affect chlorophyll a concentrations • Biological community data are needed to determine if streams are nutrient enriched

  16. THE END Jeff Frey jwfrey@usgs.gov http://in.water.usgs.gov/NAWQAWHMI/ Bledsoe Branch 2001

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