Susquehanna River Water Quality Monitoring

Transcription

1 Susquehanna River Water Quality Monitoring Monitoring water quality and fecal coliform bacteria in the Upper Susquehanna River, summer 1 Henry Bauer 2 INTRODUCTION The Susquehanna River is the longest river on the east coast measuring approximately 444 miles in length. The north branch of the river originates in Otsego Lake and stretches through New York, Pennsylvania, and Maryland before it empties into the Chesapeake Bay, the largest estuary in the United States (Susquehanna River Basin Commission 2006). During the summer of, nine sample sites along the Upper Susquehanna were tested for temperature, dissolved oxygen, ph, specific conductivity, nitrites+nitrates, total nitrogen, phosphorus and fecal coliform levels. The sample sites were located on the Northern Susquehanna River between Otsego Lake and the confluence of Oaks Creek. The Upper Susquehanna River is monitored annually to evaluate the impact by the Cooperstown Sewage Treatment Plant, which treats waste from Basset Hospital and the village of Cooperstown. The Susquehanna River receives the waste water. Monitoring is necessary to ensure that the effluent is assimilated by the river at controlled levels. Fecal coliform are intestinal bacteria present in warm blooded animals. Fecal coliform levels increase when the river is contaminated by mistreated sewage or agricultural runoff. While it is virtually harmless by itself, fecal coliform serves as an indicator for the presence of fecal material or other hard to detect bacterial water contaminants (APHA 1992). It is used as an indicator due to the fact that it is relatively inexpensive and it provides accurate results in just 24 hours. River quality monitoring is essential to detect abnormal nutrient levels. For example, a source of phosphorus can result in algal blooms which impact water clarity, and also can cause a drastic decrease in dissolved oxygen levels. Proper monitoring helps to maintain the river ecosystem, as well as preserve the recreation qualities of the Susquehanna. 1 Funded by the OCCA and the Village of Cooperstown. 2 F.H.V. Mecklenburg Conservation Fellow, summer. Present affiliation: Brown University.

2 METHODS The Upper Susquehanna River was sampled weekly at nine sites between Otsego Lake and Oaks Creek. The site locations can be seen in Figure 1. Prior to 2009 samples were taken on the Southern end of the lake but a lack of boat accessibility prevented them from being recorded. Descriptions of each sample site are in Table 1. Figure 1. Upper Susquehanna River sample sites, summer

3 Table 1. Locations and descriptions of sampling sites located along the Upper Susquehanna River. Susquehanna River 3: 144 m from source. Under the Main Street Bridge; accessed via slope beside the bridge. Be cautious of poison ivy. Susquehanna River 6a: 1012 m from source. Below the dam at Bassett Hospital; accessed from the north corner of the lower parking lot of Bassett Hospital. Susquehanna River 7: 1533 m from source. Below the dam at Bassett Hospital; accessed from the southern corner of the lower parking lot of Bassett Hospital. Susquehanna River 8: 1724 m from source. Under the Susquehanna Ave. bridge west of the Clark Sports Center; accessed via the slope beside the bridge. Susquehanna River 12: 4119m from source. Just above the sewage discharge of the Cooperstown Wastewater Treatment Plant, nearby Cooperstown High School. Accessed by an opening in the fence. Susquehanna River 16: 5460 m from source. Small bridge perpendicular to the road on Clark Property. Accessed by crossing a gated bovine grazing area (cow field). Susquehanna River 16a: 5939 m from source. Distinct bend in river alongside road on Clark property, in field directly across from large house with hayrolls in front. Accessed by long path found on the right side of the field. Be cautious of barbed wire. Susquehanna River 17: 8143 m from source. Abandoned bridge on Phoenix Mill Rd. Susquehanna River 18: 9867 m from source. Railroad trestle about 200 m north of the railroad crossing on Rt. 11 going out of Hyde Park, accessed by walking on the railroad tracks. Trains occasionally come through, so caution is necessary. Each site was sampled by a group of 2-3 people with a Hydrolab Scout 2 or Eureka Manta multiprobe digital microprocessor. The probes were calibrated in the lab before field use. At each site the probes recorded temperature, ph, specific conductivity, and dissolved oxygen levels. A 125ml sample was taken at each site in acid washed nalgene bottles. The samples were tested for nitrate+nitrite, total nitrogen and total phosphorus using a Lachat QwikChem FIA + Water Analyzer. Total phosphorus was determined by persulfate digestion followed by the ascorbic acid method (Liao and Martin 2001). Total nitrogen was determined by the cadmium

4 reduction following peroxodisulfate digestion (Ebina et. al (1983), and nitrate+nitrite by the cadmium reduction method (Pritzlaff 2003). A 500ml sample was taken at each site for fecal coliform analysis. The samples were placed on ice until they were tested to halt microbial growth. Fecal Coliform was tested using the membrane filter technique (APHA 1992). 10ml and 50ml of each sample were run though presterilized filters using a low pressure vacuum. Each sample was run in triplicate to ensure accuracy. The filters were then put into pre-sterilized Millipore culture dishes. Absorbent pads in the dishes were saturated with fecal coliform nutrient broth. Between tests, the equipment was rinsed in 70% ethanol and then rinsed with hot tap water and dilution water. Forceps used to transport the filters were sterilized between each sample by dipping them into 90% ethanol and then passed through a candle flame. The sample dishes were incubated in a circulating water bath for 24 hours at 44.5 degrees Celsius. The number of blue fecal coliform colonies on each culture dish was then counted and recorded as # colonies/100 ml. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS Temperature Mean temperature profile for is given in Figure 2; Figure 3 gives the same for The average temperature this year was ºC. This is higher than last the temperature last year (21.13 ºC) which was slightly lower then average. The highest point was ºC at site SR8 on 5 August. The lowest value was at site SR18 on 30 June. A rising temperature is significant because it affects how all other data is interpreted. Colder water can hold more dissolved oxygen. Different organisms that affect the system thrive at different temperatures. When looking at specific values you have to include other factors to get a true comparison. Temperature (Degrees C) Figure 2. Average temperature profile for the upper Susquehanna River, summer.

5 Temperature (Degrees C) Figure 3. A profile of mean temperature along the upper Susquehanna River, summers of 2004 (Hill 2005), 2005 (Bauer 2006), 2006 (Zurmuhlen 2007), 2007 (Coyle 2008), 2008 (Matus 2009), 2009 (Heiland ), and. ph Mean ph profile for is given in Figure 4; Figure 5 gives the same for ph is a measure of relative acidity and alkalinity. Many biological processes and reactions can only occur in specific ph ranges. ph is also an indicator of pollution, as sudden spikes or drops can indicate the introduction of a new substance into the system. ph in the river consistently falls between 7.5 and ph Figure 4. Mean ph profile for the upper Susquehanna River, summer.

6 ph Figure 5. A profile of ph levels along the Susquehanna, summers of 2004 (Hill 2005), 2005 (Bauer 2006), 2006 (Zurmuhlen 2007), 2007 (Coyle 2008), 2008 (Matus 2009), 2009 (Heiland ), and. Conductivity Mean conductivity profile for is given in Figure 6; Figure 7 gives the same for Conductivity is the measure of water s ability to transmit electricity. It is based on the amount of dissolved ions in the water. Many animals are adapted for specific ranges of conductivity. This year s conductivity was relatively stable and comparable to those of previous years. 0.4 Conductivity (mmho/cm) Figure 6. Summary of mean specific conductivity levels of the upper Susquehanna River, summer.

7 Conductivity (mmho/cm) Figure 7. Profiles of specific conductivity levels along the Susquehanna River, summers 2004 (Hill 2005), 2005 (Bauer 2006), 2006 (Zurmuhlen 2007), 2007 (Coyle 2008), 2008 (Matus 2009), 2009 (Heiland ), and. Dissolved Oxygen Mean dissolved oxygen profile for is given in Figure 8; Figure 9 gives the same for Dissolved oxygen levels are based on temperature, water flow, organisms in the water and external agents being introduced to the system. When organic material such as algae decomposes, it consumes oxygen in the water. Oxygen levels this year were slightly lower than last year s which would be expected considering the higher temperature this year. 10 Dissolved Oxygen (mg/l) Figure 8. Dissolved oxygen levels of the upper Susquehanna River, summer.

8 Dissolved Oxygen (mg/l) Figure 9. Profiles of dissolved oxygen levels along the Susquehanna River, summers 2004 (Hill 2005), 2005 (Bauer 2006), 2006 (Zurmuhlen 2007), 2007 (Coyle 2008), 2008 (Matus 2009), 2009 (Heiland ), and. Total Phosphorus Phosphorus often serves as the limiting nutrient to algal growth. As such, increases in phosphorus are linked to algal blooms and thus, decreased oxygen levels due to the subsequent decomposition of algae. Common sources of phosphorus are agricultural and urban runoff. Sewage effluent also contains phosphorus. The Cooperstown sewage treatment plant is not required to remove phosphorus, as indicated by the spike after sample site 12 (Figure 10). Figure 11 compares this year s phosphorus levels with years phosphorus levels have stayed relatively low when compared to previous years.

9 Total Phosphorus (ug/l) Figure 10. Mean phosphorus levels along the upper Susquehanna River, summer Total Phosphorus (ug/l) Figure 11. Mean phosphorus levels along the upper Susquehanna River for 2004 (Hill 2005), 2005 (Bauer 2006), 2006 (Zurmuhlen 2007), 2007 (Coyle 2008), 2008 (Matus 2009), 2009 (Heiland), and.

10 Nitrogen Nitrogen is another essential nutrient for algae. It comes from similar sources as phosphorus. Nitrates, nitrites and ammonia are inorganic sources of nitrogen, and thus measured separately. Total nitrogen includes the nitrogen in the inorganic compounds as well as the nitrogen in use organically. Figure 12 is the nitrate + nitrite values for summer. Figure 13 is the average nitrate + nitrite levels over the summers of Figure 14 summarizes total nitrogen concentrations over the summer of. Figure 15 summarizes average total nitrogen at each site over the summers of Nitrogen levels were very similar to last years, and relatively consistent Nitrite+Nitrate (mg/l) Figure 12. Nitrate + nitrite levels along the upper Susquehanna River for summer.

11 Nitrite+Nitrate (mg/l) Figure 13. Average nitrite+nitrate levels along the upper Susquehanna River for summers 2004 (Hill 2005), 2005 (Bauer 2006), 2006 (Zurmuhlen 2007), 2007 (Coyle 2008), 2008 (Matus 2009), 2009 (Heiland ), and Total Nitrogen (mg/l) Figure 14. Total nitrogen levels along the upper Susquehanna River, summer.

12 Total Nitrogen (mg/l) Figure 15. Average total nitrogen levels for summers along the upper Susquehanna River, summers 2004 (Hill 2005), 2005 (Bauer 2006), 2006 (Zurmuhlen 2007), 2007 (Coyle 2008), 2008 (Matus 2009), 2009 (Heiland ), and. Fecal Coliform Fecal coliforms are an indicator bacteria found in human and animal waste. While usually relatively harmless, their presence provides indication of nutrient loading, agricultural runoff, and presence of other potentially harmful bacteria (APHA 1992). Figure 16 is the average fecal coliform concentrations for summer. Figure 17 compares this year s data with the averages from Fecal coliform numbers were slightly higher than last years.

13 2000 Fecal Coiform (col./100 ml) Figure 16. Fecal coliform levels along the upper Susquehanna River, summer Fecal Coliform (col./100 ml) Figure 17. Average fecal coliform levels for summers along the upper Susquehanna River, summers 2004 (Hill 2005), 2005 (Bauer 2006), 2006 (Zurmuhlen 2007), 2007 (Coyle 2008), 2008 (Matus 2009), 2009 (Heiland ), and.

14 REFERENCES APHA, AWWA, WPCF Standard methods for the examination of water and wastewater. 17th Ed. American Public Health Association, Washington D.C. Bauer, E Monitoring the water quality and fecal coliform in the upper Susquehanna River, summer In 38th Ann. Rept. (2005). SUNY Oneonta Biol. Fld. Sta., SUNY Oneonta. Coyle, O.L Monitoring water quality and fecal coliform bacteria in the Upper Susquehanna River, summer In 40th Annual Report (2007), SUNY Oneonta Bio. Fld Sta., SUNY College at Oneonta. Ebina, J.T. Tsutsui, and T. Shirai Simultaneous determination of total nitrogen and total phosphorus in water using peroxodisulfate oxidation. Water Res. 17(12): Eureka Environmental Engineering Manta water quality probe startup guide. Austin, TX. Hill, J Monitoring the water quality and fecal coliform in the upper Susquehanna River, summer In 37th Ann. Rept. (2004). SUNY Oneonta Bio. Fld Sta., SUNY College at Oneonta. Hydrolab Corporation, Scout 2 operating manual. Hydrolab Corp. Austin, TX. Heiland, L.. Monitoring water quality and fecal coliform bacteria in the upper Susquehanna River, summer In 42st Ann. Rept. (2009). SUNY Oneonta Biol. Fld. Sta., SUNY Oneonta Liao, N Determination of ammonia by flow injection analysis. QwikChem Method F. Lachat Instruments. Loveland, Colorado. Liao, N. and S. Marten Determination of total phosphorus by flow injection analysis chloriometry (acid persulfate digestion method). QwikChem Method F. Lachat Instruments. Loveland, Colorado. Matus, J.E Monitoring water quality and fecal coliform bacteria in the upper Susquehanna River, summer In 41st Ann. Rept. (2008). SUNY Oneonta Biol. Fld. Sta., SUNY Oneonta Pritzlaff, D Determination of nitrate+nitrite in surface and wastewaters by flow injection analysis. QwikChem Method F. Lachat Instruments. Loveland, Colorado. Susquehanna River Basin Commision Zurmuhlen, S. J Monitoring water quality and fecal coliform bacteria in the upper Susquehanna River, summer In 39th Annual Report (2006), SUNY Oneonta Bio. Fld. Sta., SUNY College at Oneonta.