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Recovery of macroinvertebrate communities from metal pollution in the South Fork and mainstem of the Coeur d'Alene River, Idaho: 1968-1991 Item Info

Mining has severely impacted the biota in the Coeur d'Alene River drainage of northern Idaho. The benthic community of the South Fork and mainstem was monitored from 1968-1971 and 1987-1991 to ascertain the effects of improved mine wastewater treatment and mine closures. Zinc concentrations decreased from 21 mg/l to 3 mg/l over this period. Subsequently, the benthic community showed a dramatic recovery as evidenced by large increases in species richness (0-18), Ephemeroptera-Plecoptera-Trichoptera index (0-8), and species diversity (0-1.8). Although considerable recovery has occurred, biotic parameters at impacted sites continue to lag behind those at reference sites, probably due to continued high zinc concentrations and poor habitat structure. A rapid bioassessment study was conducted on the South Fork of the Coeur d'Alene River and selected tributaries in northern Idaho. Species richness, Ephemeroptera-PlecopteraTrichoptera (EPT) index, and species diversity showed strong negative correlations with habitat assessment scores (mean r 2 =.68). Regression coefficients for percent dominant taxon, modified Hilsenhoff's index, and EPT/Chironomidae abundance were generally lower (mean r 2=.42). Zinc was negatively correlated with biotic metrics (r2=.23-.58). Values for EPT (r2=.60-.75) and species richness (r2=.54-.65) provided the highest correlation coefficients of the six metrics measured. Conductivity (r2=.18-.41) and pH (r2=.08-.21) showed the weakest correlations with biotic metrics. Streams affected by metal pollution also exhibited extreme habitat degradation due to activities involved in ore processing. As a result, macroinvertebrate communities may be severely impacted by habitat loss even where zinc concentrations are relatively low.

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Title:
Recovery of macroinvertebrate communities from metal pollution in the South Fork and mainstem of the Coeur d'Alene River, Idaho: 1968-1991
Authors:
Hoiland, Wade Kelly
Date Created (ISO Standard):
1992-04
Description:
Mining has severely impacted the biota in the Coeur d'Alene River drainage of northern Idaho. The benthic community of the South Fork and mainstem was monitored from 1968-1971 and 1987-1991 to ascertain the effects of improved mine wastewater treatment and mine closures. Zinc concentrations decreased from 21 mg/l to 3 mg/l over this period. Subsequently, the benthic community showed a dramatic recovery as evidenced by large increases in species richness (0-18), Ephemeroptera-Plecoptera-Trichoptera index (0-8), and species diversity (0-1.8). Although considerable recovery has occurred, biotic parameters at impacted sites continue to lag behind those at reference sites, probably due to continued high zinc concentrations and poor habitat structure. A rapid bioassessment study was conducted on the South Fork of the Coeur d'Alene River and selected tributaries in northern Idaho. Species richness, Ephemeroptera-PlecopteraTrichoptera (EPT) index, and species diversity showed strong negative correlations with habitat assessment scores (mean r 2 =.68). Regression coefficients for percent dominant taxon, modified Hilsenhoff's index, and EPT/Chironomidae abundance were generally lower (mean r 2=.42). Zinc was negatively correlated with biotic metrics (r2=.23-.58). Values for EPT (r2=.60-.75) and species richness (r2=.54-.65) provided the highest correlation coefficients of the six metrics measured. Conductivity (r2=.18-.41) and pH (r2=.08-.21) showed the weakest correlations with biotic metrics. Streams affected by metal pollution also exhibited extreme habitat degradation due to activities involved in ore processing. As a result, macroinvertebrate communities may be severely impacted by habitat loss even where zinc concentrations are relatively low.
Subjects:
benthos mine wastes heavy metals
Location:
Coeur d'Alene River
Latitude:
47.51
Longitude:
-116.15
Collection:
Coeur d'Alene Basin
Rights:
Rights to the digital resource are held by the University of Idaho. http://www.uidaho.edu/
Publisher:
University of Idaho
Contributing Institution:
University of Idaho
Type:
Text
Format:
application/pdf
Cataloger:
wbv
Date Digitized:
2012

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Source
Preferred Citation:
"Recovery of macroinvertebrate communities from metal pollution in the South Fork and mainstem of the Coeur d'Alene River, Idaho: 1968-1991", Idaho Waters Digital Library, University of Idaho Library Digital Collections, https://www.lib.uidaho.edu/digital/iwdl/items/iwdl-cda_hoiland_1992.html
Rights
Rights:
Rights to the digital resource are held by the University of Idaho. http://www.uidaho.edu/
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