Benthic-invertebrate and streambed-sediment data for the White River and its tributaries in and near Indianapolis, Indiana, 1994–96

Abstract

Data were collected in the White River and its tributaries in and near Indianapolis, Indiana, on the diversity and density of benthic invertebrates; concentrations of metals, insecticides, herbicides, and semivolatile organic compounds sorbed on streambed sediments; and particle-size distribution of streambed sediments. A total of 369 benthic-invertebrate samples were collected at 21 sites during late spring or summer and early fall 1994 through 1996; of these, 30 were quality-control samples. A total of 33 streambed-sediment samples were collected at 14 sites during

A summary of the benthic-invertebrate and fish-community data from streams in the Indianapolis metropolitan area, Indiana, 1981–2012

“…The results of these studies were presented by Crawford and others (1992), Renn (1998), Voelker and Renn (2000), and Voelker (2004and Voelker ( , 2012and Voelker ( , 2014. Study sites remained consistent throughout the entire period with the exception of the most upstream site on the White River, which was originally sampled at Westfield Boulevard (1981-87), but was moved to the nearby Nora site for sampling during 1994-2012.…”

“…Initially, three sites were sampled by Crawford and others (1992), then 21 sites by Renn (1998), 12 sites by Voelker (2004), and lastly, 13 by Voelker (2012Voelker ( , 2014. These sites were selected in coordination with the Indianapolis DPW, which was responsible for monthly surface-water sampling at or near those sites.…”

“…Since 1994, benthic-invertebrate samples were collected at each site using a Surber sampler and a collection-net mesh opening of 210 µm. Sampling followed the guidelines set forth in Britton (1988) and described in Renn (1998) and Voelker (2004).…”

“…Benthic invertebrates were picked in the field for the study by Crawford and others (1992) and then sent to a laboratory for analysis, but the Renn (1998) and Voelker (2004Voelker ( , 2012Voelker ( , 2014 studies submitted the entire sample to a contract laboratory where they were sorted and identified to the lowest possible taxonomy-generally genus and species. The laboratory calculated the number of organisms in the sample, the number of taxa, and the HBI for each set of three samples.…”

“…In the 1990s, a second study was begun to assess biological communities in the White River and selected tributaries relative to CSO issues that the City was assessing (Renn, 1998;Voelker and Renn, 2000). During 1999-2001, a third study was conducted that included benthic invertebrates and fish communities (Voelker, 2004).…”