Episodic Acidification and Associated Fish and Aquatic Invertebrate Responses in Four Catskill Mountain Streams: Interim Report of the Episodic Response Project

Murdoch, Peter S.; Bonitz, Cathleen E.; Eakin, Kirk W.; Ranalli, Anthony J.; Witt, Emitt C.

doi:10.3133/ofr90566

Cited by 17 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…Precipitation during 1989 at the National Trends Network deposition-monitoring station, adjacent to the Biscuit Brook site, was about 142 cm; volumeweighted pH of precipitation during 1989 and the during the previous 7 years was approximately 4.3 (Barchet 1991;Murdoch and Stoddard 1993). Regional and local precipitation chemistry is described in greater detail by Murdoch et al (1991) and Barchet (1991). The physiography, geology, and soil classification of the Catskill region are summarized by Murdoch and Stoddard (1993) and Wigington et al (1996) and discussed in detail by Tornes (1979), Rich (1934), Way (1972), andEthridge (1977).…”

Section: Study Sitesmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…Water pH was seldom below 6.0 at Black Brook and at the second reference stream (High Falls Brook), rarely below 5.5 at the episodically acidified stream (Biscuit Brook), and rarely exceeded 5.0 at the chronically acidified East Branch Neversink. Concentrations of Al im averaged 0.006 and 0.017 mg/L at Black Brook Note: Most physical information is from Murdoch et al (1991). Flow values (m 3 /s) were derived from hourly 1989 flow data.…”

Section: Stream Hydrology and Chemistrymentioning

confidence: 99%

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Effect of stream acidification and inorganic aluminum on mortality of brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) in the Catskill Mountains, New York

Baldigo¹,

Murdoch²

1997

Can. J. Fish. Aquat. Sci.

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Juvenile brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) were exposed in cages to fluctuating chemical conditions in four Catskill Mountain streams during the spring and fall of 1989 and the spring of 1990. Specific chemical constituents and characteristics of acidic episodes that correlated with increased fish mortality were identified. Mortality increased during acidic episodes in one poorly buffered stream when inorganic monomeric aluminum (Al im ) concentrations increased; mortality was low in three other streams during acidic episodes of shorter duration and smaller magnitude than measured in the poorly buffered stream. Variation in mortality was attributed primarily to differences in concentrations of both Al im and dissolved organic carbon. Linear and logistic regression analyses indicate that either mean or median Al im concentrations could account for 73-99% of the variability in mortality. Regression analyses suggest that mortality was highly related (in order of importance) to Al im , pH, dissolved organic carbon, calcium, and chloride concentration. Brook trout mortality was also highly related to durations of exposure above 0.225 and 0.250 mg/L Al im during test periods. Characteristics of acidic-Al im episodes that are critical to mortality of caged brook trout appear to be (i) Al im concentrations of at least 0.225 ± 0.025 mg/L and (ii) exposure to these toxic Al im concentrations for at least 2 days.Résumé : Des juvéniles d'ombles de fontaine (Salvelinus fontinalis) ont été exposés dans des cages à des conditions chimiques fluctuantes dans quatre cours d'eau des monts Catskill pendant le printemps et l'automne de 1989 et le printemps de 1990. Les constituants chimiques spécifiques et les caractéristiques des épisodes acides qui étaient corrélés à une hausse de la mortalité des poissons ont été identifiés. La mortalité a augmenté pendant des épisodes acides dans un cours d'eau à faible pouvoir tampon quand les concentrations d'aluminium inorganique monomère (Al im ) augmentaient; la mortalité était faible dans trois autres cours d'eau pendant des épisodes acides de plus courte durée et de moindre ampleur que dans le cours d'eau à faible pouvoir tampon. La variation de la mortalité a été attribuée avant tout à des différences dans les concentrations d'une part d'Al im , et d'autre part de carbone organique dissous. Des analyses de régression linéaire et logistique indiquent que les concentrations moyennes ou médianes d'Al im pouvaient expliquer 73-99% de la variabilité de la mortalité. Les analyses de régression permettent de penser que la mortalité était fortement reliée (par ordre d'importance) à Al im , au pH, au carbone organique dissous, au calcium et au chlore. La mortalité de l'omble de fontaine était aussi fortement liée à la durée de l'exposition au-dessus de 0,225 et 0,250 mg/L Al im pendant les périodes de test. Les caractéristiques des épisodes d'acidité-Al im qui sont critiques pour la mortalité des ombles de fontaine en cage semblent être (i) des concentrations d'Al im d'au moins 0,225 ± 0,025 mg/...

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Section: Study Sitesmentioning

confidence: 98%

Section: Stream Hydrology and Chemistrymentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of stream acidification and inorganic aluminum on mortality of brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) in the Catskill Mountains, New York

Baldigo¹,

Murdoch²

1997

Can. J. Fish. Aquat. Sci.

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“…It is, therefore, depleted in weatherable material and the stream is more acidic than its other basin characteristics might suggest (Evans, 1996). Unlike the other streams, it has ā oodplain and shallow¯ow paths are dominant (Murdoch et al, 1990). 1181±1195 (1999) LNN is the¯ashiest of the Northern Appalachian streams and is unusual because of the presence of groundwater seeps from limestone (DeWalle et al, 1995).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prediction of episodic acidification in North-eastern USA: an empirical/mechanistic approach

Davies¹,

Tranter

Wigington

et al. 1999

Hydrol. Process.

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Abstract:Observations from the US Environmental Protection Agency's Episodic Response Project (ERP) in the Northeastern United States are used to develop an empirical/mechanistic scheme for prediction of the minimum values of acid neutralizing capacity (ANC) during episodes. An acidi®cation episode is de®ned as a hydrological event during which ANC decreases. The pre-episode ANC is used to index the antecedent condition, and the stream¯ow increase re¯ects how much the relative contributions of sources of waters change during the episode. As much as 92% of the total variation in the minimum ANC in individual catchments can be explained (with levels of explanation 470% for nine of the 13 streams) by a multiple linear regression model that includes pre-episode ANC and change in discharge as independent variables. The predictive scheme is demonstrated to be regionally robust, with the regional variance explained ranging from 77 to 83%. The scheme is not successful for each ERP stream, and reasons are suggested for the individual failures. The potential for applying the predictive scheme to other watersheds is demonstrated by testing the model with data from the Panola Mountain Research Watershed in the South-eastern United States, where the variance explained by the model was 74%. The model can also be utilized to assess`chemically new' and`chemically old' water sources during acidi®cation episodes.

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“…Generally, resident fish populations were supplemented with stocked fish, as needed, to raise fish density to the desired target. In some Adirondack transplants, resident populations in the reference stream (Fly Pond Outlet) were depleted, and the stream restocked with fish from other streams, so that Murdoch et al (1991); and Gagen (1991). t Initial condition indicates that fish movement started within one to a few days after fish were released; chemistry summaries are for first four days.…”

Section: Fish Transplantsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Episodic Acidification of Small Streams in the Northeastern United States: Effects on Fish Populations

Baker¹,

Sickle²,

Gagen³

et al. 1996

Ecological Applications

167

115

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As part of the Episodic Response Project (ERP), we studied the effects of episodic acidification on fish in 13 small streams in the northeastern United States: four streams in the Adirondack region of New York, four streams in the Catskills, New York, and five streams in the northern Appalachian Plateau, Pennsylvania. In situ bioassays with brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) and a forage fish species (blacknose dace (Rhinichthys atratulus), mottled sculpin (Cottus bairdi), or slimy sculpin (Cottus cognatus), depending on the region) measured direct toxicity. Movements of individual brook trout, in relation to stream chemistry, were monitored using radiotelemetry. Electrofishing surveys assessed fish community status and the density and biomass of brook trout in each stream. During low flow, all streams except one had chemical conditions considered suitable for the survival and reproduction of most fish species (median pH 6.0‐7.2 during low flow; inorganic Al < 60 μg/L). ERP streams with suitable conditions during low flow, but moderate‐to‐severe episodic acidification during high flow, had higher fish mortality in bioassays, net down‐stream movement of brook trout during events, and lower brook trout density and biomass compared to nonacidic streams, and lacked acid‐sensitive fish species (blacknose dace and sculpin). Movement of trout into refugia (areas with higher pH and lower Al) during episodes partially mitigated the adverse effects of episodes. Recolonization from alkaline tributaries or microhabitats can maintain low densities of fish in streams that experience severe acidic episodes, but it is not sufficient to sustain fish densities and community composition at levels expected in the absence of these episodes. Fish responses to acid‐base chemistry were fairly consistent across regions. In general, trout abundance was reduced and acid‐sensitive fish species were absent from ERP streams with median pH < 5.0‐5.2 during high flow and inorganic Al > 100‐200 μg/L. We conclude that episodic acidification can have long‐term effects on fish communities in small streams.

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Episodic Acidification and Associated Fish and Aquatic Invertebrate Responses in Four Catskill Mountain Streams: Interim Report of the Episodic Response Project

Cited by 17 publications

References 14 publications

Effect of stream acidification and inorganic aluminum on mortality of brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) in the Catskill Mountains, New York

Effect of stream acidification and inorganic aluminum on mortality of brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) in the Catskill Mountains, New York

Prediction of episodic acidification in North-eastern USA: an empirical/mechanistic approach

Episodic Acidification of Small Streams in the Northeastern United States: Effects on Fish Populations

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