OPTICAL IMPACTS AND SOURCES OF SUSPENDED SOLIDS IN ONONDAGA CREEK, U.S.A.¹

Abstract

The degradation of the optical aesthetics in the mouth of Onondaga Creek, New York, that occurs during high flow periods as a result of the influx of large quantities of suspended solids, is documented. Features of the degradation include very low clarity (Secchi disc minimum of approximately 0.1 m) and a brown ‘muddy’ appearance. The reduced clarity is mostly a result of increased light scattering. Loading and concentration profiles obtained for an approximately 35 km interval above the creek mouth over a wide range of flow indicates most of the suspended solids received during runoff events is resuspended stream sediment and eroded bank material. Application of microscopy‐based individual particle analysis techniques indicates that the origin of most of these deposits and much of the suspended solids during runoff events is point source inputs, termed ‘mud boils,’ located approximately 32 km upstream of the creek mouth.

Inorganic tripton in the Finger Lakes of New York: importance to optical characteristics

“…This type of association was observed infrequently in this study through visual microscopic observations. Johnson et al (1991) reported that increased inputs of watershed particles (particularly clay minerals; Effler et al, 1992) to oversaturated Onondaga Lake during high runoff intervals triggered increased CaCO 3 precipitation. Stumm & Morgan (1996) also noted that clay minerals can serve as heteronuclei for CaCO 3 precipitation.…”

“…The data array generated from IPA/ SAX provides flexibility in defining specific particle classes to account for statistically significant clusters of observations (e.g., calcite in hard water systems). The classification schemes for previous applications of IPA/SAX have ranged from rather detailed (15-20 explicit classes; Yin & Johnson, 1984;Effler et al, 1992) to more generalized approaches with fewer particle classes (three or four classes; Effler et al, 2002a).…”

CHARACTERIZATION OF INORGANIC PARTICLES IN SELECTED RESERVOIRS AND TRIBUTARIES OF THE NEW YORK CITY WATER SUPPLY1

“…Measurements of particle projected area per unit volume (PAV in cm 2 /L) with IPA have been used to evaluate the optical impacts of inorganic tripton on light scattering and attenuation (Effler et al, 2000(Effler et al, , 2002a. Chemical characterization of particle populations by IPA has lead to resolution of the origins of inorganic tripton (Yin and Johnson, 1984;Effler et al, 1992Effler et al, , 2000Effler et al, , 2002a. Such information may be critical to managers to guide programs aimed at reducing related impacts on clarity, deposition, or material cycling.…”

Development of a Turbidity Prediction Methodology for Runoff–Erosion Models

“…Pflüger et al (2010) demonstrated that the public had the lowest preference for rivers where turbidity and SSC are high. Similarly, the relationship between degraded aesthetic quality of surface waters and suspended sediment or turbidity has been reported in the literature (Effler et al 1992;Smith et al 1995;Bernal et al 1999;Bilotta and Brazier 2008).…”