Herring River Survey, August 15-17
Beskenis JL and Nuzzo RM. 1984. Herring River Survey, August 15-17. Publication #13,700-38-50-7-84-C.R.. Massachusetts Dept. of Environmental Quality Engineering. Westborough, MA
The Herring River in Wellfleet, Massachusetts, was once a saltwater marsh that has been dramatically altered by diking and ditch dredging for mosquito control. A water quality survey of the river was done on August 15-17, 1983 to collect baseline information on the chemistry and biology of this system. In addition, the effect of fluctuating pH on the macroinvertebrate and periphyton communities was investigated. Eight sample stations were selected. Parameters analyzed included temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, total alkalinity, suspended solids, total solids, specific conductance, sulfate, total Kjeldahl-nitrogen, ammonia-nitrogen, nitrate-nitrogen, total phosphorus, chloride, total and fecal coliform bacteria, and metals (aluminum, cadmium, chromium, copper, iron, lead, magnesium, manganese, nickel, selenium and zinc). The presence and abundance of riparian and aquatic vascular vegetation were recorded. Substrate descriptions and streamflow measurements were made. Phytoplankton, periphyton, and macroinvertebrate samples were taken. Water quality and phytoplankton data are presented in tables but are not discussed. Macroinvertebrate data are found in Appendix A. Organisms were identified to species if possible but most identifications were to genus or family only. The results suggest that all of the stations are significantly and comparable enriched with organic matter.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Beskenis, Joan; Nuzzo, Robert
- Date of Issue
- 1984-06
- Publisher
- Massachusetts Dept. of Environmental Quality Engineering
- Units
- CACO
- Keywords
- Animal Studies, Aquatic Sciences, Chemistry, Herring River, Infauna, Invertebrates, Metals, Nutrients, Phytoplankton, Plant Studies, Survey, Vegetation, Water Quality