A Field-Based Aquatic Life Benchmark for Conductivity in Central Appalachian Streams (2010) (External Review Draft)
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Abstract
This report uses field data to derive an aquatic life benchmark for conductivity. This benchmark value may be applied to waters in the Appalachian Region that are dominated by salts of SO42- and HCO3- at circum neutral to mildly alkaline pH. This benchmark is intended to protect the biological integrity of waters in the region. It is derived by a method modeled on the U.S. EPA’s standard methodology for deriving water quality criteria. In particular, the methodology was adapted for use of field data. Field data were used because sufficient and appropriate laboratory data were not available and because high quality field data were available to relate conductivity to effects on biotic communities. This report provides scientific evidence for a conductivity benchmark in a specific region rather than for the entire United States.
Impact/Purpose
Status
Citation
History/Chronology
Date | Description |
---|---|
Apr 2010 | EPA released the draft report for public review and comment. [Federal Register April 12, 2010] |
Jun 2010 | EPA extends the public review and comment period until July 13, 2010. [Federal Register Jun 1, 2010] |
Jul 2010 | EPA's Science Advisory Board (SAB) Staff Office hosted a public meeting for the review of this draft report in Washington, DC. [Federal Register May 25, 2010] |
Jul 2010 | EPA extends the public review and comment period until August 13, 2010. [Federal Register July 13, 2010] |
Aug 2010 | EPA extends the public review and comment period until September 3, 2010. [Federal Register Aug 18, 2010] |
Sep 2010 | SAB hosted the two public meeting teleconferences on October 20, 2010 and on October 26, 2010 for the review of this draft report in Washington, DC. [Federal Register Sep 15, 2010] |
Jan 2011 | SAB hosted a Quality Review of an SAB panel draft report reviewing EPA's Draft Aquatic Life Benchmark for Conductivity in Central Appalachian Streams. [Federal Register Dec 27, 2010] |
Mar 2011 | SAB released the final report, Review of Field-Based Aquatic Life Benchmark for Conductivity in Central Appalachian Streams. (PDF, 48 pp., 465,710 bytes) |
Additional Information
This download(s) is distributed solely for the purpose of pre-dissemination peer review under applicable information quality guidelines. It has not been formally disseminated by EPA. It does not represent and should not be construed to represent any Agency determination or policy.
- A Field-based Aquatic Life Benchmark for Conductivity in Central Appalachian Streams (External Review Draft) (PDF) (193 pp, 7 MB, about PDF)
- West Virginia Species: macroinvertebrate taxonomic composition information for Samples (5 MB, 1922 pp, Text File)
- West Virginia Species: macroinvertebrate taxonomic composition information for Samples (6.9 MB, Excel File)
- West Virginia Benthic Metrics and Samples (20 Mb Excel File)
- West Virginia WAB Database (ZIP) (394 MB, about ZIP)
- Kentucky Stream Data Headings (PDF) (1 pp, 45 KB, about PDF)
- Kentucky Stream Data : Macroinvertebrates (6.26 Mb, Excel File)
- Kentucky Stream Data : Environmental Variables (211 Kb, Excel File)
- SAB Peer review report (PDF) (NA pp, 20 KB, about PDF)
- SAB Agency response (PDF) (NA pp, 20 KB, about PDF)
Related Link(s)
- SAB Advisory Committee Activities on Interim Water Quality Advisory Methodology for Estimating Conductivity
- Surface Coal Mining Activities under Clean Water Act Section 404
- Review of Field-Based Aquatic Life Benchmark for Conductivity in Central Appalachian Streams (Sept. 28, 2010 draft)
- Review of Field-Based Aquatic Life Benchmark for Conductivity in Central Appalachian Streams (Dec. 28, 2010 draft)
- The Effects of Mountaintop Mines and Valley Fills on Aquatic Ecosystems of the Central Appalachian Coalfields (External Review Draft)
- The Effects Of Mountaintop Mines And Valley Fills On Aquatic Ecosystems Of The Central Appalachian Coalfields (2011 Final)
- A Field-Based Aquatic Life Benchmark For Conductivity In Central Appalachian Streams (Final Report)