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Defining, assessing and monitoring blackwater streams and rivers of the United States
Citation:
Flotemersch, J., K. Blocksom, AND A. Prues. Defining, assessing and monitoring blackwater streams and rivers of the United States. 2020 Annual Meeting of the Southeastern Water Pollution Biologists Association, Virtual, November 18 - 19, 2020.
Impact/Purpose:
The purpose of this presentation was to provide an overview of ongoing ORD research on blackwater streams and rivers.
Description:
Blackwater streams and rivers are generally characterized as shallow, slow-moving, sandy bottom systems; with waters stained various hues from tannins leached to them from decaying vegetation. Waters of these systems are typically acidic, low in nutrients, conductivity, and DO, and having higher levels of DOC and color. Their ionic composition can also differ significantly when compared to nonblackwater systems. Taken collectively, these features function to create a unique habitat that is home to a suite of equally uniquely adapted plants and animals. For those charged with the protection of flowing waters, this presents challenges. For example, water quality measurements may be outside limits considered acceptable, yet completely normal; accepted bioassessment and monitoring approaches may be inadequate; traditional physical habitat measures may fail to capture the state of key habitats. The goal of this workshop is to learn more about the approaches currently used for the assessment and monitoring of blackwater streams and rivers in the southeastern United States. How are organizations dealing with blackwater streams and rivers? What needs exist? What type of research products would be of most benefit? Who is interested in collaboration on research? To support discussions, a series of questions have been prepared to generate thought and facilitate productive discussion. Ideally, one person from each state would provide a cross-agency response to these questions.
