USGS

Water Quality in the Mobile River Basin

Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, and Tennessee, 1999–2001

 

U.S. Geological Survey Circular 1231

 

By J. Brian Atkins, Humbert Zappia, James L. Robinson, Ann K. McPherson, Richard S. Moreland, Douglas A. Harned, Brett F. Johnston, and John S. Harvill

 

This circular is available as a pdf.


Abstract

This report contains the major findings of a 1999–2001 assessment of water quality in the Mobile River Basin. It is one of a series of reports by the National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Program that present major findings in 51 major river basins and aquifer systems across the Nation.

 

In these reports, water quality is discussed in terms of local, State, and regional issues. Conditions in a particular basin or aquifer system are compared to conditions found elsewhere and to selected national benchmarks, such as those for drinking-water quality and the protection of aquatic organisms.

 

This report is intended for individuals working with water-resource issues in Federal, State, or local agencies, universities, public interest groups, or in the private sector. The information will be useful in addressing a number of current issues, such as the effects of agricultural and urban land use on water quality, human health, drinking water, source-water protection, hypoxia and excessive growth of algae and plants, pesticide registration, and monitoring and sampling strategies. This report is also for individuals who wish to know more about the quality of streams and ground water in areas near where they live, and how that water quality compares to the quality of water in other areas across the Nation.

 

The water-quality conditions in the Mobile River Basin summarized in this report are discussed in detail in other reports that can be accessed from the Mobile River Basin Web site (http://al.water.usgs.gov/pubs/mobl/mobl.html). Detailed technical information, data and analyses, collection and analytical methodology, models, graphs, and maps that support the findings presented in this report in addition to reports in this series from other basins can be accessed from the national NAWQA Web site (http://water.usgs.gov/nawqa).


Contents

National Water-Quality Assessment Program

What kind of water-quality information does the NAWQA Program provide?

Introduction to this Report

Summary Of Major Findings

Introduction To The Mobile River Basin

Major Findings

Nutrients

NATIONAL PERSPECTIVE—Nutrient concentrations in some Mobile River Basin streams are among the highest in the Nation

NATIONAL PERSPECTIVE—Nitrate concentrations in shallow ground water in the Mobile River Basin are similar to national results

Pesticides

NATIONAL PERSPECTIVE—Occurrence of pesticides in the Mobile River Basin is both similar to and different from national patterns

Organochlorine Compounds and Trace Elements

Volatile Organic Compounds

Biological Communities

Radon

Study-Unit Design

References Cited

Glossary

Appendix—Water Quality Data From The Mobile River Basin In A National Context


Points of Contact and Additional Information

 

The companion Web site for NAWQA summary reports:

 

http://water.usgs.gov/nawqa/nawqa_sumr.html

 

Mobile River Basin contact and web site:

USGS State Representative

U.S. Geological Survey

Water Resources Discipline

2350 Fairlane Drive

Suite 120

Montgomery, AL 36116

e-mail: dc_al@usgs.gov

http://al.water.usgs.gov

 

National NAWQA Program:

Chief, NAWQA Program
U.S. Geological Survey
Water Resources Discipline
12201 Sunrise Valley Drive, M.S. 413
Reston, VA 20192

http://water.usgs.gov/nawqa/

 

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U.S. Geological Survey,

Information Services
Box 25286, Denver Federal Center
Denver, CO 80225

 

For more information about the USGS and its products:


Telephone: 1-888-ASK-USGS
World Wide Web: http://www.usgs.gov/


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The text and graphics are presented here in pdf format (print quality). The full report is 28.2MB.

 

If you have Adobe® Acrobat® or Adobe® Acrobat® Reader® installed on your computer, you may view and print the PDF version of this report. Acrobat Reader, is a free download it from Adobe Systems, Inc.  Users with disabilities can view information concerning accessibility at access.adobe.com.

 

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