SUMMARY OF DATA COLLECTION IN THE LOWER SUSQUEHANNA RIVER BASIN STUDY UNIT, 1992-95
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Study component (number of sites)
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Types of sites sampled
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Sampling frequency
and period
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What data were collected and why
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Stream-Water Chemistry
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Long-term monitoring, basic sites (4)
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Occurrence and seasonal variability of concentrations. Data included streamflow, nutrients, major ions, organic carbon, suspended sediment, water temperature, specific conductance, pH, and dissolved oxygen. In addition, 47 dissolved pesticides during synoptics and, at the site in subunit 4, 47 dissolved pesticides during base flow and selected stormflow events.
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Streams draining basins ranging from 7.72 to 71.9 square miles representing four subunits (1, 3, 5, and 7).
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Monthly plus storms: Apr. 1993 - Aug. 1994;
One site semimonthly to monthly plus storms: Nov. 1994 - Aug. 1995
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Long-term monitoring, intensive sites (3)
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Occurrence and seasonal variability of concentrations--Data included all of the above constituents plus 84 dissolved pesticides in all routine base-flow samples plus selected storm samples until Sept. 1994. Data collected through Aug. 1995 at the site in subunit 4 included 47 dissolved pesticides in base-flow and selected stormflow events. Six samples for volatile organic compounds analysis were collected at the site in subunit 4.
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Streams draining basins ranging from 12.6 to 54.3 square miles representing three subunits (2, 4, and 6).
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Weekly: Apr. - Sept. 1993;
Semimonthly to monthly: Oct. 1993 - Sept. 1994;
One site semimonthly to monthly plus storms: Nov. 1994 - Aug. 1995
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Synoptic studies (187)
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Short-term occurrence and distribution of concentrations were studied over a broad-scale area--synoptic studies were of three designs: (1) basinwide; (2) within the subunits; or (3) within long-term monitoring site basins. Data included streamflow, nutrients, pesticides, major ions, suspended sediment, water temperature, specific conductance, pH, dissolved oxygen, and volatile organic compounds (five sites in subunit 4) during low-flow conditions.
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Main-stem and tributary sites for the synoptics done in the late spring and early summer during periods of seasonal herbicide application. For other synoptics, sites on streams draining basins representing the seven subunits.
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Summers of 1993, 1994, and 1995. Most sites were sampled once. Selected sites were sampled two or more times as part of separate synoptic studies.
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Biological Communities, Stream Habitat, and Contaminants in Fish Tissue and Streambed Sediment
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Basic and intensive assessments (7)
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Structure and function of major aquatic communities--algae, fish, and invertebrates--in three habitats (richest, depositional, and multiple) at each site; quantitatively describe habitat.
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Long-term monitoring sites from stream-water chemistry component of the study design. The three intensive long-term monitoring sites were used for multiple-reach sampling.
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One reach per site each year, 1993, 1994, and 1995.
Two additional reaches at two sites in 1994.
Three additional reaches at one site in 1994.
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Synoptic studies (45)
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Structure and function of selected aquatic communities--algae and invertebrates--in two habitats (richest and multiple) at each site; quantitatively describe habitat. Sites were chosen to match ecological surveys by other agencies in the 1970's and 1980's.
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Sites on main stem, major tributaries, and selected smaller tributaries. Sites represented selected subunits and mixed land uses.
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Once during 1993-95.
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Contaminants in fish tissue (20)
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Occurrence and spatial distribution of concentrations of contaminants--total PCBs, 27 organochlorine pesticides, and 22 trace elements--in fish tissue (white sucker and smallmouth bass). Whole fish were analyzed for organic contaminants; fish livers were analyzed for trace elements.
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Sites on main stem, major tributaries, and selected smaller tributaries with white sucker present were primary choices.
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Once at 16 sites in 1992, 5 in 1993, 5 in 1994, and 4 in 1995. The 1993-94 sites also were sampled in 1992.
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Synoptic studies--streambed sediment (21)
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Occurrence and spatial distribution of concentrations of contaminants--total PCBs, 31 organochlorine pesticides, 63 semivolatile organic compounds, forms of carbon, and 27 trace elements. Most sites were selected to match sites sampled for contaminants in fish tissue.
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Depositional zones on main stem, major tributaries, and selected smaller tributaries representing the seven subunits plus an area of anthracite coal mining.
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Once at 17 sites in 1992; once at 4 sites in 1995
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Ground-Water Chemistry
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Subunit surveys (59)
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Occurrence and distribution of concentrations in water from wells representing the subunit--nutrients, major ions, 60 volatile organic compounds, 84 pesticides, methylene blue active substances, tritium, stable isotopes of oxygen and hydrogen, bacteria (total coliform, fecal coliform, fecal streptococcus 1993-95 and Escherichia coli 1994-95), dissolved organic carbon, uranium, and radon.
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Wells used for household supply in subunit 1 and subunits 6 and 7 combined.
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One sample per well: subunits 6 and 7, 1993; subunit 1, 1994.
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Land-use effects--agriculture (90)
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Same as above.
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Wells used for household supply in subunits 2, 3, and 5.
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One sample per well: subunit 2, 1993; subunit 3, 1994; subunit 5, 1995.
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Land-use effects--urban (20)
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Same as above.
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Wells in subunit 4. Well types include monitoring (6), household (13), and public (1).
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One sample per well in 1995.
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