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Pesticides and Bacteria in an Urban Stream--Gills Creek, Columbia, South Carolina

U.S. Geological Survey Fact Sheet 131-98 (Published 1999)

By Terry L. Maluk

This report is available online as a group of searchable images.

Introduction

As part of the U.S. Geological Survey National Water-Quality Assessment Program (NAWQA), water quality in the Santee River Basin and coastal drainages study area (SANT) is being assessed. Gills Creek, an urban stream in Columbia, South Carolina. was studied during a low streamflow period in September 1996. During the study, streamflows were in the lower 30 percent of the 1996 flows in Gills Creek. Samples from 16 sites were collected over 4 days and analyzed for pesticides and fecal coliform bacteria. This fact sheet presents the results of the Gills Creek Basin study.

Significant Findings

• Ten different pesticides were detected in the Gills Creek Basin
• Samples from 14 of 16 sites had detectable concentrations of at least one pesticide, and 12 sites had at least five pesticides detected.
• Pesticide detection frequency increased as the percentage of urban land use increased.
• Tebuthiuron was detected most frequently (14 sites), followed by diazinon (13 sites), and atrazine (12 sites)
• Diazinon, carbaryl, and dieldrin concentrations exceeded aquatic life standards in some samples.
• Fecal coliform concentrations exceeded 400 colonies per 100 milliliters at 8 of the 16 sites

CONTENTS

Introduction

Where is the Gills Creek Basin?

Pesticides in the Gills Creek Basin

Are the Pesticide Concentrations in the Gills Creek Basin Harmful?

Fecal Coliform Bacteria

References

Acknowledgments

For more information

lnfomlation on technical reports and hydrologic data related to the NAWQA Program Cdn be obtained from:

District Chief
U.S. Geological Survey
Stephenson Center-Suite 129
720 Gracern Road
Columbia. SC 292 I 0-7651

For more information, contact the South Carolina Publications Unit.

USGS South Carolina Publications South Carolina Water Science Center

 USGS South Carolina Publications • South Carolina Water Science Center