Biological and microbiological assessment of the upper Chattahoochee River basin, Georgia
Circular
796
By: Bruce W. Lium, J. K. Stamer, T. A. Ehlke, R.E. Faye, and R.N. Cherry
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Abstract
Biological and microbiological studies were conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey as a part of the Intensive River-Quality Assessment studies of the upper Chattahoochee River basin, Georgia. Phytoplankton concentrations in cells per milliliter (cells/mL) were generally higher downstream from Atlanta than upstream. The highest concentrations, mostly blue-green algae, occurred in West Point Lake with an average of 90,000 cells/mL for the sampling period. The lowest concentrations, 1,000 cells/mL, occurred upstream of Lake Sidney Lanier. Dissolved orthophosphate and nitrite plus nitrate concentrations were highest in the river reaches and upper reaches of the two lakes and were lowest at the dam pools of both lakes. The high nitrite plus nitrate concentrations downstream from Atlanta were primarily a result of nitrification by Nitrosomonas and Nitrobacter bacteria. Algal growth potential was highest downstream from Atlanta, 25 milligrams per liter (mg/L) at Whitesburg, and was the lowest in the headwaters and at the dam pools of Lake Sidney Lanier and West Point Lake. The rate of nitrification in the Atlanta to Franklin reach of the river was comparatively low, 0.02 mg/L per hour. Nitrification was an important cause of dissolved-oxygen consumption in a 45-mi reach of the river downstream from the Atlanta wastewater treatment facilities. Dissolved-oxygen consumption as a result of nitrification may be greatest during low flow. (Woodard-USGS)
Suggested Citation
Lium, B.W., Stamer, J., Ehlke, T.A., Faye, R., Cherry, R., 1979, Biological and microbiological assessment of the upper Chattahoochee River basin, Georgia: U.S. Geological Survey Circular 796, iv, 22 p. :ill. ;28 cm. , https://doi.org/10.3133/cir796.
ISSN: 2330-5703 (online)
Study Area
| Publication type | Report |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | USGS Numbered Series |
| Title | Biological and microbiological assessment of the upper Chattahoochee River basin, Georgia |
| Series title | Circular |
| Series number | 796 |
| DOI | 10.3133/cir796 |
| Year Published | 1979 |
| Language | ENGLISH |
| Publisher | U.S. Geological Survey, |
| Contributing office(s) | South Atlantic Water Science Center |
| Description | iv, 22 p. :ill. ;28 cm. |
| Country | United States |
| State | Alabama, Georgia |