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Water-quality reconnaissance of the Pascagoula and Escatawpa Rivers, Jackson County, Mississippi, May 1974 to July 1978

Open-File Report 80-727
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https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr80727

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Abstract

Short-term, water-quality reconnaissances along the downstream reaches of the Pascagoula and Escatawpa Rivers in Jackson County , Miss., indicate that stream quality during the period May 1974 to July 1978 was affected by wastewater discharges as well as river discharge and the extent of tidal intrusion. Specific conductances on the Pascagoula River ranged from less than 100 to more than 40,000 micromhos per centimeter and increased downstream. Specific conductance also increased with depth at downstram sites, indicating density stratification. Dissolved-oxygen concentrations were also affected by density stratification but were generally greater than 4.0 milligrams per liter in both rivers. Analyses of 5-day biochemical oxygen demand and nutrient concentrations indicate that oxidation of both carbonaceous and nitrogenous materials significantly affected the waste assimilative capacity of the rivers. Concentrations of pesticides and most trace elements in both the water column and the bottom sediments were zero or very small. Titanium concentrations were less than 220 micrograms per liter in the water column and 6,500 micrograms per gram in bottom sediments. Small concentrations of oil and grease, PCB's, and phenols were also detected. Fecal coliform and fecal streptococcal bacteria concentrations were generally greater in the Escatawpa River and ranged from about 10 to 18,000 colonies per 100 milliliters of water. (USGS)

Suggested Citation

Faye, R.E., 1980, Water-quality reconnaissance of the Pascagoula and Escatawpa Rivers, Jackson County, Mississippi, May 1974 to July 1978: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 80-727, v, 105 p. : maps ; 28 cm., https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr80727.

ISSN: 2331-1258 (online)

Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Water-quality reconnaissance of the Pascagoula and Escatawpa Rivers, Jackson County, Mississippi, May 1974 to July 1978
Series title Open-File Report
Series number 80-727
DOI 10.3133/ofr80727
Year Published 1980
Language ENGLISH
Description v, 105 p. : maps ; 28 cm.
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