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BGSU_Dissertations_0240_Marks.pdf (6.66 MB)

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Diversity Analyses as Indicators of Water Quality

Marks, John R.
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1566297702062907

Abstract Details

1974, Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Bowling Green State University, Biological Sciences.
Comparisons of family diversity of benthic macroinvertebrate communities and water quality parameters were used to assess the self-purification process in the North Branch of the Portage River (Wood County, Ohio) after receiving the discharge from Poe Ditch. This ditch contains the secondary sewage treatment plant effluent and storm bypass flow from the City of Bowling Green. A station at the mouth of Poe Ditch, two upstream control stations, and five down-stream stations were established on a 12.9 km segment of the river. Family diversity was calculated for the first time on the basis of total number of individuals, wet and dry-weight biomass, and caloric content. Macroinvertebrates were obtained from Ekman grab samples and artificial substrates. Counts and wet and dry-weight biomass determinations were made on four sets of samples from each station. Forty sets of water quality data for 11 parameters were obtained at each station and grouped according to year, season, and differential stream flow. Increased family diversity of macroinvertebrates, downstream from the Poe Ditch outfall, was indicative of a highly significant pattern of self-purification. Those diversity values based on individuals were lower than those based on other units, suggesting a more delayed self-purification pattern. Statistically significant differences occurred whenever diversity was reduced by more than 30 per cent of the mean control station value. The use of water quality parameters did not permit demonstration of self-purification. While no statistically significant differences in nutrient levels, BOD, and DO were found among the five downstream stations, significant differences were found between these stations and the up-stream controls. The station at the mouth of Poe Ditch was significantly different from all other stations with the highest orthophosphate and BOD values. The numerous correlations relative to habitat degradation which were demonstrated among all stations are the result of the Poe Ditch discharge rather than from agricultural or septic tank drainage. Diversity analyses provided a more useful tool than water quality data in the evaluation of the Poe Ditch discharge and self-purification process below this outfall.
William B. Jackson (Advisor)
Biology

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Marks, J. R. (1974). Diversity Analyses as Indicators of Water Quality [Doctoral dissertation, Bowling Green State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1566297702062907

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Marks, John. Diversity Analyses as Indicators of Water Quality. 1974. Bowling Green State University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1566297702062907.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Marks, John. "Diversity Analyses as Indicators of Water Quality." Doctoral dissertation, Bowling Green State University, 1974. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1566297702062907

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

bgsu1566297702062907
144
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