When sampling natural waters for constituent analyses, it is essential that a representative sample be obtained. This sampling survey was undertaken to study the effect of sampling depth on analyses as well as obtain useful data from the White River.Samples at three depths were collected at one location on the White River during two five-week periods. These samples were analyzed for the following constituents: total alkalinity, chloride, apparent color, calcium hardness, magnesium hardness, total hardness, tonal iron, ammonia nitrogen, nitrate nitrogen, dissolved oxygen, orthophosphorus, total inorganic phosphorus, total phosphorus, specific conductance, sulfate, and turbidity.The results indicated that sample depth is not a factor in the majority of the analyses described. For certain constituents, such as chloride and ammonia, however, sample depth is a factor to be considered. This survey also provided additional data on White River water quality and indicated that precipitation affected constituent concentrations.

Access to abstract permanently restricted to Ball State community only / Access to thesis permanently restricted to Ball State community only / Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management

Temperature, conductivity, and Aeromonas hydrophila density were determined bimonthly at six sites in the White River drainage system, Delaware County, Indiana, from April, 1984 through December, 1984. Fish were collected from four of the six sites. Fish were identified to species, examined for gross pathology, and their blood collected. Titers against A. hydrophila antigen 157 were determined for all carp (Cyprinus carpio) captured. Certain carp serum samples were also tested against three additional A. hydrophila antigens.Aerononas hydrophila densities appeared to be related to temperature and conductivity, primary producers, and runoff/effluent. Aeromonas hydrophila densities were higher in areas affected by urban runoff/ effluent than in areas affected by rural runoff/effluent. Aeromonas hydrophila densities increased as one progressed through the city of Muncie.Only five percent of all fish captured exhibited signs of gross pathology. Diseased fish typically demonstrated low titers against antigen 157. Several A. hydrophila serotypes were apparently infectious for the carp studied. Thirty-two percent of the carp sampled exhibited a positive titer response against antigen 157. Considerable variation in titer response existed between individuals.Ball State UniversityMuncie, IN 47306

Chloramine is a widely used alternative disinfectant for chlorine in potable distribution water. This alternative was investigated and employed to show its effect for suppressing coliforms, trihalomethanes(THMs), disinfection by-products (DBPs), and corrosivity.Coliform analyses were performed with m-Endo(total coliform) and m-T7 agar(injured coliform) by using a standard Membrane Filtration method. Heterotrophic bacteria were monitored with HPC agar(PCA) and R2A agar (nutrient limited agar). EPA methods 502.2, 524.2, and 504 were used to determine levels of Trihalomethanes(THMs) and Disinfection by-products(DBPs).In our study, we observed no significant differences in coliform counts, that could be attributed to the switch in disinfectant. The most common coliform identified was Enterobacter cloacae. We also noted that m-T7 performed better than m-Endo in the detection of coliforms. We also observed a low level of corrosion (0.4-3.8 mils/year) in the distribution system (DS). Higher counts of heterotrophic bacteria were enumerated on R2A when compared to HPC. DBP values decreased two fold when compared with DBP values for the two previous years during which chlorine was used as the disinfectant. / Department of Biology

The Prairie Creek Reservoir, located in east central Indiana in an agricultural watershed, serves as a secondary drinking water source as well as a recreational facility. Limited research of water quality performed at the reservoir has affected management decisions over the past years, threatening its future.. Consequently, additional investigation was necessary to examine the reservoir dynamics, and continue to provide data to determine long-term water quality trends. Basic water quality parameters were measured using a Hydrolab Sonde, nutrients were measured spectrophotometrically, and a Secchi disk was used to determine water transparency. The Prairie Creek Reservoir was categorized as an eutrophic water body. Concentrations of the measured nutrients were higher in the hypolimnion and increased as summer progressed. Concentration of ammonia and soluble reactive phosphorus exceeded the recommended water quality guidelines. Increased concentration of phosphorus has resulted in nitrogen limitation in the reservoir. Internal loading of nutrients, especially phosphorus, was found to deteriorate water quality. Dissolved oxygen concentrations varied vertically and anoxic conditions frequently reached 50% of the total reservoir depth. Reservoir restoration and watershed protection programs need to address internal P load and nitrogen limitation to prevent development of toxic algal blooms and eutrophication in the future. / Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management

Water quality parameters including ammonia, nitrate+nitrite, phosphate, total suspended solids, Escherichia coli, and dissolved oxygen were statistically evaluated from sampling data collected by the Bureau of Water Quality (City of Muncie, Indiana) at five sampling locations in Delaware County over a five-year period (2002-2006). These data were also compared with water quality standards/guidelines to determine how sample values compared to acceptable levels of these parameters. Friedman's non-parametric test was used to study the differences between sites and seasons. Spearman's Rank Correlation was used to study the correlations between water quality parameters at each sampling site. Significant differences were observed for individual parameters when evaluated relative to sampling location based on pooled monthly collected data as well as data evaluated on a seasonal basis. These differences indicated the fact that different sources were responsible for observed concentrations at a particular location and that seasonal phenomenon such as precipitation, discharge and temperature also affected sample concentrations at individual sampling locations. Most notable were differences in geometric mean concentrations of ammonia, nitrate+nitrite, phosphate and E. coli upstream and downstream of the wastewater treatment plant (WWTP), with highest concentrations downstream, indicating the significant impact of the WWTP on water quality in the White River. Significant correlations observed among some study parameters suggested that sample concentrations may have been affected by similar sources. In comparison to water quality standards, concentrations of ammonia, nitrate+nitrite, phosphate, and E. coli were at unacceptable levels at most sampling locations. / Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management

Increased urbanization in the United States and the rest of the world, has led to more research on the effects it has on the local ecology. Urbanization can be defined as the creation of impervious cover in areas previously covered by natural vegetation (forest, grassland or farmland) as well as the potential influence of sewage treatment plants. Small increases in impervious cover can cause noticeable changes in stream chemistry. The goal of this study is to quantify the impact of smaller industrial cities on water and sediment geochemistry in a largely agricultural watershed. The study area is in east-central Indiana along the west fork of the White River and includes the cities of Winchester, Muncie and Anderson. This area is dominated by agriculture and the impact of cities in the region on water chemistry has not been studied. To evaluate this impact, sampling sites were selected up- and downstream of the three cities to characterize White River water chemistry before and after it flows through the cities as well as sewage treatment plants. Sampling was done over the course of one year to obtain samples characteristic of high and low flow river conditions. Samples were analyzed for major cation and anion concentrations as well as total suspended solids. Metals data was also obtained in sediments, although sampled only twice throughout the study. Results show that sediment load, on average, increases on the downstream side as the river flows through urbanized areas. Chemical analyses show that major cations and anions, Na, K, SO4 and Cl, have distinct spikes in concentration on the downstream side of the cities, as well. Na and Cl are specifically linked to human and urbanized activity, and were up to four times higher downstream of urbanized cities. The concentration of other major ions, including Ca, Mg and NO3, was mostly due to agricultural land use and local bedrock geology. Trace metals characteristic of pollution from automobiles, including Cd, Cr and Zn, showed large increases downstream of urban areas as well. This indicates that even in an area that is largely dominated by agriculture, smaller cities have a quantifiable impact to White River water quality. / Department of Geology

Water samples and macroinvertebrates were collected from three stations of Finley Creek, Indiana before and after a surface cleanup of an adjacent hazardous waste disposal site. Water quality parameters: iron, total dissolved solids, conductance, hardness, total suspended solids and pH were compared between stations and years. The water quality above the landfill was high but decreased downstream. The water below the disposal site contained high levels of chemicals in both studies. However, the concentrations of chemicals were lower in the water two years after the cleanup.Numbers of macroinvertebrates and the number of taxa were determined and species diversity indicies were established. The results showed a statistically significant increase in macroinvertebrate taxa and mean species diversity indicies below the waste disposal site after the cleanup. These results indicate an improvement of water quality. / Department of Natural Resources

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / This study investigated nutrient export during three spring storm events in two different land use watersheds (agricultural and mixed land use) in a glacial till landscape of the Midwestern, USA. The objectives of the study were: (1) to determine how land use affects water, nitrate, soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) delivery (timing, amount) to streams during spring storms in two central Indiana watersheds with contrasting land use; and (2) to determine nitrate, SRP and DOC flow pathways to streams during spring storms. High frequency stream sampling of nutrients and cations, coupled with hydrograph separations using δ18O, was used to identify water flow pathways and event and pre-event water contributions to the streams. Data indicate land use and storm characteristics play a role in the export of water and nutrients. In the agricultural watershed (Watershed A), the storm hydrograph is dominated by pre-event water, whereas the mixed land use watershed (Watershed M) storm hydrograph is more event water dominated. Watershed A also contains higher nutrient concentrations, especially nitrate. High bulk precipitation and greater maximum intensity export more nitrate, SRP, and DOC to the streams. Results also indicate nitrate, DOC, and SRP concentrations display distinct temporal patterns during spring storm events. DOC concentration increased with stormflow and peaked on the rising limb/with maximum discharge regardless of land use or storm event. In Watershed A, SRP concentration followed a similar pattern to DOC during small storms; therefore they are believed to be exported together with flushing of saturated near-surface soil waters via macropores/overland flow. However, SRP likely has multiple flowpaths, one dominated over another depending on the storm. Nitrate concentrations matched Ca2+, Mg2+, and Na+ trajectories and decreased with stormflow, suggesting a tile drain/subsurface flowpath. Nitrate and SRP peak concentrations are delayed relative to DOC in Watershed M. The wet retention ponds in the headwaters are believed to delay the stormflow response, and therefore, the delivery of nutrients to the stream.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Monitoring lake quality remotely offers an economically feasible approach as opposed to in-situ field data collection. Researchers have demonstrated that lake clarity can be successfully monitored through the analysis of remote sensing. Evaluating satellite imagery, as a means of water quality detection, offers a practical way to assess lake clarity across large areas, enabling researchers to conduct comparisons on a large spatial scale. Landsat data offers free access to frequent and recurring satellite images. This allows researchers the ability to make temporal comparisons regarding lake water quality. Lake water quality is related to turbidity which is associated with clarity. Lake clarity is a strong indicator of lake health and overall water quality. The possibility of detecting and monitoring lake clarity using Landsat8 mean brightness values is discussed in this report. Lake clarity is analyzed in three different reservoirs for this study; Brookeville, Geist, and Eagle Creek. In-situ measurements obtained from Brookeville Reservoir were used to calibrate reflectance from Landsat 8’s Operational Land Imager (OLI) satellite. Results indicated a correlation between turbidity and brightness values, which are highly correlated in algal dominated lakes.