Streamflow and velocity as determinants of aquatic insect distribution and benthic community structure in Illinois

Stream flow characteristics, in particular velocity and depth, control channel substrates and directly or indirectly determine how aquatic insects are distributed and benthic communities are structured. A three year laboratory and field research program has been completed evaluating how streamflow affects aquatic insects in Illinois. Field studies related benthic community structure and species composition with boundary layer Reynolds number (R*) and evaluated microhabitat selection of several insect species on hydraulically defined artificial substrates. Hydraulic calibration of substrates was completed in laboratory flume studies using a thermistor based microprobe. A laboratory artificial stream was also used to determine habitat selection of net spinning caddisflies. Results indicated selection for defined microhabitats in several aquatic insect taxa. The artificial substrates proved to be a valuable tool in defining microhabitat characteristics occupied by aquatic insects. In studies to determine instream flow requirements, measures of mean column velocity were shown to be inadequate, determination of R* was preferred. The results of this research provide water resources managers with better tools to assess microhabitat modifications produced by changes in streamflow.U.S. Department of the InteriorU.S. Geological SurveyOpe

Role of streambed biofilms in the removal of biodegradable contaminants from shallow streams

Biological activity in shallow streams is dominated by biofilms which are attached to the surface of the streambed. Although biofilm kinetic models are well developed and are successfully applied to biological treatment process, they cannot be applied directly to predict water quality in shallow streams, because the area and mass-transport aspects of streambed biofilms are complicated and not defined. Therefore, the main purpose of this study was to develop area and mass-transport functions for cobble-and gravel-lined streambeds. An artificial stream was used to grow biofilms and conduct kinetic experiments on the biofilm utilization of an easily degraded sugar. Media size (i.e., cobble or gravel) and flow velocity were varied over a wide range of values typical to shallow streams. Water velocity had short-term and long-term effects on the rate of contaminant removal. The short-term effects were related to increased mass-transport kinetics for higher flow velocities, while the long-term effects also included increased surface colonization by biofilm. The cobble streambed was more sensitive to short-term changes in water velocity than was the gravel bed, and it gave faster removal kinetics. Equations to predict the mass transfer coefficients were appropriate for more than one biofilm community, as long as the same medium size was used. The simulations from the water quality models containing the biofilm reaction term were markedly different from the simulations from traditional water-quality models that use only suspended organism kinetics.U.S. Department of the InteriorU.S. Geological SurveyOpe

Biological treatment of acid mine drainage

Research was conducted to evaluate methods for the biological treatment of acid mine drainage (AMD). Two general approaches were evaluated. The first evaluated treatment of impounded AMD through the addition of a mixed microbial community and carbon sources appropriate for their maintenance. This approach was designed to promote sulfate reduction. Hydrogen sulfide produced by sulfate reduction can potentially react with metals in solution to form metal sulfide precipitates. The process improves pH and generally improves water quality. Several approaches were attempted to provide suitable microbial communities, carbon sources, and environmental conditions suitable for continuous microbial activity. Wood dust and typical solid waste materials were shown to support sulfate reduction, but maintenance of sulfate reduction in AMD solutions was limited. In addition to wood dust and solid waste materials, sponge substrates were used to "package" the microbial community in portable units which could be added to AMD impoundments. Tests of sulfate reduction and water quality improvement indicated that microbial communities were limited by "packaging" procedures. Sustained sulfate reduction was not obtained and water quality improvement was minimal. Several mechanisms of AMD quality improvement were evaluated or identified. Most significant was the potential for wood dust improvement of AMD quality when no biological activity was present. To provide adequate treatment of AMD, a second effort was directed to evaluation of a biologically based unit process for AMD treatment. Using an anerobic digestor which provided waste liquors high in organic acids, AMD was mixed with digestor effluent in an anaerobic reactor which maintained sulfate reduction. The end result was production of an effluent with low iron concentrations and no detectable heavy metals with a pH in the range of 6.5 to 8.5. The utility of a pilot plant design incorporating anaerobic digestion, sulfate reduction, aeration, and final clarification and settling was demonstrated. Useful outcomes of the proposed process were the production of metal precipitates in a form which is easily dewatered and potentially valuable, and the production of organic material (from the digestor) which may be considered a useful soil amendment in site reclamation.U.S. Department of the InteriorU.S. Geological SurveyOpe

DEVELOPING PROTOCOLS FOR BIRD STRIKE RADAR PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT

Over the past six years the Center of Excellence in Airport Technology (CEAT) has been supporting Federal Aviation Administration research in aircraft and airport safety. CEAT has conducted reviews of bird strike sensor technology, and has led validation testing of a radar developed specifically for bird detection at airports. This experience, which includes development of quality assurance plans and field validation of radar capabilities has led to the development of protocols for bird strike radar performance assessment. The protocols to be reviewed are based on a request made to bird radar vendors that asked for information in three areas: 1) A power gains and losses budget that is a flow chart of power change through the sensor system; 2) A listing of performance specifications that provides documented results of testing that provides performance specifications/ expectations for the sensor system with either wildlife targets or known or reference targets; and 3) A detailed description of data provided by the radar, including the capacity for remote operation of the system. In addition, CEAT prepared a listing of information required for a comprehensive performance assessments that included information on radar components and the characteristics of remote operation including the cyber infrastructure needed to support effective use of radar data in the airport environment, including both data and metadata. The protocol developed will be reviewed with the objective of identifying critical information needs and the comprehensive technical and data analysis and management issues in assessing radar performance. Performance will also be reviewed in light of radar performance needs identified in consultation with airport wildlife management personnel

Application of GIS Technologies to Wildlife Management at DFW Airport

As part of a continuing FAA research program in wildlife hazard assessment and management at airports, a GIS Technical Element – DFW was developed for the Wildlife Hazard Advisory System (WHAS). For the DFW GIS data layers were obtained from public sources and supplemented with airport specific information. Data themes were developed to support general analysis of wildlife habitat on the AOA and adjacent airport property, and analysis was extended to a distance of 25 miles from the airport to accommodate all aircraft in high risk airspace. Over 10,000 wildlife report records were integrated with data on birdstrikes and runway utilization. Species flight paths leading to runway conflicts were identified. AOA analyses were supplemented with regional habitat analysis and integrated with aircraft movement plots to identify potential hazards to aircraft safety. The GIS provided a foundation for the 2D and 3D visualization of wildlife hazards for DFW

Management and development of aquatic habitat in agricultural drainage systems

Drainage improvements in agricultural watersheds have extensively modified midwestern streams and rivers and the flora and fauna associated with these water resources. The alteration of low order streams in Central Illinois has been particularly severe. This study is designed to support better management of these agricultural drainage systems through an improved understanding of the type and quantity of habitat required for maintenance of high quality fisheries and aquatic resources. Fisheries resources in two watersheds, the Middlefork and Vermilion River in northeastern Champaign county were evaluated. The potential for a high quality fisheries was demonstrated. Additional analyses involved the assessment of habitat conditions in these basins with the objective of identifying modifications of existing drainage district maintenance procedures which would enhance environmental quality and fishery potential while meeting engineering requirements for channel hydraulic capacity, and flood stage elevation and duration. Three management options were evaluated: 1) maintenance of riparian vegetation, 2) development of instream cover as a habitat enhancement, and 3) increasing the number and depth of pools. The preferred option, considering both fish species habitat needs and impact on existing drainage district maintenance practices, was increasing the number and depth of pools. Although an increase in instream cover would be expected to improved fisheries habitat, the expected hydraulic consequences may limit the application of this option. Maintenance of riparian vegetation would be expected to provide positive benefits to fisheries, but the improvement in overall habitat quality is more strongly related to instream habitat modifications.U.S. Department of the InteriorU.S. Geological SurveyOpe