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DISTRIBUTION OF BENTHIC MACROINVERTEBRATES IN A STREAM EXPOSED TO URBAN RUNOFF 1
Author(s) -
Garie Henry L.,
McIntosh Alan
Publication year - 1986
Publication title -
jawra journal of the american water resources association
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.957
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1752-1688
pISSN - 1093-474X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1752-1688.1986.tb01899.x
Subject(s) - benthic zone , periphyton , environmental science , invertebrate , surface runoff , substrate (aquarium) , benthos , streams , ecology , hydrology (agriculture) , population , population density , nutrient , biology , geology , computer network , demography , geotechnical engineering , sociology , computer science
A study of benthic macroinvertebrate community composition was conducted at eight sites along Shabakunk Creek, a small stream in Mercer County, New Jersey, which receives urban runoff. The relationship between changes in substrate composition and the nature of the benthic macroinvertebrate community has been examined. Organisms were collected seasonally from natural substrates in riffles. Attempts to employ artificial substrates for invertebrate collection proved unsuccessful, as the population on the samplers was not representative of that in the stream bed. Number of total benthic macroinvertebrate taxa collected declined from 13 in relatively undeveloped upstream areas to four below heavily developed areas, while population density decreased simultaneously in the same areas. Periphyton samples collected from natural substrates were analyzed for selected heavy metals. Significantly higher heavy metal concentrations are reported from substrates sampled below heavily developed areas, and changes in these values are discussed with regard to changes in benthic macroinvertebrate distribution.