20th Annual Student Research Conference
Science
Assessment of Water Quality Indicators for a Prairie Stream System in Northern Missouri
Carissa B. Holloway
Dr. Cynthia Cooper, Faculty Mentor
Two streams that merge together were tested for water quality. Six of the sites are in contact with point source pollution, and include Elmwood Creek, East Locust Creek at state highway 6, East Locust Creek at Harris Farms, Locust Creek at Delco Road, and Locust Creek at Fawn Road. Four other sites not in contact with known point sources were Elmwood Lake, Locust Creek at Rocky Ford, Purdin Well, and Locust Creek at Missouri Conservation Area. All sites were tested over several dates during June and July in 2006. The samples were tested for total bacteria, total coliform, and total E. coli, using standard EPA methods. Most of the creeks were within the limit for whole body contact category A (126 E. coli /100 ml) however, some sites downstream from known point sources had E. coli levels that exceeded the limit for WBC category B (548 cells/100 ml).
Keywords: stream quality, water quality, E. coli, bacteria
Topic(s):Biology
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 29-2
Location: VH 1432
Time: 10:00 am