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David H. Dupre

Publications and source records attributed to David H. Dupre.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

Fecal-indicator bacteria concentrations in the Illinois River between Hennepin and Peoria, Illinois: 2007-08

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency has designated portions of the Illinois River in Peoria, Woodford, and Tazewell Counties, Illinois, as impaired owing to the presence of fecal coliform bacteria. The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Tri-County Regional Planning Commission, examined the water quality in the Illinois River and major tributaries within a 47-mile reach between Peoria and Hennepin, Ill., during water year 2008 (October 2007&ndash;September 2008). Investigations included synoptic (snapshot) sampling at multiple locations in a 1-day period: once in October 2007 during lower streamflow conditions, and again in June 2008 during higher streamflow conditions. Five locations in the study area were monitored for the entire year at monthly or more frequent intervals. Two indicator bacteria were analyzed in each water sample: fecal coliform and Escherichia coli ( E. coli ). Streamflow information from previously established monitoring locations in the study area was used in the analysis. Correlation analyses were used to characterize the relation between the two fecal-indicator bacteria and the relation of either indicator to streamflow. Concentrations of the two measured fecal-indicator bacteria correlated well for all samples analyzed (r = 0.94, p <0.001), indicating a strong linear correlation. Presence of one fecal-indicator bacteria generally indicates the presence of another at a similar magnitude and may support substitution of generalized data gaps for other analyses. Hydrologic conditions during the study period can be characterized as wetter than normal, with the mean annual flow in the Illinois River about 37-percent above the long-term average. However, for the Illinois River below Peoria Lake at Peoria, a statistically significant negative correlation coefficient indicates a weak inverse relation between values of streamflow and fecal-indicator bacteria (fecal coliform rho = -0.44, p = 0.0129; E. coli : rho = -0.43, p = 0.0157). The correlation between fecal indicators and streamflow in tributaries or in the Illinois River at Hennepin was found to be statistically significant, yet moderate in strength with coefficient values ranging from r = 0.4 to 0.6. Indirect observations from the June 2008 higher flow synoptic event may indicate continued effects from combined storm and sanitary sewers in the vicinity of the Illinois River near Peoria, Ill., contributing to observed single-sample exceedance of the State criterion for fecal coliform.

Illinois

Diel cycles in dissolved barium, lead, iron, vanadium, and nitrite in a stream draining a former zinc smelter site near Hegeler, Illinois

Diel variations in the concentrations of a number of constituents have the potential to substantially affect the appropriate sampling regimen in acidic streams. Samples taken once during the course of the day cannot adequately reflect diel variations in water quality and may result in an inaccurate understanding of biogeochemical processes, ecological conditions, and of the threat posed by the water to human health and the associated wildlife. Surface water and groundwater affected by acid drainage were sampled every 60 to 90 min over a 48-hour period at a former zinc smelter known as the Hegeler Zinc Superfund Site, near Hegeler, Illinois. Diel variations related to water quality in the aquifer were not observed in groundwater. Diel variations were observed in the temperature, pH, and concentration of dissolved oxygen, nitrite, barium, iron, lead, vanadium, and possibly uranium in surface water. Temperature, dissolved oxygen, nitrite, barium, lead, and uranium generally attained maximum values during the afternoon and minimum values during the night. Iron, vanadium, and pH generally attained minimum values during the afternoon and maximum values during the night. Concentrations of dissolved oxygen were affected by the intensity of photosynthetic activity and respiration, which are dependent upon insolation. Nitrite, an intermediary in many nitrogen reactions, may have been formed by the oxidation of ammonium by dissolved oxygen and converted to other nitrogen species as part of the decomposition of organic matter. The timing of the pH cycles was distinctly different from the cycles found in Midwestern alkaline streams and likely was the result of the photoreduction of Fe 3+ to Fe 2+ and variations in the intensity of precipitation of hydrous ferric oxide minerals. Diel cycles of iron and vanadium also were primarily the result of variations in the intensity of precipitation of hydrous ferric oxide minerals. The diel variation in the concentrations of lead, uranium, and barium may have been affected by competition with Fe + 2 for sorption sites on hydrous ferric oxide minerals.

Illinois

Diel Sampling of Groundwater and Surface Water for Trace Elements and Select Water-Quality Constituents at a Former Zinc Smelter Site near Hegeler, Illinois, August 1-3, 2007

Surface water can exhibit substantial diel variations in the concentration of a number of constituents. Sampling regimens that do not characterize diel variations in water quality can result in an inaccurate understanding of site conditions and of the threat posed by the site to human health and the environment. Surface- and groundwater affected by acid drainage were sampled every 60 to 90 minutes over a 48-hour period at a former zinc smelter known as the Hegeler Zinc Superfund Site, in Hegeler, Ill. Groundwater-quality data from a well at the site indicate stable, low pH, weakly oxidizing geochemical conditions in the aquifer. With the exceptions of temperature and pH, no constituents exhibited diel variations in groundwater. Variations in temperature and pH likely were not representative of conditions in the aquifer. Surface water was sampled at a site on Grape Creek. Diel variations were observed in temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, and specific conductance, and in the concentrations of nitrite, barium, iron, lead, vanadium, and possibly uranium. Concentrations during the diel cycles varied by about an order of magnitude for nitrite and varied by about a factor of two for barium, iron, lead, vanadium, and uranium. Temperature, dissolved oxygen, specific conductance, nitrite, barium, lead, and uranium generally reached maximum values during the afternoon and minimum values during the night. Iron, vanadium, and pH generally reached minimum values during the afternoon and maximum values during the night. These variations would need to be accounted for during sampling of surface-water quality in similar hydrologic settings. The temperature variations in surface water were affected by variations in air temperature. Concentrations of dissolved oxygen were affected by variations in the intensity of photosynthetic activity and respiration. Nitrite likely was formed by the oxidation of ammonium by dissolved oxygen and degraded by its anaerobic oxidation by ammonium or as part of the decomposition of organic matter. Variations in pH were affected by the photoreduction of Fe3+ to Fe2+ and the precipitation of iron oxyhydroxides. Diel variations in concentrations of iron and vanadium were likely caused by variations in the dissolution and precipitation of iron oxyhydroxides, oxyhydroxysulfates, and hydrous sulfates, which may have been affected by in the intensity of insolation, iron photoreduction, and the concentration of dissolved oxygen. The concentrations of lead, uranium, and perhaps barium in Grape Creek may have been affected by competition for sorption sites on iron oxyhydroxides. Competition for sorption sites was likely affected by variations in pH and the concentration of Fe2+. Constituent concentrations likely also were affected by precipitation and dissolution of minerals that are sensitive to changes in pH, temperature, oxidation-reduction conditions, and biologic activity. The chemical and biologic processes that resulted in the diel variations observed in Grape Creek occurred within the surface-water column or in the underlying sediments.

Scientific Investigations Report

Water quality in the upper Illinois River basin: Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin, 1999-2001

This report contains the major findings of a 1999?2001 assessment of water quality in the upper Illinois River Basin. It is one of a series of reports by the National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Program that present major findings in 51 major river basins and aquifer systems across the Nation. In these reports, water quality is discussed in terms of local, State, and regional issues. Conditions in a particular basin or aquifer system are compared to conditions found elsewhere and to selected national benchmarks, such as those for drinking-water quality and the protection of aquatic organisms. This report is intended for individuals working with water-resource issues in Federal, State, or local agencies, universities, public-interest groups, or in the private sector. The information will be useful in addressing a number of current issues, such as the effects of agricultural and urban land use on water quality, human health, drinking water, source-water protection, hypoxia and excessive growth of algae and plants, pesticide registration, and monitoring and sampling strategies. This report also is for individuals who wish to know more about the quality of streams and ground water in areas near where they live, and how that water quality compares to the quality of water in other areas across the Nation. The water-quality conditions in the upper Illinois River Basin summarized in this report are discussed in detail in other reports that can be accessed from (http://il.water.usgs.gov/nawqa/uirb). Detailed technical information, data and analyses, collection and analytical methodology, models, graphs, and maps that support the findings presented in this report in addition to reports in this series from other basins can be accessed from the national NAWQA Web site at (http://water.usgs.gov/nawqa).

Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin

Water quality of Nippersink Creek and Wonder Lake, McHenry County, Illinois, 1994-2001

Wonder Lake, McHenry County, Illinois was formed when an earthen dam was constructed across Nippersink Creek in 1929. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with the McHenry County Soil and Water Conservation District, operated two streamflow and water-quality monitoring sites (upstream and downstream of Wonder Lake) from July 1994 through June 1997, and examined the water quality of the lake during 1999-2000. From 1999 through 2001, the USGS National Water-Quality Assessment Program operated the same upstream monitoring station to assess the streamflow, sediments, nutrients, and other chemical and physical characteristics of Nippersink Creek. Interpolation and regression methods were used to compute loads of sediment and nutrients delivered to Wonder Lake through Nippersink Creek by the combination of data sets collected as part of these studies. Since the formation of Wonder Lake, sediment and nutrient loading from Nippersink Creek has caused lake water-quality degradation. Wonder Lake effectively trapped 75 percent of the 15,900 tons of suspended sediment delivered during 1994-97. The average daily sediment load delivered during 1994-2001 was 25 tons. High sediment loading from the watershed reduces water clarity and hinders lake navigation. Nutrient loading from Nippersink Creek results in eutrophic conditions within Wonder Lake as evaluated on a Trophic State Index. The load of total phosphorus trapped in Wonder Lake is from 6 to 28 percent of the delivered load from Nippersink Creek. If the lake could be restored to its original capacity, the sediment trapping efficiency may be increased.

Scientific Investigations Report