Water Quality in the

Ozark Plateaus

Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma, 1992–95

U.S. Department of the Interior

U.S. Geological Survey Circular 1158

science for a changing world
A COORDINATED EFFORT

Chief, NAWQA Program

U.S. Geological Survey

Water Resources Division

12201 Sunrise Valley Drive, M.S. 41

Reston, VA 20192

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THE

NATIONAL WATER-QUALITY ASSESSMENT (NAWQA) PROGRAM:

Coordination among agencies and organizations is an integral part of the NAWQA Program. We tha

following agencies and organizations that contributed data used in this report, participated in the study lia

committee, or assisted in field work.

Ozark Plateaus Study Unit, contact:

District Chief District Chief

U.S. Geological Survey U.S. Geological Survey

Water Resources Division Water Resources Division

401 Hardin Road 1400 Independence Road

Little Rock, AR 72211 Rolla, MO 65401

Information on the NAWQA Program is also available on the Internet via the World Wide Web. Yo

connect to the NAWQA Home Page using the Universal Resources Locator (URL):

http://water.usgs.gov/lookup/get?nawqa/

The Ozark Plateaus Study Unit’s Home Page is at URL:

http://water.usgs.gov/lookup/get?arwater/nawqa/ozark/nawqa.html/

This circular is also available on the Internet via the World Wide Web, at URL:

http://water.usgs.gov/lookup/get?circ1158

Arkansas Department of Pollution Control and Ecology

Arkansas Game and Fish Commission

Arkansas Geological Commission

Arkansas Soil and Water Conservation Commission

Arkansas Water Resources Research Center

Kansas Department of Health and Environment

Kansas Geological Survey

Kansas Water Office

Kansas Water Resources Research Institute

Missouri Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit

Missouri Department of Conservation

Missouri Department of Natural Resources

 - Division of Environmental Quality

 - Division of Geology and Land Survey

Missouri Water Resources Research Center

Neosho Basin Advisory Committee

Oklahoma Conservation Commission

Oklahoma Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit

Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality

Oklahoma Water Resources Board

Oklahoma Water Resources Research Institute

Pittsburg State University

Taney County Planning Commission

The Nature Conservancy

University of Arkansas

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

U.S. Department of Agriculture

 - Natural Resources Conservation Service

 - Forest Service

U.S. Department of the Interior

 - Fish and Wildlife Service

 - Geological Survey - Biological Resources Divis

 - Geological Survey - Geologic Division

 - National Park Service

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Watershed Committee of the Ozarks

Much appreciation is extended to the following U.S. Geological Survey employees for their contributions:

Rebecca S. Inman, Visual Information Specialist; Bobbie L. Louthian, Writer/Editor. Several employees o

Arkansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma Districts provided valuable field assistance. Kevin J. Breen provided th

pesticide application photograph on page 2.

Front cover: Waterfall and small stream in the Buffalo River Basin. (Photograph courtesy of A.C. Haralson, Arkansas

Department of Parks and Tourism.)

Back cover: Surveying stream geometry of Buffalo River near Boxley, Arkansas. Measuring streamflow of Yocum Cr

Oak Grove, Arkansas.
U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY CIRCULAR 1158

Water Quality in the Ozark Plateaus,

Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma,

1992—95

By James C. Petersen, James C. Adamski, Richard W. Be

Jerri V. Davis, Suzanne R. Femmer, David A. Freiwald, 

Robert L. Joseph

CONTENTS

National Water-Quality Assessment

Program ........................................................

Summary of major issues and findings .......

Environmental setting and hydrologic

conditions .....................................................

Major issues and findings..............................

Water-quality conditions in a

national context ...........................................

Study design and data collection..................

Summary of compound detections and

concentrations .............................................

References ........................................................

Glossary............................................................
Library of Congress Cataloging in Publications Data

The use of firm, trade, and brand names in this report is for identification purposes only and

does not constitute endorsement by the U.S. Government

Free on application to the

U.S. Geological Survey

Information Services

Box 25286 Federal Center

Denver, CO 80225

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

BRUCE BABBITT, Secretary

U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY

Thomas J. Casadevall, Acting Director

Water quality in the Ozark Plateaus, Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma: 1992-95 / by James C.

Petersen ... [et al.]. p. cm. -- (U.S. Geological Survey circular ; 1158)

ISBN 0-607-89114-9 (softcover : alk. paper)

1. Water quality--Ozark Mountains. I. Petersen, James C. (James Carroll), 1952- .

 II. Series.

TD225.093W38 1998 98-2790

363.739’42’097671--dc21 CIP

1998
U.S. Geological Survey Circular 1158 

NATIONAL WATER-QUALITY ASSESSMENT PROGRAM

“As the state geologis

“The Natural State,” I 

special interest in its w

resources and a comm

to further our geohydr

knowledge. Data colle

through the NAWQA 

gram are helpful in ev

ing, protecting, and

managing our bountif

water resources.

William V. Bush, St

Geologist, Arkansa

Geological Commis

The NAWQA approac

relating surface-water 

to land use will help u

age water resources in 

tions of the Missouri O

now undergoing signi

land-use change.

John Ford

Missouri Departme

Natural Resources

Began in 1991

Began in 1994

Began in 1997

Not scheduled yet

EXPLANATION

Knowledge of the quality of the Nation's streams and aquifers is important because

of the implications to human and aquatic health and because of the significant costs

associated with decisions involving land and water management, conservation, and

regulation. In 1991, the U.S. Congress appropriated funds for the U.S. Geological

Survey (USGS) to begin the National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Program

to help meet the continuing need for sound, scientific information on the areal extent

of the water-quality problems, how these problems are changing with time, and an

understanding of the effects of human actions and natural factors on water quality

conditions.

The NAWQA Program is assessing the water-quality conditions of more than 50 of

the Nation's largest river basins and aquifers, known as Study Units. Collectively,

these Study Units cover about one-half of the United States and include sources of

drinking water used by about 70 percent of the U.S. population. Comprehensive

assessments of about one-third of the Study Units are ongoing at a given time. Each

Study Unit is scheduled to be revisited every decade to evaluate changes in waterquality conditions. NAWQA assessments rely heavily on existing information collected by the USGS and many other agencies as well as the use of nationally consistent study designs and methods of sampling and analysis. Such consistency simultaneously provides information about the status and trends in water-quality conditions

in a particular stream or aquifer and, more importantly, provides the basis to make

comparisons among watersheds and improve our understanding of the factors that

affect water-quality conditions regionally and nationally.

This report is intended to summarize major findings that emerged between 1992

and 1995 from the water-quality assessment of the Ozark Plateaus Study Unit and to

relate these findings to water-quality issues of regional and national concern. The

information is primarily intended for those who are involved in water-resource management. Indeed, this report addresses many of the concerns raised by regulators,

water-utility managers, industry representatives, and other scientists, engineers, public officials, and members of stakeholder groups who provided advice and input to the

USGS during this NAWQA Study-Unit investigation. Yet, the information contained

here may also interest those who simply wish to know more about the quality of water

in the rivers and aquifers in the area where they live.

Robert M. Hirsch, Chief Hydrologist
2 Water Quality in the Ozark Plateaus, Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma, 1992-95

SUMMARY OF MAJOR ISSUES AND FINDINGS

MISSOURI

ARKANSAS

KANSAS

OKLAHOMA

WHAT’S

HAPPENING

TO OUR

SMALLMOUTH

STREAMS?

Too Many Jacks, Jills

Polluting Jacks Fork?

Fecal Bacteria Stressing Stream, Testers Say

Lead-mining in Missouri causes commotion

Environmentalists fight against economists over Mark Twain National Forest

’Scads’ of chicken f

taking toll on str

arms

eams Tourist town

cleans up act on

wastewater

• Nutrient concentrations in streams are higher in areas with greater agricultural

land use or downstream from wastewater-treatment plants than in forested areas.

These higher concentrations may result in increased algal growth in streams.

• Nutrient concentrations in ground water are higher in areas with greater agricultural land use than in forested areas. These higher concentrations seldom exceed

drinking-water standards.

• Bacteria concentrations in streams are higher in basins with greater agricultural

land use (mostly pasture). Fecal coliform bacteria concentrations occasionally

exceed State water-quality standards for whole-body contact recreation.

• Nutrient and bacteria concentrations are affected by hydrologic and geologic

factors. Stream discharge and the presence or absence of confining geologic

layers are two factors that are important in predicting concentrations.

Are pesticides and other organic compounds more prevalent in the water, bed sediment, and fish or clam tissue 

some land-use settings than from other settings? (p. 10)

• In streams and ground water, pesticides were more prevalent in agricultural areas

than in forested areas. Concentrations generally were low and seldom exceeded

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency drinking-water criteria or standards, or

criteria for the protection of aquatic life.

• In bed sediment, the greatest numbers of pesticides and other organic compounds

generally were detected at sites downstream from urban areas. No concentrations

exceeded U.S. Environmental Protection Agency criteria for the protection of

aquatic life.

• In biological tissue, pesticides were detected at 5 of 26 stream sites. Chlordane

was detected downstream from Springfield, Mo. DDT, DDE, or dieldrin was

detected at four sites in agricultural basins.

Are streams and ground water being contaminated by nutrients and bacteria? (p. 6)
U.S. Geological Survey Circular 1158 

SUMMARY OF MAJOR ISSUES AND FI

What are some factors that affect aquatic (instream and riparian) habitats of Ozark streams? (p. 15)

• Concentrations of sulfate and some trace elements in water from streams in areas

of active or historical lead-zinc mining tend to be higher than in areas where

mining has not occurred. These trace element concentrations decrease with

increasing distance downstream from the mining activity. Concentrations usually

did not exceed Federal standards or criteria for the protection of drinking water,

human health, or aquatic life.

• Concentrations of lead and zinc in bed sediment and fish or clam tissue are substantially higher at sites with mining activities (historical or active) in the basin.

Concentrations are high enough to suggest potential adverse biological effects.

The State of Missouri has issued a fish consumption advisory for some streams.

Are historical or active mining sites affecting the quality of surface water? (p. 12)

Are naturally occurring radionuclides present in ground-water supplies? (p. 14)

• Radium (a product formed by the radioactive decay of uranium) is present in the

confined part of the Ozark aquifer. However, the levels of radium seldom

exceeded the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency drinking-water

standard.

• Radon (a gas produced by the radioactive decay of radium) levels exceeded a

proposed (but withdrawn) U.S. Environmental Protection Agency drinkingwater standard in nearly one-half of the samples. Radon can enter homes through

their water systems. Homes served by private domestic wells and small public

waterworks using ground water can be particularly vulnerable.

• Radon levels are greater in the Springfield Plateau aquifer and the unconfined

part of the Ozark aquifer than in the confined part of the Ozark aquifer.

• Several factors can affect aquatic habitats, which then affect biological

communities. Many habitat characteristics appeared to be influenced more

by basin size than by land use.

• Small streams in agricultural areas generally have fewer trees and other woody

plants in the riparian zone than do small streams in forested areas. This results in

more sunlight reaching the streams in the agricultural areas. More sunlight and

the higher nutrient concentrations probably result in faster growing attached

algae in these streams.

• Some other habitat characteristics were different between the agricultural and

forested sites studied. Of these characteristics, some are not likely the result of

agricultural practices, while others (canopy angle, channel width, and sinuosity)

may, at least in part, result from agricultural practices. These characteristics can

affect biological communities.

• Although the effects of instream gravel mining in the Ozarks were not studied by

the NAWQA Program, some studies suggest that gravel mining has detrimental

effects on instream habitat.

Are fish communities being affected by land-use activities? (p. 16)

• Stonerollers make up a greater percentage of the fish at agricultural sites than at

forested sites. Stonerollers graze on algae attached to rocks and other surfaces.

More algae probably grow on these surfaces because of the higher nutrient concentrations and greater amounts of sunlight reaching these streams.

• Sunfish (including the black basses) and darters make up a smaller percentage of

fish at agricultural sites than at forested sites. Members of the sunfish family (particularly smallmouth bass) are important game fish. Several species of darters that

live in the Ozarks exist nowhere else in the world.

• Fish community composition appears to be related to stream size, canopy angle,

substrate, and water chemistry. Some of these factors are affected by human

activities.
4 Water Quality in the Ozark Plateaus, Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma, 1992-95

ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING AND HYDROLOGIC CONDITIONS

EXPLANATION

Boston Mountains/Western Interior 

Plains confining system

Osage Plains/Western Interior

Plains confining system

Mississippi Alluvial Plain/Mississippi 

River Valley alluvial aquifer

MAJOR HYDROLOGIC FEATURES WITHIN THE OZARK PLATEAUS

STUDY UNIT

PHYSIOGRAPHIC AREA/HYDROGEOLOGIC UNIT

Salem Plateau/Ozark confining 

unit and aquifer

St. Francois Mountains/St. Francois 

confining unit and aquifer

Springfield Plateau/Springfield 

Plateau aquifer

95 ̊ 94 ̊ 93 ̊ 92 ̊ 91 ̊ 90 ̊

39 ̊

38 ̊

37 ̊

36 ̊

Missouri River

Mississippi

Meramec River

White River

KANSAS River

OKLAHOMA

MISSOURI MISSOURI

ARKANSAS ARKANSAS

Arkansas River

0 50 100 MILES

0 50 100 KILOMETERS

Joplin Springfield ingfield

St. Francis River St. Francis River

OKLAHOMA

River

Osage

River

River

River

Black

Gasconade Rogers

Spr Springdale ingdale

Fayetteville ayetteville

MeramecMeramec

White River

Neosho RiverNeosho River

Illinois RiverIllinois River

(659)

(1,482)

1,800

200

400

600

800

1,000

1,200

1,400

1,600

2,000

0 

GROUND WATER

SURFACE WATER

(1,482) POPULATION SERVED,

IN THOUSANDS

WATER WITHDRAWALS,

IN MILLIONS OF GALLONS PER DAY

TOTAL PUBLIC

SUPPLY

DOMESTIC

SUPPLY

COMMERCIALINDUSTRIAL

AND

MINING

IRRIGATIO

AND

LIVESTOC

ESTIMATED WATER WITHDRAWALS IN 1990

FORESTED LAND

AGRICULTURAL LAND

URBAN LAND

MINING AREA

WATER

LAND USE IN THE OZARK PLATEAUS STUDY UNIT

0 50 100 MILES

0 50 100 KILOMETERS

MISSO

ARKAN

EXPLANATION

OKLAHOMA

KANSAS

Land use is almost equally divided between forested and agricultural land, but is not distributed evenly across the 

(Adamski and others, 1995). The Salem Plateau, Boston Mountains, and St. Francois Mountains are primarily forested, 

cultural land is most common in other areas. Most of the agricultural land in the Salem and Springfield Plateaus and in t

Mountains is pastureland associated with production of poultry and cattle. Lead and zinc mining occurs or has occurred 

areas. Large urban areas are not common. Only the five cities on the map above have populations exceeding 20,000 (U.S

ment of Commerce, 1990). These land uses affect the physical, chemical, and biological properties of the water and land

Approximately 50 percent of the water use in the Study Unit is surface water used (nonconsumptively) for therm

cooling. Almost 25 percent of the water use is for irrigation and livestock; most of this water is ground water used for ir

the Mississippi Alluvial Plain. Most of the remaining water use is for public and domestic supplies (drinking and related 

uses). About 30 percent of the 2.1 million people in the Study Unit get their drinking water from relatively shallow dom

60

0

10

20

30

40

50

PERCENTAGE OF TOTAL AREA

AGRICULTURALFORESTED URBAN WATER

ESTIMATED LAND USE

MINING

(54)

(43)

(1.4) (1.1) (0.3)

Several river systems drain the Study Unit. Most drain radially away from south-central Missouri or northward f

ton Mountains. Aquifers in the Study Unit generally coincide with the physiographic areas (Fenneman, 1938), but the e

Springfield Plateau and Ozark aquifers also dip beneath other aquifers or confining units in physiographic areas to the w
U.S. Geological Survey Circular 1158 

ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING AND HYDROLOGIC COND

Streamflow is an important factor affecting water quality. During wet-weather periods, runoff carries materials 

stream from the land; concentrations of nutrients, bacteria, pesticides, and sediment can be elevated above the more ty

concentrations for that stream. Higher streamflows can dilute concentrations of materials in streams if the source of th

rials is not runoff. For example, nutrient concentrations in a stream affected primarily by a wastewater-treatment plant 

decrease during wet-weather periods. During dry periods, concentrations of materials contributed by runoff are lower

concentrations of materials from wastewater-treatment plants or other similar sources usually are higher because of le

for dilution.

Shallow ground water can also be affected similarly by periods of wet or dry weather. The extent to which groun

is affected depends on the hydrologic connection between the land surface and ground water; this is affected by factors 

local soils and geology. Karst features (springs, seeps, sinkholes, and caves) are abundant in much of the Springfield a

Salem Plateaus. These features allow rapid movement of ground water and substantial movement of water between th

face-water and ground-water environments.

Hydrologic conditions (illustrated here as rainfall departure from normal) during the most intense period of sam

lection (April 1993-September 1995) were relatively normal overall. However, during certain periods rainfall and stre

were far from normal in some parts of the Study Unit. For example, in September 1993 rainfall in the northern part of 

Ozarks exceeded normal amounts by as much as 6 to 13 inches. This caused streamflows at several stations in the nor

Ozarks to reach levels that would be expected to occur (on average) once every 10 or more years. In April 1994 rainfa

northern part of the Ozarks exceeded normal amounts by 6 to nearly 11 inches. In November 1994 rainfall generally e

normal amounts by 4 to 8 inches throughout the Study Unit. Extended periods (greater than 2 months) of less than nor

fall occurred infrequently and in few areas during the study period.

1993 -6

14

-4

-2

2

4

6

8

10

12 CENTERVILL

1994 1995

Jasper

Centerville Buffalo

Springfield Joplin

Rogers

MISSOURI

ARKANSAS

KANSAS

OKLAHOMA

Springdale

Fayetteville

14

-6

-4

-2

2

4

6

8

10

12 BUFFALO

RAINFALL, DEPARTURE FROM NORMAL, 

1993 1994 1995

IN INCHES

14

-6

-4

-2

2

4

6

8

10

12 JOPLIN

1993 1994 1995

RAINFALL, DEPARTURE FROM NORMAL,

IN INCHES

14

-6

-4

-2

2

4

6

8

10

12 JASPER

1993 1994 1995

EXPLANATION

GREATER THAN NORMAL RAIN

LESS THAN NORMAL RAINFALL
6 Water Quality in the Ozark Plateaus, Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma, 1992-95

MAJOR ISSUES AND FINDINGS

Nutrients and Bacteria

Beef and dairy cattle, which are important 

economy of the Ozarks, also are sources 

and bacteria.

Poultry production is an extremely importa

in northwestern Arkansas, southwestern M

northeastern Oklahoma. Poultry litter can 

substantial source of nutrients and bacter

Nitrogen and phosphorus are essential plant nutrients. However, elevated

concentrations of these nutrients can

cause excessive growth of aquatic

plants and can have detrimental effects

upon desired uses of water. Contamination of water in the Study Unit by

nutrients has been a concern of many

agencies and the public for several

years. Major sources of nitrogen and

phosphorus in the Study Unit are poultry and cattle wastes, human wastes,

and fertilizers. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has established a maximum contaminant level

(MCL) of 10 milligrams per liter

(mg/L) for nitrate (as nitrogen) in

drinking water (U.S. Environmental

Protection Agency, 1988). Very high

concentrations of nitrate (a compound

of nitrogen and oxygen, and usually

the most abundant form of nitrogen in

water) can cause blue-baby syndrome

in infants. Very few ground-water samples (less than 1 percent) and no surface-water samples in the Study Unit

exceeded the MCL. In general, shallow

wells (less than about 300 feet) or

springs in agricultural areas are most

likely to produce ground water with

nitrate concentrations approaching or

exceeding the nitrate MCL.

Elevated nitrogen concentrations

can result in several water-quality

problems, such as algal blooms, oxygen depletion, and fishkills. The EPA

has not made recommendations for

nitrate concentrations that would limit

detrimental effects on aquatic communities. The EPA has made recommendations for maximum ammonia

concentrations to protect aquatic life.

Ammonia concentrations generally are

well below the recommended maximum in Ozark streams.

The EPA recommends that total

phosphorus should not exceed

0.1 mg/L in streams and that total

phosphates (as phosphorus) should not

exceed 0.05 mg/L in streams where

they enter a lake or reservoir. Concentrations of total phosphorus and orthophosphate in streams in agricultural

areas sometimes exceed these recommended concentrations.

Forested areas protect water quality and 

economic and recreational asset for the O

(Photograph courtesy of A.C. Haralson, A

Department of Parks and Tourism.)

Elevated nitrate and phosphorus

concentrations may be linked with

differences between fish communities at sites in agricultural basins

and sites in forested basins (see

page 16). One of the major differences is a tendency for more algaeeating fish to inhabit the sites in

agricultural basins.

Fecal coliform bacteria live in

the intestines of warm-blooded animals. The presence of these bacteria in water is indicative of

contamination by fecal matter.

Sources of these bacteria include

animal manure, wastewater-treatment plants, and septic tanks.

 NAWQA data collected in

1993-95 at stream sites chosen to

represent selected combinations of

land use, physiographic area, and

basin size indicate land-use effects

on nutrient concentrations. Median

dissolved nitrate and total phosphorus concentrations are higher at sites

representing agricultural (mostly

poultry and cattle production)

basins than at sites in forested

basins. Nitrate concentrations generally increase as the percentage of

agricultural land use increases. The

range of nutrient concentrations at

two sites with differing amounts and

types of urban activities in their

basins indicates that streams downstream from wastewater-treatment

plants or urban areas may have

nutrient concentrations that are substantially higher than concentrations

in agricultural basins.

Nutrient concentrations in

streams are higher in areas with

greater agricultural land use or

downstream from wastewatertreatment plants than in

forested areas. These higher

concentrations may result in

increased algal growth in

streams.
U.S. Geological Survey Circular 1158 

MAJOR ISSUES AND FI

Nutrients and B

0.12

0

0.02

0.04

0.06

0.08

0.10

MEDIAN TOTAL PHOSPHORUS, 

IN MILLIGRAMS PER LITER 

Phosphorus concentrations in streams also are lowest in streams draining forested 

areas. Samples collected 1993-95.

3.5

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

3.0

MEDIAN NITRATE, IN MILLIGRAMS

PER LITER AS NITROGEN

Nitrate concentrations in streams are lowest in streams draining forested areas. 

Samples collected 1993-95.

1 23456

SITE NUMBER (REFER TO PAGE 22)

7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14

1 2 3 45 6

SITE NUMBER (REFER TO PAGE 22)

7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14

0

FORESTED

AGRICULTURAL LAND

FORESTED, AGRICULTURAL, AND

URBAN LAND MIX

URBAN LAND

Recent historical data from 1980 to

1990 (Davis and others, 1995) also

indicate that nutrient concentrations in

streams in the Ozark Plateaus and the

adjacent part of the Osage Plains generally were significantly greater in

agricultural basins or downstream

from wastewater-treatment plants than

in forested basins.

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 

AGRICULTURAL LAND US

5

0

1

2

3

4

NITRATE, IN MILLIGRAMS PER LITER

Nitrate concentrations gen

higher in streams draining 

greater percentages of ag

Samples collected 1993-9

STREAMS

0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

0.7

MEDIAN TOTAL PHOSPHORUS, IN MILLIGRAMS PER LITER 

OSAGE

PLAINS

BOSTON

MOUNTAINS

SPRINGFIELD

PLATEAU SALEMPLATEAU ST. FRANMOUNTA

PHYSIOGRAPHIC AREA

FORESTED

FORESTED AND AGRICULTURAL

LAND MIX

AGRICULTURAL LAND 

WASTEWATER-TREATMENT 

PLANT UPSTREAM

Phosphorus concentrations in streams during the 1980’s were highest downstream from wastewater-treatment plants and lowest in forested areas.
8 Water Quality in the Ozark Plateaus, Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma, 1992-95

MAJOR ISSUES AND FINDINGS

Nutrients and Bacteria

Nutrient concentrations in ground

water are higher in areas with

greater agricultural land use than in

forested areas. These higher

concentrations seldom exceed

drinking-water standards.

NAWQA data collected in 1993-95

from wells and springs in the Springfield Plateau and Ozark aquifers also

indicate that land use affects nutrient

concentrations (Adamski, 1997a;

1997b). Nitrate concentrations were

strongly associated with the percentage of agricultural land near the wells

or springs. Concentrations in samples

from “relatively pristine” sites (nearby

forest cover greater than 90 percent)

almost always were less than 1 mg/L

(as nitrogen). Concentrations increased

as the percentage of agricultural land

increased; concentrations at sites with

greater than 75 percent agricultural

land use generally were about 3 mg/L,

but ranged from about 1 to 10 mg/L.

 Median nutrient concentrations in

ground water (wells and springs) sampled from 1970 to 1992 also were less

in forested areas than in agricultural

areas (Davis and others, 1995). The

median nitrate concentration in ground

water from urban settings was lower

than in agricultural or forested areas.

The wells in these urban settings commonly are drilled through thick layers

of confining rock before reaching the

more productive confined aquifer.

Bacteria concentrations in streams

are higher in basins with greater

agricultural land use (mostly

pasture). Fecal coliform bacteria

concentrations occasionally exceed

State water-quality standards for

whole-body contact recreation.

Fecal coliform bacteria concentrations in NAWQA samples collected in

1993-95 generally are higher at stream

sites representative of agricultural

basins than at sites in forested basins.

Data for other bacteria and discharge

suggest that poultry and cattle are primary sources of the fecal coliform bacteria. Median concentrations ranged

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

AGRICULTURAL LAND USE, PERCENT

4

0

1

2

3

NITRATE, IN MILLIGRAMS PER LITER

AS NITROGEN

SPRINGS AND

DOMESTIC WELLS

Nitrate concentrations generally are 

higher in wells and springs in areas 

with greater agricultural land use. 

Samples collected 1993-95.

0.6

0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

MEDIAN NITRATE, IN MILLIGRAMS

PER LITER AS NITROGEN

AGRICULTURALFORESTED URBAN

As was observed in streams, nitrate 

concentrations in water from wells and 

springs were higher in agricultural areas. 

Many wells in urban settings are deep 

public-supply wells overlain by layers of 

confining rock. Samples collected 

1970-92.

MEDIAN FECAL COLIFORM BACTERIA,

IN COLONIES PER 100 MILLILITERS

Bacteria concentrations are highest in agricultural areas. 

Samples collected 1993-95.

500

0

100

200

300

400

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14

SITE NUMBER (REFER TO PAGE 22)

FORESTED

AGRICULTURAL LAND

FORESTED, AGRICULTURAL,

AND URBAN LAND MIX

URBAN LAND

from about 10 to 20 colonies per 100

milliliters (col/100 mL) at forested

sites and about 60 to 460 col/100 mL

at agricultural sites.

State water-quality standards vary

from State to State, by time of year,

and with use of the water body. However, median fecal coliform bacteria

concentrations at some sites in agricultural areas are greater than con

tions allowable by State regula

agencies for public swimming 

for primary contact. At most s

agricultural areas, more than 2

cent of the samples contained 

trations of fecal coliform bacte

greater than 200 col/100 mL.
U.S. Geological Survey Circular 1158 

MAJOR ISSUES AND FI

Nutrients and B

Nutrient and bacteria concentrations are affected by hydrologic

and geologic factors. Stream

discharge and the presence or

absence of confining geologic layers

are two factors that are important in

predicting concentrations.

Concentrations of nutrients and bacteria in streams and springs are

affected by discharge (Davis and others, 1995). Depending on the source

and constituent, concentrations may

increase or decrease with discharge.

For example, nutrients and bacteria

concentrations downstream from

wastewater-treatment plants generally

are lower during periods of higher discharge because of dilution. Concentrations of bacteria and nutrients in

streams and springs may increase with

increasing discharge in response to

rainfall in areas where nonpoint

sources are the major contributors.

Median nitrate and phosphorus concentrations generally are higher in

springs than in wells because water

from springs generally follows shallower flow paths and thus is more susceptible to surface contamination

(Davis and others, 1995; Adamski,

1997b). Median nitrate concentrations

of NAWQA samples collected in 1993

were about 0.5 mg/L in Ozark aquifer

springs and about 0.3 mg/L in Ozark

aquifer wells. Median nitrate concentrations in Springfield Plateau aquifer

springs and wells were about 2.6 and

1.0 mg/L, respectively. Median concentrations of total phosphorus also

were higher in springs (about

0.02 mg/L) than in wells (less than

0.01 mg/L).

Differences also were detected in

median concentrations of total phosphorus and nitrate in different aquifers

and in confined and unconfined parts

of the same aquifer (Davis and others,

1995). Concentrations generally were

higher in the Western Interior Plains

confining system and the Springfield

Plateau aquifer. Concentrations generally were higher in the unconfined

parts of the Springfield Plateau and

Ozark aquifers than in the confined

parts of these two aquifers. These differences probably are the result of

land-use differences and the presence

or absence of a protective confining

layer between the aquifer and the land

surface.

Karst features in the Springfield and

Salem Plateaus result in substantial

interaction between surface water and

ground water. The quality of surface

water or ground water commonly is

affected by the quality of the other.

3.0

0

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

OZARK

AQUIFER

SPRINGFIELD

PLATEAU

AQUIFER

Nitrate (shown here) and phosphorus 

concentrations are higher in springs 

than in well water. Samples collected 

1993.

SPRING

WELL

MEDIAN NITRATE, IN MILLIGRAMS

PER LITER AS NITROGEN

OZARK

AQUIFER

SPRINGFIELD

PLATEAU

AQUIFER

0

3.0

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

Nitrate (shown here) and phosphorus 

concentrations are higher in parts of 

aquifers near the land surface 

(unconfined) than in parts of aquifers 

that are deeper (and protected by 

an overlying confining layer). Samples 

collected 1970-92.

CONFINED

UNCONFINED

MEDIAN NITRATE, IN MILLIGRAMS

PER LITER AS NITROGEN

Springs are abundant in muc

Ozarks and are vulnerable to

contamination. (Permission g

the Missouri Division of Touri

Many Ozark streams gain or lo

substantial amounts of their flo

interactions with ground water. 

water in this stream is going un

in this pool. (Photograph by J. 

Brahana, U.S. Geological Surv
10 Water Quality in the Ozark Plateaus, Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma, 1992-95

MAJOR ISSUES AND FINDINGS

Pesticides and Other Organic Compounds in Water, Bed Sediment, and Tissue

More than 1,000 organic compounds are contained in various products used to control pests in urban,

agricultural, and forested areas and

along rights of way. Most pesticides

introduced in recent years are more

water soluble and more degradable in

the environment than many pesticides

used extensively in the past. Most presently used compounds tend to be found

more often in water, whereas many

formerly used compounds are found

more in sediment and biological tissue.

In addition, numerous other organic

compounds (such as phenols, polyaromatic hydrocarbons, and phthalate

esters) are used for various industrial

and manufacturing processes. Many of

these compounds tend to associate

with sediment particles rather than

water.

In streams and ground water,

pesticides were more prevalent in

agricultural areas than in forested

areas. Concentrations generally

were low and seldom exceeded U.S.

Environmental Protection Agency

drinking-water criteria or

standards, or criteria for the

protection of aquatic life.

Concentrations of pesticides in

streams and ground water were usually

below method detection limits and

when detected were usually relatively

low compared to detection limits and

concentrations in samples from other

NAWQA Study Units (p. 24-25). Concentrations seldom exceeded U.S.

Environmental Protection Agency

(EPA) maximum contaminant levels or

lifetime health-advisory levels for

drinking water, EPA or National Academy of Sciences/National Academy of

Engineering (NAS/NAE) ambient

water-quality criteria for the protection

of aquatic life, or related State criteria.

However, no standards or criteria exist

for about one-third of the detected pesticides. Dieldrin concentrations in two

ground-water samples exceeded levels

estimated by EPA to increase the risk

of cancer (Nowell and Resek, 1994).

In water samples collected in 1994-

95, pesticides were detected more

MISSOURI

ARKANSAS

Salem Plateau

Springfield Plateau

EXPLANATION

SPRING

No pesticides detec

Pesticides detected

WELL—Domestic

No pesticides detec

Pesticides detected

In springs and wells, more pesticides were found in the Springfield Plateau and in 

other agricultural areas. Concentrations were usually relatively low. Samples collecte

1993.

KANSAS

OKLAHOMA

Boston

Mountains

St. Francois

Mountains

Mississippi

Alluvial

Plain

Osage

Plains

Salem

Plateau

Atrazine

p,p’-DDE

Metolachlor

Prometon

Simazine

Tebuthiuron

No pesticide 

EXPLANATIO

SAMPLING SITE—Color 

pesticide commonly de

in surface-water sample

The greatest number of pesticides was found in the streams of the more agricultural 

Springfield Plateau. Concentrations were usually relatively low. Samples collected 

1994-95.

KANSAS

MISSOURI

ARKANSAS

OKLAHOMA

Springfield

Plateau

commonly and in higher concentrations in streams in agricultural

basins than in streams in forested

basins (Bell and others, 1997). Data

for a limited number of sites downstream from nearby urban areas

indicate that pesticide detection frequencies and concentrations in

urban basins are similar to those in

agricultural basins. For most ind

pesticides, the highest percentag

detections and the highest conce

were in samples from streams in 

more agricultural basins. Atrazi

of the more commonly used herb

the Study Unit) and its metaboli

(breakdown products) were the 

commonly detected organic pes
U.S. Geological Survey Circular 1158 

MAJOR ISSUES AND FI

Pesticides and Other Organic Compounds in Water, Bed Sediment, and 

detected. The third sample con

23 compounds and was from R

Creek near Witts Spring, Ark., 

ested basin.

Sites with detected compou

distributed throughout the Stud

with respect to both physiogra

land use. Sites with 12 or more 

compounds detected are locate

each physiographic area and m

land-use category.

In biological tissue, pesticide

detected at 5 of 26 stream sit

Chlordane was detected

downstream from Springfiel

DDT, DDE, or dieldrin was d

at four sites in agricultural b

Tissue samples from fish an

water clams at 26 sites were an

for 26 organic compounds. Six 

pounds were detected at five si

and others, 1996). Three chlor

compounds were detected in A

clam tissue at a site on the Jam

downstream from Springfield, 

These compounds frequently a

present downstream from urba

DDT, DDE, or dieldrin was de

tissue at four widely separated 

The concentrations in the ti

were below guidelines recomm

as maximum concentrations to 

fish-eating wildlife (National A

emy of Sciences and National 

emy of Engineering, 1973). Th

of the three chlordane compou

centrations (0.0223 milligram 

gram [mg/kg]) was below the

recommended chlordane conce

of 0.1 mg/kg. The DDT, DDE

dieldrin concentrations were w

below the recommended maxi

concentrations.

compounds in both forested and agricultural basins. Pesticides were

detected at 39 of the 43 sites.

The presence of pesticides in

ground water in the Springfield and

Salem Plateaus also is related to land

use. Springs and domestic wells were

sampled for pesticides in 1993-95

(Adamski, 1997b). Pesticides were

detected more frequently at sites associated with greater percentages of agricultural land use. Pesticides were more

likely to be detected in samples from

springs than in samples from domestic

wells.

In bed sediment, the greatest

numbers of pesticides and other

organic compounds generally were

detected at sites downstream from

urban areas. No concentrations

exceeded U.S. Environmental

Protection Agency criteria for the

protection of aquatic life.

No organic compounds detected in

the bed-sediment samples exceeded

either the preliminary sediment-quality

criteria developed by the EPA or concentrations expected to have a high

probability of adverse effects on

aquatic life (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1996). Criteria or

adverse effects levels have not been

established for most of the detected

compounds. Most of the compounds

detected had maximum concentrations

of less than 100 micrograms per kilogram (parts per billion).

Pesticides and semivolatile organic

compounds (SVOCs) in 27 bed-sediment samples collected in 1992-95

were more frequently detected at sites

downstream from urban areas (Bell

and others, 1997). Samples were analyzed for 95 organic compounds. Two

pesticides (chlordane compounds) and

44 SVOCs were detected. Samples

from three sites contained detectable

concentrations of more than 16 compounds. Two of these sites (one from

the James River downstream from

Springfield, Mo., one from Center

Creek downstream from Joplin, Mo.)

were in urban basins. In the sample

from the James River, 39 compounds

were detected; in the sample from

Center Creek, 17 compounds were

SAMPLING SITE—

Color indicates 

number of 

detections

1 to 6

7 to 11

12 to 16

Greater than 16

EXPLANATION James

River

Center

Creek

Richland

Creek

In bed sediment, the greatest number of pesticides and other organic compounds

was found near urban areas. Concentrations were usually relatively low. Samples

collected in 1992-95.

Joplin

Springfield

MISSOURI

ARKANSAS

OKLAHOMA

KANSAS
12 Water Quality in the Ozark Plateaus, Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma, 1992-95

MAJOR ISSUES AND FINDINGS

Lead, Zinc, and Other Trace Elements

Parts of the Ozark Plateaus have a

history as major producers of lead and

zinc. Mining in the Study Unit has

occurred primarily in four main leadzinc mining districts—the Southeastern District (Old Lead Belt, Viburnum

Trend, and the Fredericktown subdistricts), the Tri-State District, the Central District, and the North Arkansas

District. By far the most important ore

deposits were in the Southeastern and

Tri-State Districts. The Viburnum

Trend subdistrict is the only area still

mined for lead or zinc.

Concentrations of sulfate and some

trace elements in water from

streams in areas of historical or

active lead-zinc mining tend to be

higher than in areas where mining

has not occurred. These trace

element concentrations decrease

with increasing distance downstream from the mining activity.

Concentrations usually did not

exceed Federal standards or criteria

for the protection of drinking water,

human health, or aquatic life.

In water samples collected in 1992-

95, dissolved sulfate and several trace

elements were detected more commonly and were detected in higher

concentrations at sites in areas of historical or ongoing lead-zinc mining

than at sites in other areas. Sulfate,

barium, copper, manganese, molybdenum, and zinc concentrations were

higher in samples from sites downstream from mining areas. Lead concentrations were not higher in mining

areas. Concentrations of sulfate and

trace elements generally decreased

with increasing distance downstream

from a mining activity.

At most sites, concentrations usually did not exceed U.S. Environmental Protection Agency drinking-water

standards or criteria for protection of

human health or aquatic life. However,

zinc concentrations often exceeded

freshwater aquatic life criteria in Center Creek.

Concentrations of lead and zinc in

bed sediment and fish or clam tissue

are substantially higher at sites with

mining activities (historical or

active) in the basin. Concentrations

are high enough to suggest potential

adverse biological effects. The State

of Missouri has issued a fish

consumption advisory for some

streams.

Lead and zinc concentrations in bed

sediment at sites downstream from

lead-zinc mines in the Tri-State District, the Old Lead Belt, and th

num Trend may have adverse

biological effects on benthic o

isms. Long and Morgan (1991

oped guidelines called “effects 

thresholds” for use in assessin

tial adverse effects on biota. In 

the “effects range-low” thresh

be considered to have adverse 

on some benthic organisms, w

“effects range-median” thresho

be considered frequently or alw

have adverse effects on these o

isms. In at least one bed-sedim

ple from each of the three min

areas, concentrations of lead a

were equal to or higher than th

range-low threshold. Lead and 

concentrations from sites dow

from the Tri-State District and 

Lead Belt commonly were sub

tially higher than the effects-ra

median threshold.

Concentrations of lead and 

bed sediment were highest at s

downstream from historical le

mining areas. Concentrations o

elements are similar at sites

downstream from the historica

areas in the Tri-State District a

Old Lead Belt and at sites dow

stream from mining areas in th

num Trend.

Lead and zinc concentrations in water, bed sediment, and fish or clam tissue from mining and background areas 

Ozark Plateaus

[Background values are minimum and maximum concentrations associated with sites not considered to be influenced by mining in these or o

Sites immediately upstream from mining areas are not included in background sites. Tissue concentrations are in fish liver or soft tissue of As

Values in red substantially exceed background concentration data collected 1992-95. μg/L, micrograms per liter; μg/g, micrograms per gram

than; --, not measured or not applicable]

Site Mining area

Lead Zinc

Water

(μg/L)

Bed

 sediment

(μg/g)

Tissue

(μg/g)

Water

(μg/L)

Bed

 sediment

(μg/g)

Tissu

(μg/g

Center Creek Tri-State <1 370 0.3 67-270 5,600 77

Big River Old Lead Belt <1 2,300 134 8-19 670 51

Meramec River Old Lead Belt -- 180 12.2 -- 140 29

West Fork of

Black River

Viburnum Trend <1-11 100-950 0.5-8.3 13-33 120-460 70-11

Strother Creek Viburnum Trend <1-3 200 0.7 33-148 1.200 15

Background -- <1-20 15-28 <0.1-0.6 <1-44 43-140 57-23
U.S. Geological Survey Circular 1158 

MAJOR ISSUES AND FI

Lead, Zinc, and Other Trace E

Lead-zinc mining areas of the Ozark Plateaus. The Viburnum Trend subdistr

only area currently (1998) being mined for lead or zinc.

Indicates subd

Southeastern D

TRI-STATE

DISTRICT

Center

Creek

KANSAS

Stroth

Big Rive

Meram

River

West Fo

Black R

Farming

Springfield

FREDE

VIBURNUM

TREND

NORTH 

ARKANSAS

DISTRICT

OLD 

LEAD BELT

CENTRAL 

DISTRICT

MISSOURI

ARKANSAS

Harrison

OKLAHOMA

Joplin

*

*

*

Lead concentrations in bed sediment were substantially higher than

background at sites within, or downstream from, the Tri-State District and

the Old Lead Belt subdistrict and in the

Viburnum Trend subdistrict. In the

Viburnum Trend subdistrict, concentrations of lead returned to background

levels at sites about 15 miles downstream from mine discharges.

Zinc concentrations in bed sediment

were highest at one site downstream

from the Tri-State District and one site

downstream from the Old Lead Belt.

Concentrations at sites just downstream from mines in the Viburnum

Trend were higher than concentrations

at sites upstream from these mines or

farther downstream; however, these

concentrations were not higher than

the maximum background concentrations at sites throughout the Study

Unit. At sites about 15 miles downstream from mines in the Viburnum

Trend, bed-sediment concentrations of

zinc were similar to concentrations

upstream from the mines.

The relation between tissue concentrations at background sites and sites

downstream from mining areas is similar to the relation between bed-sediment concentrations at these same

sites. Lead concentrations in tissue

were somewhat higher than background concentrations at some sites in

the Viburnum Trend and substantially

higher at sites downstream from the

Old Lead Belt. The lead concentration

at the site in the Tri-State District was

at background levels and substantially

lower than at sites downstream from

the Old Lead Belt. Zinc concentrations

were not higher than backgrou

centrations at sites in the Vibu

Trend, but were somewhat hig

background concentrations at 

the Tri-State District and down

from the Old Lead Belt. The e

lead and zinc concentrations in 

and reduced enzyme activity in 

exposed to lead in mining area

Ozark Plateaus (Schmitt and o

1993) suggest that both eleme

available to fish and Asiatic cl

biological processing. The Sta

Missouri currently (1998) adv

public to not eat some species 

from some rivers affected by p

ing in the Old Lead Belt (Gale 

son, Missouri Department of H

written commun., 1998).

Lead-zinc mining tailings near Joplin, Mo. Downstrea

areas, concentrations of lead, zinc, and other elemen

relatively low in water but are elevated in bed sedime

and clam tissue. In bed sediment, concentrations at s

may be harmful to aquatic wildlife.
14 Water Quality in the Ozark Plateaus, Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma, 1992-95

MAJOR ISSUES AND FINDINGS

Radium and Radon

ground water is the water source. Small

public water systems and private domestic wells often have closed systems and

short transit times that do not remove

radon from water or permit it to decay.

Exposures can occur from water used

for drinking, showering, and other common household purposes. Radon gas

also can enter buildings from surrounding rock and soil through foundation

cracks.

Radon levels are greater in the

Springfield Plateau aquifer and the

unconfined part of the Ozark aquifer

than in the confined part of the Ozark

aquifer.

Hydrogeology appears be significant

in determining radon levels. Levels in

the samples from unconfined aquifers

(Springfield Plateau aquifer and part of

Radium and radon are naturally

occurring radioactive elements that

result from the radioactive decay of

uranium, which is present in small levels in common rocks and minerals.

Radium is present in the confined

part of the Ozark aquifer. However,

the levels of radium seldom exceeded

the U.S. Environmental Protection

Agency drinking-water standard.

Water samples collected from 20

randomly selected municipal-supply

wells in the confined part of the Ozark

aquifer were analyzed for the presence

of radium (Adamski, 1997c). Radium

levels ranged from 0.1 to 14 picocuries

per liter (pCi/L). One sample had a

level exceeding the interim U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

maximum contaminant level (MCL) of

5 pCi/L. No levels exceeded the proposed MCL of 20 pCi/L for radium in

drinking water.

Radon levels exceeded a proposed

(but withdrawn) U.S. Environmental

Protection Agency drinking-water

standard in nearly one-half of the

samples. Radon can enter homes

through their water systems. Homes

served by private domestic wells and

small public waterworks using

ground water can be particularly

vulnerable.

Water samples were collected from

53 domestic wells in the unconfined

parts of the Springfield Plateau and

Ozark aquifers, and 20 municipal supply wells in the confined part of the

Ozark aquifer (Adamski, 1997c). In

samples from these 73 wells, radon

levels ranged from 99 to 2,065 pCi/L

with a median of 269 pCi/L. A proposed MCL of 300 pCi/L was recently

(1997) withdrawn by the EPA, pending

further review. Radon levels exceeded

that level in nearly 44 percent of the

samples but are lower than levels in

many other aquifers in the Nation (p.

20).

 Exposure to radon has been recognized as a health risk, primarily as a

cause of lung cancer. One pathway by

which radon can enter a home is

through its water system, especially if

the Ozark aquifer) were substanti

than levels in samples from the co

of the Ozark aquifer.

400

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

MEDIAN RADON, IN PICOCURIES

PER LITER

OZARK

AQUIFER

(CONFINED)

OZARK

AQUIFER

(UNCONFINED)

SPR

P

A

Radon levels are lowest in the c

of the Ozark aquifer.

Radon levels exceeded 300 picocuries per liter in almost one-half of the water sample

from domestic and municipal-supply wells.

EXPLANATION

Ozark

aquifer

Springfield 

Plateau aquifer

RADON-222 LEVELS, IN PICO

PER LITER

Unconfine

aquifers

Less t

300 to 

500 to 

Great

MISSOURI

ARKANSAS

KANSAS

OKLAHOMA

Ozark aquifer

(confined)

Radon entering a home through a water system (modified from Otton and oth
MAJOR ISSUES AND FI

Instream and Riparian 

U.S. Geological Survey Circular 1158 

Habitat characteristics can affect

biological communities in many different ways. For example, trees along

streambanks provide shade, erosion

protection, and leaf litter to a stream.

These factors often affect the density

and diversity of fish (p. 16-17), aquatic

insects, and algae.

Several factors can affect aquatic

habitats, which then affect biological

communities. Many habitat

characteristics appeared to be

influenced more by basin size than

by land use.

Physiography, geology, basin size,

and land use are among the factors that

can affect aquatic habitats. Most habitat characteristics appeared to be more

influenced by basin size than by land

use (Femmer, 1997). Sites with larger

basins tend to be wider, deeper, more

sinuous streams with greater water

velocity and larger canopy angles.

Sites with smaller basins tend to have

steeper basin and stream gradients.

Small streams in agricultural areas

generally have fewer trees and other

woody plants in the riparian zone

than do small streams in forested

areas. This results in more sunlight

reaching the streams in the

agricultural areas. More sunlight

and the higher nutrient levels

probably result in faster growing

attached algae in these streams.

Cleared pastureland commonly

extends to (or nearly to) streambanks

in agricultural areas, resulting in narrow or absent riparian vegetation

zones. Small streams in agricultural

basins generally had lower mean

woody-plant densities than small

streams in forested basins (Femmer,

1997). Small streams in agricultural

basins also generally were more open

to sunlight because of larger canopy

angles than small streams in forested

basins. More sunlight and higher nutrient levels (p. 6) in streams in agricultural areas probably result in faster

growing attached algae in these

streams.

Compared to smaller streams, larger

streams are wider and have gravel bars

bottom-dwelling insects) comm

at mining sites and communitie

ence locations. Kanehl and Lyo

reported similar physical and b

effects in other streams of the U

States.

The severity of the effects of 

mining on streams probably is 

dent on several factors. These f

include hydrology, channel sha

gravel removal methods and re

activities.

extending farther from the edge of

water to the streambanks. Therefore,

larger streams in forested and agricultural basins tend to be more separated

from their riparian zones.

Some other habitat characteristics

were different between the

agricultural and forested sites

studied. Of these characteristics,

some are not likely the result of

agricultural practices, while others

(canopy angle, channel width, and

sinuosity) may, at least in part,

result from agricultural practices.

These characteristics can affect

biological communities.

Habitat characteristics that seem to

differ between agricultural and forested sites (Femmer, 1997), but are not

the result of agricultural activities,

include water velocity, sideslope gradient, and flood-plain width. Some characteristics that may be influenced by

land use are canopy angle (discussed

above), channel width, and channel

sinuosity. Mean channel width and

mean channel sinuosity both tended to

be greater at agricultural sites.

Although the effects of instream

gravel mining in the Ozarks were

not studied by the NAWQA

Program, some studies suggest that

gravel mining has detrimental

effects on instream habitat.

A study (Brown and Lyttle, 1992) of

several instream (between the banks of

streams) gravel-mining sites on

streams in the Arkansas part of the

Ozark Plateaus indicated that stream

channels were altered as pools became

shallower and larger and riffles were

less frequent downstream from the

mining sites. Game-fish biomass and

abundance of game fish and silt-sensitive fish were lower at and downstream

from these sites than at upstream reference locations. On the basis of Arkansas Game and Fish Commission data,

Arkansas State University (1996)

reported similar differences in fish

communities in gravel mining areas of

the Spring River in northeastern

Arkansas. Brown and Lyttle (1992)

also reported differences between

benthic invertebrate (animals such as

Larger streams often are more open 

light—either because of wide gravel 

simply because the streams are wide

Small streams in forested areas gene

a wider band of riparian trees. Here a

head canopy shades much of the str

Small streams in agricultural areas com

have a narrow (or absent) band of ripa
16 Water Quality in the Ozark Plateaus, Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma, 1992-95

MAJOR ISSUES AND FINDINGS

Fish Communities

Compared to other parts of the

United States, many fish species live in

the Ozark Plateaus. Approximately

175 species (including introduced species) are present in the Ozark Plateaus

province part of the Study Unit; at

least 16 of these species exist nowhere

else in the world. Many of these 175

species are intolerant of habitat or

water-chemistry degradation.

Fish communities are a useful tool

in assessing water-chemistry and habitat conditions of streams. Many fish

species are sensitive to a wide array of

stresses that are integrated over their

lifetimes, are relatively widely distributed, and are relatively easy to identify.

Stonerollers make up a greater

percentage of the fish at agricultural

sites than at forested sites. Stonerollers graze on algae attached to

rocks and other surfaces. More

algae probably grow on these

surfaces because of the higher

nutrient concentrations and greater

amounts of sunlight reaching these

streams.

A major difference between the

composition of fish communities at

sites in forested basins and agricultural

basins is the difference in the relative

abundance (percentage of total individuals in the community) of two types of

minnows called “stonerollers” that are

among the most abundant fish species

in Ozark streams. Stonerollers graze

on algae attached to rocks and other

submerged surfaces. Streams in agricultural basins typically have high concentrations of nutrients and less

riparian shading (which allows more

sunlight to reach the streambed), promoting algal growth. Greater amounts

of this food source encourage greater

numbers of stonerollers. The median

relative abundance of stonerollers at

forested sites (in 1995) was 14 percent;

the median abundance at agricultural

sites was 35 percent. Whether this

greater abundance can have detrimental effects on the aquatic community is

unknown, although apparently stonerollers selectively graze on different

types of algae and affect the density

Stonerollers are very common in t

Ozarks. They generally are more a

in streams in agricultural basins.

and composition of benthic invertebrates (Gelwick and Matthews, 1992).

 The increased abundance of stonerollers is an indication of increased

nutrients in Ozark streams. Other factors (including toxicity and changes in

channel shape) can also affect stoneroller abundance. The relative abundance (17 percent) of stonerollers at a

site on Center Creek, downstream from

a lead-zinc mining area and from industrial and municipal wastewater-treatment plant discharges near Joplin, Mo.,

may be lowered because of toxicity. The

abundance (46 percent) of stonerollers

at a site on the Kings River, downstream

from a small wastewater-treatment plant

and instream gravel mining, may be elevated because of nutrient enrichment

and other habitat changes.

In streams in agricultural basins, algae-grazing stonerollers generally are 

the most abundant type of fish. Generally, 20 to 50 percent of the fish 

are stonerollers.

60

0

10

20

30

40

50

STONEROLLERS

OTHER MINNOWS

SUNFISH

DARTERS

MADTOMS

SUCKERS

OTHERS

YOCUM CREEK ILLINOIS RIVER

In streams in forested basins, minnows (other than stonerollers), sunfish,

and darters are a larger percentage of the fish community than in 

agricultural basins. Generally, 10 to 20 percent of the fish are stonerollers.

RELATIVE ABUNDANCE, IN PERCENT

SELECTED AGRICULTURAL BASINS

DOUSINBURY CREEK

60

10

20

30

40

50

NORTH SYLAMORE CREEK PADDY CREEK JACKS FORK RIVER

SELECTED FORESTED BASINS

0
U.S. Geological Survey Circular 1158 

MAJOR ISSUES AND FI

Fish Comm

Sunfish (including the black basses)

and darters make up a smaller

percentage of fish at agricultural

sites than at forested sites. Members

of the sunfish family (particularly

smallmouth bass) are important

game fish. Several species of darters

that live in the Ozarks exist nowhere

else in the world.

Stonerollers are more abundant (relative to other species) at sites in agricultural basins, and sunfish (including

the black basses—smallmouth, largemouth, and spotted bass) are less abundant at these sites. Many of the sunfish

species in the Ozarks are sensitive to

degraded water chemistry or habitat.

Much of this decrease in relative abundance (percentage of total individuals)

is because of the greater relative abundance of stonerollers; but even after

discounting the stoneroller data, sunfish generally have lower relative

abundance values at agricultural sites

than at forested sites. The median relative abundance of sunfish at forested

sites was 11 percent (26 percent of

individuals other than stonerollers);

whereas, the median relative abundance at agricultural sites was 4 percent (6 percent of other than stonerollers). Members of the sunfish family, especially smallmouth bass, are

important game fish in Ozark streams.

Spotted bass, largemouth bass, longear

sunfish, Ozark bass, shadow bass, and

rock bass are less important, either

because of fewer numbers or smaller

size.

Darters also comprise a smaller percentage of the communities at sites in

agricultural basins. As with sunfish,

much of this is because of the greater

relative abundance of stonerollers; but

after discounting the stoneroller data,

darters generally remain relatively

less abundant at sites in agricultural

basins. The median relative abundance

of darters at forested sites was 14 percent (18 percent of other than stonerollers). The median relative abundance

at agricultural sites was 4 percent (8

percent of other than stonerollers).

Darters generally are considered to be

sensitive to water-chemistry or habitat

procedures used to group sites 

not completely separate sites i

cultural areas from those in fo

areas. This indicates that facto

related to land use are importa

determining community struct

that other factors also are impo

Several measures of stream 

appear related to community c

tion. These measures include s

width and depth, width-to-dep

and stream order. This result is 

able, considering that several s

of fish have preferences for sm

steeper gradient, lower order s

while others have preferences 

larger, lower gradient, higher o

streams. Several other factors 

be affected by stream size and 

also appeared to be related to c

nity structure at the 18 sites. T

tors were canopy angle, substr

sinuosity, and velocity.

Several water-chemistry fac

appeared to be related to the fi

munity composition. Phosphor

ment, and nitrate concentration

related to the community com

in results from at least one of t

tivariate procedures.

Many of these factors proba

affect spawning success and fo

availability. Smallmouth bass, 

other sunfish, many minnows, 

most darters are intolerant of t

or siltation. Stonerollers are fav

increased algal growth, which 

from elevated nutrient concent

and large (open) canopy angle

The site on Center Creek (m

p. 19) has one of the highest p

ages in the study area of indivi

tolerant of degraded water che

or habitat. The site also has a r

low percentage of stonerollers 

site with elevated nutrient con

tions and an open canopy. Thi

which is downstream from lea

mining and urban areas, has el

concentrations of lead, zinc (ta

p. 12), and semivolatile organi

pounds (p. 11) in bed sedimen

chemicals may be a major fact

affecting the Center Creek fish 

munity.

Darters also are sensitive to degraded habitat or

water chemistry. This Niangua darter is one of

seven species of darter found only in the Ozarks.

(Photograph courtesy of Missouri Department of

Conservation.)

Smallmouth bass, an important game fish, are

sensitive to degraded habitat or water

chemistry. (Photograph courtesy of Gregg

Patterson.)

degradation. At least seven species of

darters in the Ozarks (Arkansas saddled darter, yoke darter, yellowcheek

darter, stippled darter, bluestripe

darter, Missouri saddled darter, and

Niangua darter) exist nowhere else in

the world. The Niangua darter, which

is found in only a few tributaries of the

Osage River in central Missouri, is a

federally listed threatened species

under the Endangered Species Act.

Fish community composition

appears to be related to stream size,

canopy angle, substrate, and water

chemistry. Some of these factors are

affected by human activities.

Results of several statistical procedures (multivariate analyses, correlation, and regression) used to group and

compare the fish communities at 18

sites in the Study Unit indicate that

these communities are substantially

affected by their habitat. However, the
WATER-QUALITY CONDITIONS IN A NATIONAL CONTEXT

Comparison of Stream Quality in the Ozark Plateaus Study Unit

with Nationwide NAWQA Findings

19 Water Quality in the Ozark Plateaus, Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma, 1992-95

ORGANOCHLORINE PESTICIDES and PCBs in bed sediment and

biological tissue

Organochlorine pesticides and PCBs were rarely detected in bed

sediment or biological tissue. DDE, a breakdown product of DDT,

was detected at a low concentration in fish tissue from the

Illinois River.

Fayetteville

Springfield

Illinois River

Greater than the 75th percentile

(among the highest 25 percent of NAWQA

 stream sites)

Between the median and the 75th percentile

Between the 25th percentile and the median

Less than the 25th percentile

(among the lowest 25 percent of NAWQA

 stream sites)

Insufficient data for analysis

Seven major water-quality characteristics were evaluated for stream sites 

NAWQA Study Unit. Summary scores for each characteristic were compu

all sites that had adequate data. Scores for each site in the Ozark Plateaus 

Unit were compared with scores for all sites sampled in the 20 NAWQA 

Units during 1992–95. Results are summarized by percentiles; higher per

values generally indicate poorer quality compared with sites in the 20 Study 

Water-quality conditions at each site also are compared to established crit

protection of aquatic life. Applicable criteria are limited to nutrients and p

cides in water, and semivolatile organic compounds, organochlorine pest

and PCBs in sediment. (Methods used to compute rankings and evaluate 

life criteria are described by Gilliom and others, in press.)

Pesticide concentrations in two intensively sam

streams in agricultural basins were among the 

in the 20 Study Units. No exceedances of existi

ria occurred. The herbicides atrazine and simaz

the most commonly detected pesticides.

NUTRIENTS in water

 PESTICIDES in water

Fayetteville

Springfield

Fayetteville

Springfield

EXPLANATION

Ranking of stream quality relative to all

NAWQA stream sites — Darker colored

circles generally indicate poorer quality.

Nutrient concentrations in 

streams draining basins w

dominantly agricultural la

and one stream downstrea

a wastewater-treatment pl

were higher than the natio

median. Beef cattle, dairy 

and poultry production pro

major source of nutrients 

streams. Ammonia concen

tions did not exceed the E

terion for protection of aq

life at any of the agricultu

sites. Nutrient concentrati

streams draining basins w

dominantly forested land 

were among the lowest in 

Study Units.
WATER-QUALITY CONDITIONS IN A NATIONAL CO

Comparison of Stream Quality in the Ozark Plateaus Stu

with Nationwide NAWQA F

U.S. Geological Survey Circular 1158 

Summed concentrations of

semivolatile organic compounds in bed sediment at most

sites were lower than at most

sites in the 20 Study Units.

None of the sites had concentrations above which there is a

high probability of adverse effects on aquatic organisms.

Two sites with concentrations

exceeding the national Study

Unit median are in forested areas. The two sites with the

highest concentrations are in

basins containing some of the

more urban areas of the Study

Unit.

CONCLUSIONS

Compared with other NAWQA S

Units:

• Nutrient concentrations in stre

draining forested basins were 

the lowest in the Nation; conce

tions in some streams draining 

with other land uses were high

most other sites in the Nation.

• Concentrations of pesticides a

er organic compounds in wate

sediment, and tissue generally 

lower than at sites in other Stu

Units. Concentrations of semiv

organic compounds in bed sed

at sites downstream from urba

eas were among the highest in 

Nation.

• Trace element concentrations 

sediment in lead-zinc mining a

were among the highest in the 

• The quality of stream habitats a

communities at most sites was 

than at most other sites in the 

Fish communities at most

sites were less degraded

(fewer diseased, tolerant, and

omnivorous fish) than at

most other sites in the 20

Study Units. Sites with most

degradation in the Study Unit

generally are on larger rivers

affected by agricultural, mining, or urban activities. The

fourth site is in a forested basin and was considered to

have a degraded fish community because of the large percentage of omnivorous fish

such as gizzard shad and

common carp.

FISH COMMUNITY DEGRADATION

Fayetteville

Springfield A well-vegetated riparian corridor c

utes substantially to healthy habitat s

many sites in the Study Unit. Gravel 

lead-zinc mining probably have con

to modified channels and increased s

tation at some sites. A site on Center 

which flows through an area of agric

land use and historical lead-zinc min

the only site that was more degraded 

median of sites in the 20 Study Unit

TRACE ELEMENTS in bed sediment

SEMIVOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUNDS

in bed sediment

STREAM HABITAT DEGRADATION

Fayetteville

Springfield

Fayetteville

Springfield

Center

Creek

Boston Mountains

Fayetteville

Springfield

The bed sediment at sites located in lead-zinc mining areas and in or near the Boston

Mountains had concentrations of trace elements at a

higher level than most other

sites in the 20 Study Units.

Zinc concentrations and lead

concentrations at Center

Creek near Smithfield, Mo.,

were substantially higher

than the national median

zinc (about 50 times higher)

and lead (about 15 times

higher) concentrations.
WATER-QUALITY CONDITIONS IN A NATIONAL CONTEXT

Comparison of Ground-Water Quality in the Ozark Plateaus Study Unit

with Nationwide NAWQA Findings

21 Water Quality in the Ozark Plateaus, Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma, 1992-95

OZ-C OZ-U

SP

Greater than the 75th percentile

(among the highest 25 percent of NAWQA

 ground-water studies)

Between the median and the 75th percentile

Between the 25th percentile and the median

Less than the 25th percentile

(among the lowest 25 percent of NAWQA

 ground-water studies)

EXPLANATION

Five major water-quality characteristics were evaluated for ground-water stud

each NAWQA Study Unit. Ground-water resources were divided into two c

ries: (1) drinking-water aquifers, and (2) shallow ground water (in the Ozark 

teaus Study Unit, generally from wells less than 300 feet deep). Summary sc

were computed for each characteristic for all aquifers and shallow ground-wa

eas that had adequate data. Scores for each aquifer in the Ozark Plateaus Stud

were compared with scores for all aquifers and shallow ground-water areas sa

in the 20 NAWQA Study Units during 1992–95. Results are summarized by 

centiles; higher percentile values generally indicate poorer quality compared 

other ground-water studies in the 20 Study Units. Water-quality conditions fo

sampled drinking-water aquifer also are compared to established drinking-w

standards and criteria for protection of human health. (Methods used to com

rankings and evaluate standards and criteria were described by Gilliom and o

in press.) With the exception of the confined part of the Ozark aquifer (which 

considered shallow ground water), all groups of ground-water data for the O

Plateaus Study Unit could have been compared to both the national drinking-

aquifer scores and the national shallow ground-water scores. The results of t

drinking-water aquifer comparisons are shown below.

Ozark aquifer (confined)—(OZ-C)

Ozark aquifer (unconfined)—(OZ-U)

Springfield Plateau aquifer (unconfined)—(SP)

Springfield Plateau aquifer, unconfined, pasture (cattle)—(SP-Ca)

Springfield Plateau aquifer, unconfined, pasture (poultry)—(SP-P)

NITRATE

Ranking of ground-water quality

relative to all NAWQA ground-water

studies— Darker colored circles generally

indicate poorer quality. Bold outline of circle indicates one or more standards or criteria were exceeded Water from the Ozark a

fer had nitrate concentra

lower than the median v

for all NAWQA Study U

However, water from pa

the Springfield Plateau 

fer, which lies beneath a 

marily agricultural area

higher nitrate concentrat

greater than the nationa

median. U.S. Environm

Protection Agency drink

water standards were ex

ed in less than 1 percen

Springfield Plateau aqu

samples.

OZ-C OZ-U

SP-Ca

SP

SP-P

RADON Radon levels in 

from the unconf

Springfield Plat

aquifer and the 

fined and uncon

parts of the Oza

aquifer were low

than levels in m

other aquifers in 

20 NAWQA Stu

Units.
WATER-QUALITY CONDITIONS IN A NATIONAL CONTEXT

Comparison of Ground-Water Quality in the Ozark Plateaus Study Unit

with Nationwide NAWQA Findings

22 Water Quality in the Ozark Plateaus, Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma, 1992-95

CONCLUSIONS

Compared with other NAWQA Study U

• Radon levels were lower than in mos

other drinking-water aquifers.

• Nitrate concentrations in parts of the

Springfield Plateau aquifer were high

than in most other drinking-water aq

fers. This aquifer lies beneath an ag

tural area.

• Dissolved-solids concentrations were

less than in most other drinking-wate

aquifers.

• Volatile organic compounds were de

ed more frequently than in most othe

drinking-water aquifers. Concentratio

generally were relatively low.

• Pesticides were detected less freque

than in most other drinking-water aq

fers.

Pesticides were detected less frequently in the Sprin

field Plateau and Ozark aquifers than in most other d

ing-water aquifers in the 20 Study Units. However,

pesticides were detected more frequently in water i

Springfield Plateau aquifer (a mostly unconfined aq

underlying areas with primarily agricultural land us

Concentrations generally were low relative to detec

limits and concentrations in other Study Units and e

ceeded drinking-water standards or guidelines in le

than 1 percent of samples.

OZ-U

SP

DISSOLVED SOLIDS

VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUNDS PESTICIDES

OZ-C OZ-U

SP-Ca

SP

SP-P

OZ-C OZ-U

SP-Ca

SP

SP-P

Volatile organic compound (VOC) detections were more

frequent in samples from the Springfield Plateau aquifer

and part of the Ozark aquifer than in most other drinkingwater aquifers sampled nationally by NAWQA. Detections of VOCs did not appear to be related to regional land

use, but could be related to very localized land uses at

some sites or could be an artifact of well construction or

sample collection. Concentrations generally were low relative to detection limits or drinking-water standards or

guidelines.

Median dissolved-solids concentrations in water from

sampled wells were less than the NAWQA national median. However, samples from nearly all groups of data occasionally exceeded the U.S. Environmental Protection

Agency drinking-water guideline. A small percentage of

the samples from the Springfield Plateau aquifer and unconfined part of the Ozark aquifer had concentrations exceeding the guideline; however, 15 percent of the samples

from the confined part of the Ozark aquifer exceeded the

guideline. Dissolved-solids concentrations in the confined

aquifer were greatest near the western boundary of the

Study Unit.
22 Water Quality in the Ozark Plateaus, Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma, 1992-95

STUDY DESIGN AND DATA COLLECTION IN THE OZARK PLATEAUS STUDY UNIT

AQUIFER SURVEY, UNCONFINED

Ozark

Springfield Plateau

AQUIFER SURVEY, CONFINED

Ozark

LAND-USE EFFECTS

Springfield Plateau, poultry

Springfield Plateau, cattle

CONFINING UNIT OR AQUIFER

Ozark

Springfield Plateau

Other

EXPLANATION

LOCATION OF GROUND-WATER SITES

LAND USE

Forested land

Agricultural land

Urban land

Mining area

Water

STREAM-CHEMISTRY 

AND ECOLOGY SITE

Basic/intensive site

and number

Synoptic site

Bed sediment and 

biota site

EXPLANATION

3

Osage

Plains

Salem

Plateau

Boston

Mountains Springfield

Plateau

LOCATION OF STREAM SITES

5

7

6

9 3

4 2

8

1

List of basic and intensive stream-chemistry and ecology sites

[Contaminants in bed sediment and aquatic biota also sampled at all of these sites]

Site number

(see figure

above right)

Site name

Site number

(see figure

above right)

Site name

1 Buffalo River near Boxley, Ark. 8 Yocum Creek near Oak Grove, Ark.

2 North Sylamore Creek near Fifty-Six, Ark. 9 Dousinbury Creek near Wall Street, Mo.

3 Paddy Creek above Slabtown Spring, Mo. 10 Elk River near Tiff City, Mo.

4 Buffalo River near St. Joe, Ark. 11 Illinois River near Tahlequah, Okla.

5 Black River near Lesterville, Mo. 12 Niangua River at Windyville, Mo.

6 Jacks Fork River at Alley Spring, Mo. 13 Kings River near Berryville, Ark.

7 Current River at Van Buren, Mo. 14 Center Creek near Smithfield, Mo.

Different study designs were used

for collecting data associated with

stream chemistry and ecology and

ground-water chemistry. For streams,

sites were selected to represent specific

environmental settings (combinations

of physiography, land use, and stream

size). Ground-water networks and sites

can be described in terms of their environmental setting (characteristics of

hydrogeology and land use). Physiography, land use, stream size, and

hydrogeology are all factors that

should be considered because of their

effects on water quality.

To the extent practical, stream sites

represent areas of relatively homogeneous physiography and land use.

Sampling sites were first classified by

physiographic area, then by predominant land use and basin size.

Springs and wells in the Springfield

Plateau aquifer and unconfined part of

the Ozark aquifer were randomly

selected for sampling as part of the

unconfined aquifer survey. Several

public-supply wells in the confined

part of the Ozark aquifer also were

selected for sampling. To aid study of

the effects of land use and hydrogeology on ground-water chemistry,

springs and wells were randomly

selected in a poultry-production area

and a cattle-production area of the

Springfield Plateau. Land-use and

hydrogeologic information was used to

characterize springs and wells after

they were selected and sampled.

An emphasis of the NAWQA 

is the use of multiple lines of e

to describe water-quality cond

(Gilliom and others, 1995). Th

have been collected for chemi

streams and ground water, bed 

ment, and biological tissue (tis

from clams and fish); stream e

cal conditions; and environme

tors such as land-use percentag

human population. The sampli

associated with the various stu

ponents are shown on the appr

maps, and the designs of the in

study components are describe

table on the following page.
U.S. Geological Survey Circular 1158 

STUDY DESIGN AND DATA COLLECTION IN THE OZARK PLATEAUS STUD

SUMMARY OF DATA COLLECTION IN THE OZARK PLATEAUS STUDY UNIT, 1992-95

Study component What data were collected and why Types of sites sampled

Number

of sites

Sampl

frequen

 and pe

Stream Chemistry

Basic sites—general

water chemistry

Continuous streamflow, nutrients, major ions, trace

metals, bacteria, organic carbon, suspended

sediment, and physical parameters to describe

concentrations and seasonal variations.

Streams draining predominant land-use

types across Study Unit: forested,

agriculture, mining, and urban.

14 Monthly plus 

Apr. 1993-Sep

(one site activ

1995)

Intensive sites—

pesticides, nutrients, bacteria

In addition to the above constituents, 82 dissolved

pesticides to determine concentrations and

seasonal variations.

Subset of basic sites draining agricultural

land-use areas.

2 Weekly to mo

Feb. 1994-Jan

Synoptic sites—water

chemistry

Streamflow, nutrients, major ions, trace metals,

pesticides, bacteria, organic carbon, suspended

sediment, and physical parameters during high

or low flow conditions to describe concentration

and spatial distribution.

Streams draining forested, agricultural,

and urban land-use areas.

29 Three in 1994

Contaminants in

bed sediments

Trace elements and hydrophobic organic

compounds to determine occurrence and spatial

distribution.

Depositional zones for all basic and

intensive sites and many synoptic sites.

27 Once in 1992-

Contaminants in

aquatic biota

Trace elements in clams (soft tissue) and fish livers

and organic compounds in clams (soft tissue)

and whole fishes to determine occurrence and

spatial distribution.

All basic and intensive sites and some

synoptic sites. Samples were taken

from fish and clam species generally

common across the Study Unit.

25 Once in 1992-

Stream Ecology

Intensive assessments Fish, macroinvertebrates, algae, and aquatic and

riparian habitat to assess biological communities

in different land uses.

Stream reaches were collocated with basic

and intensive sites. Sites represent the

variety of land uses within the Study

Unit.

14 Once annually 

95; three reach

pled at each o

sites one year

Synoptic assessments Similar to intensive assessments, except only one

reach per site and fish were sampled at only four

sites, for areal comparison of habitat and

community composition.

Stream reaches were collocated with a

subset of synoptic stream chemistry

sites.

27 Once in 1994

Ground-Water Chemistry

Aquifer survey—

bedrock, unconfined

Nutrients, major ions, trace elements, pesticides,

volatile organic compounds (wells), and

radionuclides to determine overall water quality

and natural chemical patterns in unconfined

parts of Springfield Plateau and Ozark aquifers.

Domestic wells (49) and springs (50). 99 Once in 1993

Aquifer survey—

bedrock, confined

Nutrients, major ions, trace elements, pesticides,

volatile organic compounds, and radionuclides

to determine overall water quality and natural

chemical patterns in the confined part of the

Ozark aquifer.

Public supply wells located in

northwestern Arkansas, southeastern

Kansas, southwestern Missouri, and

northeastern Oklahoma.

20 Once in 1993-

Land-use effects—

agricultural

Nutrients, major ions, pesticides, and radionuclides

to determine the effect of agricultural practices

(poultry and cattle) on the quality of ground

water in the Springfield Plateau aquifer.

Domestic wells (20) and springs (22) for a

study that focused on land used for

confined poultry; domestic wells (20)

and springs (20) for a study that

focused on land used for raising cattle.

82 Once in 1994-

Special Studies

Black River

trace element

study—water, bedsediment, and tissue

chemistry; stream

ecology

Similar to data collected for the study components

for stream chemistry: basic sites, contaminants

in bed sediment, and contaminants in fish tissue;

and for stream ecology: synoptic assessments.

The data were collected to describe effects of

lead-zinc mining on water quality, bed sediment,

aquatic biota, and biological communities.

Streams, depositional zones, and stream

reaches located within an area of leadzinc mining.

10 Once in 1995

Small-basin study

(not shown on map)

Nutrients, major ions, and pesticides to describe, on

a local scale, occurrence and distribution in a

small Springfield Plateau basin.

Domestic (18) and monitoring (11) wells,

springs (4), and streams (3) within the

Flint Creek Basin.

36 Once in 1995
24 Water Quality in the Ozark Plateaus, Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma, 1992-95

The following tables summarize data collected for NAWQA studies during 1992-95 by showing results for the Oza

Study Unit compared to the NAWQA national range for each compound detected. The data were collected at a wide variet

and times. In order to represent the wide concentration ranges observed among Study Units, logarithmic scales are used to 

the general magnitude of concentrations (such as 10, 100, or 1,000), rather than the precise number. The complete dataset 

struct these tables is available upon request. These tables were designed and compiled by Sarah Ryker, Jonathon Scott, an

gland, U.S. Geological Survey.

Concentrations of herbicides, insecticides, volatile organic compounds, and nutrients detected in ground and surface waters 

Plateaus Study Unit. [mg/L, milligrams per liter; μg/L, micrograms per liter; pCi/L, picocuries per liter; %, percent; <, less tha

measured; trade names may vary]

EXPLANATION

Range of surface-water detections in all 20 Study Units

Range of ground-water detections in all 20 Study Units

Drinking water standard or guideline a

Freshwater-chronic criterion for the protection of aquatic life a

Detection in the Ozark Plateaus Study Unit

Herbicide

(Trade or common

name)

Rate

of

detection b

Concentration, in μg/L

0.001 0.01 0.1 1 10 100 1,000

Herbicide

(Trade or common

name)

Rate

of

detection b

Concentration, in μg/L

0.001 0.01 0.1 1 

Propanil (Stampede,

Surcopur)

<1%

1%

Simazine (Aquazine,

Princep, GEsatop)

5%

3%

Tebuthiuron (Spike,

Perflan)

8%

6%

Terbacilc (Sinbar) <1%

0%

Thiobencarb (Bolero,

Saturn, benthiocarb)

<1%

0%

Trifluralin (Treflan,

Trinin, Elancolan)

<1%

<1%

Insecticide

(Trade or common

name)

Rate

of

detection b

Concentration, in μg/L

Carbarylc (Sevin,

Savit)

1%

1%

Carbofuranc

(Furadan, Curaterr)

1%

0%

Chlorpyrifos (Dursban, Lorsban)

<1%

1%

p,p’-DDE (p,p’-DDT

metabolite)

<1%

<1%

Diazinon 2%

0%

Dieldrin (Panoram D31, Octalox)

<1%

1%

0.001 0.01 0.1 1 

SUMMARY OF COMPOUND DETECTIONS AND CONCENTRATIONS

Alachlor (Lasso) 1%

0%

Atrazine (AAtrex,

Gesaprim)

21%

3%

Deethylatrazinec

(Atrazine metabolite)

3%

3%

Benfluralin (Balan,

Benefin, Bonalan)

<1%

<1%

Bentazon (Basagran,

bentazone)

0%

1%

Bromacil (Hyvar X,

Urox B, Bromax)

1%

0%

Butylate (Sutan,

Genate Plus, butilate)

1%

0%

Cyanazine (Bladex,

Fortrol)

1%

0%

2,4-D (2,4-PA) 2%

0%

DCPA (Dacthal,

chlorthal-dimethyl)

<1%

<1%

Diuron (Karmex,

Direx, DCMU)

0%

1%

EPTC (Eptam) <1%

0%

Metolachlor (Dual,

Pennant)

1%

1%

Molinate (Ordram) 1%

0%

Prometon (Gesagram, prometone)

6%

7%
U.S. Geological Survey Circular 1158 

gamma-HCH 0%

1%

cis-Permethrinc

(Ambush, Pounce)

<1%

0%

Propargite (Comite,

Omite, BPPS)

0%

<1%

Volatile organic

compound

Rate

of

detection b

Concentration, in μg/L

1,1,2-Trichloro-1,2,2-

trifluoroethane (Freon

--

2%

Dichloromethane

(Methylene chloride)

--

2%

Methylbenzene (Toluene)

--

6%

total Trihalomethanes --

13%

Volatile organic

compound

Rate

of

detection b

Concentration, in μg/L

Tetrachloroethene

(Perchloroethene)

--

2%

0.01 0.1 1 10 100 1,000

0.01 0.1 1 10 100 1,000 10,000 100,000

Dissolved ammonia

as nitrogen

67%

79%

Dissolved ammonia

plus organic nitrogen

as nitrogen

12%

3%

Dissolved phosphorus as phosphorus

51%

44%

Dissolved nitrite plus

nitrate as nitrogen

81%

86%

Other Rate

of

detection b

Concentration, in pCi/L

Radon 222

100%

1 10 100 1,000 

Nutrient Rate

of

detection b

Concentration, in mg/L

0.01 0.1 1 10 100 

Insecticide

(Trade or common

name)

Rate

of

detection b

Concentration, in μg/L

0.001 0.01 0.1 1 10 100 1,000

SUMMARY OF COMPOUND DETECTIONS AND CONC
26 Water Quality in the Ozark Plateaus, Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma, 1992-95

Herbicides, insecticides, volatile organic compounds, and nutrients not detected in ground and surface waters of the Ozark 

Study Unit.

Herbicides

2,4,5-T

2,4,5-TP (Silvex, Fenoprop)

2,4-DB (Butyrac, Butoxone, Embutox Plus, Embutone)

2,6-Diethylaniline (Metabolite of Alachlor)

Acetochlor (Harness Plus,

Surpass)

Acifluorfen (Blazer, Tackle

2S)

Bromoxynil (Buctril, Brominal)

Chloramben (Amiben,

Amilon-WP, Vegiben)

Clopyralid (Stinger, Lontrel, Reclaim, Transline)

Dacthal mono-acid (Dacthal

metabolite)

Dicamba (Banvel, Dianat,

Scotts Proturf)

Dichlorprop (2,4-DP, Seritox 50, Kildip, Lentemul)

Dinoseb (Dinosebe)

Ethalfluralin (Sonalan, Curbit)

Fenuron (Fenulon, Fenidim)

Fluometuron (Flo-Met,

Cotoran, Cottonex, Meturon)

Linuron (Lorox, Linex, Sarclex, Linurex, Afalon)

MCPA (Rhomene, Rhonox,

Chiptox)

MCPB (Thistrol)

Metribuzin (Lexone, Sencor)

Napropamide (Devrinol)

Neburon (Neburea, Neburyl, Noruben)

Norflurazon (Evital, Predict, Solicam, Zorial)

Oryzalin (Surflan, Dirimal)

Pebulate (Tillam, PEBC)

Pendimethalin (Pre-M,

Prowl, Weedgrass Control,

Stomp, Herbadox)

Picloram (Grazon, Tordon)

Pronamide (Kerb, Propyzamid)

Propachlor (Ramrod, Satecid)

Propham (Tuberite)

Triallate (Far-Go, Avadex

BW, Tri-allate)

Triclopyr (Garlon, Grandstand, Redeem, Remedy)

Insecticides

3-Hydroxycarbofuran (Carbofuran metabolite)

Aldicarb sulfone (Standak,

aldoxycarb, aldicarb metabolite)

Aldicarb sulfoxide (Aldicarb metabolite)

Aldicarb (Temik, Ambush,

Pounce)

Azinphos-methyl (Guthion,

Gusathion M)

Disulfoton (Disyston, DiSyston, Frumin AL,

Solvirex, Ethylthiodemeton)

Ethoprop (Mocap, Ethoprophos)

Fonofos (Dyfonate, Capfos,

Cudgel, Tycap)

Malathion (Malathion)

Methiocarb (Slug-Geta,

Grandslam, Mesurol)

Methomyl (Lanox, Lannate, Acinate)

Methyl parathion (PenncapM, Folidol-M, Metacide,

Bladan M)

Oxamyl (Vydate L, Pratt)

Parathion (Roethyl-P, Alkron, Panthion, Phoskil)

Phorate (Thimet, Granutox,

Geomet, Rampart)

Propoxur (Baygon, Blattanex, Unden, Proprotox)

Terbufos (Contraven,

Counter, Pilarfox)

alpha-HCH (alpha-BHC,

alpha-lindane, alphahexachlorocyclohexane,

alpha-benzene hexachloride)

Volatile organic

compounds

1,1,1,2-Tetrachloroethane

(1,1,1,2-TeCA)

1,1,1-Trichloroethane

(Methylchloroform)

1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane

1,1,2-Trichloroethane

(Vinyl trichloride)

1,1-Dichloroethane (Ethylidene dichloride)

1,1-Dichloroethene

(Vinylidene chloride)

1,1-Dichloropropene

1,2,3-Trichlorobenzene

(1,2,3-TCB)

1,2,3-Trichloropropane

(Allyl trichloride)

1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene

1,2,4-Trimethylbenzene

(Pseudocumene)

1,2-Dibromo-3-chloropropane (DBCP, Nemagon)

1,2-Dibromoethane (EDB,

Ethylene dibromide)

1,2-Dichlorobenzene (oDichlorobenzene, 1,2-

DCB)

1,2-Dichloroethane (Ethylene dichloride)

1,2-Dichloropropane (Propylene dichloride)

1,3,5-Trimethylbenzene

(Mesitylene)

1,3-Dichlorobenzene (mDichlorobenzene)

1,3-Dichloropropane (Trimethylene dichloride)

1,4-Dichlorobenzene (pDichlorobenzene, 1,4-

DCB)

1-Chloro-2-methylbenzene (o-Chlorotoluene)

1-Chloro-4-methylbenzene (p-Chlorotoluene)

2,2-Dichloropropane

Benzene

Bromobenzene (Phenyl

bromide)

Bromochloromethane

(Methylene chlorobromide)

Bromomethane (Methyl

bromide)

Chlorobenzene

(Monochlorobenzene)

Chloroethane (Ethyl chloride)

Chloroethene (Vinyl chloride)

Chloromethane (Methyl

chloride)

Dibromomethane (Methylene dibromide)

Dichlorodifluoromethane

(CFC 12, Freon 12)

Dimethylbenzenes

(Xylenes (total))

Ethenylbenzene (Styrene)

Ethylbenzene (Phenylethane)

Hexachlorobutadiene

Isopropylbenzene

(Cumene)

Methyl tert-butyl etherd

(MTBE)

Naphthalene

Tetrachloromethane (Carbon tetrachloride)

Trichloroethene (TCE)

Trichlorofluoromethane

(CFC 11, Freon 11)

cis-1,2-Dichloroethene

((Z)-1,2-Dichloroethene)

cis-1,3-Dichloropropene

((Z)-1,3-Dichloropropene)

n-Butylbenzene (1-Phenylbutane)

n-Propylbenzene (Isocumene)

p-Isopropyltoluene (pCymene)

sec-Butylbenzene

tert-Butylbenzene

trans-1,2-Dichloroethene

((E)-1,2-Dichlorothene)

trans-1,3-Di

((E)-1,3-Dic

Nutrients

No non-dete

SUMMARY OF COMPOUND DETECTIONS AND CONCENTRATIONS
U.S. Geological Survey Circular 1158 

1,2-Dimethylnaphthalene

--

7%

1,6-Dimethylnaphthalene

--

21%

1-Methyl-9H-fluorene --

3%

1-Methylphenanthrene

--

17%

1-Methylpyrene --

7%

2,3,6-Trimethylnaphthalene

--

14%

2,6-Dimethylnaphthalene

--

41%

2,6-Dinitrotoluene --

3%

2-Ethylnaphthalene --

10%

2-Methylanthracene --

7%

4,5-Methylenephenanthrene

--

7%

4-Bromophenyl-phenylether

--

3%

4-Chloro-3-methylphenol

--

3%

4-Chlorophenyl-phenylether

--

3%

9H-Carbazole --

3%

9H-Fluorene --

7%

Acenaphthene --

7%

Concentrations of semivolatile organic compounds, organochlorine compounds, and trace elements detected in fish and cla

bed sediment of the Ozark Plateaus Study Unit. [μg/g, micrograms per gram; μg/kg, micrograms per kilogram; %, percent; 

--, not measured; trade names may vary]

EXPLANATION

Range of detections in fish and clam tissue in all 20 Study Units

Detection in bed sediment or fish tissue in the Ozark Plateaus Study Unit

Range of detections in bed sediment in all 20 Study Units

Guideline for the protection of aquatic life e

Detection in clam tissue in the Ozark Plateaus Study Unit

Semivolatile organic

compound

Rate of

detection b

Concentration, in μg/kg

0.1 10 100 1,000 10,000 100,000 1

Semivolatile organic

compound

Rate of

detection b

Concentration, in μg/kg

0.1 10 100 1,1

Acenaphthylene --

3%

Anthracene --

14%

Anthraquinone --

3%

Azobenzene --

3%

Benz[ a ]anthracene --

28%

Benzo[ a ]pyrene --

14%

Benzo[ b ]fluoranthene

--

28%

Benzo[ ghi ]perylene --

3%

Benzo[ k ]fluoranthene

--

28%

Butylbenzylphthalate --

62%

Chrysene --

34%

Di- n -butylphthalate --

100%

Di- n -octylphthalate --

10%

Dibenz[ a,h ]

anthracene

--

3%

Dibenzothiophene --

10%

Diethylphthalate --

24%

Dimethylphthalate --

3%

SUMMARY OF COMPOUND DETECTIONS AND CONCEN
28 Water Quality in the Ozark Plateaus, Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma, 1992-95

Fluoranthene --

41%

Indeno[1,2,3- cd ]

pyrene

--

14%

N-Nitrosodiphenylamine

--

7%

Nitrobenzene --

3%

Phenanthrene --

31%

Phenol --

72%

Pyrene --

41%

bis(2-Ethylhexyl)phthalate

--

97%

p-Cresol --

52%

Organochlorine

compound

(Trade name)

Rate

of

detection b

Concentration, in μg/kg

total-Chlordane 3%

3%

p,p’-DDE 6%

0%

total-DDT 10%

0%

Dieldrin (Panoram D31, Octalox)

3%

0%

0.01 0.1 1 10 100 1,000 10,000 100,000

Arsenic 93%

100%

Cadmium 97%

100%

Chromium 90%

100%

Copper 100%

100%

Lead 30%

100%

Mercury 60%

79%

Nickel 83%

100%

Selenium 87%

100%

Zinc 100%

100%

Semivolatile organic

compound

Rate of

detection b

Concentration, in μg/kg

0.1 10 100 1,000 10,000 100,000 1

Trace element Rate

of

detection b

Concentration, in μg/g

0.01 0.1 1 10 1

SUMMARY OF COMPOUND DETECTIONS AND CONCENTRATIONS
U.S. Geological Survey Circular 1158 

Semivolatile organic compounds, organochlorine compounds, and trace elements not detected in fish and clam tissue and b

of the Ozark Plateaus Study Unit.

Semivolatile organic

compounds

1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene

1,2-Dichlorobenzene (oDichlorobenzene, 1,2-

DCB)

1,3-Dichlorobenzene (mDichlorobenzene)

1,4-Dichlorobenzene (pDichlorobenzene, 1,4-

DCB)

2,2-Biquinoline

2,4-Dinitrotoluene

2-Chloronaphthalene

2-Chlorophenol

3,5-Dimethylphenol

Acridine

Benzo [c] cinnoline

C8-Alkylphenol

Isophorone

Isoquinoline

N-Nitrosodi-n-propylamine

Naphthalene

Pentachloronitrobenzene

Phenanthridine

Quinoline

bis (2-Chloroethoxy)methane

Organochlorine

compounds

Aldrin (HHDN, Octalene)

Chloroneb (chloronebe,

Demosan, Soil Fungicide

1823)

DCPA (Dacthal, chlorthaldimethyl)

Endosulfan I (alphaEndosulfan, Thiodan,

Cyclodan, Beosit, Malix,

Thimul, Thifor)

Endrin (Endrine)

Heptachlor epoxide (Heptachlor metabolite)

Heptachlor (Heptachlore,

Velsicol 104)

Hexachlorobenzene (HCB)

Isodrin (Isodrine, Compound 711)

Mirex (Dechlorane)

PCB, total

Pentachloroanisole (PCA,

pentachlorophenol metabolite)

Toxaphene (Camphechlor,

Hercules 3956)

alpha-HCH (alpha-BHC,

alpha-lindane, alphahexachlorocyclohexane,

alpha-benzene hexachloride)

beta-HCH (beta-BHC,

beta-hexachlorocyclohexane, alpha-benzene

hexachloride)

cis-Permethrin (Ambush,

Astro, Pounce, Pramex,

Pertox, Ambushfog, Kafil,

Perthrine, Picket, Picket G,

Dragnet, Talcord, Outflank,

Stockade, Eksmin,

Coopex, Peregin, Stomoxin, Stomoxin P, Qamlin, Corsair, Tornade)

delta-HCH (delta-BHC,

delta-hexachlorocyclohexane, delta-benzene

hexachloride)

gamma-HCH (Lindane,

gamma-BHC, Gammexane, Gexane, Soprocide,

gamma-hexachlorocyclohexane, gamma-benzene

hexachloride, gamma-benzene)

o,p’-Methoxychlor

p,p’-Methoxychlor (Marlate, methoxychlore)

trans-Permethrin(Ambush,

Astro, Pounce, Pramex,

Pertox, Ambushfog, Kafil,

Perthrine, Picket, Picket G,

Dragnet, Talcord, Outflank,

Stockade, Eksmin,

Coopex, Peregin, Stomoxin, Stomoxin P, Qamlin, Corsair, Tornade)

Trace elements

No non-detects

a

 Selected water-quality standards and guidelines (Gilliom and others, in press).

b Rates of detection are based on the number of analyses and detections in the Study Unit, not on national data. Rates of detection for h

insecticides were computed by only counting detections equal to or greater than 0.01 μg/L in order to facilitate equal comparisons a

pounds, which had widely varying detection limits. For herbicides and insecticides, a detection rate of “<1%” means that all detecti

than 0.01 μg/L, or the detection rate rounds to less than 1 percent. For other compound groups, all detections were counted and minim

limits for most compounds were similar to the lower end of the national ranges shown. Method detection limits for all compounds i

are summarized in (Gilliom and others, in press).

c Detections of these compounds are reliable, but concentrations are determined with greater uncertainty than for the other compounds an

as estimated values (Zaugg and others, 1995).

d The guideline for methyl tert-butyl ether is between 20 and 40 μg/L; if the tentative cancer classification C is accepted, the lifetime he

will be 20 μg/L (Gilliom and others, in press).

e

 Selected sediment-quality guidelines (Gilliom and others, in press).

SUMMARY OF COMPOUND DETECTIONS AND CONCEN
30 Water Quality in the Ozark Plateaus, Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma, 1992-95

REFERENCES

Adamski, J.C., 1997a, Nitrate and pesticides in ground water of the

Ozark Plateaus region in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma: U.S. Geological Survey

Fact Sheet FS-182-96, 4 p.

———1997b, Nutrients and pesticides

in ground water of the Ozark Plateaus in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma: U.S.

Geological Survey WaterResources Investigations Report

96-4313, 28 p.

———1997c, Radium and radon in

ground water of the Ozark region

in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri,

and Oklahoma: U.S. Geological

Survey Fact Sheet FS-181-96,

4 p.

Adamski, J.C., Petersen, J.C., Freiwald, D.A., and Davis, J.V., 1995,

Environmental and hydrologic

setting of the Ozark Plateaus

study unit, Arkansas, Kansas,

Missouri, and Oklahoma: U.S.

Geological Survey WaterResources Investigations Report

94-4022, 69 p.

Arkansas State University, 1996, An

economic impact analysis of

stream bed gravel mining: State

University, Arkansas, report submitted to Arkansas Gravel Mining

Task Force, unpaginated.

Bell, R.W., Davis, J.V., Femmer, S.R.,

and Joseph, R.L., 1997, Waterquality assessment of the Ozark

Plateaus study unit, Arkansas,

Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma—Organic compounds in

surface water, bed sediment, and

biological tissue, 1992-95: U.S.

Geological Survey WaterResources Investigations Report

97-4031, 30 p.

Bell, R.W., Joseph, R.J., and Freiwald,

D.A., 1996, Water-quality assessment of the Ozark Plateaus study

unit, Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma—Summary

of information on pesticides,

1970-90: U.S. Geological Survey

Water-Resources Investigations

Report 96-4003, 51 p.

Brown, A.V., and Lyttle, M.M., 1992,

Impacts of gravel mining on

Ozark stream ecosystems: Fayetteville, Arkansas Cooperative

Fish and Wildlife Research Unit,

Department of Biological Sciences, University of Arkansas,

118 p.

Davis, J.V., Petersen, J.C., Adamski,

J.C., and Freiwald, D.A., 1995,

Water-quality assessment of the

Ozark Plateaus study unit, Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma—Analysis of information

on nutrients, suspended sediment,

and suspended solids, 1970-92:

U.S. Geological Survey WaterResources Investigations Report

95-4042, 112 p.

Femmer, S.R., 1997, Water-quality

assessment of the Ozark Plateaus

study unit, Arkansas, Kansas,

Missouri, and Oklahoma—Habitat characteristics at selected sites,

1993-95: U.S. Geological Survey

Open-File Report 97-236, 44 p.

Fenneman, N.M., 1938, Physiography

of eastern United States: New

York, McGraw-Hill Book Co.,

Inc., 689 p.

Gelwick, F.P., and Matthews, W.J.,

1992, Effects of an algivorous

minnow on temperate stream ecosystem properties: Ecology, v. 73,

p. 1630-1645.

Gilliom, R.J., Alley, W.M., and Gurtz,

M.E., 1995, Design of the

National Water-Quality Assessment Program—Occurrence and

distribution of water-quality conditions: U.S. Geological Survey

Circular 1112, 33 p.

Gilliom, R.J., Mueller, D.K., and Nowell, L.H., in press, Methods for

comparing water-quality conditions among National WaterQuality Assessment Study Units,

1992-95: U.S. Geological Survey

Open-File Report 97-589.

Kanehl, Paul, and Lyons, John, 1992,

Impacts of in-stream sand and

gravel mining on stream habitat

and fish communities, including a

survey on the Big Rib River, Marathon County, Wisconsin: Wisconsin Department of Na

Resources PUBL-RS-155 

32 p.

Long, E.R., and Morgan, L.G.

The potential for biologic

effects for sediment-sorbe

taminants tested in the Na

Status and Trends Progra

NOAA, NOAA Technica

randum NOS OMA 52, S

Washington.

National Academy of Science

National Academy of Eng

ing, 1973 [1974], Water q

criteria, 1972: U.S. Envir

tal Protection Agency R3

U.S. Environmental Prote

Agency, Washington, D.C

Nowell, L.H., and Resek, E.A

National standards and gu

for pesticides in water, se

and aquatic organisms—A

tion to water-quality asse

ments: New York, Spring

Verlag, 221 p.

Otton, J.K., Gundersen, L.C.S

Schumann, R.R., 1993, T

ogy of radon: U.S. Geolo

Survey General Interest P

tions of the U.S. Geologi

vey, 29 p.

Schmitt, C.J., Wildhaber, M.L

J.B., Tieger, M.N., Steadm

B.L., and Nash, T., 1993,

Biomonitoring of lead-co

nated Missouri streams w

assay for d-aminolevulini

dehydratase (ALA-D) act

fish blood: Archives of E

mental Contaminants and 

cology, v. 25, p. 464-475.

U.S. Department of Commerc

1990 Census of populatio

housing summary, popula

housing characteristics—

sas, Kansas, Missouri, Ok

U.S. Environmental Protection

Agency, 1988, Maximum 

taminant levels (subpart 1

141, National revised drin

water regulations): U.S. C

Federal Regulations, Title 

parts 100 to 149, revised 

July 1, 1988, p. 530-533.
U.S. Geological Survey Circular 1158 

REFER

———1996, The national sediment

quality survey—A report to Congress on the extent and severity of

sediment contamination in surface

waters of the United States: U.S.

Environmental Protection Agency,

Office of Science and Technology,

EPA-823-D-96-002.

Zaugg, S.D., Sandstrom, M.W., Smith,

S.G., and Fehlberg, K.M., 1995,

Methods of analysis by the U.S.

Geological Survey National Water

Quality Laboratory—Determination of pesticides in water by C-18

solid-phase extraction and capillary-column gas chromatography

mass spectrometry with selected

ion monitoring: U.S. Geological

Survey Open-File Report 95-181,

p. 54.
32 Water Quality in the Ozark Plateaus, Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma, 1992-95

GLOSSARY

The terms in this glossary were compiled from numerous sources. Some

definitions have been modified and

may not be the only valid ones for

these terms.

Algae - Chlorophyll-bearing

nonvascular, primarily aquatic species

that have no true roots, stems, or

leaves; most algae are microscopic,

but some species can be as large as

vascular plants.

Anomalies - As related to fish,

externally visible skin or subcutaneous

disorders, including deformities,

eroded fins, lesions, and tumors.

Aquatic-life criteria - Water-quality

guidelines for protection of aquatic

life. Often refers to U.S.

Environmental Protection Agency

water-quality criteria for protection of

aquatic organisms. See also Waterquality guidelines and Water-quality

criteria.

Aquifer - A water-bearing layer of

soil, sand, gravel, or rock that will

yield usable quantities of water to a

well.

Benthic invertebrates - Insects,

mollusks, crustaceans, worms, and

other organisms without a backbone

that live in, on, or near the bottom of

lakes, streams, or oceans.

Biomass - The amount of living

matter, in the form of organisms,

present in a particular habitat, usually

expressed as weight per unit area.

Blue-baby syndrome - A condition

that can be caused by ingestion of high

amounts of nitrate resulting in the

blood losing its ability to effectively

carry oxygen. It is most common in

young infants and certain elderly

people.

Breakdown product - A compound

derived by chemical, biological, or

physical action upon a pesticide. The

breakdown is a natural process which

may result in a more toxic or a less

toxic compound and a more persistent

or less persistent compound.

Canopy angle - Generally, a measure

of the openness of a stream to

sunlight. Specifically, the angle

formed by an imaginary line from the

highest structure (for example, tree,

shrub, or bluff) on one bank to eye

level at midchannel to the highest

structure on the other bank.

Community - In ecology, the species

that interact in a common area.

Confined aquifer (artesian aquifer)

- An aquifer that is completely filled

with water under pressure and that is

overlain by material that restricts the

movement of water.

Criterion - A standard rule or test on

which a judgment or decision can be

based.

Detection limit - The concentration

below which a particular analytical

method cannot determine, with a high

degree of certainty, a concentration.

Dissolved solids - Amount of

minerals, such as salt, that are

dissolved in water; amount of

dissolved solids is an indicator of

salinity or hardness.

Drinking-water standard or

guideline - A threshold concentration

in a public drinking-water supply,

designed to protect human health. As

defined here, standards are U.S.

Environmental Protection Agency

regulations that specify the maximum

contamination levels for public water

systems required to protect the public

welfare; guidelines have no regulatory

status and are issued in an advisory

capacity.

Fecal bacteria - Microscopic singlecelled organisms (primarily fecal

coliforms and fecal streptococci)

found in the wastes of warm-blooded

animals. Their presence in water is

used to assess the sanitary quality of

water for body-contact recreation or

for consumption. Their presence

indicates contamination by the wastes

of warm-blooded animals and the

possible presence of pathogenic

(disease producing) organisms.

Habitat - The part of the phys

environment where plants and 

live.

Human health advisory - Gu

provided by U.S. Environmen

Protection Agency, State agen

scientific organizations, in the 

of regulatory limits, to describ

acceptable contaminant levels 

drinking water or edible fish.

Karst - A type of topography 

results from dissolution and co

of carbonate rocks such as lim

and dolomite, and characterize

closed depressions or sinkhole

and underground drainage.

Maximum contaminant level 

- Maximum permissible level 

contaminant in water that is de

to any user of a public water s

MCL's are enforceable standar

established by the U.S. Enviro

Protection Agency.

Mean - The average of a set o

observations, unless otherwise

specified.

Median - The middle or centr

in a distribution of data ranked 

order of magnitude. The medi

also known as the 50th percen

Method detection limit - The

minimum concentration of a su

that can be accurately identifie

measured with present laborat

technologies.

Milligrams per liter (mg/L) - 

expressing the concentration o

chemical constituents in soluti

weight (milligrams) of solute p

volume (liter) of water; equiva

one part per million in most

streamwater and ground water

thousand micrograms per liter 

mg/L.

National Academy of

Sciences/National Academy 

Engineering (NAS/NAE)

recommended maximum

concentration in water - Num

guidelines recommended by tw

NAS/NAE committees for the
U.S. Geological Survey Circular 1158 

GLO

protection of freshwater and marine

aquatic life, respectively. These

guidelines were based on available

aquatic toxicity studies, and were

considered preliminary even at the

time (1972). The guidelines used in

this report are for freshwater.

Nonpoint source - A contamination

source that cannot be defined as

originating from discrete points such

as pipe discharge. Areas of fertilizer

and pesticide applications,

atmospheric deposition, manure, and

natural inputs from plants and trees

are types of nonpoint-source

contamination.

Physiography - A description of the

surface features of the Earth, with an

emphasis on the origin of landforms.

Picocurie (pCi) - One trillionth

(10-12) of the amount of radioactivity

represented by a curie (Ci). A curie is

the amount of radioactivity that yields

3.7 x 1010 radioactive disintegrations

per second (dps). A picocurie yields

2.22 disintegrations per minute (dpm)

or 0.037 dps.

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) -

A mixture of chlorinated derivatives

of biphenyl, marketed under the trade

name Aroclor with a number

designating the chlorine content (such

as Aroclor 1260). PCBs were used in

transformers and capacitors for

insulating purposes and in gas pipeline

systems as a lubricant. Further sale for

new use was banned by law in 1979.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon

(PAH) - A class of organic

compounds with a fused-ring aromatic

structure. PAHs result from

incomplete combustion of organic

carbon (including wood), municipal

solid waste, and fossil fuels, as well as

from natural or anthropogenic

introduction of uncombusted coal and

oil. PAHs include benzo(a)pyrene,

fluoranthene, and pyrene.

Radon - A naturally occurring,

colorless, odorless, radioactive gas

formed by the disintegration of the

element radium; damaging to human

lungs when inhaled.

Relative abundance - The number of

organisms of a particular kind present

in a sample relative to the total

number of organisms in the sample.

Riparian zone - Pertaining to or

located on the bank of a body of

water, especially a stream.

Sediment - Particles, derived from

rocks or biological materials, that have

been transported by a fluid or other

natural process, and are suspended or

settled in water.

Semivolatile organic compound

(SVOC) - Operationally defined as a

group of synthetic organic compounds

that are solvent-extractable and can be

determined by gas

chromatography/mass spectrometry.

SVOCs include phenols, phthalates,

and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

(PAHs).

Sideslope gradient - The

representative change in elevation in a

given horizontal distance (usually

about 300 yards) perpendicular to a

stream; the valley slope along a line

perpendicular to the stream (near the

water-quality or biological sampling

point).

Sinuosity - The ratio of the channel

length between two points on a

channel to the straight-line distance

between the same two points; a

measure of meandering.

Stream order - A ranking of the

relative sizes of streams within a

watershed based on the nature of their

tributaries. The smallest unbranched

tributary is called first order, the

stream receiving the tributary is called

second order, and so on.

Substrate size - The diameter of

streambed particles such as clay, silt,

sand, gravel, cobble, and boulders.

Tolerant species - Those spec

are adaptable to (tolerant of) h

alterations to the environment 

often increase in number when 

alterations occur.

Trace element - An element f

only minor amounts (concentr

less than 1.0 milligram per lite

water or sediment; includes ar

cadmium, chromium, copper, 

mercury, nickel, and zinc.

Unconfined aquifer - An aqu

whose upper surface is a water 

an aquifer containing unconfin

ground water.

Volatile organic compounds 

- Organic chemicals that have 

vapor pressure relative to their 

solubility. VOCs include comp

of gasoline, fuel oils, and lubri

as well as organic solvents, fum

some inert ingredients in pesti

and some by-products of chlor

disinfection.

Water-quality criteria - Spec

levels of water quality which, 

reached, are expected to rende

of water unsuitable for its desi

use. Commonly refers to water

criteria established by the U.S

Environmental Protection Age

Water-quality criteria are base

specific levels of pollutants tha

make the water harmful if used 

drinking, swimming, farming, 

production, or industrial proce

Water-quality guidelines - Sp

levels of water quality which, 

reached, may adversely affect 

health or aquatic life. These ar

nonenforceable guidelines issu

governmental agency or other

institution.

Water-quality standards - St

adopted and U.S. Environmen

Protection Agency-approved a

standards for water bodies. Sta

include the use of the water bo

the water-quality criteria that m

met to protect the designated u

uses.
Petersen and others • Water Quality in the Ozark Plateaus

USGS Circular 1158 • 1998

Mississipp i R.

MISSOURI

ARKANSAS Springdale

Fayetteville

Illi nois Rive r

Osage River

Gascona de River

Missouri Rive r

Mer amec R.

Springfield Joplin

Black River

Arkansas River

OKLAHOMA

KANSAS

White Riv er

National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Program

Ozark Plateaus

NAWQA