DOI: 10.6073/pasta/6a2b8ef4fc0f09218d9b4c47a65b6054
title: Stream chemistry for core sites in Gwynns Falls: concentration of Cl, NO3, PO4, total N and P, SO4, dissolved oxygen, E. coli, plus temperature, pH, clarity, turbidity, isotopes, and pharmaceuticals

description: In the Baltimore urban long-term ecological research (LTER) project, (Baltimore Ecosystem Study, BES) we use the watershed approach to evaluate integrated ecosystem function. 
      
      
          The LTER research is centered on the Gwynns Falls watershed, a 17,150 ha catchment that traverses a gradient from the urban core of Baltimore, through older urban residential (1900 - 1950) and suburban (1950- 1980) zones, rapidly suburbanizing areas and a rural/suburban fringe.
      
      
          Our long-term sampling network includes four longitudinal sampling sites along the Gwynns Falls as well as several small (40 - 100 ha) watersheds located within or near to the Gwynns Falls. The longitudinal sites provide data on water and nutrient fluxes in the different land use zones of the watershed (rural/suburban, rapidly suburbanizing, old suburban, urban core) and the small watersheds provide more focused data on specific land use areas (forest, agriculture, rural/suburban, urban). Each of the gaging sites is continuously monitored for discharge and is sampled weekly for chemistry. Additional chemical sampling is carried out in a supplemental set of sites to provide a greater range of land use. Weekly analyses includes nitrate, phosphate, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, chloride and sulfate, turbidity, fecal coliforms, temperature, dissolved oxygen and pH. Cations, dissolved organic carbon and nitrogen and metals are measured on selected samples. 
      
      
          This dataset presents stream chemistry from the core long-term monitoring sites.  Sampling began at most of these sites in Fall 1998 and is ongoing.  
      
      
          A detailed description of these sites is posted at: http://md.water.usgs.gov/BES/.
      
      
          Streamflow data for this site are posted at: http://waterdata.usgs.gov/md/nwis/nwisman?site_no=01583570
      
      
          Codes and Abbreviations
      
          1 - GFGL - Gwynns Falls at Glyndon (grab samples) - Suburban headwaters - 15-Oct-98 - ongoing
      
          2 - GFGLcomp - Gwynns Falls at Glyndon (ISCO sampler) - Suburban headwaters - 30-Jan-09 - ongoing
      
          3 - GFGB - Gwynns Falls at Gwynnbrook Avenue (Delight) - Suburban - 15-Oct-98 - ongoing
      
          4 - GFVN - Gwynns Falls at Villa Nova (grab samples) - Suburban/urban boundary - 15-Oct-98 - ongoing
      
          5 - GFVNcomp - Gwynns Falls at Villa Nova (ISCO sampler) - Suburban/urban boundary - 1-Apr-08 - ongoing (with gap from June 2002 to January 2004)
      
          6 - GFCP - Gwynns Falls at Carroll Park - Urban - 15-Oct-98 - ongoing
      
          7 - POBR - Pond Branch forested reference site - Forested reference - 15-Oct-98 - ongoing
      
          8 - BARN - Baisman Run at Ivy Hill Road - Suburban unsewered - 4-Dec-98 - onging
      
          8 - MCDN - McDonogh agricultural site - Agricultural - 9-Dec-99 - ongoing
      
          9 - DRKR - Dead Run at Krome Avenue - Urban - 24-Nov-98 - ongoing
      
          10 - MAWI - Maidens Choice at Wilkens Avenue - Urban - 18-Feb-04 - ongoing
      
          11 - RGHT - Rognel Heights (grab samples) - Urban - 25-Feb-99 - ongoing
      
          12 - RGHTisco - Rognel Heights (ISCO sampler) - Urban - 18-Feb-02 - ongoing
      
          13 - GRGF - Gwynns Run at Gwynns Falls - Urban - 27-Aug-01 - onging
      
          14 - GFuGR - Gwynns Falls above Gwynns Run - Urban - 21-Jan-04 - ongoing
      
          15 - CRBR - Cranberry Branch - Exurban - 2-Jun-11 - ongoing
      
          16 - JBHH - Jennifer Branch at Hartford Hills - Suburban - 12-Aug-03 - 5/11/2010
      
          17 - JBNW - Jennifer Branch at Northwind - Suburban - 12-Aug-03 - 6/8/2010
      
          18 - JBON - Jennifer Branch at Ontario - Suburban - 12-Aug-03 - 6/8/2010
      
          19 - LANV - Lanvale street station in WS263 (grab samples) - Urban - 6-Apr-04 - 5/4/2010
      
          20 - LANVisco - Lanvale street station in WS263 (ISCO sampler) - Urban - 1-Apr-04 - 5/7/2009
      
          21 - BALTisco - Baltimore street station in WS263 (ISCO sampler) - Urban - 1-Apr-04 - 5/7/2009
      
          22 - BALT - Baltimore street station in WS263 (grab samples) - Urban - 6-Apr-04 - 5/4/2010
      
          23 - GRuTW - Gwynns Run above trash weir - Urban - 20-Jun-06 - 25-Jul-06
      
      
      
          Column,Variable (units)
      
          A,Date
      
          B,Year
      
          C,Julian Date
      
          D,Site
      
          E,Cl (mg/L)
      
          F,NO3 (mg N/L)
      
          G,PO4 (ug P/L)
      
          H,SO4 (mg/L)
      
          I,TN (mg N/L)
      
          J,TP (ugP/L)
      
          K,time
      
          L,stage (ft)
      
          M,temperature (deg C)
      
          N,dox (mg/L)
      
          O,ph
      
          P,clarity
      
          Q,Turbidity (NTU)
      
          R,Ecoli (CFU/100 mL)
      
          1,7-Dimethylxanthine (ug/L)
      
          Acetaminophen (ug/L)
      
          Amphetamine (ug/L)
      
          Caffeine (ug/L)
      
          Carbamazepine (ug/L)
      
          Cimetidine (ug/L)
      
          Cotinine (ug/L)
      
          Diphenhydramine (ug/L)
      
          MDMA (ug/L)
      
          Methamphetamine (ug/L)
      
          Morphine (ug/L)
      
          Sulfadimethoxine (ug/L)
      
          Sulfamethoxazole (ug/L)
      
          Thiabendazole (ug/L)
      
          d15N-NO3 (0/00)
      
          d18O-NO3  (0/00)
      
          Ca (mg/L)
      
          HCO3 (estimated mg/L)
      
          K (mg/L)
      
          Mg (mg/L)
      
          Na (mg/L)
      
      
          Methods:  
      
      
          Samples are collected weekly at an established sampling location at each station. Sampling locations were chosen based on adequate concentration of flow, proximity to weir and staff gage, and low vulnerability to disturbance. Samples are collected and stored in polyethylene bottles. 
      
      
          Weekly analyses includes nitrate, phosphate, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, chloride and sulfate, turbidity, fecal coliforms, temperature, dissolved oxygen and pH. Cations, dissolved organic carbon and nitrogen and metals are measured on selected samples.
      
      
          Samples for anion and cation analysis are filtered (0.45 micron). Samples for total N, total P, turbidity, and fecal coliform analysis are not filtered. 
      
      
          Every six weeks, samples are shipped to the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies (CIES) for anion, cation, TN, and TP analysis. Fecal coliform analysis was done from October 2001 through September 2004 in Karin Raedel's laboratory at UMBC. These analyses are described below.
      
      
          One blank from the laboratory distilled water source is prepared each week and stored along with the samples. Once every six weeks one extra filtered sample is collected at three stations, Carroll Park, Villanova, and Glyndon, for percent recovery (spike) analysis. Back at the UMBC lab, the extra bottle is spiked with one mL each of a 1000 ppm NO3- and a 1000 ppb PO4- standard per 100 ml of solution; the cation bottle is spiked with a combined nitrate and phosphate standard and stored and analyzed with other samples. Samples are stored at 4 degrees C. 
      
      
          Concentrations of nitrate, chloride and sulfate are analyzed on a Dionex LC20 series ion chromatograph. Concentrations of phosphate are analyzed on a Lachat Quikchem 8000 flow injection analyzer. 
      
      
          Total nitrogen and phosphorus are analyzed by persulfate digestion followed by analysis of nitrate and phosphate on a Lachat Quikchem 8000 flow injection analyzer. If the value for total N is more than 0.10 mg N L-1 less than nitrate-N, the total N value for that sample is set to the nitrate value. If the value for total P is more than 0.01 mg P L-1 less than the phosphate P, the total P value for that sample is set to the phosphate value.
      
      
          An HF Scientific DRT-15CE turbidimeter is used to analyze turbidity. 
      
      
          Samples were analyzed for fecal coliform concentration using Micrology Laboratories' Coliscan EasyGel method from October 2001 through September 2004.
      
      
          Temperature, pH, conductivity and dissolved oxygen are measured using a handheld meter during weekly visits for sample collection.
      
      
          Polar organic contaminant integrative sampler data for pharmaceuticals and personal care products in core sites within Gwynns Falls watershed and reference sites.
      
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          An ongoing component of the Baltimore urban long-term ecological research (LTER) project (Baltimore Ecosystem Study, BES) is the use of the watershed approach and monitoring of stream water quality to evaluate the impacts of multiple chemical stressors on urban stream ecosystem functioning within Baltimore. The LTER research has focused on the Gwynns Falls watershed, which spans a gradient from highly urban, urban-residential, and suburban zones. In addition, a forested watershed serves as a reference. The long-term sampling network includes four longitudinal sampling sites along the Gwynns Falls mainstem, as well as several small (40-100 ha) watershed within or near the Gwynns Falls, providing data on water quality in different land use zones of the watersheds. Each study site is continuously monitored for discharge and is sampled weekly for water chemistry. Those data are available elsewhere on the BES website. 
      
      
          We are interested in studying the presence and concentrations of pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) within urban streams, and then linking these PPCPs with various stream ecosystem functions. To quantify the concentrations of PPCPs in streams, we deploy polar organic contaminant integrative samples (POCIS), which integrate all organic contaminants that pass by them in a stream over a set period of deployment. These POCIS allow us to integrate the total amount of PPCPs within a stream over a set period of time, and then to relate these concentrations with other ecosystem processes. 
      
      
          We monitored PPCP concentration in four suburban to urban sites within the Gwynns Falls, as well as one exurban and one forested stream monitoring site. Each POCIS was deployed for two weeks at a stream monitoring site in March 2012. After completion of the sampling period, POCIS were removed from the streams and shipped on ice to the University of Nebraska for extraction and quantification of recovered compounds. 
      
      
          This dataset includes all compounds extracted and quantified from this specific POCIS deployment. A subset of these data are included in the following publication:
      
      
          Rosi, E.J., H.A. Bechtold, D. Snow, M. Rojas, A.J. Reisinger, and J.J. Kelly. 2018. Urban stream microbial communities show resistance to pharmaceutical exposure. Ecosphere 9(1):e02041. doi: 10.1002/ecs2.2041
      
      
          Codes and abbreviations
      
          1 - GRGF - Gwynns Run at Gwynns Falls - Urban
      
          2 - GFCP - Gwynns Falls at Carroll Park - Urban
      
          3 - DRKR - Dead Run at Krome Avenue - Urban
      
          4 - GFGB - Gwynns Falls at Gwynnbrook Avenue (Delight) - Suburban
      
          5 - BARN - Baisman Run at Ivy Hill Road - Suburban unsewered
      
          6 - POBR - Pond Branch forested reference site - Forested reference
      
      
          Column,Column Name,Variable-if different than Column Name (units)
      
          A,LAB_ID_String, Unique identifier for laboratory analysis
      
          B,Site, Site
      
          C,Replicate
      
          D,Analysis_Date, Date POCIS were analyzed
      
          E,1,7-Dimethylxanthine (ng/L)
      
          F,Acetaminophen (ng/L)
      
          G, Amphetamine (ng/L)
      
          H, Caffeine (ng/L)
      
          I, Carbamazepine (ng/L)
      
          J, Cimetidine (ng/L)
      
          K,Cotinine (ng/L)
      
          L,Diphenhydramine (ng/L)
      
          M,MDA, 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (ng/L)
      
          N,MDMA, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (ng/L)
      
          O,Methamphetamine (ng/L)
      
          P,Morphine (ng/L)
      
          Q,Sulfadimethoxine (ng/L)
      
          R,Sulfamethazine (ng/L)
      
          S,Sulfamethoxazole (ng/L)
      
          T,Thiabendazole (ng/L)
      
      
          Note: Reporting Limit for all PPCPs is 0.5 ng/L per laboratory analysis.
      
      
      
          Stable isotopic concentration of nitrates and POM:  
      
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          n the Baltimore urban long-term ecological research (LTER) project, (Baltimore Ecosystem Study, BES) we use the watershed approach to evaluate integrated ecosystem function. The LTER research is centered on the Gwynns Falls watershed, a 17,150 ha catchment that traverses a gradient from the urban core of Baltimore, through older urban residential (1900 - 1950) and suburban (1950- 1980) zones, rapidly suburbanizing areas and a rural/suburban fringe. Stable isotopic analyses were carried out on stream samples collected bi-weekly from June 2005 through December 2005 as part of the routine Baltimore LTER sampling. Sites included POBR (forest), MCDN (agricultural), BARN (low-residential), GFGL (suburban), DRKR (urban), GFCP (urban), and RGHT (storm drain). Samples were also taken from a small tributary to the Gwynns Falls (GFGR), approximately 300 m above GFCP, that was highly contaminated with sewage. A major sewer leak to this stream was identified and repaired in April 2004. Stable isotopic analyses of soil water underneath fertilized lawns and atmospheric deposition was measured in long-term lawn study plots on the campus of the University of Maryland Baltimore County. Storm samples were also collected from 6 locations (DR1, DR3.1, DR3.2, DR4, DR5, DRKR gauge) within the Dead Run watershed over July 2005. At one site (DR3), two sets of samples were collected, one just above (DR3.1) and just below (DR3.2) an overflowing sewer. All stormflow samples were collected on the receding limb of the storm hydrograph, as the flashy nature of these urban streams makes sampling the rising limb difficult in terms of both timing and personal safety. Nitrate concentrations are a separate set of chemical analyses than the routine weekly analyses.