The State of Missouri has issued a fish consumption advisory for some streams. However, the levels of radium seldom exceeded the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency drinking-water standard. 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.