WATER QUALITY SURVEY
OF THE
PATUXENT RIVER
1969
DATA REPORT
Number 17
Annapolis Field Office
Region III
Environmental Protection Agency
-------
Annapolis Field Office
Region III
Environmental Protection Agency
1969 Data Report
Number 17
WATER QUALITY SURVEY
OF THE
PATUXENT RIVER
Staff
James W. Marks, Chief, Laboratory Section
Orterio Villa, Jr., Chemist
Anna R. Favorite, Statistician
Evelyn P. McPherson, Technician
-------
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
I INTRODUCTION 1
II STATION LOCATIONS 6
III SURVEY RESULTS 7
IV MAP appendix i
-------
I INTRODUCTION
A. Purpose and Scope
During the year of 1969 the Annapolis Field Office, Region
III, Environmental Protection Agency continued surveys of the
estuary portion of the Patuxent River. The purpose of the
surveys was to continue upgrading data from previous years and
model verification.
B. General Remarks
The Patuxent estuary was sampled six times during the year.
Monthly sample runs were made during the summer months of June
through August.
C. Sampling Procedures
Samples for chemical analysis were obtained by dipping a
plastic bucket into the river water with a minimum of agitation.
The water sample was then transferred to a plastic one-quart
cubitainer. Dissolved oxygen (DO) samples were obtained by
siphoning from the bucket through plastic tubing extended to
the bottom of a conventional 300 ml DO bottle. The bottle was
overfilled twice without excessive agitation, and the DO fixed
immediately. AH samples were stored on ice. Analysis was
started immediately on return to the Annapolis Field Office,
generally within two hours of sampling.
-------
D. Measured Parameters and Analytical Methods
1. Water temperature was determined using a mercury
thermometer inserted into the sample container immediately
upon collection.
2. Water temperature was read from a Beckman Salinometer.
3. Conductivity was read from a calibrated Beckman Salinometer.
it. Salinity was determined with a calibrated Beckman
Salinometer.
5>. Total Phosphorus
Reference: Menzel, D.W. and Corwin, N., 1965. The
Measurement of Total Phosphorus in Seawater Based on the Liberation
of Organically Bound Fractions by Persulfate Oxidation. Limonology
and Oceanography, 10: 280-282.
Murphy, J. and Riley, J.P., 1962. A Modified Single
Solution Method for the Determination of Phosphate in Natural
Waters. Analytica Chimica Acta, 2?: 31-36.
Total Phosphorus was determined after persulfate oxidation
of the sample in an autoclave at 15> psi for 30 minutes. The
resultant ortho-phosphate was then determined colorimetrically as
the molybdenum-blue complex with the optical density measured at
882 ran.
6. Inorganic Phosphorus
Reference: Murphy, J. and Riley, J.P., 1962. A Modified
-------
Single Solution Method for the Determination of Phosphate in
Natural Waters. Analytica Chimica Acta, 27 : 31-36.
Inorganic Phosphorus was determined by automation of
the above procedure using the Technicon "AutoAnalyzer." The
molybdenum-blue complex formed was determined colorimetrically
with the optical density measured at 885 m^.
7. Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen
Reference: Standard Methods for the Examination of
Water and Wastewater, 12 ed., 1965.
Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen includes ammonia and organic
nitrogen and was determined by the standard micro-kjeldahl
procedure. The sample was digested in the presence of strong
acid to convert the organic nitrogen to ammonia. The ammonia
was then distilled, collected in boric acid solution, nessleriz-
ed and determined colorimetrically.
8. Nitrate and Nitrite
Reference: A Practical Handbook of Seawater Analysis,
J.D.H. Strickland and T.R. Parsons, Bulletin 167, Fisheries
Reasearch Board of Canada, Ottawa, Canada. 1968.
Nitrate plus nitrite nitrogen was determined by
automation of the above procedure using the Technicon "Auto-
Analyzer. " This procedure utilizes cadmium reduction of
nitrate to nitrite and subsequent diazotization with sulfanilamide
-------
and N-(l-naphthyl)-ethylenediamine dihydrochloride with the
optical density measured at 5^0 mM-. The results were re-
ported as nitrogen.
9. Ammonia
Reference: Southeast Water Laboratory, FWQA,
Methodology for -the colorimetric determination of ammonia
by the phenol-hypochlorite reaction.
FWPCA Methods for Chemical Analysis of Water and
Wastes, November 1969.
Ammonia nitrogen was determined by automation of the
phenol-hypochlorite procedure as described in the Southeast
Water Laboratory Methodology and later adopted as the official
FWPCA procedure. The intensity of the indophenol blue color,
formed by the reaction of ammonia with alkaline phenol-hypo-
chlorite, was increased using sodium nitroprusside as an
intensifying agent. The optical density was measured at 630
mM* and calculated as NH^-N.
10. Chlorophyll a
Reference: A Practical Handbook of Seawater Analysis,
J.D.H. Strickland and T.R. Parsons, Bulletin 16?, Fisheries
Reasearch Board of Canada, Ottawa, Canada. 1968.
Chlorophyll a was determined by extraction of millipore
filtered samples in 90$ acetone and read spectrophotometrically.
-------
11. Turbidity was determined with a Hach photoelectric
nephelometer, calibrated in Jackson Turbidity Units.
12. Dissolved Oxygen
Reference: Standard Methods for the Examination of
Water and Wastewater, 12 ed., 1965-
Dissolved Oxygen was determined by the azide modification
of the basic Winkler method with the titration done potentio-
metrically with a Fisher automatic "titralyzer."
-------
II STATION LOCATIONS
Station Location
E 1 Route 50 Bridge
E 2 Queen Anne's Bridge
E 3 Bell's Junk Yard
E I; Trailer Court
E 5 Wayson's Corner, Route 1; Bridge
E 5-A Western Branch
E 6 Mouth of Western Branch
E 6A Middle of Jug Bay
E 7 Mouth of Lyon's Creek
E 8 Nottingham
E 9 Lower Marlboro, opposite wharf
E 10 High Power Lines
E 11 Halfway between Trueman Point and Deep Landing
E 12 500 yards east of PEPCO Canal
E 13 Chalk Point
E ll; Benedict Bridge Channel
E 15 Sheridan Point, Buoy 21
-------
Ill SURVEY RESULTS
1969
PATUXENT ESTUARY
ANNAPOLIS FIELD OFFICE
Date Time
Sample Sample Sample
Number Taken Taken
Water Secchi
Temp Disk
"C Inches
Conduc-
tivity
Hmhos
Salinity
°/oo
Gage
Height
Feet
Total
mg/1
Inorganic P
NOp+NO?
TKN mg/1
mg/1 N NO-^-H
NH,
Chloro-
phyll a
mg/1 M tig/1
Tur-
bidity DO
JTU- mg/1
69020301
060901
070201
062501
102701
121801
2-03
6-09
7-02
8-25
10-27
12-18
091*5
091*5
0915
101*5
0925
0910
k
20
22
20
10
1
69020302
060902
070202
082502
102702
121802
2-03
6-09
7-02
8-25
10-27
12-18
1010
nl*5
0850
1025
1055
1035
5
21
23
19.5
9.5
1
69020303
060903
070203
062503
102703
121803
2-03
6-09
7-02
6-25
10-27
12-18
101*0
1120
Cfi30
1C1C
111''
ic5u
U.5
20.5
27
20
9
1
Station El- U.S. Route 50 Bridge
i*.50 2.286
1.1 3.70 3.632
0
3.39
5.206
2.530
1*.85
3.08
U.735
-3.0
2.71
Station E 2 - Queen Anne's Bridge
TTu?9
.8 3.027
0 3.619 3.26G
2.130
i*.7u >3.C
2.70 ?.28
Station E 3 - Bell's Junk Yard
1.771
0 2.368
0 2.981* 2.633
2.032
1*.31 >3-0
2. 1*2 2.00
1.883
?.8i*3
1.71*1*
1.1*13
.957
1.1463
1.529
.91*3
1.250
1.10
1.790
1.671*
.551
1.065
1.98
1.221*
1.905
3.496
1.75
1.75
1.07
.997
2ol»3
3.21*8
1.6k
> 1.50
1.01*
.906
2.270
2.71*1*
1.65
> 1.80
.969
1.160
1.033
.780
.77
1.95
2.27
.835
.91*8
.360
.,'3
1.71*
1.1*5
.923
.585
.116
.61*
1.J8
1.146
2.25
6.75
11.25
6.00
ND
7.50
1.50
l*.5o
9.75
3.75
ND
3.75
5.25
7.50
11.25
3.00
KD
6.00
17.5
72
29
25
36
21*
10.37
1*.15
2.62
5.75
7.07
11.32
10.51
l*.5o
U.22
6.13
LA
11.58
10.27
1*.88
1*.99
6.09
7.91*
11.61
LA Laboratory accident
ND Not detectable
-------
Sample
Number
69020304
060904
070204
082504
102704
121804
69020305
060905
070205
082505
102705
121805
69020306
060906
070206
082506
102706
121806
69020307
060907
070207
082507
102707
121807
69020308
060908
070208
082508
102708
121808
Date
Sample
Taken
2-03
6-09
7-02
6-25
10-27
12-18
2-03
6-09
7-02
6-25
10-27
12-18
2-03
6-09
7-02
8-25
10-27
12-18
2-03
6-09
7-02
8-25
10-27
12-18
2-03
6-09
7-02
8-25
10-27
12-18
Saaple
Taken
1055
1110
0600
1000
1135
1110
1140
1045
0730
0945
1015
1015
1255
1105
0745
1000
1035
1035
1245
1110
0750
1005
1045
1040
1235
1121
0805
1020
1058
1050
Water Secchi
Temo Disk
°C Inches
4.5
21
27
20.5
11
1
5
21.5
26 14
21
9.5
1
2.4 33
22
22 ' 13
21
9.5
1.5
2.5 27
22.5
28 18
22
10
1
2.4 25
24
28 20
23.5
11
1
Conduc-
tivity Salinity
Mmhos Voo
Station E 4
0
0
Station E 5
0
0
Station E 5A
0
0
Station E 6
.6
0
Station E 6A
.7
0
Gage Total P
Height POi
Feet mg/1
- Trailer Court
.692
2.638
1.725
1.395
2.82
2.09
- Route 4 Bridge,
1.543
1.751
1.196
1.514
3-73
1.92
- Western Branch
.290
.844
.693
.581
.858
1.53
Inorganic P
P04
rag/1
1.299
2.12
1.64
Wayson ' s Corner
.866
2.73
1.26
.188
.400
1.11
- Mouth of Western Branch
• 99U
.688
.488
1.006
2.20 .
1.49
- Middle of Jug
.867
.546
.431
.795
1.03
1.03
.125
1.33
.915
Bay
.095
.408
.625
TKN
rng/1 M
1.265
1.773
1.273
1.456
1.91
1.222
1.291
.858
1.238
1.66
1.049
.756
1.170
.400
1.17
1.049
LA
.790
.806
2.11
.926
.802
.886
.781
1.03
mg/1
NO,-N
1.302
2.230
2.212
1.22
1.75
1.01
1.C52
1.954
2.720
1.26
1.66
1.18
.548
1.006
2.212
.20
.49
.932
.937
.727
.006
.87
1.34
.885
.898
.371
ND
.46
.85
.871
mg/1" N
.648
.693
.252
.39
.63
1.17
1.025
.660
.230
.40
.87
1.96
.145
.423
.030
.13
.17
.873
.733
.343
.010
.35
.42
.820
.833
.190
.005
.23
.28
.559
Chloro-
phyll a
9.75
9.75
7.50
3.75
ND
3.75
3.00
5-25
5.25
S.25
3.75
3.75
2.25
6.00
10.50
3-75
[CD
3.00
4.50
14.25
16.50
8.25
.75
6.75
2.25
44.25
41.25
6.75
24.25
5.25
Tur-
bidity
JTU
14
27
25
21
12
19
15
17.5
14.5
27.5
DO
mg/1
8.85
4.42
3.87
5.50
8.4l
11.32
9-61
3.97
3.20
5.21
7.94
11.03
10.61
3.61
6.33
4.48
8.70
11.24
9.74
3.38
6.60
4.45
7.11
11.20
9.34
5.34
6.79
3-93
10.09
11.55
LA Laboratory accident
ND Not detectable
-------
Sample
Number
69020309
060909
070209
082509
102709
121809
69020310
060910
C70210
082510
10271C
121810
69020311
060911
070211
082511
102711
121811
6902C312
060912
070212
082512
102712
121812
69020313
060913
C70213
082513
102713
121813
Date
Sample
Taken
2-03
6-09
7-02
8-25
10-27
12-18
2-03
6-09
7-02
80^
-2?
10-27
12-18
2-03
6-09
7-02
8-25
10-27
12-18
2-03
6-09
7-02
8-25
10-27
12-18
2-03
6-09
7-02
8-2?
10-27
12-18
Time
Sample
Taken
1215
1128
C810
1035
1105
1100
111*0
111*5
0830
1050
1120
1115
1125
1205
0850
1115
111*0
1135
1115
1220
09K
1135
120G
H55
1110
1230
092=;
lilt'?
1210
1210
Water Secchi
Temp Disk
°C Inches
2.3 18'
21*
28 20
23.5
11
1.5
2 12
21*
28 18
25
12
1.5
2 11*
21*. 5
28 16
27
13
2
2.2 11*
25
28 22
27.5
13.5
o
2.6 19
25.5
29 30
28
11*
2
Conduc-
tivity Salinity
Hmhos °/oo
Station E 7
1.5
0
Station E 8
13.9
2.5
Station E 9
.6
it. 9
Station E 10
2.9 1.0
8.6
6.7
Station E 11
l*.l 2.0
9.8
8.8
Gage Total P
Height POL
Feet mg/1
- Mouth of Lyon ' s
.920
.918
.1*26
.586
.775
1.07
- Nottingham
..815
.398
.1*38
.621*
.539
1.28
- Lower Marlboro,
.1*05
.292
.1*1*7
.612
.309
.1*59
Inorganic P
P\
mg/1
Creek
.072
.152
.660
.116
.11*5
.625
opposite wharf
.115
.120
.261
- High Power Lines
.226
.282
.370
.560
.251
.377
- Halfway oetveen
.211
.21*8
.371
.301*
.279
.277
• 1U9
.117
.223
Tnieman Point
.166
.078
.150
TKN
mg/1 N
1.C6&
.61*0
.830
.756
.797
.861,
.81*9
.608
.800
.31*6
.883
.750
.69?
.925
.601
.651*
.558
.727
1.20C
1.68
and Deep
.512-
.1*13
.571*
.650
LA
N02+N03-
mg/1
N03-N
.888
.31*0
:ro
.35
.39
.861*
.781
.163
ND
.36
.12
.802
.698
.055
KD
.1*0
.03
.751
.581
.018
KD
.33
.03
.721*
Landing
.611
ND
ND
.21
.01*
.1*52
NH
mg/I N
.663
.310
.008
.21
.29
.1*76
.51*5
.218
.026
.23
.OF.
.1*76
.1*95
.173
ND
.1C
.05
.1*89
.533
.158
KD
.21
.06
.!*:/*
.1*1*3
.053
ND
.26
.(Jh
.30';'
Chloro-
phyll a
Hg/1
6.75
51*. 00
51.75
8.25
22.50
16.50
6.75
1*1.25
6l.5o
15.75
9.00
30.00
5.25
33.00
52 . 5o
20.25
9.00
15.00
3.75
29.25
133.50
13.50
.75
Lft
KD
27.75
4V.V5
15.00
3-75
11.25
Tur-
bidity
JTU
23
31*
35
18
25
16.5
17
12
12.5
12
DO
mg/1
9.66
5.86
6.31*
3.96
11.13
10.98
10.36
6.61*
5.66
U.63
9.65
10.89
10.25
6.21
6.23
5.19
8.59
10.61
10.09
6.76
7.37
5.1*7
8.1*6
10.85
10.00
6.76
6.89
6.1U
8.57
10.93
LA Laboratory accident
ND Not detectable
-------
Sample
Number
69020311*
060911*
070211*
082511*
102711*
121811*
69020315
060915
070215
082515
102715
121815
69020316
060916
070216
082516
102716
121816
69020317
060917
070217
082517
102717
Date
Sample
Taken
2-03
6-09
7-02
8-25
10-27
12-18
2-03
6-09
7-02
8-25
10-27
12-16
2-03
6-09
7-02
8-25
10-27
12-18
2-03
6-09
7-02
8-25
10-27
Time
Sample
Taken
1105
121*5
0930
1155
1230
1215
1055
1250
091*0
1205
121*0
1225
101*5
1305
0950
1220
1250
1235
1030
1320
1015
1230
1305
Water
Temp
•c
3.5
25.5
29
28.5
11*
2
3-7
29
28.5
11*
2
3.5
21*
28.5
28
11*
2
2.1
28
28
11*
Secchi
Disk
Inches
21*
21*
28
1*2
36
1*6
75
1*6
Conduc-
tivity Salinity
Hmhos */oo
Station E 12
6.0 3.6
11.6
11.3
Station E 13
9.1* b.9
12.5
11.7
Station E Ik
10.6 8.1
12.8
12.1
Station E 15
.. 11-5 9-3
13.8
13.7
Gage Total P
Height POL
Feet mg/1
- 500 yards east
.190
.258
.392
.1*05
.278
.251*
- Chalk Point
.501
.221*
.1*15
.51*5
.278
.221
- Benedict Bridge
.139
.229
.332
.389
.251
.223
- Sheridan Point,
.121
.187
.51*0
.1*17
.21*1
Inorganic P
POL
mg/1
of PEPCO Canal
.171
.102
.128
.162
.127
.121
channel
.150
.137
.068
Buoy 21
.231
.127
TKN
mg/1 N,
.691
.1*01
.568
1.21*1*
.368
.593
.1*13
.611*
.800
.797
.1*1*1*
.186
.1*1*9
.1*56
.721*
.716
.1*01
1.131
.500
NOo+NO,,
mg/1 J
NO^-N
.1*53
ND
ND
.10
.005
.293
.375
ND
ND
.02
.005
.336
.382-
ND
ND
.02
.005
.181
.265
ND
ND
.03
ND
NH,
mg/lJN
.135
.1*15
.005
.10
.03
.170
.118
.278
.008
.01*
.01*
.211
.073
.31*3
.005
.11*
.03
.108
• .01*3
.1*23
.063
.05
.03
Chloro-
phyll a
P«/l ~
ND
16.50
51.00
6.75
.75
19.50
It. 50
15.75
32.25
12.00
.75
2.25
9.00
17.25
30.00
12.00
3.75
22.50
8.25
11*. 25
63.75
21.00
3.75
Tur-
bidity
JTO
13
8.1*
10
6.1*
8
7
1*.5
3.2
DO
•ft/1
9.69
6.76
6.17
7.60
8.76
11.19
9.69
6.63
6.38
9.51
8.91
11.25
9*8$
6^83
6^21
7.06
8.99
11.55
10.13
6.kk
B.Ik
7.58
9.11*
ND Not detectable
-------
E i - ROUTE 50 BRIDGE
QUEEN ANNE'S BRIDGE - E 2
E 5A - WESTERN BRANCH
BELL'S JUNK YARD - E 3
TRAILER COURT - E 4
WAYSON'S CORNER. ROUTE 4 BRIDGE -E5
MOUTH OF WESTERN BRANCH - E 6
MIDDLE OF JUG BAY - E 6A
MOUTH OF LYON'S CREEK - E7
E 8 - NOTTINGHAM
E9- LOWER MARLBORO. OPPOSITE WHARF
HALFWAY BETWEEN TRUEMAN POINT
AND DEEP LANDING
E 14- BENEDICT BRIDGE CHANNEL
HIGH POWER LINES - E 10
500 YARDS EAST OF P E P CO CANAL - E 12
CHALK POINT- E 13
EI5-SHERIDAN POINT. BUOY 21
PATUXENT RIVER SURVEY
1969
SCALE IN MILES
------- |