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.

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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.

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   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."

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                   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

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                                                                    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

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 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

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