A PRELIMINARY ANALYSIS OF
WATER POLLUTION SURVEILLANCE
SYSTEM PLANKTON DATA
for the NORTHWEST REGION
T]]LEAi
FEDERAL WATER
POLLUTION CONTROL
ADMINISTRATION
NORTHWEST REGION
PORTLAND,OREGON
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A PRELIMINARY ANALYSIS OF
WATER POLLUTION SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM PLANKTON DATA FOR
THE NORTHWEST REGION
Prepared by
Pollution Surveil.lance Branch
Office of Technical Programs
Working Paper No. 63
United States Department of the Interior
Federal Water Pollution Control Administration, Northwest Region
501 Pittock Block
Portland, Oregon 97205
February 1969
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Conclusions or recommendations
made or inferred in this working
paper are tentative and subject
to reconsideration as research
proceeds on this subject.
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CONTENTS
Chapter . . Pa%e
I. INTRODUCTION 1
II. CONCLUSION 3
III. DESCRIPTION AND EVALUATION 4
Study Area and Stations 4
Collection and Analyses of Samples 8
Evaluation of Data 9
Results 11
IV. DISCUSSION ............... 13
APPENDIX A. Yearly Maximum and Minimum Values from Seasonal
Live Algae Data at each Columbia Basin Sampling
Station 15 •
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. INTRODUCTION
The Water Pollution Surveillance System (WPSS) was established
in 1957 to collect, evaluate and disseminate water quality data for
application to programs for the prevention, control and abatement
of water pollution.
Consultations with water quality management and resource de-
velopment agencies revealed that plankton measurements were a
necessity in meeting the biological objectives of the program.
It was hoped that variations in water quality would be evidenced
by monthly and yearly differences in population cycles and com-
munity structure.
Nationally 50 sampling locations were initially authorized,
with plans for future establishment of approximately 400. Sam-
pling stations were selected on the basis of the following cri-
teria: (a) major waterways, (b) interstate, coastal and inter-
national boundary waters, and (c) waters on which water manage-
ment activities may have an impact. Fourteen of these stations
were established in the Pacific Northwest.
Passage of the Water Quality Act of 1965 gave increased em-
phasis to certain water uses and called for the establishment, of
water quality standards for the maintenance and improvement of
interstate and coastal waters. Pollution surveillance, in addi-
tion to obtaining basic data, dealt with the more comprehensive
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2
task of evaluating water quality with regard to water quality
standards and specific pollution problems.
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present a preliminary'
evaluation of plankton data collected in the Pacific Northwest
Region and to make recommendations regarding the advisability
of continuing this data collection for pollution surveillance
purposes.
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CONCLUSION
Under the proper conditions, plankton data can be a useful
parameter in itself; however, its present role is to lend support
to chemical and physical data. These plankton data have provided
almost ten years of "baseline" data at certain points in the
Northwest Region. At a later date, if needed, these data could
prove to be of historic value if and when a comparison needed to
be made between two periods of time to determine water quality
changes.
However, it is recommended that routine plankton sampling be
discontinued as a Pollution Surveillance Branch function until a
biological sampling program can be designed which will best meet
the immediate needs of the Branch.
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DESCRIPTION AND EVALUATION
Study Area and Stations
The Columbia River drains an area of approximately 259,000
square miles, of which 3,000 square miles are lakes, reservoirs
and channels. Water use varies greatly, depending on the area
of the basin. Generally, the industrial use is concentrated in
the lower river, while agricultural activities predominate in the
upper river. Hydroelectric interests, both public and private,
have constructed many dams along the river. Figure 1 shows the
location of dams and WPSS plankton sampling stations within the .
basin. Table 1 presents the dates .of initiation and termination
of plankton sampling at these stations along with their "river.
mile" location, and Table 2 shows the total storage and year of
construction of each hydroelectric facility on the Columbia
River.
Because of limitations imposed on the establishment of sta-
tions, only six were initiated along the 745 miles of Columbia
River flowing within the United States. Since the start of this
program, plankton sampling at Bonneville Dam, McNary Dam and
Wenatchee, Washington has been terminated. Elimination of these
stations increased the distance between the remaining stations on
the Columbia River main stem as follows: Clatskanie to Pasco,
275.2 river miles, and Pasco to Northport, 416.0 river miles.
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J I.
Figure 1
Water Pollution Surveillance System
Plankton Sampling Stations
Columbia River Basin
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TABLE 1
PLANKTON SAMPLING STATIONS IN THE COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN
MAP
STATION
NUMBER
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
*14
STATION
NAME
Clatskanie.
Bonneville
McNary
Pasco
Wenatchee
Northport
Portland
Ice Harbor
Payette
Lewiston
Richland
Post Falls Dam
Albeni Falls Dam
Wawawai
RIVER
Columbia
Columbia
Columbia
Columbia
Columbia
Columbia
Willamette
Snake
Snake
Clearwater
Yakima
Spokane
Pend Orielle
Snake
RIVER
MILE
53.8
146.1
292.0
329.0
458.2
745.0
8.5
9.7
365.6
2.0
3.0
102.1
90.1
110.7
TRIBUTARY
TO
Pacific Ocean
Pacific Ocean
Pacific Ocean
Pacific Ocean
Pacific Ocean
Pacific Ocean
Columbia
Columbia
Columbia
Snake
Columbia
Columbia
Columbia
Columbia
DATE
BEGAN .
4/58
3/57
4/61
1/58
9/58
5/62
8/62
5/62
11/61
10/61
4/61
5/62
5/62
DATE
ENDED
9/67
7/65
7/65
9/67
7/65
9/67
9/67
9/67
8/67
9/67
9/67
9/67
8/67
* Plankton Data not available for this station
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TABLE 2
DAMS ON THE COLUMBIA RIVER
FACILITY
Bonneville
The Dalles
John Day
McNary
Priest Rapids
Wanapum
Rock Island
Rocky Reach
Wells
Chief Joseph
Grand Coulee
RIVER
MILE
146.1
191.5
215.6
292.0
397.1
415.0
453.4
474.5
516.6
545.1
596.6
STORAGE (Acre Feet)
719,000
332,500
2,100,000
1,350,000
198,700
669,700
8,600
101,400
330,000
518,000
9,562.000
DATE COMPLETED
1938
1957
1968
1957
1960
1963
1953
1961
1967
1955
1941
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8
Noting the dates of dam construction and the date of station ini-
ation (Table 1), it can be seen that the addition of more sampling
points might have improved the adequacy of the data. For example,
the Pasco station initially monitored the discharge from Rock Is-
land Dam and the Hanford Reservation along an uninterrupted stretch.
of river. By 1963 Wanapum and Priest Rapids Dams had been completed
and had converted a large portion of the river into a lentic envi-
ronment still monitored only by the Pasco station. Under these
and other circumstances, the relocation or addition of stations
would have been desirable.
Other sampling stations with the exception of the one at
Lewisto.n, Idaho on the Clearwater River, were located on major
tributaries to the Columbia.
Collection and Analyses of Samples
Sample bottles, each containing a proper volume of Merthiolate
preservative, were shipped in mailing containers to the stations.
After filling the sample bottle and completing the sample identi-
fication tag, the local cooperator promptly shipped the package to
the Water Laboratory at Cincinnati, Ohio.
Plankton samples were collected directly from reservoirs,
rivers or water plant intakes at a depth between 2 and 15 feet.
Depending on the type of analysis to be performed the sample
volume varied from one to three liters, but for most purposes
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9
one liter was sufficient.
immediately prior to analysis the plankton sample was mixed
by inverting the sample bottle at least seven times and a 50 to
100 ml aliquot was poured into a beaker. The contents of the
beaker were again mixed, a one ml subsample was placed in a
Sedgwick-Rafter plankton counting cell and allowed to settle for
15 minutes. If the sample was too dense or a large amount of silt
present, the sample was diluted 5 to 10 times to facilitate count-
ing.
Two "strip counts" across the chamber were made and the or-
ganisms identified to genus, or to species if possible, and re-
corded on a standardized bench sheet. With the exception of no-
tations made of the number of empty diatom frustules only live
cells were counted. For those samples which contained organisms
too small to identify under the conventional magnification, a "wet
mount" was made of.the material and the count was completed.
From a centrifuged aliquot of the sample a permanent slide
was prepared for the diatom species proportional count. Data
from these counts were also tabulated on bench sheets and stored
for reference.
Evaluation of Data
To facilitate preliminary data analysis, summaries of the
bench sheets were made on the basis of major algal groupings.
The summary pages were columned as to date of sample, coccoid
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10
green, filamentous green, coccoid blue-green, filamentous blue-
green, "other algae", centric diatoms, pennate diatoms and the
total number of live cells in the sample.. No .further taxonomic
breakdown was considered on these sheets.
The number of total live algae, coccoid green algae, centric
diatoms and pennate diatoms were used in all of the preliminary
analyses. The other groups did not appear as frequently or as
abundantly.
The aquatic environment undergoes seasonal changes and with
these changes the floral and faunal communities change in indi-
vidual numbers and types. For this reason, these data have been
grouped by seasons of the year. "Seasons" were defined as:
Winter: November, December, January
Spring: March, April
Summer: June, July
Fall: September, October
Seasons in which the months of February, May and August were
included depended strictly upon the weather. As an example, Feb-
ruary was included with January where winter months are severe,
but was included with March when winter conditions are moderate.
A seasonal average was arrived at by dividing the total number of
cells in a particular group for a given season by the number or
samples collected during the season.
The plankton data for all stations were plotted on the basis
of: (a) total live algae by dates, (b) live algae by season,
(c) coccoid green algae by season, (d) centric diatoms by season,
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and, (e) pennate diatoms by season.
Results
Plankton data for the period of record, using the figures pre-
pared according to total numbers and major groups, indicated a gen-
eral increase in plankton numbers at most of the stations. This
trend was verified by plotting both maximum and minimum seasonal
values from the total live algae data (Appendix A).
The figures in Appendix A point out other features of the data.
For example, the figure prepared for Clatskanie indicates a rapid
increase in plankton numbers during 1962 vhich declined in 1963.
This peak shows the influence of one sample, collected in the fall,
which contained a large number of coccoid blue-green algae,
Cocco chip r_i_s sp. This alga appeared at an abundance of 108,032
cells/ml., on September 4, 1962. No other mass occurrence of this
alga was observed in the data. The Snake River station at Payette,
Idaho also exhibited a peak in plankton numbers during 1962. How-
ever, this station exhibits consistently high counts of centric
diatoms and the 1962 peak is not the result of one sample or of
high production during a particular season, but rather the produc-
tion of centric diatoms through the entire year.
Also, from Appendix A, a sharp rise in plankton numbers was
noted at the Columbia River stations of Clatskanie, Pasco and
Northport, in 1965. Plankton summary sheets showed that this
increase occurred at Northport during the spring and summer seasons,
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12
At Pasco and Clatskanie the increase extended from summer into
the fall season. There was no specific algal form found to be
responsible for the increase, but rather an increase in total
production was noted for the year.
Chemical and physical data have been compiled and stored
with the plankton data. Most of the data are in the form of the
Public Health Service WPSS Annual Compilation of Data booklets,
through 1963, and the remainder available through the STORET
system of data handling. Preliminary analyses using the param-
eters of pH, temperature, flow, alkalinity and total dissolved
solids indicated no correlations with fluctuations in plankton
numbers. Due to insufficient data on nitrogen and phosphorus
no conclusions could be drawn.
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DISCUSSION
Irregularities in sampling frequency, questions concerning
the use of sufficient preservative and practices employed for
sample dilution tend to suggest false trends in the data. As
previously mentioned, the collection of plankton samples was based
on a local cooperator's assistance and in several instances diffi-
culty in obtaining routine samples was encountered. For example,
an examination of the seasonal data indicated a sharp increase in
plankton numbers during 1967, but as few as three samples were col-
lected at some stations, making the value of the data questionable
for that year. A "defined" sampling program conducted by FWPCA
personnel would provide more desirable data. Sampling programs
must be tailored to meet the objectives of the study with due con-
sideration being given to any factors which might modify the initial
conditions. Periodic evaluations of data to note changes in species
composition and population structures would be in order. Also, up-
dating of information on changes in water use, such as dam construc-
tion or establishment of new irrigation programs, would be in order.
By following this plan, alterations in sampling and, if needed, new
sampling stations could be added to properly assess the situation.
It is difficult to use plankton data in a Pollution Surveil-
lance program which emphasizes the compliance (or lack of compli-
ance) with water quality standards. This is primarily true because
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14
there is no written water quality standard for plankton levels.
With the development of a written standard, plankton data could
assume a more influential role in Pollution Surveillance programs.
Plankton organisms can be defined as microscopic, weak swim-
ming or passively floating plant or animal life which are subject .
to the action of waves or currents. As such, the unattached nature
of these organisms reflect upstream water quality conditions at
downstream locales. Plankton samples are, however, easy to collect
but require highly skilled personnel for accurate analysis. Other
methods of biological water quality evaluation, such as periphyton
or benthic invertebrate analyses, would require as much or more
effort but would better illustrate water quality at a given sampling
point.
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APPENDIX A
YEARLY MAXIMUM AND MINIMUM
VALUES FROM SEASONAL LIVE ALGAE DATA
AT EACH COLUMBIA BASIN SAMPLING STATION
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22
8
H
fi
CO
o
21-
20.
19-
17-
13-
9_
8_
7_
6_
5_
4-
3_
2-
CLATSKANIE
0 •—OEaximura value
A—£sinini!nuni \-alue
to
I
O
1
r-l
vO
0
H
(V
M3
O
•H
i
vO
YEARS
-------
22-
21-
20_
19-
BONNEVILLE DAM
vjRi value
value
13-
a
o
10_
9_
8_
7_
Vf\
to
CVJ
I I
i-l r-i
I I
sO vO
YEARS
-------
22-
21-
20_
19-
McNARY DAM
-G maximum value
•n value
15-
13-
11_
(0,
>-
8
9_
7_
6_
5_
3_
2-
\\\\\\\\\\
O^ O^ 0s 0s CT» 0s
HiHMHHrH
Y5AR3
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22
21
20
19
PASCO
O—-o-a.xi^-um valus
&—^minimum, value
17-
CO
o
13-
9_
8_
7_
6_
5_
4-
3_
2-
r
to
1 I
O^ O
irv NO
I
CN»
I
NO
NO
YEARS
-------
22-
21-
20-
19-
17-
16-
15-
13-
WENATCHEE
Q—omaxisnuni value
j^ra value
e.
CO
o
11-
10-
9_
8_
7_
6_
5_
3_
2-
1
to
I
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I I I I
D |-<
-------
22-
21-
20.
19-
NORTHPORT
O—0 maximum value
value
17-
15-
13-
11_
PS
si
s
3
o
9_
8_
7_
6_
5_
3_
2-
i i i r I 1 I I
HiHHHHH??H
YEARS
1 1
-------
22-
21-
20_
19-
17-
15-
13-
11-
PORTLAND
in value
fi-
a
8
9_
8_
7_
6_
5_
4-
3_
2-
I
to
o
vO
r-l
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0s
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cv
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3
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YEARS
NO
o
rH
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\o \o
^v ^>
-------
22-
21-
20_
19-
17-
15-
13-
. n_
ICE HARBOR DAM
VctlxiS
£s—&mininiuni value
3
•-4
8
9_
8_
7-
6_
5_
4-
3_
2-
1 1 1 1 1 ! 1 1
1 1
i-JH
0s ^^
r-e H
YEARS
-------
a
22-
21-
20_
19-
15-
H_
13-
12_
11-
10-
9_
8_
7_
6_
5_
4-
3_
2-
40,000
PAYETTE
G maximum valua
£jminimum \raluo
1-1
Ox
H
YEARS
-------
1-1
si
PJ
e
1
a
22-
21-
20_
19-
17-
15-
13-
10
9_
8_
7_
6_
5_
4-
3_
2-
LEWISTON
© — 0maxijnu
A — ^minimxi.
^t^=:
1 1 1 1 I i 1 1 1 I
YEAES
value
-------
£
§
22-
21-
20-
19,-
17-
15-
13-
9_
8_
7_
6_
5_
HIGHLAND
O—o^axi-1*-111 value
£>—& minimum -value
3_
2-
r
to
O
«o
&>
H
i
H
NO
vO
vO
YEARS
-------
22-
21-
20_
19-
17-
15-
13-
POST FALLS DAM
O—G™-"^3"1'-1*11 value
. £s—£>nininiuni valuo
o
9_
8_
7_
6_
5_
A-
3_
2-
to
VTN
H
vQ
O^
H
\
•O
I-
r-
NO
YEARS
-------
22-
21-
20-
19-
17-
15-
13-
ALBENI FALLS DAM
scunum value
t^miniroun value
CJ
fi
CO
o
9_
8_
7_
6-
5_
4-
3_
2-
II 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
r-l i-f
H r-«H H i-l
YEARS
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