'CLEA1
WATER POLLUTION CONTROL. RESEARCH SERIES • I6080G6P07/7I
EFFECTS OF FEEDLOT RUNOFF ON WATER
QUALITY OF IMPOUNDMENTS
U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
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WATER POLLUTION CONTROL RESEARCH SERIES
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Previously issued reports on the National Water Quality Control Research
Program include:
Report Number Title
16080 06/69 Hydraulic and Mixing Characteristics of Suction Manifolds
16080 10/69 Nutrient Removal from Enriched Waste Effluent by the
Hydroponic Culture of Cool Season Grasses
16080DRX10/69 Stratified Reservoir Currents
16080 11/69 Nutrient Removal from Cannery Wastes by Spray Irrigation
of Grassland
16080D0007/70 Optimum Mechanical Aeration Systems for Rivers and Ponds
16080DVF07/70 Development of Phosphate-Free Home Laundry Detergents
16080 10/70 Induced Hypolimnion Aeration for Water Quality Improve-
ment of Power Releases
16080DWP11/70 Induced Air Mixing of Large Bodies of Polluted Water
16080DUP12/70 Oxygen Regeneration of Polluted Rivers: The Delaware River
16080FYA03/71 Oxygen Regeneration of Polluted Rivers: The P&ssaic River
16080GPF04/71 Corrosion Potential of NTA in Detergent Formulations
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EFFECTS OF FEEDLOT RUNOFF ON WATER QUALITY OF IMPOUNDMENTS
by
William R. Duffer, Ph. D., Research Aquatic Biologist
R. Douglas Kreis, Aquatic Biologist
Curtis C. Harlin, Jr., Sc. D., Chief
National Water Quality Control Research Program
Robert S. Kerr Water Research Center
Ada, Oklahoma 74820
for the
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Project #16080 GGP
July 1971
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EPA Review Notice
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necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Environmental Protection
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endorsement or recommendation for use.
For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, B.C. 20402 - Price 65 cents
3-1
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ABSTRACT
A study was conducted to determine the. effects of rainfall runoff from a
beef cattle feedlot on the water quality of a small impoundment. Changes
in chemical concentration of impounded water and changes in the community
structure of aquatic organisms were measured and related to the amount
and composition of feedlot runoff received. Water quality changes were
also monitored in a nearby reservoir which received no feedlot runoff
to serve as a control. Rainfall from feedlots was retained in collection
ponds and pumped into tb_e impoundment over a relatively short period of
time, creating in effect a "slug" discharge condition. Changes in chem-
ical concentration or population structure of organisms were not apparent
for discharges of about one-part feedlot runoff to 40 parts receiving
water. Runoff discharges for two pumping periods with each contributing
one-fourth of the volume of the receiving water were shown to degrade
water quality in the impoundment. Several significant chemical and bio-
logical changes occurred. The concentration of salts, solids, oxygen-
demanding organic compounds and nutrients increased. Population levels
decreased for organisms having negative tolerances for low dissolved
oxygen and high ammonia concentrations. The most dramatic reduction in
the biological community was the suffocation of about 90% of the game
fish in the impoundment. Reduction in population levels of "stressed"
organisms was followed by increased productivity of phototropes in re-
sponse to higher nutrient concentrations.
iii
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section Page
I. Conclusions 1
II. Recommendations 3
III. Introduction 5
Objectives 5
Description of Study Area 5
IV. Methods 9
V. Results 11
Biological and Microbiological Changes 11
Chemical and Physical Changes 16
VI. Discussion 33
VII. Acknowledgments 37
VIII. References 39
IX. Appendices 41
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LIST OF FIGURES
Figure Page
1. Feedlot and Study Area 7
2. Relationship of Waste Volume to Mean Volume of Receiving
Reservoir During Pumping 12
3. Number, Type, and Size of Fish Killed in the Receiving
Reservoir 13
4. Average Number of Benthic Macroinvertebrates Per Square
Meter per Taxa 14
5. Average Number of Phytoplankters per Milliliter per Taxa . . 15
6. Zooplankton per Liter, Total Organisms, and Number of Taxa . 2.9
7. Dissolved Oxygen Concentrations in the Farm Pond 20
8. Dissolved Oxygen Profiles for the Receiving Reservoir. ... 21
9. Changes in Conductivity, Chloride, and Total Alkalinity
in the Receiving Reservoir 26
10. Changes in Total Solids, Total Dissolved Solids, and Total
Suspended Solids in the Receiving Reservoir 27
11. Changes in Ammonia, Total Organic Nitrogen, and Total
Phosphate in the Receiving Reservoir 28
12. Limit of Visibility in the Farm Pond, Control Reservoir, and
Receiving Reservoir 31
13. Sample Collections and Record of Rainfall for the
Study Period 32
vii
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LIST OF TABLES
Table Page
I. Average Number of Total Coliform, Fecal Coliform, and
Fecal Streptococci per 100 ml 17
II. Volume of Feedlot Waste Discharges to the Farm Pond and
Mass of Selected Chemical Constituents 18
III. Volume of Feedlot Waste Discharges to the Receiving Reservoir
and Mass of Selected Chemical Constituents 23
IV. Percentage of Total Input of Selected Chemical Constituents to
Receiving Reservoir Contributed by Feedlot Runoff 24
V. Mean Values for Study Parameters in the Control Reservoir
for each Sampling Period 25
VI. Summary of Chemical and Physical Conditions in the Control
Reservoir and the Receiving Reservoir 29
VII. Summary of Chemical and Physical Conditions in the Farm Pond . 30
ix
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SECTION I
CONCLUSIONS
The farm pond and the. reservoir which, receive feedlot runoff responded in
a similar manner to large volume discharges of feedlot waste effluents.
Physical and chemical changes consisted of reduced limit of visiBility;
increased conductivity and oxygen demand; and higher concentrations of
solids, chlorides, nitrogen, and phosphorus. In general, Biological
populations Became less diverse. Greater densities of fecal coliform,
fecal streptococci, and total coliform resulted following periods of in-
tensive rainfall runoff from the watershed rather than following periods of
discharge of feedlot effluents.
The most dramatic biological change was a fish kill following a waste
discharge in April which equaled aBout one—quarter of the volume of the
receiving reservoir. Fish suffocated due to the combined effects of
depressed dissolved oxygen levels and high ammonia concentrations which
inhibited the oxygen aBsorption capaBilities of hemogloBin in the blood.
Population levels of benthic organisms, zooplankton, and phytoplankton
were severely reduced in the small farm pond following major feedlot waste
discharge periods. The primary factor contributing to the reduction of pop-
ulation levels of Benthos and zooplankton was a low concentration of dis-
solved oxygen, while the decrease in populations of phytoplankton may
have Been caused By high ammonia concentrations.
Changes in population levels for inverteBrate organisms were similar for
the farm pond and the receiving reservoir immediately following major
waste discharges with the exception of phytoplankton. Reductions in the
Benthic and zooplanktonic populations in the receiving reservoir were not
as severe as those in the farm pond due to greater dilution of wastes.
Even with increased dilution, nutrient levels were sufficiently high to
create optimal conditions for growth of phytoplankton. Following the 1970
March discharge, population levels increased to Bloom proportions causing
severe fluctuations in diel dissolved oxygen concentrations which con-
tinued for aBout three months. Reduction of the high oxygen demand cre-
ated By feedlot wastes and phytoplanktonic respiration was accompanied
By an increase in populations of Benthic organisms and zooplankton to
levels exceeding those prior to the discharge.
Due to the varying influence of environmental factors and concentration
of pollutants, the aBsolute minimum amount of feedlot waste effluent
that will damage aquatic life in a reservoir was not established. The
volumetric ratio of waste discharge to receiving water was the same for
the two major discharge periods. Degradation of water quality and the
resulting harmful effects on the entire spectrum of aquatic life were
more severe following the March discharge than following the October 1970
discharge.
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SECTION II
RECOMMENDATIONS
1. Present volumes of rainfall runoff, draining to surface waters from
feedlots, should be significantly reduced.
2. Feedlot waste management practices which would reduce the concentra-
tion of pollutants in rainfall runoff should be established.
3. In addition to considerations such as availability of feed, animals,
and markets, future establishment of feedlot operations should require
incorporation of geographical and topographical features which are con-
ducive to efficient control of wastes and runoff drainage.
4. Waste treatment methods should be developed and tested for application
to feedlot rainfall runoff which drains to surface waters.
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SECTION III
INTRODUCTION
Objectives
Serious water pollutional sources are created by confining large numbers
of commercial feeder animals in a small area. The number of beef cattle
feedlots are growing at a rate of about 10 percent annually nationwide
and 30 percent annually in the plains area of Texas, Oklahoma, Colorado,
Nebraska, and Kansas. Nearly all of this growth has been in the form of
5,000- to 100,000-head capacity feedlots. As with the concentration of
people in cities, the concentration of animals in a small area produces
massive environmental problems.
One beef animal will produce over a half—ton of manure on a dry weight
basis during its stay of 120-150 days in a feedlot. This is deposited
on as little as 100 to 200 square feet per animal, resulting in an enor-
mous waste disposal problem for the feedlot operator. Runoff, resulting
from rainfall which comes in contact with the manure, carries high con-
centrations of oxygen-demanding materials, solids, and nutrients into
surface water. Pollutants are often present in concentrations of 10 to
100 times those of raw municipal wastes. Uncontrolled feedlot runoff
introduced into streams and reservoirs can result in oxygen depletion,
fish kills, and other undesirable conditions.
The objective of this study was to determine the effects of wastes trans-
ported in rainfall runoff from a beef cattle feedlot on the water quality
of an impoundment. Areas of consideration were chemical degradation of
water quality and structural changes in the communities of aquatic or-
ganisms. A detailed analysis of the characterization of the feedlot ,.,
wastes involved in this study was presented by Kreis, Scalf, and McNabb.
Description of Study Area
The location selected for this study was adjacent to an operating 12,000-
head beef cattle feedlot located in Colin County, about ten miles north-
east of McKinney, Texas. Figure 1 shows the layout of the feedlot and
study area. The study area is comprised of a small farm pond, a flood
control reservoir which receives feedlot runoff (R-ll), and a flood con-
trol reservoir which does not receive feedlot drainage (R-10). Flow of
feedlot runoff through the system is indicated by arrows.
Runoff from the feedlot is stored in four holding ponds. Extraneous
drainage is diverted around the feedlot so that the holding pond receives
rainfall runoff only from the feed pens. In order to prevent development
of objectionable odors from the holding ponds, runoff is pumped into a
12,000-foot-long ditch which discharges into the farm pond. Overflow
from the farm pond empties into a flood control reservoir having a sur-
face area of about 45 acres.
5
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Sampling Stations 3, 4, 5, 9, and 10 were established to determine the
volume of feedlot runoff and the effects of runoff-carried pollutants
on the water quality of the farm pond and the receiving reservoir.
Stations 6, 7, and 8 were also established in a nearby reservoir which
did not receive feedlot runoff to serve as a control. The surface area
of the control reservoir was 30 acres. Additional sampling stations 1
and 2 were located near the primary drawdown of each reservoir.
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\
HqdsSMill
o Bo
Highway
Extraneous Run
Off Drainage
Ditch
Receiving
Reservoir
(R-ll)
Terrace Ditch
Control
Reservoir
IR-IO)
1000 — FEET
FIGURE I, FEEDLOT AND STUDY AREA
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SECTION IV
METHODS
Biological, microbiological, and chemical samples were collected, and
physical parameters were measured seven times between August 1969 and
July 1970 in the small farm pond and in the two flood control reservoirs.
An initial sample collection was succeeded by ad hoc collections following
periods of drainage of feedlot runoff to the receiving reservoir and by
congruous surveillance collections- at a maximum of three-month intervals.
Samples for chemical analysis were collected near the surface at the farm
pond and all reservoir stations. In addition, samples were collected
near the bottom at Stations 7 and 9. During periods of flow, samples
for chemical analysis were collected from the primary drawdown of both
reservoir discharges, the ditch influent and effluent, and the farm pond
effluent (Stations 1 through 4).
Biological forms sampled included: benthic macroinvertebrates, net
zooplankton, and phytoplankton. Three ponar dredge samples were collected
at each station to evaluate changes in the communities of benthic macro-
invetebrates. Two vertical Wisconsin net tows were made at each station
to collect net zooplankton. To enumerate phytoplankton, a 200 ml sample
of water was collected from the surface at each station and near the
bottom at Stations 7 and 9. All plankton samples were preserved with
10 percent formalin.
Ponar dredge samples were collected and analyzed according to methods
described for the Peterson dredge.(2) Quantitative analyses of net zoo-
plankton and phytoplankton were according to the method of Weber.^ '
Microbiological analyses were performed for total coliforms, fecal coli-
forms, and fecal streptococci by the membrane filter method using standard
techniques.
Analysis of water samples for pH, conductivity, total alkalinity, total
solids, total suspended solids, total dissolved solids, chloride, ni-
trate (automated technique), ammonia, ortho-phosphate, total phosphate,
chemical oxygen demand (COD), and 5-day biochemical oxygen demand ,,,
(BOD^) were according to Federal Water Quality Administration Methods.
Total organic nitrogen was analyzed by Technicon Auto-Analyzer Methodology,
which was periodically checked by the preceding methods.^) Total or-
ganic carbon (TOG) was analyzed according to the method of VanHall,
Safrauko, and Stenger.^ '
Dissolved oxygen and temperature were measured at two-foot depth inter-
vals during each survey with a Weston and Stack, Model 300, Dissolved
Oxygen Analyzer. Water transparency was measured with, a standard 8-inch
Secchis disc.
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Flow volumes were continuously measured at Stations 3 and 4 with. Stevens,
Model F-l, 8-day stage recorders, installed on a Parshall 18-inch, flume
and a 150° V-notch. weir, respectively. Reservoir capacity and overflow
volumes were continuously monitored with Stevens, Model F-l, 8-day
recorders which, were installed on the. primary drawdown structure of each.
flood control reservoir. Rainfall was recorded with- a weighing, con-
tinuous recording raingauge.
10
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SECTION V
RESULTS
Feedlot runoff constituted 42% of the 133 acre-feet of drainage from the
small farm pond to the receiving reservoir. This runoff contributed over
95% of the chlorides; 75% of the total organic carbon, total organic
nitrogen, and total suspended solids; 65% of the total- and ortho-phosphate,
ammonia, total solids, and total alkalinity; and 60% of the COD and BOD^
transported from the farm pond to. the receiving reservoir (Appendix Table 1),
The volume relationship of feedlot runoff to the receiving reservoir
during each pumping period is presented in Figure 2. The September and
November pumping periods represent the greatest dilution of feedlot wastes
in the reservoir. The ratio of the volume of runoff to the volume of
the receiving reservoir is 1:4 for both the October and March pumping
periods.
Biological and Microbiological Changes
The most dramatic change in the receiving reservoir was suffocation of a
large proportion of the game fish. These fish began dying on April 7 and
the kill continued through April 11. During this period, over 1,000 game,
forage, and rough fish were killed (Figure 3). About 95% of the total
fish killed were game species.
The average number of benthic macroinvertebrates per genera collected
from the small farm pond decreased 97% from the August to the October
sampling periods (Figure 4). This average remained below 70 organisms
per genera until the May sampling period, when it increased from 10 to
590 organisms per genera. A similar but more subtle trend was observed
in the receiving reservoir, where the October decrease was equivalent
to 60% of the population collected in August. The April-May increase
(from 58 to 376 organisms per genera) was preceded by a 50% decrease in
the average number of organisms per genera collected during the February
and April sampling periods. The average number of organisms collected
from the control reservoir ranged from 160 to 300 organisms per genera
throughout the study period.
Both the farm pond and the reservoir receiving feedlot runoff maintained
a higher number of phytoplanktonic organisms per genera than the control
reservoir. The average number of phytoplankters per genera per ml col-
lected from the farm pond decreased from 560 in August to 418 in October,
then increased to 1608 in December (Figure 5). Between February and April,
the number of organisms per genera decreased 50% followed by an increase
of 640 organisms per genera in May. This trend, however, was not observed
in the phytoplanktonic community of the receiving reservoir. Instead,
the number of organisms per genera increased in October and April, then
decreased in December and May.
11
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10
100
RATIO- 1=48 1:4 h38
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Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr
MONTH
FIGURE 2, RELATIONSHIP OF WASTE VOLUME TO MEAN VOLUME
OF RECEIVING RESERVOIR DURING PUMPING
12
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1000-
100 -
CO
u.
u.
o
tr
LU
CD
5 8 10 16 19 23
4 8 II
LENGTH
16 10 16 25
(Inches)
— Total, All Species
— Total, One Species
— Total, Length Range, One Species
FIGURE 3, NUMBER/ TYPE/ AND SIZE OF FISH KILLED IN
THE RECEIVING RESERVOIR
13
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X
<
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800
700-
600
500
400
300
200
100
Form Pond
\ X-o Control Reservoir
o Receiving Reservoir
Aug
Oct Dec Feb Apr May July
SAMPLING PERIOD
FIGURE 4, AVERAGE NUMBER OF BENTHIC MACROINVERTEBRATES
PER SQUARE METER PER TAXA
(BASED ON APPENDIX FIGURE i )
14
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16
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8
K 6
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m
5
Aug
I
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Farm Pond
~° Receiving Reservoir
~° Control Reservoir
_l
Oct Dec Feb Apr May July
SAMPLING PERIOD
FIGURE 5, AVERAGE NUMBER OF PHYTOPLANKTERS PER MILLILITER
PER TAXA
(BASED ON APPENDIX FIGURE 2 )
15
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Population fluctuations of zooplankton in the. receiving reservoir were
comparable to those of the benthos (compare Figure 6 and Appendix
Figure 1) . The most diminutive population sampled in the receiving
reservoir was 7.3 zooplankters per liter representing 3 genera collected
on April 9, 1970.
Analysis of microbiological samples revealed increases in total coliform,
fecal coliform, and fecal streptococci during the October sampling period
in the farm pond and both reservoirs and during the February sampling
period only in the two reservoirs (Table I). Fecal streptococci increased
and total coliform and fecal coliform decreased in the farm pond in
February.
Chemical and Physical Changes
Dissolved oxygen levels in the farm pond were reduced to zero at all
depths following the initial feedlot waste discharge in September
(Figure 7). This condition prevailed until the period following the
March waste discharge when the pond became highly supersaturated through-
out with surface concentrations approaching 32 mg/1,.
The March waste discharge from the feedlot produced a deviation from the
usual pattern of dissolved oxygen concentrations within the receiving
reservoir. Based on a comparison of dissolved oxygen profiles in the
receiving reservoir following the discharge with profiles for the pre-
ceding year, the duration of this anomaly was about three months
(Figure 8). The initial effect of this discharge was a decrease in dis-
solved oxygen concentrations from saturation to 0.0 mg/1 throughout the
reservoir. One week later, at 2 p.m. on April 14, 1970, the dissolved
oxygen levels had increased to a supersaturated level of 14.2 mg/1 at
the surface and 3.2 mg/1 near the bottom. The next morning, just before
first light at 4:14 a.m., there was 4 mg/1 at the surface decreasing to
3.7 mg/1 at 8 feet and 0.0 mg/1 near the bottom. A month later at
midday, on May 19, 1970, the surface values were still above saturation.
A thermocline had formed between 2 and 4 feet causing the dissolved
oxygen to decrease to 2 mg/1 at 4 feet and 0.0 mg/1 near the bottom. On
July 14, 1970, the dissolved oxygen curve was typical of the reservoir
before the influence of waste discharge.
Pumped runoff from the feedlot for the period beginning in March contained
from 2 to 4 times the amount of selected chemical constituents as for
the period in October and as high as 20 times the amount for the remaining
pumping periods (Table II). Average concentrations of measured influent
chemical constituents to the receiving reservoir ranged from 2 to 210
times the average effluent concentrations. In general, chemical con-
centrations of the effluent from the control reservoir were either less
than or about equal to concentrations of effluent from the receiving
reservoir (Appendix Table I). Exceptions were total dissolved solids
and COD, which were 6 and 1.5 times greater, respectively, from the con-
trol than from the receiving reservoir.
16
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TABLE 1
AVERAGE NUMBER OF TOTAL COLIFORM, FECAL COLIFORM,
AND FECAL STREPTOCOCCI PER 100/ml
Farm
Pond
Control
Reservoir
Receiving
Reservoir
Total
Fecal
Fecal
Total
Fecal
Fecal
Total
Fecal
Fecal
Date
Coliform
Coliform
Streptococci
Coliform
Coliform
Streptococci
Coliform
Coliform
Streptococci
8/12/69
21,000
<100
690
130
<10-10
20
<100-200
<100
70
10/29/69a 12/2/69a 2/25/70b
780
340
650
36
1
1
,000
,000
,000
,700
,400
450
,000
450
180
61,000
19,000
41,000
770
80
<10-10
<100
20
20
35,
6,
1,300,
44,
14,
193,
2,
1,
7,
000
400
000
000
100
000
100
300
500
4/9/70S
3,600
3,600
51,000
590
130
1,450
50
80
2,400
5/20/70
14,000
<100
<100
8,600
<10-70
3,000
<10-100
< 10-20
30
7/15/70
36,000
330
110
140
30
110
160
40
Sample collections following pumping of feedlot runoff.
Sample collections following rainfall with watershed runoff,
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TABLE II
VOLUME OF FEEDLOT WASTE DISCHARGES TO THE FARM POND
AND MASS OF SELECTED CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS^
Pumping Period
Volume
Total Alkalinity
Total Solids
Total Suspended Solids
Total Dissolved Solids
Chloride
Total Organic Nitrogen
Nitrate
Ammonia
Ortho-Phosphate
Total Phosphate
COD
BOD5
TOC
9/29-10/4
4.6
9,850
48,500
20,525
27,975
3,788
788
138
625
288
366
28,213
6,613
8,613
10/15-10/25
17.4
112,574
54,111
58,462
14,663b
2,365
9.5
1,939
—
1,977
79,369
15,940
27,671
11/10-11/12
2.2
20,208
11,616
8,592
1,950
620
29.3
277
—
285
25,416
6,576
6,180
3/26-4/7
32.5
282, 880 b
139, 230 b
174, 148 b
27, 404 b
5,525
26.5
5,967
—
3,288
195,806
57,460
58,344
a
The unit for volume is acre-feet and the unit for mass is pounds.
b
These volumes were computed rather than measured. Mean values for
other pumping periods were used as a basis for computations.
18
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14
12
10
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(T
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0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
X
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I-
FIGURE 6 , ZOOPLANKTON PER LITER/ TOTAL ORGANISMS/ AND NUMBER OF TAXA
19
-------
34
30
^ 26
o>
E
O
>
X
o
o
LU
o
CO
O
22
18
14
10
Surface
2 Feet
4 Feet
8/12 10/29 12/2 2/25
SAMPLING PERIOD
4/9 5/19 7/14
FIGURE 7, DISSOLVED OXYGEN CONCENTRATIONS IN THE FARM POND
20
-------
0>
E
o
in
5£
o
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in
I'
Surface
E
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CM ^ in
8
10
12
14
16
DISSOLVED OXYGEN (mg/l)
FIGURE 8 , DISSOLVED OXYGEN PROFILES FOR THE RECEIVING RESERVOIR
21
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Flow from the farm pond to the reservoir contained from 60 to 99 percent
of the total mass of chemical constituents from the feedlot runoff for
the pumping periods beginning in October and March; whereas, the average
contribution for all chemical constituents was less than 45 percent for
the pumping periods beginning in September and November (Tables III and
IV.)
An increase in the concentration of total solids, chloride, total or-
ganic nitrogen, nitrate, ammonia, ortho-phosphate, and total phosphate
in the farm pond and receiving reservoir followed each period of dis-
charge of feedlot runoff (Appendix Tables II and III). Fluctuations
in chemical and physical conditions of the control reservoir were seasonal
and did not correlate with periods of feedlot waste discharge (Table V).
Chemical constituents in the receiving reservoir, which displayed the
greatest increases, were chloride, total suspended solids, and total
organic nitrogen (Figures 9, 10, and 11). In addition, BOD5 was 625 mg/1
and ammonia was 50 mg/1 in the farm pond and 87 mg/1 and 7.5 mg/1,
respectively, in the receiving reservoir during the waste discharge
period beginning in March (Tables VI and VII). During this period,
values for pH in the receiving reservoir ranged from 7.5 to 8.6. The
limit of visibility in the receiving reservoir was reduced during the
sampling periods immediately following the October and March waste dis-
charges from the feedlot (Figure 12). Visibility in the control reser-
voir, however, fluctuated due to the effects of seasonal rainfall runoff.
Total rainfall for the study period was 35.8 inches (Figure 13). The
largest rainfall amount was 4.15 inches in 9.5 hours on October 12, 1969.
Rainfall of 2.0 and 2.5 inches occurred during the October and February
sampling periods, respectively. The remaining sampling periods were
preceded by 10 days or more when no rainfall occurred which was intense
enough to cause runoff.
22
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TABLE III
VOLUME OF FEEDLOT WASTE DISCHARGES TO THE RECEIVING RESERVOIR
AND MASS OF SELECTED CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS3
Pumping Period
Volume
Total Alkalinity
Total Solids
Total Suspended Solids
Total Dissolved Solids
Chloride
Total Organic Nitrogen
Nitrate
Ammonia
Ortho Phosphate
Total Phosphate
COD
BOD5
TOG
9/29-10/4
1.6
2,110
8,696
1,078
7,616
1,162
157
.3
147
70
93
8,131
1,536
2,110
10/15-10/25
18.1
34,447b
87,405
34,100
53,540
ll,613b
1,720
13
1,462
l,078b
1,265
58,861
9,738
18,489
11/10-11/12
2.3
4,429b
11,470
2,000
9,470
1,251
292
1.3
278
139b
216
8,678
2,845
3,034
3/26-4/7
33.7
84,248b
225,318
80,644
144,674
22,343
5,122
31
3,774
2,494
2,325
119,568
57,256
50,550
a
The unit for volume is acre-feet and the unit for mass is pounds.
h
These volumes were computed rather than measured. Mean values for
other pumping periods were used as a basis for computations.
23
-------
TABLE IV
PERCENTAGE OF TOTAL INPUT OF SELECTED CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS
TO RECEIVING RESERVOIR CONTRIBUTED BY FEEDLOT RUNOFF
Pumping Period 9/20-10/4 10/15-10/25 11/10-11/12 3/26-4/7
Total Solids 17 77 56 79
Total Suspended Solids 5 63 17 60
Total Dissolved Solids 27 91 100 83
Chloride 30 79 64 81
Total Organic Nitrogen 19 72 47 93
Ammonia 23 75 100 63
Total Phosphate 25 63 75 70
COD 28 74 34 61
BOD 23 61 43 99
TOG 24 66 49 87
24
-------
TABLE V
MEAN VALUES FOR STUDY PARAMETERS IN THE
CONTROL RESERVOIR FOR EACH SAMPLING PERIOD a
Date
PH
Conductivity
Total Alkalinity
Total Solids
Total Suspended
Solids
Total Dissolved
Solids
Chloride
Total Organic
Nitrogen
Nitrate
Ammonia
Ortho Phosphate
Total Phosphate
COD
BOD5
TOC
8-12
8.3
240
110
197
50
160
8
0.9
0.03
0.4
0.03
0.15
10-29
8.3
223
105
245
79
124
0.4
0.7
0.65
0.02
0.6
13
12-2
7.8
375
171
367
122
244
8
0.9
0.03
0.6
0.3
0.3
2-25
7.9
409
181
330
104
269
6
0.4
0.6
0.6
0.1
0.3
b
4-9
8.0
448
244
327
53
275
7
0.7
0.1
0.9
0.03
0.2
4.8
5.9
5-20
8.0
423
224
258
33
236
6
1.8
0.05
0.03
0.06
28.8
3.4
7-15
7.7
324
168
209
26
157
8
0.6
0.05
0.6
0.07
0.08
Conductivity reported as pmohs/cm, chemical concentrations are mg/1.
Sample collections following pumping of feedlot runoff.
25
-------
o
o
2
E
o
u
I
Q
X
-------
16
o 14
X
CO
o
12
io
E x
CO
9 6
O
CO
Total Solids
Total Dissolved Solids
Total Suspended Solids
i
8/12 10/29 12/2 2/25 4/9 5/20 7/15
SAMPLING PERIOD
FIGURE 10. CHANGES IN TOTAL SOLIDS/ TOTAL DISSOLVED SOLIDS/
AND TOTAL SUSPENDED SOLIDS IN THE RECEIVING
RESERVOIR
27
-------
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
Total Organic Nitrogen
Total Phosphate
Ammonia
8/12 10/29 12/2 2/25
SAMPLING PERIOD
5/20 7/15
FIGURE II, CHANGES IN AMMONIA/ TOTAL ORGANIC NITROGEN/ AND
TOTAL PHOSPHATE IN THE RECEIVING RESERVOIR
28
-------
TABLE VI
SUMMARY OF CHEMICAL AND PHYSICAL CONDITIONS IN THE
CONTROL RESERVOIR AND THE RECEIVING RESERVOIR3
S3
VO
Receiving
pH
Conductivity
Total Alkalinity
Total Solids
Total Suspended
Solids
Total Dissolved
Solids
Chloride
Total Organic
Nitrogen
Nitrate
Ammonia
Ortho Phosphate
Total Phosphate
COD
BOD5
TOC
Nb
20
20
20
20
20
20
19
20
20
17
20
19
3
6
5
Mean
8.1
468
181
370
74
297
29
4.4
0.1
1.7
0.87
1.46
61
46
53
Min.
Value
7.4
315
110
220
25
195
16
0.05
<0.03
0.05
0.02
0.19
58
9.5
47
Reservoir
Max.
Value
9.4
770
296
576
155
441
55
12.5
0.4
7.5
3.2
4.5
66
113
64
Value at
Time of
Fish Kill
7.5
600
260
521
85
433
41
11.5
0.03
7.5
2.9
4.4
87
56
N
27
27
26
27
25
27
24
27
27
23
27
27
4
8
7
Mean
7.9
353
173
262
50
220
7.1
0.87
0.12
0.53
0.09
0.22
29
4.1
9.8
Control
Min.
Value
7.3
210
84
179
10
144
6
0.3
<0.05
<0.05
<0.02
0.011
27
2.2
7.5
Reservoir
Max.
Value
8.8
460
244
371
150
336
8
2.5
0.6
1.4
0.72
1.15
31
7
14
Value at
Time of
Fish Kill
8.0
448
244
327
53
274
6.8
0.7
0.11
0.9
0.034
0.175
4.75
8
Conductivity reported as umohs/cm, chemical concentrations are mg/1.
Number of determinations.
-------
TABLE VII
SUMMARY OF CHEMICAL AND PHYSICAL CONDITIONS IN THE FARM POND3
PH
Conductivity
Total Alkalinity
Total Solids
N Mean
7 8.7
7 2,036
7 457
7 1,214
Total Suspended Solids 7 264
Total Dissolved Solids 7 978
Chloride
6 113
Total Organic Nitrogen 7 35.3
Nitrate
Ammonia
Ortho Phosphate
Total Phosphate
COD
B?D5
TOC
7 8.5
7 16.3
6 16
7 19
3 708
2 317.5
4 364
Min.
Value
7.6
330
124
273
38
200
13
2.35
<.03
.5
.345
.675
90
10
16
Max.
Value
9.7
2,600
1,020
2,459
880
1,966
244
90
56
50
34.5
40
1,816
625
840
Value at
Time of
Fish Kill
7.6
2,300
920
2,459
880
1,579
244
90
56
50
27.2
31.5
625
840
Conductivity reported as nn.ohs/cm, chemical concentration are mg/1.
Number of determinations.
30
-------
Surface
\ ^Control Reservoir
X
8/12
IC/29 12/2
2/25
4/9 5/19
7/14
SAMPLING PERIOD
FIGURE 12, LIMIT OF VISIBILITY IN THE FARM POND/ CONTROL
RESERVOIR/ AND RECEIVING RESERVOIR
31
-------
4 -
UJ
u
IT
u.
2
2
en
UJ
o
z
§ 1
Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Jon Feb Mar Apr May June July
1 1969 I 1970
MONTH
* All rainfal I not separated by more than 24hours was totaled to equal one event.
+ Sample collections
FIGURE 13, SAMPLE COLLECTIONS AND RECORD OF RAINFALL
FOR THE STUDY PERIOD
32
-------
SECTION VI
DISCUSSION
Examination of chemical and physical conditions in the receiving reservoir
and the control reservoir revealed differences in several parameters.
Differences are greater in values obtained at the time of the fish kill
than in overall mean values. Effects due to feedlot runoff are higher
conductivity and oxygen demand and greater concentration of solids, chlo-
ride, nitrogen, and phosphorus. Turbidity was influenced by suspended
solids concentrations and phytoplankton populations. During the 4-month
period when no feedlot wastes were discharged to the receiving reservoir,
the limit of visibility increased becoming greater than that of the con-
trol reservoir. However, in April, following discharge of feedlot wastes
into the receiving reservoir, the limit of visibility again decreased
to less than that of the control reservoir. Changes which occurred in
the community structure of aquatic organisms are attributable to chemical
and physical conditions following the input of feedlot wastes.
Aquatic organisms react to changes in the conditions of their environment
according to the tolerance of individual species. Addition of highly
organic substances or pollutants often reduces the quantity of species
and increases the total number of organisms in the aquatic community.
Large population reductions or elimination of entire elements of the biota
are caused by excessive additions of pollutants which create toxic con-
ditions to existing biological forms. The degree of toxicity is dependent
upon the volumetric ratio of waste discharge to receiving water, concen-
tration of pollutants, assimilative capacity of the receiving water, and
seasonal variations. The response of aquatic populations in the farm
pond and receiving reservoir was characteristic of those receiving both
organic wastes and toxic substances.
The most dramatic change in the aquatic community was observed between
April 7 and 11, 1970, when an estimated 90 percent of the game fish in
the receiving reservoir died. This fish kill followed the March discharge
of feedlot runoff to the reservoir having high oxygen demand and high
concentrations of solids, ammonia, nitrate, and phosphate. Proportions
of game and rough fish are consistent with a kill caused by dissolved
oxygen stress. Low dissolved oxygen concentration, resulting from dis-
charged oxygen-demanding organic pollutants to the reservoir, was the
primary cause of the fish kill. The ability of hemoglobin to combine with
oxygen is decreased when ammonia concentrations exceed 1.0 mg/1, and con-
centrations of 2.5 mg/1 may be harmful to fish in water with a pH range
between 7.4 and 8.5.(7,8) The ammonia concnetration in the receiving
reservoir during the fish, kill was 7.5 mg/1, and the. pH ranged from 7.5
to 8.6 Thus, the discharge of waste containing high, ammonia concentra-
tions, which inhibited the oxygen absorption capabilities of the hemo-
globin, contributed to the suffocation of the fish.
33
-------
The assimilative capacity of the receiving reservoir for oxygen-demanding
organic pollutants was sufficient to prevent the suffocation of fishes
tolerant of prolonged periods of low dissolved oxygen concentrations. A
phytoplanktonic bloom which began in the littoral zone and gradually
spread to the center of the receiving reservoir increased the daytime
dissolved oxygen concentration of the reservoir. Within seven days, di-
urnal dissolved oxygen concentration was again sufficient to sustain both
game and rough fish.. Three months following the. fish, kill, dissolved
oxygen levels had returned to typical seasonal levels.
Reactions of invertebrate and plankton populations to changes caused by
the introduction of feedlot wastes to the farm pond and receiving reservoir
were less obvious than those of the fish. However, detailed examination
of the community structure of these organisms revealed significant popu-
lation changes following major waste discharge periods. The greatest
changes occurred in the farm pond where the volume of pumped feedlot
runoff was sufficient to replace the water in the pond. During the October
and April sampling periods, waste discharges which caused decreases in
populations of benthos, zooplankton, and phytoplankton appeared to be toxic.
Dissolved oxygen was eliminated from the farm pond following the October
discharge and was not recovered until after the March discharge. Popu-
lation levels of benthos and zooplankton remained very low during the
period of zero dissolved oxygen concentration. As dissolved oxygen con-
centrations in the farm pond increased, the number of benthic organisms
and zooplankters increased to population levels indicative of highly en-
riched waters.
Algae, which thrive on high nitrate concentrations, appear to be harmed
or inhibited when nitrogen is in the form of ammonia.''' Ammonia con-
centrations which resulted from drainage of highly concentrated feedlot
runoff to the farm pond contributed to the suppression of algal populations
during early April.
Runoff discharge to the receiving reservoir produced changes in the benthos
and zooplankton which were similar to those observed in the farm pond.
However, the ratio of runoff discharged from the feedlot to the receiving
reservoir was about 1:4 for both the October and March pumping periods.
Thus, as expected, the increased assimilative capacity due to greater
dilution in the receiving reservoir prevented biological changes as severe
as those observed in the farm pond. An exception was the severity of the
March discharge on the zooplankton as observed by an immediate population
reduction. Intolerant benthic forms diminished and tolerant forms remained
immediately following discharge periods in which large volumes of feedlot
runoff were transferred to the receiving reservoir, shifting the population
rather than greatly reducing the total number of organisms. Population
changes immediately after discharge were followed by a period in which
both the benthos and zooplankton exhibited increases in the total number
of organisms to levels significantly greater than those prior to receiving
feedlot waste materials.
34
-------
Phytoplankton populations increased more rapidly than those of the benthos
and zooplankton following major discharges of feedlot wastewater to the
receiving reservoir. This was due to an abundance of available nutrients
as well as the capability of photosynthetic phytoplankters to use the
carbon dioxide by-product of oxidation of organic pollutants in the feed-
lot wastes. The increase of ph.ytoplank.ton to bloom proportions, along
with natural forces causing mixing, aided the assimilative ability of the
receiving reservoir immediately following the fish kill.
Algal blooms exhibit a beneficial effect on recovery from low dissolved
oxygen concentrations during periods of high light intensity, but create
additional oxygen demand due to respiration during the nighttime. The
profile measured at 2 p.m. on April 14 reflected the increase in dissolved
oxygen caused by algal production. However, by early morning of the
following day, oxygen production had ceased, and consuming materials in-
cluding algae had significantly depressed dissolved oxygen concentrations
as demonstrated by the 4:15 a.m. profile (Figure 8).
An absolute minimum amount of feedlot waste effluent that will damage
aquatic life in the receiving reservoir was not established. Other en-
vironmental variables such as pollutant concentrations, wind, light
intensity, and temperature are important parts of a complex combination
of factors influencing biological populations. The volumetric ratio of
feedlot runoff to the water of the receiving reservoir was the same for
both major pumping periods. However, the concentration of pollutants in
the pumped feedlot runoff was two to four times greater in March than in
October, creating more extensive damage to the environment of the receiving
reservoir. Signs of recovery were apparent in the receiving reservoir
within a few days following pumping. At this time, dissolved oxygen con-
centrations were sufficient to support fish and other aquatic life.
Examination of microbiological data indicated that samples collected
after periods of extensive rainfall maintained counts of much greater
magnitude than samples collected after feedlot waste discharges. This
is due to sufficient retention time of the waste in holding ponds allowing
for die-off of a large percentage of organisms.
35
-------
SECTION VII
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The cooperation and assistance of the personnel of D. H. Byrd Enterprises
of Dallas, Texas, owners of the feedlot, small farm pond, and control
reservoir used in this study are gratefully acknowledged. The cooperation
of Mr. E. K. Norton, Jr., who allowed access to the waste-receiving
reservoir used in this study, is greatly appreciated.
37
-------
SECTION VIII
REFERENCES
1. Kreis, R. D., Scalf, M. R., and McNabb, J., "Characterization of
Feedlot Wastes and Evaluation of a Ditch.-Pond Treatment System."
EPA, Robert S. Kerr Water Research. Center, Ada, Oklahoma,
(In Preparation).
2. American Public Eealtfi Association, American Water Works Association,
Water Pollution Control Federation, Standard Methods' for the
Examination of Water and WasHewater, 12th Edition, N. Y., pp. 673-85,
1965.
3. Weber, C. I., "Methods of Collection and Analysis of Plankton and
Periphyton Samples in the Water Pollution Surveillance System."
Water Pqllution Surveillance System Applications and Development
Report No. 19, pp 3-5 and 13-15, July 1966.
4. USDI, FWQA Method for Chemical Analysis of Water and Wastes. FWQA
Division of Research, Analytical Quality Control Branch 1169, 1969.
5. Technicon Auto-Analyzer Methodology, Industrial Method 30-69A.
6. VanHall, E. E., Safranko, J., and Stenger, V. A., "Rapid Combustion
Method for the Determination of Organic Substances in Aqueous
Solutions." Analytical Chemistry, Vol. 35, pp 315-9, March 1963.
7. Merkins, J. C. and Downing, K. M., "The Effect of Tension on Dissolved
Oxygen on the Toxicity of Un—Ionized Ammonia to Several Species of
Fish." Ann. Appl. Biol. 45, 521, 1957.
8. Brockway, D. R., "Metabolic Products and Their Effects." Prog. Fish.
Cult., 12, p. 126, 1950.
9. Ellis, M. M., "Detection and Measurement of Stream Pollution (Related
Principally to Fish Life.)" U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Bureau of Fisheries
Bull. 22, 1937.
39
-------
SECTION IX
APPENDICES
Table Page
I. Summary of Volume of Water Discharged and Total Weight
and Average Concentrations for Each Chemical Constituent. . . 43
II. Mean Values for Study Parameters in the Farm Pond for
Each Sampling Period 44
III. Mean Values for Study Parameters in Receiving Reservoir
for Each Sampling Period 45
IV. Summary of Benthic Macroinvertebrates Collected Per
Square Meter 46
V. Summary of Zooplankton Collected Per Liter 48
VI. Summary of Phytoplankton Collected Per Milliliter 49
Figure
1. Total Number of Taxa of Benthic Macroinvertebrates and
Number of Organisms Per Square Meter 52
2. Total Number of Taxa of Phytoplankters and Number of
Organisms Per Milliliter 53
41
-------
TABLE I
SUMMARY OF VOLUME OF WATER DISCHARGED AND TOTAL WEIGHT AND
AVERAGE CONCENTRATIONS FOR EACH CHEMICAL CONSTITUENT
Total
Alkalinity
Total Solids
Total Suspended
Solids
Total Dissolved
Solids
Chloride
Total Organic
Nitrogen
Nitrate
Ammonia
Ortho Phosphate
Total Phosphate
Chemical Oxygen
Demand
Biochemical
Oxygen Demand
Total Organic
Carbon
Station
Volume
Concentration
Total Weight
Concentration
Total Weight
Concentrat ion
Total Weight
Concentration
Total Weight
Concentration
Total Weight
Concentration
Total Weight
Concentration
Total Weight
Concentration
Total Weight
Concentration
Total Weight
Concentration
Total Weight
Concentration
Total Weight
Concentration
Total Weight
Concentration
Total Weight
1
750.5
502
376,999
923
692,407
136
101,751
104
78,180
72
53,746
11
8,484
1.1
798
10
7,678
2.6
1,937
3.5
2,601
170
127,552
98
73,872
128
26,146
2
1,483
552
818,496
914
1,354,752
244
362,880
641
951,552
12
17,902
2.2
3,226
0.7
968
1.5
2,177
0.2
323
0.6
447
245
362,880
14
20,160
38
56,448
3
56.7
—
8,186
464,162
3,977
225,482
4,746
269,117
843
47,805
164
9,258
3.6
203
155
8,808
104
5,916
5,799
328,804
1,511
85,689
1,778
100,808
P-4
55.7
2,249
125,270
5,976
332,889
2,115
117,822
3,865
215,300
653
36,369
131
7,291
0.8
45
102
5,661
68
3,781
70
3,899
3,505
195,238
1,281
71,375
1,332
74,192
T-4
133
1,387
184,471
3,834
509,922
1,185
157,605
2,705
359,765
285
37,905
72
9,576
3.2
423
62
8,246
42
5,586
45
5,985
2,371
315,345
886
117,838
726
96,558
NOTE: Station 1 represents total discharge through drawdown of reservoir
receiving feedlot wastes. Station 2 represents total discharge through drawdown
of control reservoir. Station 3 represents pumped feedlot waste influent to
Farm Pond. Station P-4 represents effluents from Farm Pond during pumping.
Station T-4 represents total effluent from Farm Pond. Units for volume, con-
centration, and total weight are acre-feet, pounds per acre foot, and pounds
respectively.
43
-------
TABLE II
MEAN VALUES FOR STUDY PARAMETERS IN THE FARM POND FOR EACH
SAMPLING PERIOD a
Date
PH
Conductivity
Total Alkalinity
Total Solids
Total Suspended
Solids
Total Dissolved
Solids
Chloride
Total Organic
Nitrogen
Nitrate
Ammonia
Ortho Phosphate
Total Phosphate
COD
BOD5
TOC
8-12
8.4
1030
283
947
107
840
141
13.6
<0.03
7.3
3.3
5.4
—
—
—
10-29b
7.8
1650
580
2017
316
1701
—
42.5
0.14
45
30
35.3
1816
—
580
12-2b
9.2
2600
1020
2126
260
1966
230
87
0.1
10
34.5
40
—
—
20
2-25
8.7
330
136
392
192
200
13
0.9
2.8
0.9
—
17.8
90
—
16
b~
4-9
7.6
2300
920
2459
880
1579
244
90
56
50
27.2
31.5
—
625
840
5-20
9.7
340
138
282
58
224
24
3.5
0.36
—
0.46
1.1
2.7
10
—
7-15
9.3
340
124
273
38
335
24
2.4
<0.05
0.35
0.345
0.8
—
—
—
Conductivity reported as io.mohs/cm, chemical concentrations are mg/1.
Sample collections following pumping of feedlot runoff.
44
-------
TABLE III
MEAN VALUES FOR STUDY PARAMETERS IN RECEIVING RESERVOIR
FOR EACH SAMPLING PERIOD
Date
PH
b
Conductivity
Total Alkalinity
Total Solids
Total Suspended
Solids
Total Dissolved
Solids
Chloride
Total Organic
Nitorgen
Nitrate
Ammonia
Ortho Phosphate
Total Phosphate
COD
BOD5
TOC
8-12
7.9
332
117
304
85
219
29
2
<0.03
0.67
0.04
0.25
—
—
—
10-29
7.9
425
160
546
152
395
29
5
0.07
2.6
1.19
3.1
—
—
48
12-2
8.0
773
240
492
83
409
55
7.4
0.39
0.26
1.31
1.62
—
—
—
2-25
8.48
353
137
262
48
214
16
0.67
0.2
0.53
1.1
0.26
—
—
—
4-9
7.56
600
260
523
92
432
41
11.3
0.02
4.3
2.8
4.4
—
82
56
5-20
8.8
420
192
284
55
229
17
2.7
<0.05
—
0.53
0.86
61
9.8
—
7-15
8.0
357
153
240
27
213
19
0.62
<0.05
0.55
0.152
0.22
—
—
—
&
Conductivity reported on vimohs/cm, chemical concentration are mg/1.
b
Sample Collections following pumping of feedlot runoff.
45
-------
TABLE IV
SUMMARY OF BENTHIC MICROINVERTEBRATES COLLECTED PER SQUARE METER
Small Farm
Pond
Receiving
Reservoir
Control
Reservoir
Taxa
Ephemeroptera - mayflies
Hexogenia sp.
Trichoptera - caddisflies
Hesperophylax sp.
Limnephilus sp.
Ochrotrichia sp.
Polycentropus sp.
Triaenodes sp.
Coleoptera - beetles
Hydrophilus sp.
Hydroporus sp.
Diptera - true flies
Alluaudommyia sp.
Calopsectra sp.
Cardiocladius sp.
Chaoborus sp.
Chironomus sp.
Coelotanypus sp.
Dolichopus sp.
Glyptotendipes sp.
Muscid sp.
Palpomyia sp.
Pentaneura sp.
Probezzia sp.
Procladius sp.
Pseudochironomus sp.
Tanypus sp.
Hirudiniea - leeches
Placobdella sp.
Pelecypoda - clams
Musculium sp.
Gastropoda - snails
Physa sp.
Nematoda - roundworms
Alaimus sp.
Cephalobus sp.
Diplogaster sp.
0
0
0
A
0
B
A
0
A
A
D
E
B
0
B
0
B
0
A
D
0
C
0
0
A
A
0
0
0
B
0
0
0
A
A
D
D
D
0
C
0
C
B
B
D
B
E
B
A
D
0
A
A
A
0
A
0
A
B
B
E
D
D
A
D
A
C
C
C
E
0
D
B
A
B
46
-------
TABLE IV—Continued
Dolichodorus sp.
Dorylaimus sp.
Ironus sp .
Hydracarina - watermites
Diplodontus sp .
Eylais sp.
Hydryphantes sp.
Lebertia sp.
Mideopsis sp.
Neumania sp.
Oxus sp .
Oligochaeta - segmented worms
Dero sp.
Limnodrilus sp .
Naidium sp.
Nais sp .
Stylaria sp.
NOTE: 0 = Not collected
A = 1-5 /m2
B = 6-50/m
C = 51-100/m2
D = 100-500/m2
E = 500f /m2
Small Farm Receiving
Pond Reservoir
0 A
0 E
0 0
0 A
0 A
0 B
0 A
0 B
0 A
B B
A D
D D
0 A
B E
0 0
Control
Reservoir
0
B
A
A
A
B
0
A
A
B
0
E
B
D
A
47
-------
TABLE V
SUMMARY OF ZOOPLANKTON COLLECTED PER LITER
Rotif era
Asplanchna sp.
Brachious sp .
Filinia sp.
Keratella sp.
Polyarthra sp.
Synchaeta sp.
Philodina -sp.
Trichocera sp .
Copopoda
Nauplius larvae
Ectocyclops sp.
Orthocyclops sp.
Cladocera
Alonopsis sp.
Bosmina sp.
Ceriodaphnia sp.
Daphnia sp.
Diaphanosoma sp.
Sida sp.
Simocephalus sp.
Ostracoda
Cypridopsis sp.
Small Farm Receiving Control
Pond Reservoir Reservoir
1 63
2 54
5 75
1 75
3 23
0 22
0 22
0 22
3 76
2 87
4 76
0 44
4 77
1 74
4 64
0 41
2 23
0 32
4 66
Numbers indicate occurrence of a possible seven.
48
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TABLE VI
SUMMARY OF PHYTOPLANKTON COLLECTED PER MILLILITER
Chlorophyta - green
Actinastrum
Ankistrodesmus
Arthrodesmus
Carteria
Cerasterias
Chlamvdom.onas
Chlorella
Closterium
Closteriopsis
Coelastrum
Cosmarium
Crucigenia
Desmatractum
Dictyoshaerium
Dimorphococcus
Dispora
Dysmorphococcus
Elakatothrix
Eudorina
Gloeocystis
Golenkinia
Gonium
Hormidium
Kirchneriella
Lobomonas
Micractinium
Mougeotia
Microspora
Oocystis
Ourococcus
Pandorina
Pamella
Pamellococcus
Pleurotaenium
Pachycladon
Pediastrum
Pedinomonas
Plankophaeria
Platymonas
Pyrobotrys
Pyramimonas
Scenedesmus
Small Farm Receiving Control
Pond Reservoir Reservoir
B BO
D ED
0 0 A
D DC
0 0 A
D E E
E E E
D B A
0 C C
0 DC
0 AC
A DC
0 0 A
0 A B
0 OB
0 C A
D CO
0 A A
D BO
0 OB
C B B
C A 0
0 BO
0 0 A
D DO
D C A
B CD
0 OB
B D D
D A 0
0 A 0
D C B
D DO
0 A B
0 0 A
B C B
C 00
0 A 0
D B A
D 00
0 0 A
D D B
49
-------
TABLE VI—Continued
Schroederia
Selenastrum
Staurastrum
Spirotaenia
Tetraedron
Treubaria
Trochiscia
Tetrallentos
Ulothrix
Volvox
Westella
Chrysophyta - yellow brown
Botryococcus
Caloneis
Centronella
Chrysopyxis
Cocconeis
Cymbella
Cyclotella
Fragilaria
Frustulia
Gyrosigma
Hantzchia
Lagynion
Mastigoloia
Meridon
Melosira
Mallomonas
Navicula
Nitzchia
Pinnularia
Scoliopleura
Stephanodiscus
Synedra
Synura
Cyanophyta - blue green
Anacystis
Aphanizoinenon
Arthrofepira
Calothrix
Chroococcus
Gloeocapsa
Small Farm Receiving
Pond Reservoir
A 0
D B
0 B
0 A
0 A
0 0
0 D
E 0
A 0
D B
0 B
D D
0 A
0 A
0 0
C D
0 A
D D
C A
0 A
0 A
0 0
0 A
B B
0 0
B D
B D
B B
C D
0 A
0 A
C D
A B
E A
B C
A D
B 0
C 0
0 A
B B
Control
Reservoir
C
A
A
0
A
A
C
0
0
B
B
D
0
0
A
B
A
D
A
A
0
A
0
B
A
B
B
B
B
A
0
C
C
0
B
D
0
0
0
D
50
-------
TABLE VI—Continued
Gomphosphaeria
Microcystis
Myrosarcina
Oscillatoria
Polycystis
Trichodemium
Euglenophyta - euglenoid
Astasia
Euglena
Lopocinclis
Phacus
Rhabdomonas
Trachelomonas
Pyrrophyta - dinoflagelates
Ceratium
Chroomonas
Glenodinium
Hypnodinium
Peridinium
Cryptophyceae - bi-flagelates
Cryptomonas
Rhodomonas
Small Farm Receiving Control
Pond Reservoir Reservoir
0 0 A
C 00
C A A
D ED
C 00
A A 0
A 00
E D B
D D B
C C B
B B D
D D D
0 B A
0 0 A
D DC
0 C A
A D D
D ED
0 0 A
51
-------
§
X
2
CO
z
o
cc
o
u.
o
cc
UJ
CD
z
X
-------
CONTROL
RESERVOIR
RECEIVING
RESERVOIR
I8/ ftft ft |4/J5/J7/1 P/JWftJ4/ pj
1I2E8 2'25' 9* IS* I41 ' I22ff 2!25 91 I9>
I4
DATE
APPENDIX FIGURE 2 ,
TOTAL NUMBER OF TAXA OF PHYTOPLANKTERS AND NUMBER OF
ORGANISMS PER MILLILITER
53
-------
Accession Number
Subject Field & Group
05C
SELECTED WATER RESOURCES ABSTRACTS
INPUT TRANSACTION FORM
Organization
EPA, Robert S. Kerr Water Research Center, Ada, Oklahoma
EFFECTS OF FEEDLOT RUNOFF ON WATER QUALITY OF IMPOUNDMENTS
10
Authors)
Duffer, William R.
Kreis , R. Douglas
Harlin, Curtis C. , Jr.
16
21
Project Designation
16080GGP07/71
Note
22
Citation
23
Descriptors (Starred First)
Reservoir,* Fishkill,* Ammonia,* Dissolved Oxygen,* Runoff,*
Organic Wastes, Nutrients, Phytoplankton, Macrobenthos,
Light Penetration,
25
Identifiers (Starred First)
Beef Cattle,* Feedlots,* Zooplankton, Solids Concentration
*•' A study was conducted to determine the effects of rainfall runoff from a beef
cattle feedlot on the water quality of a small impoundment. Changes in chemical concen-
tration of impounded water and changes in the community structure of aquatic organisms
were measured and related to the amount and composition of feedlot runoff received. Water
quality changes were also monitored in a nearby reservoir which received no feedlot run-
off to serve as a control. Rainfall from feedlots was retained in collection ponds and
pumped into the impoundment over a relatively short period of time, creating in effect
a "slug" discharge condition. Changes in chemical concentration or population structure
of organisms were not apparent for discharges of about one-part feedlot runoff to 40 parts
receiving water. Runoff discharges for two pumping periods with each contributing one-
fourth of the volume of the receiving water were shown to degrade water quality in the
impoundment. Several significant chemical and biological changes occurred. The concen-
tration of salts, solids, oxygen-demanding organic compounds and nutrients increased.
Population levels decreased for organisms having negative tolerances for low dissolved
oxygen and high ammonia concentrations. The most dramatic reduction in the biological
community was the suffocation of about 90% of the game fish in the impoundment. Reduction
in population levels of "stressed" organisms was followed by increased productivity of
phototropes in response to higher nutrient concentrations. (Kreis-EPA, RSKWRC)
Abstractor
R. Douglas
Kreis
Institution
EPA — Robert
S.
Kerr
Water
Research
Center
j_
Ada,
Oklahoma
WR:102 (REV. JULY 1969)
WRSIC
ft U. S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1972—l(8l|-l|82/2!
SEND TO: WATER RESOURCES SCIENTIFIC INFORMATION CENTER
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
WASHINGTON. D. C. 20240
* GPO: 1969-359-339
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