PARENT SESSION
Poster Session #23: Fish, Lakes, Streams, and Wetlands.
Wednesday, August 8, 2001. Presentation from 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM. Exhibition Hall
110
Water quality of the Flint River and its tributaries.
Randriamahefa, Alexandrine1, Sovyanhahdi, Yoedono1, Asekomeh, Victoria1, Umez, Chinwe1, Elysee, Jonathan1, 1
ABSTRACT- Fourteen sites on the Flint River and its tributaries currently on the EPA 303(d) list were studied using water quality index (WQI). The goal of this study is to identify the source of water impairment of the watershed. Nine parameters were used to obtain the WQI designed by the National Sanitation Foundation. The measures included dissolved oxygen, pH, temperature change, biochemical oxygen demand (5 day), total phosphate, nitrate, turbidity, total solids, and fecal coliforms. The WQI for the streams indicated that thirteen sites had "good or medium" water quality with the site at Pike Ryland being "bad". The quality values (Q-values) used to calculate the WQI indicated that high turbidity and low dissolved oxygen were the factors that decrease the overall water quality. The high turbidity probably resulted from the siltation coming from constructions in the surrounding areas. A Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) should be undertaken to implement restrictions and prevent further depletion of oxygen which will result in the reduction of the aquatic biodiversity of the river.
KEY WORDS: Flint River, AL, Water Quality Index (WQI)