PARENT SESSION
Oral Session 1: Aquatic Ecology I: Rivers, Nutrients, and Water Quality.
Presiding: D Kashian
Monday, August 2, 8:00 AM to 11:30 AM, Meeting Room A 105.

Studies on water quality of the Big Black River in Mississippi (Pollution Studies).

Vaughan, Annie^*,1, Acholonu, Alex¹, ¹ Alcorn State University, Alcorn State, MS

ABSTRACT- Water quality can be closely linked to the surrounding environment and land use and is affected by community uses such as agriculture, urban and industrial use, and recreation. The Big Black River Basin is one of the largest watersheds in Mississippi, with the Big Black River being its only major water source. This basin has numerous possible sources of pollution in its surroundings. Oil and gas production are major industries in this area and cattle ranching and farming are present. The purpose of this study is to observe and analyze changes in the concentration of pollutants at various sites and seasons in order to effectively evaluate the water quality of the Big Black River. Three sampling sites, at 50-meter intervals, were established. During the period of October 2003 and February 2004, fall and winter seasons, samples were collected in three replicates and analyzed for pollution using the LaMotte Testing Kit. Different parameters were tested including atmospheric and surface temperature, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, and turbidity, which were tested and recorded on site. The results show that the water quality of the Big Black River meets the Mississippi water quality criteria for intrastate, interstate and coastal waters. This study, being a seasonal one, is being continued. It was conducted under SEEDS Program, sponsored by the Ecological Society of America (ESA) and funded by The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.

Key words: pollution, Mississippi, water quality, river