Original paper
Macroinvertebrate response to a gasoline spill in Wolf Lodge Creek, Idaho, USA
Pontasch, Kurt W.; Brusven, Merlyn A.
Archiv für Hydrobiologie Volume 113 Number 1 (1988), p. 41 - 60
35 references
published: Jul 19, 1988
DOI: 10.1127/archiv-hydrobiol/113/1989/41
ArtNo. ESP141011301003, Price: 29.00 €
Abstract
A post-impact study of a 94,438 liter unleaded gasoline spill into Wolf Lodge Creek in northern Idaho (USA) was undertaken to determine the temporal and spatial recovery of the benthic macroinvertebrate community. Benthic macroinvertebrate densities and drift were determined above and below the spill. Downstream areas were mechanically agitated to release substrate-trapped hydrocarbons. Benthos samples taken 17 days after the spill revealed very low macroinvertebrate densities downstream from the spill (2—25 % of upstream density). Downstream macroinvertebrate densities were not significantly different (P ≤ 0.05) from the reference site density 7 months after the spill; equality in species richness was attained approximately 16 months after the spill. High drift densities of mayflies and chironomids contributed to their rapid recolonization. Stoneflies, elmid beetles, and caddisflies were sparsely represented in the drift and recolonized downstream areas more slowly.
Keywords
Wolf Lodge Creek • Idaho • USA • macroinvertebrate • hydrocarbons