Geology topics

Danny E. Renn

Publications and source records attributed to Danny E. Renn.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

USGS2000

Suspended sediment in the Indiana Harbor Canal and the Grand Calumet River, northwestern Indiana, May 1996-June 1998

Suspended-sediment samples and streamflow data were collected from May 1996 through June 1998 at three sites in the Grand Calumet River Basin - Indiana Harbor Canal at East Chicago, the east branch of the Grand Calumet River at Gary, and the west branch of the Grand Calumet River at Hammond. Sample analysis allowed for retention of sediments of 0.0015 millimeters or larger.

Indiana↗

USGS2000

Benthic invertebrates and quality of streambed sediments in the White River and selected tributaries in and near Indianapolis, Indiana, 1994-96

During this study, 369 benthic-invertebrate samples were collected at 21 sites and 33 streambed-sediment samples were collected at 14 sites to help develop and evaluate control strategies to mediate the impact of point and nonpoint sources of pollution on the White River and selected tributaries in and near Indianapolis, Indiana. Data analyses show that 124 taxa were identified and that most of the benthic invertebrates found belong to one of three taxa: the pollution-tolerant Diptera and the pollution-intolerant Ephemeroptera and Trichoptera. The Hilsenhoff Biotic Index, which was calculated from the number of arthropods and their tolerance to pollution, ranged from 4.4 (very good) to 9.4 (very poor) on the White River, and from 4.9 (good) to 9.1 (very poor) on the tributaries. The Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera (EPT) Richness Index, which was calculated from the number of taxa in pollution-intolerant species, ranged from 0 to 9 for the White River and from 0 to 9 for the tributaries. A high EPT Richness Index value reflects a great diversity of pollution-intolerant invertebrates at a site and generally indicates good water quality. A comparison of data collected during the 1994 through 1996 study to data collected during a 1981 through 1987 study indicates that the proportion of pollution-tolerant taxa increased in the immediate vicinity of Indianapolis. This increase may be an indicator that the water quality in the immediate vicinity of Indianapolis has declined since the earlier study. Comparison of the Hilsenhoff Biotic Index values, however, indicates there has been no change since the previous study. In the analysis of streambed sediments, small amounts of 12 metals were detected. Of those, only lead exceeded sediment-quality guidelines for the protection of aquatic life in three samples from two sites. Thirteen insecticides were detected in the streambed sediments, and of those only chlordane exceeded sediment-quality guidelines for the protection of aquatic life. Seventeen semivolatile organic compounds also were detected in streambed sediments at nine sites: four on the White River and five on the tributaries. Six of these compounds exceeded sedimentquality guidelines for the protection of aquatic life.

Indiana↗

USGS1998

Benthic-invertebrate and streambed-sediment data for the White River and its tributaries in and near Indianapolis, Indiana, 1994–96

Data were collected in the White River and its tributaries in and near Indianapolis, Indiana, on the diversity and density of benthic invertebrates; concentrations of metals, insecticides, herbicides, and semivolatile organic compounds sorbed on streambed sediments; and particle-size distribution of streambed sediments. A total of 369 benthic-invertebrate samples were collected at 21 sites during late spring or summer and early fall 1994 through 1996; of these, 30 were quality-control samples. A total of 33 streambed-sediment samples were collected at 14 sites during August 1994, 1995, and 1996; of these, 10 were quality-control samples.

Indiana↗

USGS1985

Effects of land use and surficial geology on flow and water quality of streams in the coal-mining region of southwestern Indiana, October 1979 through September 1980

An assessment of streams in the coal-mining region of southwestern Indiana was done from October 1979 through September 1980 during stable stream flows to provide baseline hydrologic and water-quality information and to document the effect of several natural and human-induced factors on water quality in the region. Streams in southwestern Indiana are generally well buffered against acidification from acid-mine drainage because they flow upon calcareous unconsolidated surficial deposits and bedrock. The pH of streams draining forested, agricultural, and reclaimed mined watersheds ranged from 6.3 to 8.8, which is generally within the range of natural waters. The pH of streams draining unreclaimed mined watersheds ranged from 3.8 to 7.9, which was much more variable than for streams draining lands used for other activities. Concentrations of major dissolved constituents in streams affected by coal mining were significantly higher than in streams unaffected by mining. The principal cause of the elevated concentrations of dissolved constituents was the oxidation of pyrite and marcasite and subsequent dissolution of calcite and dolomite. The principal water type of streams draining forested and agricultural watersheds was calcium bicarbonate, whereas the principal water types of streams draining mined watersheds were magnesium sulfate and magnesiumcalcium sulfate. Concentrations of boron, iron, manganese, nickel, and zinc were generally higher in streams draining mined areas than in streams draining forested and agricultural watersheds. Median concentrations of iron and manganese were lower in streams draining reclaimed mined watersheds than in streams draining unreclaimed mined watersheds; this suggests that post-1967 surface-mine reclamation techniques have been effective at reducing concentrations of these metals in streams. Concentrations of aluminum, iron, manganese, nickel, and zinc increased significantly as pH decreased below 6.0 in streams draining unreclaimed mined watersheds. The elevated concentrations of metals in waters and the low pH result from the oxidation of the sulfide in pyrite to sulfate, which releases dissolved ferrous iron, other metals, and acidity into the water. Median suspended-sediment concentrations of samples from streams draining agricultural and mined watersheds were 1.5 and 5.4 times those of streams draining forested watersheds. Suspended sediment in streams was composed primarily of silt and clay-sized particles. The effect of surficial geology on stream quality was evident for several dissolved constituents in forested and agricultural watersheds. In general, pH and concentrations of alkalinity and calcium were significantly higher in streams draining the Wisconsin glacial province than in streams draining the Illinoian glacial province and unglaciated regions. The higher pH and concentrations of these constituents suggests that there is greater dissolution of carbonate minerals in the Wisconsin glacial province than the other regions. Median concentrations of arsenic, lead, and manganese for streams draining the Wisconsin glacial province were significantly lower than for those constituents in streams draining the Illinoian province and unglaciated region. The median cadmium concentration for streams draining the Wisconsin glacial province was lower than for streams draining the unglaciated region. These differences may have been due to lower solubilities of metal and trace elements at higher pH values in the Wisconsin glacial province than in the Illinoian glacial province and the unglaciated region.

Indiana↗

USGS1980

Water-quality assessment of the Porter County watershed, Kankakee River basin, Porter County, Indiana

Water type in the 241-square mile Porter County watershed in Indiana, was calcium bicarbonate or mixed calcium bicarbonate and calcium sulfate. Concentrations of dissolved chemical constituents in surface water and contents of chlorinated hydrocarbons in streambed samples in the watershed were generally less than water-quality alert limits set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, except in Crooked Creek. During sampling, this stream was affected by sewage, chlorinated hydrocarbons, and two chemical spills. Ranges of on-site field measurements were: specific conductance, from 102 to 1,060 micromhos per centimeter at 25 Celcius; water temperature, from 7.0 to 31.8 Celsius; pH, from 6.8 to 8.9; dissolved oxygen, from 2.5 to 14.9 milligrams per liter and from 27 to 148% saturation; and instantaneous discharge from 0 to 101 cubic feet per second. Concentrations of most dissolved-inorganic constituents (heavy metals and major ions) and dissolved solids did not vary significantly from one sampling period to the next at each site. Dissolved constituents whose concentrations varied significantly were iron, manganese, organic carbon, ammonia, nitrate plus nitrite, organic nitrogen, Kjeldahl nitrogen, and phosphorus. Concentrations of dissolved manganese, organic carbon, dissolved nitrite plus nitrate, and suspended sediment varied seasonally at most sites. Populations and identification of bacteria, phytoplankton, periphyton, and benthic invertebrates indicate a well-balanced environment at most sites, except in Crooked Creek.

Indiana↗