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James B. McConnell

Publications and source records attributed to James B. McConnell.

7 recordsLinked to original sources
USGS2000

Trace elements and semi-volatile organic compounds in bed sediments from streams and impoundments at Fort Gordon, Georgia

In May 1998, the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Environmental and Natural Resources Management Office of the U.S. Army Signal Center and Fort Gordon, investigated the presence and disbursal of trace elements and semi-volatile organic compounds in bed sediments from selected streams and impoundments at the Fort Gordon military installation near Augusta, Georgia. Concentrations of 18 trace elements and total organic carbon, and 66 semi-volatile compounds were determined from analysis of the fine-grained fraction of bed-sediment samples from 29 surface-water deposition locations. Analysis of the bed-sediment data indicates that commercial and industrial land-use areas generally are associated with the highest concentrations of trace elements and semi-volatile organic compounds, and the greatest occurrence and distribution of trace elements and semi-volatile organic compounds in bed sediments at Fort Gordon. Bed sediment collected at sites having drainage areas less than 1.0 square mile and greater than 45 percent commercial and industrial land uses, have the most occurrences and the highest concentrations of trace elements and semi-volatile organic compounds. Sampling sites having less than 2 percent commercial and industrial land uses had the lowest concentrations, regardless of drainage basin size. Relative rankings and evaluation of individual trace element and semi-volatile organic compound concentration data identified two sites that have substantially higher sediment-quality scores than the other sites. This suggests that these sites have the greatest potential risk for adverse effects on aquatic life. The effects of these elevated trace element and semi-volatile organic compound concentrations on aquatic life in these basins may merit further investigation.

Georgia↗
USGS1994

Water-resources data for the Valdosta area, south-central Georgia, 1961-93

The Upper Floridan aquifer is the sole source of water supply for the city of Valdosta, Ga., and much of the surrounding area. Users and water-resources managers and developers are concerned about the quality of water in the aquifer. The water quality of a large part of the Upper Floridan aquifer in the Valdosta area is affected by direct recharge of water from the Withlacoochee River to the aquifer through sinkholes in the river channel north of Valdosta. Furthermore, because the Withlacoochee River receives little filtration as it recharges the aquifer in this area, ground water might be vulnerable to contamination as a result of human activities within the Withlacoochee River basin. Stream-discharge and water-quality data from 17 surface-water sites and ground-water-quality dam from 111 wells in the vicinity of Valdosta, Ga., are presented for the period 1961-93. Also, ground- water-level data for the Upper Floridan aquifer in the Valdosta area are presented in a series of potentiometric-surface maps. The water-resources data were collected mostly in Lowndes County in the vicinity of Valdosta and lesser amounts were collected in surrounding Berrien, Brooks, Cook, Echols, and Lanier Counties.

Georgia↗
USGS1984

Investigation of ethylene dibromide (EDB) in ground water in Seminole County, Georgia

An investigation of ground water in Seminole County, Georgia, for ethylene dibromide (EDB) was conducted in August 1983 by the U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with the Exposure Assessment Branch of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The purpose of the investigation was to determine whether EDB, which was previously detected in ground-water samples from four neighboring wells, was localized in the vicinity of the wells or was more widespread in the ground-water system. EDB was detected in 6 of 19 wells sampled. Concentrations ranged from 0.03 to 11.8 micrograms per liter. Five of the six samples that contained EDB were collected from irrigation wells, and one was collected from a domestic well. Concentrations of 4.5 and 11.8 micrograms per liter were found in two irrigation wells located near Buck Hole, a sinkhole in a swampy depression in central Seminole County. EDB was not detected in samples from the remaining 10 irrigation and 3 domestic wells and the surface-water site (detection level less than 0.01 microgram per liter). Nine core samples were collected from a borehole near one of the irrigation wells that had high EDB concentrations. EDB was found in a core sample near the surface and in samples from depths of 24 to 25, 34 to 35, and 39 to 40 feet in the residuum. EDB concentrations in the core samples ranged from 0.06 to 2.4 micrograms per kilogram. EDB in the aquifer was found in a 4-square-mile area of the county in the vicinity of Buck Hole. EDB application information and the local hydrogeology indicate that EDB contamination in ground water in Seminole County probably is due to soil fumigation with EDB. Apparently, EDB moves downward through the residuum and, through undetermined pathways, enters the aquifer. However, because the high concentration of EDB in the aquifer seems to be localized in the Buck Hole area, the possibility of contamination from an EDB fumigant spill cannot be disregarded at this time.

Georgia↗
USGS1980

A preliminary appraisal of the effects of agriculture on stream quality in southwest Georgia

Water—quality and suspended—sediment samples were collected in two basins in southwest Georgia to determine whether water—quality problems have resulted from agricultural practices. Samples were collected monthly and during periods of storm runoff from December 1976 through July 1978. Concentrations of chemical constituents relevant to agricultural practices were found to be low, even during periods of storm runoff. Concentrations of total nitrogen and total phosphorus ranged from 0.30 to 1.60 and 0.01 to 0.42 milligrams per liter, respectively. Copper, arsenic, lead, mercury, and zinc concentrations were low and did not exceed Georgia Department of Natural Resources (1977) or U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (1977) standards for safe drinking water. Concentrations of suspended sediment and total nitrogen were found to remain relatively constant over a wide range of water discharge. Concentrations of total phosphorus showed a better relation to water discharge at Little River near Lenox than at Spring Creek near Iron City. Dissolved—solids concentrations in both streams generally decreased with an increase in water discharge. Average annual yields of selected constituents were low. Total nitrogen and total phosphorus yields were 0.60 to 0.63 and 0.04 to 0.06 tons per year per square mile in Little River and Spring Creek basins. Atrazine, butylate, and ethroprop pesticides were detected in concentrations up to 0.91 micrograms per liter in storm— runoff samples collected during the active farming season.

Georgia↗
USGS1974

A method for the relative classification of lakes in the State of Washington from reconnaissance data

The classification system developed allows a rapid assessment of the eutrophic potential and condition of more than 750 Washington lakes and reservoirs. The potential for nutrient enrichment from natural sources is evaluated on the basis of the interactions of physical and hydrologic factors that play a role in controlling the trophic condition of lakes, such as: (1) mean depth, (2) volume, (3) bottom slope, (4) shoreline configuration ratio, (5) ratio of drainage area to volume, (6) altitude, and (7) water-renewal time. The potential for nutrient enrichment from cultural sources is evaluated on the basis of (1) total phosphorus loading from nonpoint sources and point sources, (2) volume of water per nearshore home, and (3) percentage of shore developed. Total phosphorus loading for the lakes is calculated using criteria based on phosphorus exports from various nonpoint sources in the lake basin. Indicators of eutrophication and water quality are evaluated from phosphorus and nitrogen concentrations, specific conductance, dissolved-oxygen depletion in the hypolimnion, Secchidisc visibility, fecal-doliform bacteria, and the abundance of rooted aquatic plants. The classification system, applied to seven Washington lakes, shows that a high enrichment potential from natural and (or) cultural factors is a good indicator of eutrophication and water-quality conditions for the lake.

Washington↗