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Research about South Dakota

Source-linked reports with geographic coverage including South Dakota.

At least 199 records · Page 11Linked to original sources
USGS2006

Summary of Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program (EMAP) activities in South Dakota, 2000–2004

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) initiated data-collection activities for the Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program-West (EMAP-West) in South Dakota during 2000. The objectives of the study were to develop the monitoring tools necessary to produce unbiased estimates of the ecological condition of surface waters across a large geographic area of the western United States, and to demonstrate the effectiveness of those tools in a large-scale assessment. In 2001, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks (GF&P) established a cooperative agreement and assumed responsibility for completing the remaining assessments for the perennial, wadable streams of the EMAP-West in the State. Stream assessment sites were divided into two broad categories-the first category of sites was randomly selected and assigned by the USEPA for South Dakota. The second category consisted of sites that were specifically selected because they appeared to have reasonable potential for representing the best available physical, chemical, and biological conditions in the State. These sites comprise the second category of assessment sites and were called 'reference' sites and were selected following a detailed evaluation process. Candidate reference site data will serve as a standard or benchmark for assessing the overall ecological condition of the randomly selected sites. During 2000, the USEPA completed 22 statewide stream assessments in South Dakota. During 2001-2003, the USGS and GF&P completed another 42 stream assessments bringing the total of randomly selected stream assessments within South Dakota to 64. In addition, 18 repeat assessments designed to meet established quality-assurance/quality-control requirements were completed at 12 of these 64 sites. During 2002-2004, the USGS in cooperation with GF&P completed stream assessments at 45 candidate reference sites. Thus, 109 sites had stream assessments completed in South Dakota for EMAP-West (2000-2004). Relatively early in the EMAP-West stream-assessment process, it became apparent that for some streams in south-central South Dakota, in-stream conditions varied considerably over relatively short distances of only a few miles. These changes appeared to be a result of geomorphic changes associated with changes in the underlying geology. For these streams, moving stream assessment sites short distances upstream or downstream had the potential to provide substantially different bioassessment data. In order to obtain a better understanding of how geology influences stream conditions, two streams located in south-central South Dakota were chosen for multiple stream sampling at sites located along their longitudinal profile at points where notable changes in geomorphology were observed. Subsequently, three sites on Bear-in-the-Lodge Creek and three sites on Black Pipe Creek were selected for multiple stream sampling using EMAP-West protocols so that more could be learned about geologic influences on stream conditions. Values for dissolved oxygen and specific conductance generally increased from upstream to downstream locations on Bear-in-the-Lodge Creek. Values for pH and water temperature generally decreased from upstream to downstream locations. Decreasing water temperature could be indicative of ground-water inflows. Values for dissolved oxygen, pH, and water temperature generally increased from upstream to downstream locations on Black Pipe Creek. The increase in temperature at the lower sites is a result of less dense riparian cover, and the warmer water also could account for the lower concentrations of dissolved oxygen found in the lower reaches of Black Pipe Creek. Values for specific conductance were more than three times greater at the lower site (1,342 microsiemens per centimeter (?S/cm)) than at the upper site (434 ?S/cm). The increase probably occurs when the stream transitions from contacting the underlying Ar

South Dakota↗
USGS2006

Occurrence of organic wastewater compounds in drinking water, wastewater effluent, and the Big Sioux River in or near Sioux Falls, South Dakota, 2001-2004

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in cooperation with the city of Sioux Falls conducted several rounds of sampling to determine the occurrence of organic wastewater compounds (OWCs) in the city of Sioux Falls drinking water and waste-water effluent, and the Big Sioux River in or near Sioux Falls during August 2001 through May 2004. Water samples were collected during both base-flow and storm-runoff conditions. Water samples were collected at 8 sites, which included 4 sites upstream from the wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) discharge, 2 sites downstream from the WWTP discharge, 1 finished drinking-water site, and 1 WWTP effluent (WWE) site. A total of 125 different OWCs were analyzed for in this study using five different analytical methods. Analyses for OWCs were performed at USGS laboratories that are developing and/or refining small-concentration (less than 1 microgram per liter (ug/L)) analytical methods. The OWCs were classified into six compound classes: human pharmaceutical compounds (HPCs); human and veterinary antibiotic compounds (HVACs); major agricultural herbicides (MAHs); household, industrial,and minor agricultural compounds (HIACs); polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs); and sterol compounds (SCs). Some of the compounds in the HPC, MAH, HIAC, and PAH classes are suspected of being endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs). Of the 125 different OWCs analyzed for in this study, 81 OWCs had one or more detections in environmental samples reported by the laboratories, and of those 81 OWCs, 63 had acceptable analytical method performance, were detected at concentrations greater than the study reporting levels, and were included in analyses and discussion related to occurrence of OWCs in drinking water, wastewater effluent, and the Big Sioux River. OWCs in all compound classes were detected in water samples from sampling sites in the Sioux Falls area. For the five sampling periods when samples were collected from the Sioux Falls finished drinking water, only one OWC was detected at a concentration greater than the study reporting level (metolachlor; 0.0040 ug/L). During base-flow conditions, Big Sioux River sites upstream from the WWTP discharge had OWC contributions that primarily were from nonpoint animal or crop agriculture sources or had OWC concentrations that were minimal. The influence of the WWTP discharge on OWCs at downstream river sites during base-flow conditions ranged from minimal influence to substantial influence depending on the sampling period. During runoff conditions, OWCs at sites upstream from the WWTP discharge probably were primarily contributed by nonpoint animal and/or crop agriculture sources and possibly by stormwater runoff from nearby roads. OWCs at sites downstream from the WWTP discharge probably were contributed by sources other than the WWTP effluent discharge, such as stormwater runoff from urban and/or agriculture areas and/or resuspension of OWCs adsorbed to sediment deposited in the Big Sioux River. OWC loads generally were substantially smaller for upstream sites than downstream sites during both base-flow and runoff conditions.discharge had OWC contributions that primarily were from nonpoint animal or crop agriculture sources or had OWC concentrations that were minimal. The influence of the WWTP discharge on OWCs at downstream river sites during base-flow conditions ranged from minimal influence to substantial influence depending on the sampling period. During runoff conditions, OWCs at sites upstream from the WWTP discharge probably were primarily contributed by nonpoint animal and/or crop agriculture sources and possibly by stormwater runoff from nearby roads. OWCs at sites downstream from the WWTP discharge probably were contributed by sources other than the WWTP effluent discharge, such as stormwater runoff from urban and/or agriculture areas and/or resuspension of OWCs adsorbed to sediment deposited in the Big Sioux River. OWC loads generally were substantially smaller for

South Dakota↗
USGS2006

Reconnaissance-level assessment of water and bottom-sediment quality, including pesticides and mercury, in Yankton Sioux Tribe wetlands, Charles Mix County, South Dakota, June-July 2005

During June and July 2005, water and bottom-sediment samples were collected from selected Yankton Sioux Tribe wetlands within the historic Reservation area of eastern Charles Mix County as part of a reconnaissance-level assessment by the U.S. Geological Survey and Yankton Sioux Tribe. The water samples were analyzed for pesticides and mercury species. In addition, the water samples were analyzed for physical properties and chemical constituents that might help further characterize the water quality of the wetlands. The bottom-sediment samples were analyzed for mercury species. During June 2005, water samples were collected from 19 wetlands and were analyzed for 61 widely used pesticide compounds. Many pesticides were not detected in any of the water samples and many others were detected only at low concentrations in a few of the samples. Thirteen pesticides were detected in water samples from at least one of the wetlands. Atrazine and de-ethyl atrazine were detected at each of the 19 wetlands. The minimum, maximum, and median dissolved atrazine concentrations were 0.056, 0.567, and 0.151 microgram per liter (?g/L), respectively. Four pesticides (alachlor, carbaryl, chlorpyrifos, and dicamba) were detected in only one wetland each. The number of pesticides detected in any of the 19 wetlands ranged from 3 to 8, with a median of 6. In addition to the results for this study, recent previous studies have frequently found atrazine in Lake Andes and the Missouri River, but none of the atrazine concentrations have been greater than 3 ?g/L, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Maximum Contaminant Level for atrazine in drinking water. During June and July 2005, water and bottom-sediment samples were collected from 10 wetlands. Water samples from each of the wetlands were analyzed for major ions, organic carbon, and mercury species, and bottom-sediment samples were analyzed for mercury species. For the whole-water samples, the total mercury concentrations ranged from 1.11 to 29.65 nanograms per liter (ng/L), with a median of 10.56 ng/L. The methylmercury concentrations ranged from 0.45 to 14.03 ng/L, with a median of 2.28 ng/L. For the bottom-sediment samples, the total mercury concentration ranged from 21.3 to 74.6 nanograms per gram (ng/g), with a median of 54.2 ng/g. The methylmercury concentrations ranged from <0.11 to 2.04 ng/g, with a median of 0.78 ng/g. The total mercury concentrations in the water samples were all much less than 2 ?g/L (2,000 ng/L), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Maximum Contaminant Level for mercury in drinking water. However, water samples from four of the wetlands had concentrations larger than 0.012 ?g/L (12 ng/L), the State of South Dakota's chronic standard for surface waters, including wetlands. Maximum methylmercury concentrations for this study are larger than reported concentrations for wetlands in North Dakota and concentrations reported for the Cheyenne River Indian Reservation in South Dakota.

South Dakota↗
USGS2005

Occurrence of organic wastewater compounds in wastewater effluent and the Big Sioux River in the Upper Big Sioux River basin, South Dakota, 2003-2004

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in cooperation with the East Dakota Water Development District conducted a reconnaissance study to determine the occurrence of organic wastewater compounds (OWCs) in wastewater effluent and the Big Sioux River at or near the cities of Watertown, Volga, and Brookings in the upper Big Sioux River Basin during August 2003 through June 2004. For each city, samples were collected from the wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) effluent and from Big Sioux River sites upstream and downstream from where the wastewater effluent discharges to the Big Sioux River. For Watertown and Brookings, samples were collected during a low-flow period (August 2003) and a runoff period (June 2004). For Volga, samples were collected during two low-flow periods (August 2003 and October 2003) and a runoff period (June 2004). A total of 125 different OWCs were analyzed for and were classified into six compound classes-human pharmaceutical compounds (HPCs), human and veterinary antibiotic compounds (HVACs), major agricultural herbicides (MAHs), household, industrial, and minor agricultural compounds (HIACs), polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and sterol compounds (SCs). Of the 125 different OWCs, 45 had acceptable analytical method performance, were detected at concentrations greater than the study reporting levels, and were included in analyses and discussion related to occurrence of OWCs in wastewater effluents and the Big Sioux River. OWCs in all six compound classes were detected in water samples from sampling sites in the Watertown area. The Watertown WWTP discharged continuously to the Big Sioux River during both the low-flow August 2003 and runoff June 2004 sampling periods. Total OWC concentrations for Big Sioux River sites upstream from the Watertown WWTP discharge generally were small, less than 6 micrograms per liter (µg/L) for both sampling periods. SCs accounted for nearly all of the total OWC concentrations for upstream Big Sioux River sites for the low-flow August 2003 sampling period, and MAHs accounted for nearly all of the total OWC concentrations for the runoff June 2004 sampling period. Total OWC concentrations for samples collected from the Watertown wastewater effluent were relatively large for both sampling periods (estimated concentrations ranged from 20 to 41 µg/L), and primarily consisted of HIACs, SCs, and HVACs. Total OWC concentrations for Big Sioux River sites downstream from the Watertown WWTP discharge were relatively large for the low-flow August 2003 sampling period (estimated concentrations ranged from 6.9 to 19 µg/L) and smaller for the runoff June 2004 sampling period (estimated concentrations ranged from 3.3 to 6.5 µg/L), a pattern that probably reflects a greater fraction of the total flow of the Big Sioux River being derived from WWTP discharge during the low-flow sampling period. Major OWC classes contributing to total OWC concentrations for Big Sioux River sites downstream from the Watertown WWTP were HIACs, SCs, and HVACs. Total OWC concentrations decreased substantially between the two downstream Big Sioux River sites. Although confident conclusions could not be made primarily due to possible effects of non-Lagrangian sampling, OWC results for the Watertown area might indicate that (1) OWCs for upstream Big Sioux River sites probably were primarily contributed by nonpoint agricultural sources, with livestock agriculture accounting for most of the total OWC concentration for the low-flow August 2003 sampling period, and crop agriculture accounting for most of the total OWC concentration for the runoff June 2004 sampling period; (2) OWCs for downstream Big Sioux River sites were substantially influenced by contributions from the Watertown WWTP during both the low-flow and runoff sampling periods; and (3) contributions of OWCs that might be derived from nonpoint livestock agricultural sources increased in proportion for the most downstream site for both the low-flow and runoff sampling periods. Suspected endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs) were detected in all Big Sioux River samples in the Watertown area. For both the low-flow and runoff sampling periods, the numbers of EDCs detected, and EDC concentrations and loads generally were larger for downstream Big Sioux River sites than for upstream Big Sioux River sites. Combined EDC concentrations for downstream Big Sioux River sites consisted mostly of HIACs for the low-flow sampling period and both HIACs and MAHs for the runoff sampling period. OWCs in all compound classes except PAHs were detected in samples from sites in the Volga area. The Volga WWTP was not discharging to the Big Sioux River during the low-flow August 2003 and runoff June 2004 sampling periods, but was discharging continuously to the Big Sioux River during the low-flow October 2003 sampling period. For the low-flow August 2003 sampling period, the upstream Big Sioux River site had larger total OWC concentrations and loads than downstream Big Sioux River sites, and SCs accounted for most of the total OWC concentration for all Big Sioux River sites. For the low-flow October 2003 sampling period, when the Volga WWTP was discharging to the Big Sioux River, total OWC concentrations and loads were larger for the downstream Big Sioux River site than for the upstream site, and the increase in load corresponded well with the load contributed by the Volga wastewater effluent discharge, especially for HIACs. HIACs and SCs accounted for most of the total OWC concentrations for Big Sioux River sites for the October 2003 sampling period. For the June 2004 runoff sampling period, the upstream Big Sioux River site had smaller total OWC concentrations and loads than downstream Big Sioux River sites, and MAHs accounted for most of the total OWC concentrations for all Big Sioux River sites. Although confident conclusions could not be made due to possible effects of non-Lagrangian sampling, the data might indicate that (1) for the low-flow August 2003 sampling period, nonpoint livestock agricultural and/or human wastewater sources might have been the primary contributors to occurrence of OWCs at Big Sioux River sampling sites; (2) for the low-flow October 2003 sampling period, nonpoint livestock sources and upstream human wastewater sources primarily contributed to occurrence of OWCs at Big Sioux River sampling sites; (3) for the runoff June 2004 sampling period, nonpoint crop agricultural sources primarily contributed to occurrence of OWCs at Big Sioux River sampling sites; (4) for the low-flow August 2003 and runoff June 2004 sampling periods, seepage of water from the Volga WWTP had little effect on downstream OWC concentrations; and (5) for the low-flow October 2003 sampling period, the Volga wastewater effluent discharge contributed to downstream OWC concentrations. EDCs were detected in all samples collected from sampling sites in the Volga area. For all sampling periods, total EDC concentrations generally were similar between upstream and downstream Big Sioux River sites and consisted of HIACs and MAHs. HIACs accounted for most of the total EDC concentrations for the low-flow August 2003 and October 2003 sampling periods, and MAHs accounted for most of the total EDC concentrations for the runoff June 2004 sampling period for all Big Sioux River sites. OWCs in all compound classes except PAHs were detected in water samples from sampling sites in the Brookings area. The Brookings WWTP discharged continuously to the Big Sioux River during all sampling periods. For the low-flow August 2003 sampling period, the upstream site had slightly smaller total OWC concentrations and loads compared to the downstream Big Sioux River sites. SCs and HIACs accounted for most of the total OWC concentration in all Big Sioux River sampling sites, but the proportion of SCs increased at the most downstream site. For the runoff June 2004 sampling period, the upstream site generally had smaller total OWC concentrations and loads than downstream Big Sioux River sites. MAHs accounted for most of the total OWC concentration for all Big Sioux River sites, but the proportion of SCs increased at the most downstream site. Although confident conclusions could not be made due to possible effects of non-Lagrangian sampling, the data might indicate that (1) for the low-flow August 2003 sampling period, nonpoint livestock agricultural sources probably primarily contributed to occurrence of OWCs at all Big Sioux River sampling sites, and the Brookings WWTP wastewater effluent discharge contributed but did not have a substantial effect on concentrations at downstream sites; and (2) for the runoff June 2004 sampling period, nonpoint crop agricultural sources primarily contributed to occurrence of OWCs at all Big Sioux River sites, contributions of OWCs that might be derived from nonpoint livestock agricultural sources increased in proportion to other sources for the most downstream site, and the Brookings WWTP wastewater effluent discharge probably did not substantially contribute to total OWC concentrations at downstream sampling sites. EDCs were detected in all samples collected from sampling sites in the Brookings area. Total EDC concentrations for the upstream site consisted entirely of MAHs. Total EDC concentrations for downstream sites consisted of MAHs and HIACs. HIACs accounted for most of the total EDC concentrations for the low-flow August 2003 sampling period, and MAHs accounted for most of the total EDC concentrations for the runoff June 2004 sampling period for downstream Big Sioux River sites. The city of Watertown is located near the upstream part of the Big Sioux River Basin, where the mean annual flow of the Big Sioux River is less than 100 cubic feet per second (ft 3 /s). Watertown WWTP discharges can account for a substantial part of the flow in the Big Sioux River, especially during low-flow periods. Effects of the Watertown WWTP wastewater effluent discharges on the occurrence of OWCs in the Big Sioux River downstream were apparent during both the low-flow and runoff sampling periods. For Volga and Brookings, which are farther downstream and where the mean annual flow of the Big Sioux River exceeds 400 ft 3 /s, wastewater effluent discharges from the Volga and Brookings WWTPs probably influenced the occurrence of OWCs in the Big Sioux River, but probably did not substantially contribute to total OWC concentrations, especially during the runoff sampling period.

South Dakota↗
USGS2004

Use of hydrogen peroxide during incubation of landlocked fall Chinook salmon eggs in vertical-flow incubators

Six different hydrogen peroxide treatment regimes were evaluated in a series of three trials with landlocked fall Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha eggs incubated in vertical-flow incubators. Six daily 15-min hydrogen peroxide treatment regimes (1,000 mg/L; 1,000 mg/L with a decrease to 500 mg/L during estimated blastopore formation; 2,000 mg/L; 2,000 mg/L with a decrease to 500 mg/L during estimated blastopore formation; 2,500 mg/L; and 2,500 mg/L with a decrease to 500 mg/L during estimated blastopore formation) were compared with daily 15-min treatments of 1,667 mg/L of formalin. Mortality at egg eye-up and fry hatch and from eye-up to hatch was significantly greater in eggs receiving the 2,500-mg/L hydrogen peroxide treatments throughout incubation and in those receiving 2,500 mg/L hydrogen peroxide with a decrease to 500 mg/L during blastopore formation than in either of the 1,000-mg/L hydrogen peroxide treatment regimes or the formalin-treated eggs in the first trial. No significant differences in mortality were observed among any of the treatments in the subsequent two trials with maximum hydrogen peroxide concentrations of 2,000 mg/L. Fungal infestations were observed primarily in the incubation trays treated at either of the 1,000-mg/L hydrogen peroxide regimens, as well as in those trays whose treatment concentrations were dropped to 500 mg/L during blastopore formation. Infestations were not observed in any of the formalin-treated trays. If minor fungal infestation is acceptable, then daily hydrogen peroxide treatments of 1,000 mg/L for 15 min would probably provide adequate fungal control compared with formalin usage.

South Dakota↗
USGS2004

Comparison of detection rates of breeding marsh birds in passive and playback surveys at Lacreek National Wildlife Refuge, South Dakota

We compared detection rates of passive and playback breeding bird survey techniques on elusive marsh birds - Pied-billed Grebe (Podilymbus podiceps), American Bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus), Least Bittern (Ixobrychus exilis), Virginia Rail (Rallus limicola), and Sora (Porzana carolina) - during a two-year study at Lacreek National Wildlife Refuge, in southwestern South Dakota. We conducted 151 passive point counts followed by playback-response surveys at the same points in marsh-bird habitat on the refuge. Playback surveys detected secretive water birds more frequently than our passive surveys, increasing rates for each species by factors of 2.4 to 7.0. The distance a bird was detected from a point varied with the species and the survey technique.

South Dakota↗
USGS2004

Cervid forage utilization in noncommercially thinned ponderosa pine forests

To evaluate effects of noncommercial thinning, utilization of forages consumed by elk ( Cervus elaphus L.), mule deer ( Odocoileus hemionus Raf.), and white-tailed deer ( Odocoileus virginianus Raf.) was measured in ponderosa pine ( Pinus ponderosa P. & C. Lawson) stands in Custer State Park, S. D. Treatments consisted of unthinned (control; 22 to 32 m 2 /ha basal area), moderately thinned (12 to 22 m 2 /ha basal area), and heavily thinned (3 to 13 m 2 /ha basal area) stands of ponderosa pine. During June, July, and August, 1991 and 1992, about 7,000 individual plants were marked along permanent transects and percent-weight-removed by grazing was ocularly estimated. Sample plots were established along transects and plants within plots were clipped to estimate standing biomass. Pellet groups were counted throughout the study area to determine summer habitat use of elk and deer. Diet composition was evaluated using microhistological analysis of fecal samples. Average percent-weight-removed from all marked plants and percent-plants-grazed were used to evaluate forage utilization. Standing biomass of graminoids, shrubs, and forbs increased (P < 0.05) from unthinned to moderately and heavily thinned stands. Utilization of graminoids and shrubs averaged less than 1% when measured as percent-weight-removed and percent-plants-grazed and did not differ (P > 0.05) across treatments. Forb use averaged less than 5% within sampling periods when measured as percent-weight-removed and percent-of-plants grazed and did not differ among treatments. Results of pellet group surveys indicated that cervids were primarily using meadow habitats. When averaged over the 2 years, forbs were the major forage class in deer diets, whereas graminoids were the major forage class in diets of elk.

South Dakota↗
USGS2004

Water-quality characteristics and trends for selected sites in or near the Earth Resources Observation Systems (EROS) Data Center, South Dakota, 1973-2000

This report presents data on water-quality samples that were collected in and near the Earth Resources Observation Systems (EROS) Data Center from 1973 through 2000. The investigation is a collaborated effort between the U.S. Geological Survey, Water Resources Discipline (WRD), and Geography (formerly National Mapping) Discipline, EROS Data Center. A water-quality monitoring program was initiated in 1973, when the EROS Data Center was constructed, and continues at the present time (2003). Under this program, water-quality samples were collected at various sites on the EROS Data Center's property and in the surrounding area. These sites include 4 wastewater-treatment lagoons, 1 site on EROS Lake located behind the EROS Data Center, 2 stream sites near the EROS Data Center, and 9 ground-water wells surrounding the EROS Data Center. Additionally, 3 sites on EROS Lake, 7 stream sites, and 9 ground-water sites are located within the study area and have been sampled during the period covered in the report. Some of these additional sites were part of the initial water-quality monitoring conducted during and immediately after the construction of the EROS Data Center. For other sites, some special sampling (depth-profile and bottom material) has occurred at times during the sampling history; however, these sites have little water-quality data and were not used for statistical or trend analysis. A trend-analysis program, Estimate TREND (ESTREND), was used to analyze for trends for one surface-water site, the Big Sioux River, which was the only site that had a substantial number of samples collected during an extensive period. The ESTREND trend-analysis program was used to analyze 16 constituents. Specific conductance and dissolved orthophosphate were the only constituents determined to have statistically significant trends. Results showed an increasing trend for specific conductance and a decreasing trend for dissolved orthophosphate. Scatter plots with regression smoothing lines for selected constituents are presented for selected surface-water and ground-water sites. Regression analyses using a Lowess (Locally Weighted Scatterplot Smoothing) smoothing line for Split Rock Creek, EROS Lake, the lagoon sites, and the ground-water sites indicated variable results, with some constituents indicating an increasing or decreasing trend, some having varied results, and others indicating no change during the sampling period.

South Dakota↗
USGS2004

Effects of benthic fauna on arsenic transport in Whitewood Creek, South Dakota

Field measurements and bioassay experiments were done to investigate the effects of arsenic and phosphorus interactions on sorption of these solutes by the benthic flora (periphyton and submerged macrophytes) in Whitewood Creek, a stream in western South Dakota. Short-term (24-hour) sorption experiments were used to determine arsenic transport characteristics for algae (first-order rate constants for solute sorption, biomass, and accumulation factors) collected in the creek along a transect beginning upstream from a mine discharge point and downgradient through a 57-kilometer reach. Temporal changes in biomass differed significantly between and within sampling sites. Arsenic concentrations in plant tissue increased with distance downstream, but temporal changes in concentrations in tissues differed considerably from site to site. Cultures of Achnanthes minutissima (Bacillariophyceae) and Stichococcus sp. (Chlorophyceae) were isolated from four sites along a longitudinal concentration gradient of dissolved arsenic within the study reach and were maintained at ambient solute concentrations. Arsenic accumulation factors and sorption-rate constants for these isolates were determined as a function of dissolved arsenate and orthophosphate. Cell surfaces of algal isolates exhibited preferential orthophosphate sorption over arsenate. Initial sorption of both arsenate and orthophosphate followed first-order mass transfer for each culturing condition. Although sorption-rate constants increased slightly with increased dissolved-arsenate concentration, algae, isolated from a site with elevated dissolved arsenic in the stream channel, had a significantly slower rate of arsenic sorption compared with the same species isolated from an uncontaminated site upstream. In diel studies, amplitudes of the pH cycles increased with measured biomass except at a site immediately downstream from water-treatment-plant discharge. Inorganic pentavalent arsenic dominated arsenic speciation at all sites—not a surprising result for the well-oxygenated water column along this reach. Concentration fluctuations in dissolved-arsenic species lagged pH fluctuations by approximately 3 hours at the most downstream site, but no discernible lag was observed at an artificially pooled area with an order of magnitude higher biomass. Furthermore, the amplitudes of diel fluctuations in arsenic species were greater at the pooled area than at the most downstream site. Lack of correspondence between changes in dissolved-orthophosphate concentrations and arsenic species may have resulted from preferential sorption of orthophosphate over arsenate by the biomass. Based on carbon-fixation estimates, the phosphorus demand from photosynthetic activity required water-column concentrations to be supplemented by another source such as phosphate regeneration within the benthic community or desorption of particle-bound phosphate.

South Dakota↗
USGS2003

Effects of ungulates and prairie dogs on seed banks and vegetation in a North American mixed-grass prairie

The relationship between vegetation cover and soil seed banks was studied in five different ungulate herbivore-prairie dog treatment combinations at three northern mixed-grass prairie sites in Badlands National Park, South Dakota. There were distinct differences in both the seed bank composition and the aboveground vegetation between the off-prairie dog colony treatments and the on-colony treatments. The three on-colony treatments were similar to each other at all three sites with vegetation dominated by the forbs Dyssodia papposa, Hedeoma spp., Sphaeralcea coccinea, Conyza canadensis , and Plantago patagonica and seed banks dominated by the forbs Verbena bracteata and Dyssodia papposa . The two off-colony treatments were also similar to each other at all three sites. Vegetation at these sites was dominated by the grasses Pascopyrum smithii, Bromus tectorum and Bouteloua gracilis and the seed banks were dominated by several grasses including Bromus tectorum, Monroa squarrosa, Panicum capillare, Sporobolus cryptandra and Stipa viridula . A total of 146 seedlings representing 21 species germinated and emerged from off-colony treatments while 3069 seedlings comprising 33 species germinated from on-colony treatments. Fifteen of the forty species found in soil seed banks were not present in the vegetation, and 57 of the 82 species represented in the vegetation were not found in the seed banks. Few dominant species typical of mixed-grass prairie vegetation germinated and emerged from seed banks collected from prairie dog colony treatments suggesting that removal of prairie dogs will not result in the rapid reestablishment of representative mixed-grass prairie unless steps are taken to restore the soil seed bank.

South Dakota↗
USGS2003

Biological characteristics of the blue sucker in the James River and the Big Sioux River, South Dakota

Little is known about the relative abundance and biology of the blue sucker ( Cycleptus elongatus ), a species that may be declining in some parts of its range. We described the age, growth, condition, length distribution, and habitat preference of the blue sucker in two South Dakota rivers. Specimens were collected from the James River (n=74) and Big Sioux River (n=28) during the summer of 2000. Although five macrohabitats were sampled with electrofishing and hoopnets, most individuals were collected from riffle habitats and downstream of rock dams. Total length-weight relationships were log 10 W= −6.14+3.37 (log 10 L) (r 2 = 0.92) for blue suckers from the James River and log 10 W= −6.52+3.50(log 10 L) (r 2 = 0.97) for fish from the Big Sioux River. Mean condition factors (K = W(10 5 )/L 3 ) of blue suckers were 0.79 (SE = 0.07) for the James River and 0.73 (SE = 0.07) for the Big Sioux River. Blue suckers between 500 and 700 mm dominated length distributions (range = 374–717 mm) of both samples. Ages ranged from two to nine years, but six-year-old fish were captured most frequently. Blue suckers grew rapidly during juvenile stages (< age 5); however, growth slowed afterward.

South Dakota↗
USGS2003

Geology of Badlands National Park: A preliminary report

Badlands National Park is host to perhaps the most scenic geology and landscape features in the Western Interior region of the United States. Ongoing erosion that forms the "badlands" exposes ancient sedimentary strata of Late Cretaceous through Oligocene age. Quaternary erosional and depositional processes are responsible for most of the modern landscape features in the park and surrounding region. This report provides a basic overview of the park geology The discussions presented within include both well-established concepts and theories and new, preliminary data and interpretations. Much emphasis is placed on presenting information about the oldest and least studied rocks in the park (particularly the Late Cretaceous and earliest Tertiary deposits that underlie the White River beds throughout the park region). Rock formations and selected fossils they contain are described. Faults, folds, unconformities, and other geologic structures in the North Unit of the park are illustrated, including features associated with the Sage Creek anticline and fault system.

South Dakota↗
USGS2003

Toxic substances in surface waters and sediments: A study to assess the effects of arsenic-contaminated alluvial sediment in Whitewood Creek, South Dakota

Field measurements and bioassay experiments were done to investigate the effects of arsenic and phosphorus interactions on sorption of these solutes by the benthic flora (periphyton and submerged macrophytes) in Whitewood Creek, a stream in western South Dakota. Short-term (24-hour) sorption experiments were used to determine arsenic transport characteristics for algae (first-order rate constants for solute sorption, biomass, and accumulation factors) collected in the creek along a transect beginning upstream from a mine discharge point and downgradient through a 57-kilometer reach. Temporal changes in biomass differed significantly between and within sampling sites. Arsenic concentrations in plant tissue increased with distance downstream, but temporal changes in concentrations in tissues differed considerably from site to site. Cultures of Achnanthes minutissima (Bacillariophyceae) and Stichococcus sp. (Chlorophyceae) were isolated from four sites along a longitudinal concentration gradient of dissolved arsenic within the study reach and were maintained at ambient solute concentrations. Arsenic accumulation factors and sorption-rate constants for these isolates were determined as a function of dissolved arsenate and orthophosphate. Cell surfaces of algal isolates exhibited preferential orthophosphate sorption over arsenate. Initial sorption of both arsenate and orthophosphate followed first-order mass transfer for each culturing condition. Although sorption-rate constants increased slightly with increased dissolved-arsenate concentration, algae, isolated from a site with elevated dissolved arsenic in the stream channel, had a significantly slower rate of arsenic sorption compared with the same species isolated from an uncontaminated site upstream. In diel studies, amplitudes of the pH cycles increased with measured biomass except at a site immediately downstream from water-treatment-plant discharge. Inorganic pentavalent arsenic dominated arsenic speciation at all sites?not a surprising result for the well-oxygenated water column along this reach. Concentration fluctuations in dissolved-arsenic species lagged pH fluctuations by approximately 3 hours at the most downstream site, but no discernible lag was observed at an artificially pooled area with an order of magnitude higher biomass. Furthermore, the amplitudes of diel fluctuations in arsenic species were greater at the pooled area than at the most downstream site. Lack of correspondence between changes in dissolved-orthophosphate concentrations and arsenic species may have resulted from preferential sorption of orthophosphate over arsenate by the biomass. Based on carbon-fixation estimates, the phosphorus demand from photosynthetic activity required water-column concentrations to be supplemented by another source such as phosphate regeneration within the benthic community or desorption of particle-bound phosphate.

South Dakota↗
USGS2003

Simulated ground-water flow in the Ogallala and Arikaree aquifers, Rosebud Indian Reservation area, South Dakota

The Ogallala and Arikaree aquifers are important water resources in the Rosebud Indian Reservation area and are used extensively for irrigation, municipal, and domestic water supplies. Continued or increased withdrawals from the Ogallala and Arikaree aquifers in the Rosebud Indian Reservation area have the potential to affect water levels in these aquifers. This report describes a conceptual model of ground-water flow in these aquifers and documents the development and calibration of a numerical model to simulate ground-water flow. Data for a twenty-year period (water years 1979 through 1998) were analyzed for the conceptual model and included in steady-state and transient numerical simulations of ground-water flow for the same 20-year period. A three-dimensional ground-water flow model, with two layers, was used to simulate ground-water flow in the Ogallala and Arikaree aquifers. The upper layer represented the Ogallala aquifer, and the lower layer represented the Arikaree aquifer. The study area was divided into grid blocks 1,640 feet (500 meters) on a side, with 153 rows and 180 columns. Areal recharge to the Ogallala and Arikaree aquifers occurs from precipitation on the outcrop areas. The recharge rate for the steady-state simulation was 3.3 inches per year for the Ogallala aquifer and 1.7 inches per year for the Arikaree aquifer for a total recharge rate of 266 cubic feet per second. Discharge from the Ogallala and Arikaree aquifers occurs through evapotranspiration, discharge to streams, and well withdrawals. Discharge rates in cubic feet per second for the steady-state simulation were 184 for evapotranspiration, 46.8 and 19.7 for base flow to the Little White and Keya Paha Rivers, respectively, and 11.6 for well withdrawals from irrigation use. Estimated horizontal hydraulic conductivity used for the numerical model ranged from 0.2 to 120 feet per day in the Ogallala aquifer and 0.1 to 5.4 feet per day in the Arikaree aquifer. A uniform vertical hydraulic conductivity value of 6.6x10 -4 feet per day was applied to the Ogallala aquifer. Vertical hydraulic conductivity was estimated for five zones in the Arikaree aquifer and ranged from 8.6x10 -6 to 7.2x10 -1 feet per day. Average rates of recharge, maximum evapotranspiration, and well withdrawals were included in the steady-state simulation, whereas the time-varying rates were included in the transient simulation. Model calibration was accomplished by varying parameters within plausible ranges to produce the best fit between simulated and observed hydraulic heads and base-flow discharges from the Ogallala and Arikaree aquifers. For the steady-state simulation, the root mean square error for simulated hydraulic heads for all wells was 26.8 feet. Simulated hydraulic heads were within ±50 feet of observed values for 95 percent of the wells. For the transient simulation, the difference between the simulated and observed means for hydrographs was within ±40 feet for all observation wells. The potentiometric surfaces of the two aquifers calculated by the steady-state simulation established initial conditions for the transient simulation. A sensitivity analysis was used to examine the response of the calibrated steady-state model to changes in model parameters including horizontal and vertical hydraulic conductivity, evapotranspiration, recharge, and riverbed conductance. The model was most sensitive to recharge and horizontal hydraulic conductivity.

South Dakota↗
USGS2003

Avian use of natural versus planted woodlands in eastern South Dakota, USA

We compared avian use of naturally occurring and planted woodlands in eastern South Dakota, USA, to evaluate whether planted woodlands support the same avian communities as natural woodlands. A stratified cluster sample was used to randomly select 307 public areas in which to survey planted (n = 425) and natural (n = 99) woodland patches. Eighty-five species of birds were detected in eastern South Dakota woodlands, 36 of which occurred in ??? 5 of 524 patches surveyed. The probability of occurrence for 8 of 13 woodland-obligate species was significantly greater in natural woodland habitats than in planted woodland habitats. Four of these species breed in relatively high numbers in eastern South Dakota. Only one woodland-obligate occurred less frequently in natural woodlands. Probability of occurrence for 6 edge and generalist species, including the brown-headed cowbird (Molothrus ater [Boddaert]), was significantly higher in planted woodlands. The avian community of planted woodlands was dominated by edge and generalist species. The homogeneous vegetation structure typical of planted woodlands does not appear to provide the habitat characteristics needed by woodland-obligate birds. We conclude that planted woodlands do not support significant numbers of woodland-obligate species and may negatively impact grassland-nesting birds by attracting edge and generalist bird species and predators into previously treeless habitats. Planted woodlands cannot be considered equal replacement habitats for natural woodland patches when managing for nongame woodland bird species. However, the preservation and maintenance of natural woodlands is critical for woodland-obligate species diversity in the northern Great Plains.

South Dakota↗
USGS2002

Reconnaissance-level assessment of water quality near Flandreau, South Dakota

This report presents water-quality data that have been compiled and collected for a reconnaissance-level assessment of water quality near Flandreau, South Dakota. The investigation was initiated as a cooperative effort between the U.S. Geological Survey and the Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe. Members of the Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe have expressed concern that Tribal members residing in the city of Flandreau experience more health problems than the general population in the surrounding area. Prior to December 2000, water for the city of Flandreau was supplied by wells completed in the Big Sioux aquifer within the city of Flandreau. After December 2000, water for the city of Flandreau was supplied by the Big Sioux Community Water System from wells completed in the Big Sioux aquifer along the Big Sioux River near Egan, about 8 river miles downstream of Flandreau. There is some concern that the public and private water supplies provided by wells completed in the Big Sioux aquifer near the Big Sioux River may contain chemicals that contribute to the health problems. Data compiled from other investigations provide information about the water quality of the Big Sioux River and the Big Sioux aquifer in the Flandreau area from 1978 through 2001. The median, minimum, and maximum values are presented for fecal bacteria, nitrate, arsenic, and atrazine. Nitrate concentrations of water from Flandreau public-supply wells occasionally exceeded the Maximum Contaminant Level of 10 milligrams per liter for public drinking water. For this study, untreated-water samples were collected from the Big Sioux River in Flandreau and from five wells completed in the Big Sioux aquifer in and near Flandreau. Treated-water samples from the Big Sioux Community Water System were collected at a site about midway between the treatment facility near Egan and the city of Flandreau. The first round of sampling occurred during July 9-12, 2001, and the second round of sampling occurred during August 20-27, 2001. Samples were analyzed for a broad range of compounds, including major ions, nutrients, trace elements, pesticides, antibiotics, and organic wastewater compounds, some of which might cause adverse health effects after long-term exposure. Samples collected on August 27, 2001, from the Big Sioux River also were analyzed for human pharmaceutical compounds. The quality of the water in the Big Sioux River and the Big Sioux aquifer in the Flandreau area cannot be thoroughly characterized with the limited number of samples collected within a 2-month period, and for many analytes, neither drinking-water standards nor associations with adverse health effects have been established. Concentrations of some selected analytes were less than U.S. Environmental Protection Agency drinking-water standards at the time of the sampling, and concentrations of most organic compounds were less than the respective method reporting levels for most of the samples.

South Dakota↗