Water quality monitoring and analysis of fecal coliform of Canadarago Lake tributaries and outlet Tara Perry 1 and Marina Brown 2 INTRODUCTION Canadarago Lake, in Richfield Springs, NY, has four main tributaries and empties into Oaks Creek. Physical and chemical water sampling on these waterways has historically been conducted to evaluate the state of Canadarago Lake, its tributaries and outlet (Hart et al. 198; Albright and Waterfield 212). The purpose of this current effort of tributary monitoring is to recognize any changes that may reflect changes in land use throughout the watershed. One aspect of lake monitoring is fecal coliform analysis in its tributaries and outlet. Fecal coliform are gram negative, non-sporulating, facultative anaerobic, rod-shaped bacteria that are good indicator organisms used to evaluate water quality (APHA 212). These bacteria are naturally found in the intestines of mammals and birds. Most fecal coliform bacteria are not harmful to humans, though their presence indicates fecal contamination, which may contain disease-causing pathogens. Federal guidelines recommend no fecal coliform be present in drinking water (AWWA 199), and no more than 2 colony producing units per 1ml of water (CPU/1ml) should be present in recreational waters (APHA 212). High fecal coliform levels can also be associated with elevated levels of phosphorous and nitrogen due to a common source, such as agricultural manure runoff or poorly maintained wastewater treatment systems. This study is intended to serve as an extension of work conducted by Albright and Waterfield (212) as part of The State of Canadarago Lake report. Concurrent with this work, other surveys were conducted on these same tributaries to better characterize the quality and communities of each. These included a fish survey (Perry 217) and a benthic macroinvertebrate survey (Brown 217). METHODS Water samples were collected weekly from 31 May 216 until 3August 216 from five sites along the Canadarago Lake tributaries and one site on the lake outlet. These sites are illustrated and labeled in Figure 1 and a summary of the sample sites is given in Table 1. Two sites were included on Ocquionis Creek in order to evaluate the influence of the Richfield Springs Wastewater Treatment Plant, which discharges just upstream from Ocquionis Creek South (Ocq.2), on water quality. 1 SUNY Oneonta Biological Field Station Intern, summer 216. Funding was provided by the Otsego land Trust. Current affiliation: Department of Environmental Studies and Sciences, Ithaca College, Ithaca, NY. 2 SUNY Oneonta Biological Field Station Intern, summer 216. Funding was provided by the Otsego land Trust. Current Affiliation: Department of Biology, SUNY Oneonta.
Fecal Coliform Fecal coliform samples were collected in 1L Pyrex glass bottles and stored on ice until being processed. Samples were processed the same day as collection using the membrane filter technique (APHA 212). Three volumes between.1ml and 2mL of each sample were filtered in attempt to produce 2-8 bacteria colonies per petri dish at some volume. Triplicates of each volume were low-pressure vacuum filtered through a 4µm Millipore membrane which was then placed in a sterile petri dish on an absorbent pad that had been saturated with 2.2mL of FC Base by Bacto growth media. All petri dishes were vacuum sealed (with a FoodSaver sealer to maintain water tightness) in sterile Tupperware and incubated for 24±2 hours in a water bath set at 44.5 (±.2) C. After the incubation period, fecal coliform colonies were counted and reported as colony producing units (CPUs) per 1mL. Figure 1: A map of Canadarago Lake and its tributaries. The sites that were sampled are Creek, Hyder Creek, Trout Brook, Ocquionis site 1 and site 2, and the outlet Oaks Creek. (from Albright and Waterfield 212).
Table 1: Outlet, tributaries, and the locations of sampling. Tributary & Outlet Sampling Sites Oaks Creek (outlet) East of the Village of Schuyler Lake on County Route 22; sampled north of bridge. Creek North of the Village of Schuyler Lake on State Route 28; sampled east of bridge. Hyder Creek South of Dennison Road (NYSP boat launch access road) on State Route 28; sampled west of bridge. Trout Brook (Mink Creek) South of County Route 25A on State Route 28; sampled west of bridge. Ocquionis Creek North The beginning of Elm Street Extension, just south of Bronner Street; sampled south of bridge. Ocquionis Creek South End of Bloomfield Drive, through the rear gate of the waste treatment plant; sampled downstream of effluent discharge. Tributary Water Quality Monitoring On each collection day, temperature, specific conductivity, ph and dissolved oxygen (concentration and percent saturation) were measured at each site using a YSI 682 V2-2 multi-probe, which had been calibrated prior to use. Water samples from each site were collected in 125mL Nalgene bottles, kept on ice during transportation, and preserved for nutrient analyses with sulfuric acid to ph<1.. A Lachat QuickChem FIA + Water Analyzer was used to determine nitrate+nitrite-n content, total nitrogen, and total phosphorus. The cadmium reduction method (Pritzlaff 23) was used to determine nitrate + nitrite-n content and total nitrogen (following digestion as per Ebina 1983), and the single reagent ascorbic acid following persulfate digestion method (Liao and Marten 21) was used to determine total phosphorus. Fecal Coliform RESULTS AND DISCUSSION The average colony producing units (CPU) per 1mL of fecal coliform bacteria found in the tributaries and outlet is shown in Figure 2. Data from 21 (Albright and Waterfield 212) are shown in Figure 3 for comparison. Concentrations of fecal coliform bacteria in Hyder Creek and Trout Brook were significantly higher than they had been in 21, while Ocquionis Creek sites 1 and 2 have increased only slightly. The cause of the radical increase of fecal coliform in Trout Brook is unknown, though potential sources of such bacteria include agricultural runoff or improperly treated residential wastewater.
9 8 Fecal Coliform Concentration (CPU/1mL) 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Creek Hyder Creek Trout Brook Ocquionis Creek 1 Ocquionis Creek 2 Oaks Creek Figure 2: Average fecal coliform concentrations (CPU/1mL) of the six Canadarago tributary and outlet sites sampled for 31 May through 3 August 216. 9 Fecal Coliform Concentration (CPU/1mL) 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Creek Hyder Creek Trout Brook Ocquionis Creek 1 Ocquionis Creek 2 Oaks Creek Figure 3: Average fecal coliform concentrations (CPU/1mL) of the 21 study of Canadarago Lake tributaries and outlet (Albright and Waterfield 212).
Physical Water Quality Temperature Figure 4 represents average temperatures for the six sites tested from 31 May to 3 August 216. The highest temperature recorded was 22.28 C on 2 July at Oaks creek. The lowest was 11.23 C on 14 June at Hyder Creek. Results from this study are an average of about 5 degrees cooler than the 21 study (Mazziota 211). 25 Temperature (ºC) 2 15 1 5 Hyder Oaks Ocquionis site 1 Ocquionis site 2 Trout Figure 4: Average temperatures for Canadarago Lake tributary and outlet sites from 31 May through 3 August 216. Dissolved oxygen Fish rely on dissolved oxygen levels to survive. Values less than 5mg/L can be stressful to aquatic life. Figure 5 summarizes the dissolved oxygen concentrations in the tributaries over the study period. Ocquionis site 2 dropped 28 June and was consistently around 5mg/L. Creek dropped quickly during the week of 12 July while the other sites increased but rebounded the week of 26 July. Figure 6 shows the mean dissolved oxygen, as percent saturation, in each tributary over the study period (+/- SE).
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/l) 14 12 1 8 6 4 2 Hyder Oaks Ocquionis site 1 Ocquionis site 2 Trout Figure 5: Dissolved oxygen concentrations in Canadarago Lake tributary streams and outlet from 31 May to 3 August 216. Dissolved Oxygen % 1 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Hyder Ocquionis 1 Ocquionis 2 Trout Oaks Figure 6: Percent dissolved oxygen in Canadarago Lake tributary streams and outlet from 31 May to 3 August 216. Specific Conductivity and ph Specific conductivity is a measure of dissolved ions present in the water. It doesn t define specific ions but it is used to document spikes of introduced ions in the stream such as salt-based
compounds. An example of the origin of these salt compounds could be agricultural runoff or salts from a nearby road. Figure 7 shows the average specific conductivity of the six sites and Figure 8 shows ph averages for 31 May through 3 August 216. There are significant differences in conductivity between Trout Brook and Creek, reflecting the difference in geology from limestone at Trout Brook to sandstone/shale downstream at Creek (Albright et al. 21). The ph is also affected by the differences in geology..7 Specific Conductivity (µs/cm).6.5.4.3.2.1 Hyder Ocquionis 1 Ocquionis 2 Trout Oaks Figure 7: Mean specific conductivity values for Canadarago tributary and outlet sites from 31 May to 3 August 216. 8.1 8 7.9 ph 7.8 7.7 7.6 Hyder Ocquionis 1 Ocquionis 2 Trout Oaks Figure 8: Average ph values for Canadarago Lake tributary and outlet sites from 31 May to 3 August 216.
Chemical Water Quality Nitrogen can be introduced by agricultural fertilizer runoff. A flux in nitrogen can increase plant and algal productivity eventually leading to eutrophication of the stream (Wetzel 21). Phosphorous can enter streams through bedrock erosion, agricultural overspill, and decaying organic materials (Wetzel 21). The high levels of phosphorous in Trout Brook could indicate manure runoff or inadequately treated wastewater a common source of both. 9 8 Phosphorous (µg/l) 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Creek Hyder Creek Oaks Creek Ocquionis 1 Ocquionis 2 Trout Brook Figure 9: Average concentration of phosphorous found in the Canadarago tributary and outlet sites sampled for 31 May through 3 August 216.
2.5 Total nitrogen (mg/l) 2. 1.5 1..5. Creek Hyder Creek Oaks Creek Ocquionis 1 Ocquionis 2 Trout Brook Figure 1: Average concentration of nitrogen found in Canadarago lake tributary and outlet sites for 31 May through 3 August 216. Nitrates and nitrites are bioavailable forms of nitrogen. Organisms convert nitrogen into a more useable form through natural processes. Figure 11 shows the mean concentration of nitrate+nitrite found in the tributaries and outlet..9.8 Nitrate+nitrite (mg/l).7.6.5.4.3.2.1. Creek Hyder Creek Oaks Creek Ocquionis 1 Ocquionis 2 Trout Brook Figure 11: Average concentration of nitrate+nitrite found in Canadarago Lake tributary and outlet sites for 31 May through 3 August 216.
CONCLUSIONS There was significant variation in water quality, nutrients, and fecal coliform present between various Canadarago Lake tributaries and the lake outlet. Fecal coliform fluctuated between weekly samples. However, the source of the fecal coliform in waterways is non-point, meaning the source of the contamination cannot be easily traced. There could be multiple reasons for fluctuations in the presence of fecal coliform, including agricultural runoff and onsite wastewater treatment (septic) system contamination. None of the tributary or outlet sites tested are fit for human consumption as they all consistently tested fecal coliform positive. All of the inflow tributaries (, Hyder, Trout, and Ocquionis) are above federal recommended fecal coliform levels for recreational water use (Fig. 2). Oaks Creek, the outflow, had significantly lower levels of fecal coliform than the inflowing tributaries. This suggests that there might be more sources of fecal coliform contamination affecting the inflow tributaries than there are affecting the lake or the outflow tributary. Because fecal coliform lives primarily in the intestines of warm-blooded animals, this disparity could also suggest that inflowing water contaminated with fecal coliform spends enough time in the lake for the fecal coliform to die off before reaching the outlet. There were higher concentrations of total phosphorous, total nitrogen, and nitrate+nitrate in Trout Brook and Ocquionis Creek. The nutrient loading in Trout Brook could be connected to the elevated levels of fecal coliform bacteria found. Though we don t know the source of the pollution, reasons such as agricultural runoff can cause both elevated levels of fecal coliform and nutrient loading simultaneously. Trout Brook scored 7.47 on the Family-level Biotic Index for the benthic macroinvertebrate community, indicating significant organic pollution and poor water quality (Brown 217). Trout Brook was also found to contain species of fish that are tolerant to a variety of habitats, conditions, and water qualities (Perry 217). It seems that the state of Trout Brook has gotten worse since 21, with levels of fecal coliform and nutrients having increased in recent years. The benthic macroinvertebrates and fish communities found in Trout Brook suggest that the stream has been contaminated for some time now. Hyder Creek was found to have the second highest levels of fecal coliform of the streams tested. However, there was found to be lower levels of total phosphorous, total nitrogen, and nitrate+nitrite in Hyder Creek, which suggests that the elevated levels of fecal coliform isn t coming from a source that would also cause nutrient loading. Additionally, Hyder Creek scored 4.429 on the Family-level Biotic Index for the benthic macroinvertebrate community, indicating a very low possibility of organic pollution (Brown 217). This might suggest that the long-term quality of Hyder Creek has been stable and the higher concentration of fecal coliform bacteria is a fairly recent contamination source. Further research should take place on Hyder Creek and Trout Brook to investigate the cause of the significant increase in fecal coliform concentrations since 21. The microbenthic communities found (Brown 217) show that Hyder Creek has relatively low pollution, suggesting that there could be an outside source directly causing high bacteria levels. An investigation into runoff or contamination of Trout Brook might help explain the spike in fecal coliform bacteria since 21.
REFERENCES Albright, M. F. and H.A. Waterfield. 211. The state of Canadarago Lake, 211. BFS Technical Report #3. SUNY Oneonta Bio. Fld. Sta., SUNY Oneonta. Albright, M. F., H.A. Waterfield, and N. Mazziotta. 211. Continued monitoring of Canadarago Lake and its tributaries. In 43 rd Ann. Rept. (21). SUNY Oneonta Biol. Fld. Sta., SUNY Oneonta. American Water Works Association. 199. Water Quality and Treatment, McGraw-Hill, Inc. APHA, AWWA, WEF. 212. Procedure 9222 D. Standard methods for the examination of water and wastewater. 22nd Edition. Brown, M. 217. Macroinvertebrate survey and biological assessment of water quality: tributaries of Canadarago Lake; Otsego County, NY. In 49 th Ann. Rept. (216). SUNY Oneonta Bio. Fld. Sta., SUNY Oneonta. Hart, T.E., G.W. Fuhs, D.M. Green, L.J. Hetling, S.B. Smith and S.P. Allen. 198. Limnology of Canadarago Lake. Pages 129-264. In J.A. Bloomfield (ed.). Lakes of New York State. Academic Press, New York. Liao, N. and S. Marten. 21. Determination of total phosphorus by flow injection analysis colorimetry (acid persulfate digestion method). QuikChem Method 1-115-1-1-F. Lachat Instruments. Loveland, Colorado. Mazziotta, N. 211. A survey of fecal coliform bacteria in Canadarago Lake and its tributaries. In 43 rd Ann. Rept. (21). SUNY Oneonta Biol. Fld. Sta., SUNY Oneonta. Oram, M. 214. Bacteria in the environment and drinking water. Dallas (PA): Water Research Center. Perry, T.H. 217. Fish assemblages of selected Canadarago Lake tributaries and outlet. In 49 th Ann. Rept. (216). SUNY Oneonta Bio. Fld. Sta., SUNY Oneonta. Pritzlaff, D. 23. Determination of nitrate/nitrite in surface and wastewaters by flow injection analysis. QuikChem Method 1-17-4-1-C. Lachat Instruments. Loveland, Colorado.
United States. National Technical Advisory Committee on Water Quality Criteria. 1968. Water Quality Criteria. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Wetzel, R.G. 21. Limnology, Lake and River Ecosystems, 3 rd Diego, California. edition. Academic Press. San