USGS conducted synoptic sampling of major-ion chemistry and the nitrogen and oxygen isotopic composition of nitrate in Fishing Creek during base flow to evaluate the occurrence and distribution of nutrients and to characterize biogeochemical processes.
Water-resource managers need detailed watershed information to guide conservation efforts aimed at improving water quality of local groundwater, streams and the Chesapeake Bay. In Fishing Creek, USGS performed synoptic sampling of major-ion chemistry and the nitrogen and oxygen isotopic composition of nitrate in stream water during base flow to evaluate the occurrence and distribution of nutrients and to describe biogeochemical processes affecting concentrations.
Synoptic sampling of the Fishing Creek watershed was completed during high (spring) and low (summer/fall) base-flow conditions of 2019. Reaches of Fishing Creek and its tributaries lose flow to groundwater, and are often dry. Samples were collected at 12 perennial stream sites and field parameters were measured at 14 additional intermittent stream sites throughout the watershed (schematic below).
Field parameters measured at all sites (red and yellow dots):
- temperature
- specific conductance
- pH
- dissolved oxygen
- nitrate
Samples collected at perennial sites (red dots):
- isotopes (nitrogen and oxygen) of nitrate
- major ions
- nutrients
Results will be published in a peer-reviewed publication.
Related Science
Pennsylvania and the Chesapeake Bay Watershed
- Overview
USGS conducted synoptic sampling of major-ion chemistry and the nitrogen and oxygen isotopic composition of nitrate in Fishing Creek during base flow to evaluate the occurrence and distribution of nutrients and to characterize biogeochemical processes.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain.USGS Hydrologist Hilary Dozier (formerly Abraham) measuring stream discharge during sampling, to allow calculation of loads, in Fishing Creek, Pennsylvania. (John Clune, USGS. Public domain.) Water-resource managers need detailed watershed information to guide conservation efforts aimed at improving water quality of local groundwater, streams and the Chesapeake Bay. In Fishing Creek, USGS performed synoptic sampling of major-ion chemistry and the nitrogen and oxygen isotopic composition of nitrate in stream water during base flow to evaluate the occurrence and distribution of nutrients and to describe biogeochemical processes affecting concentrations.
Synoptic sampling of the Fishing Creek watershed was completed during high (spring) and low (summer/fall) base-flow conditions of 2019. Reaches of Fishing Creek and its tributaries lose flow to groundwater, and are often dry. Samples were collected at 12 perennial stream sites and field parameters were measured at 14 additional intermittent stream sites throughout the watershed (schematic below).
Field parameters measured at all sites (red and yellow dots):
- temperature
- specific conductance
- pH
- dissolved oxygen
- nitrate
Samples collected at perennial sites (red dots):
- isotopes (nitrogen and oxygen) of nitrate
- major ions
- nutrients
Results will be published in a peer-reviewed publication.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain.Schematic of Fishing Creek showing perennial (red dots) and intermittent (yellow dots) sampling locations. Dashed blue lines represent losing stream reaches that are often dry. - Science
Related Science
Pennsylvania and the Chesapeake Bay Watershed
USGS provides monitoring, analysis, modeling and research on streams and water quality to better understand the fate and transport of nutrients and sediment to the Susquehanna and other rivers, and their tributaries, and eventually to the Chesapeake Bay. Additional research focuses on emerging contaminants and other stressors that effect human and aquatic life in the watershed and estuary. - Publications
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