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Water-quality, bed-sediment, and invertebrate tissue trace-element concentrations for tributaries in the Clark Fork Basin, Montana, October 2017–September 2018

June 22, 2020

Water, bed sediment, and invertebrate tissue were sampled in streams from Butte to near Missoula, Montana, as part of a monitoring program in the Clark Fork Basin. The sampling program was completed by the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, to characterize aquatic resources in the Clark Fork Basin and monitor trace elements associated with historical mining and smelting activities. Sampling sites were on the river and tributaries of the Clark Fork. Water samples were collected periodically at 20 sites from October 2017 through September 2018. Bed-sediment and tissue samples were collected once at 13 sites during August 2018.

Water-quality data included concentrations of major ions, dissolved organic carbon, nitrogen (nitrate plus nitrite), trace elements, and suspended sediment. Daily values of turbidity were determined at four sites. Bed-sediment data included trace-element concentrations in the fine-grained (less than 0.063 millimeter) fraction. Biological data included trace-element concentrations in whole-body tissue of aquatic benthic invertebrates. Statistical summaries of water-quality, bed-sediment, and invertebrate tissue trace element data for sites in the Clark Fork Basin were provided for the period of record: March 1985–September 2018.

Publication Year 2020
Title Water-quality, bed-sediment, and invertebrate tissue trace-element concentrations for tributaries in the Clark Fork Basin, Montana, October 2017–September 2018
DOI 10.3133/ofr20201067
Authors Gregory D. Clark, Michelle I. Hornberger, Thomas E. Cleasby, Terry L. Heinert, Matthew A. Turner
Publication Type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Series Title Open-File Report
Series Number 2020-1067
Index ID ofr20201067
Record Source USGS Publications Warehouse
USGS Organization WY-MT Water Science Center
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