Assessment of Ecological Conditions Compared to Environmental Sampling at the Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant With a Reassessment of Previous Analysis

  • Wigginton, Andrew (PI)
  • Brion, Gail (CoI)

Grants and Contracts Details

Description

[ This project proposes to examine the correlation between current ecological conditions and chemical contaminant levels in Big and Little Bayou Creeks in McCracken County, KY near the Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant. Previous studies (1987-1992) have documented chemical contamination and correlated this with significant ecological impact in these two streams. Since then (1997-2007), chemical monitoring has detected a general reduction in several, but not all, types of pollutant found at this site. This project will assess whether ecological impact is still occurring at current levels of pollution using the U.S. EPA's Rapid Bioassessment Protocol for macroinvertebrates and a detailed survey of select aquatic insect species. These data will be compared to levels of chemical pollution in the two streams to see if a correlation still exists between pollutant loading of the streams and ecological effects. Additionally, a review of previous research on this system will be conducted with reanalysis of old data to provide a more comprehensive overview of important trends in the environmental conditions found there over the past 20 years. J
StatusFinished
Effective start/end date7/1/106/30/12

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