Selected Water Quality Data for the Mermentau River Basin
Stan Skrobialowski
National Water Quality Assessment
Acadian Pontchartrain Study Unit
Background
NAWQA Basic Fixed Site Placement
This study looks at pesticides used in the Mermentau Basin. More details of this study
can be found on our Mermentau Basin Pesticide Study page. Three of these sites are part of
our Basic Fixed Sites.
Climatic/Hydrologic Conditions
The local area has been suffering a drought the past two and a half years, with severe drought since spring
of 1999. This can be seen in local discharge values for the past two years. This lack of rainfall and
runoff lowers the amount of pesticides and nutrients that reach area streams.
Current Events
- train wreck on Des Cannes, May 2000
- recent approval of Icon and use on rice
- crawfish farming problems
Fipronil breakdown products
Water Chemistry Constituents Sampled
- Major Ions
- Nutrients
- Dissolved/Suspended Organic Carbon
- Pesticides
- Volatile Organic Carbon
- Trace Metals
- Chlorophyll
- Suspended Sediment
- Bacteria
- Turbidity
- Basic Field Parameters
Water Chemistry for Bayou Des Cannes near Eunice
Fipronil results - all sites
Below is a map showing dissolved fipronil (micrograms/liter),
for sampling runs of March 21-23, 2000 and April 18-20, 2000.
Future Study
- determine pesticide loads?
- pesticides in bottom material
- biological community structure - effects
- suggestions?
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