Papers by Daniel W Sparks
Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, Oct 17, 2001
The objective of this study was to evaluate the toxicity of sediments from the Grand Calumet Rive... more The objective of this study was to evaluate the toxicity of sediments from the Grand Calumet River and Indiana Harbor Canal located in northwestern Indiana, USA. Toxicity tests used in this assessment included 10-day sediment exposures with the amphipod Hyalella azteca, 31-day sediment exposures with the oligochaete Lumbriculus variegatus, and the Microtox Solid-Phase Sediment Toxicity Test. A total of 30 sampling stations were selected in locations that had limited historic matching toxicity and chemistry data. Toxic effects on amphipod survival were observed in 60% of the samples from the assessment area. Results of a toxicity test with oligochaetes indicated that sediments from the assessment area were too toxic to be used in proposed bioaccumulation testing. Measurement of amphipod length after the 10-day exposures did not provide useful information beyond that provided by the survival endpoint. Seven of the 15 samples that were identified as toxic in the amphipod tests were not identified as toxic in the Microtox test, indicating that the 10-day H. azteca test was more sensitive than the Microtox test. Samples that were toxic tended to have the highest concentrations of metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). The toxic samples often had an excess of simultaneously extracted metals (SEM) relative to acid volatile sulfide (AVS) and had multiple exceedances of probable effect concentrations (PECs). Metals may have contributed to the toxicity of samples that had both an excess molar concentration of SEM relative to AVS and elevated concentrations of metals in pore water. However, of the samples that had an excess of SEM relative to AVS, only 38% of these samples had elevated concentration of metals in pore water. The lack of correspondence between SEM-AVS and pore water metals indicates that there are variables in addition to AVS controlling the concentrations of metals in pore water. A mean PEC quotient of 3.4
Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, Aug 6, 2015
We analyzed bat carcasses (Myotis lucifugus, M. sodalis, M. septentrionalis, and Eptesicus fuscus... more We analyzed bat carcasses (Myotis lucifugus, M. sodalis, M. septentrionalis, and Eptesicus fuscus) from the northeastern United States for contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) such as polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), and pharmaceuticals and personal care products. The CECs detected most frequently in samples were PBDEs (100 %), salicylic acid (81 %), thiabendazole (50 %), and caffeine (23 %). Other compounds detected in at least 15 % of bat samples were digoxigenin, ibuprofen, warfarin, penicillin V, testosterone, and N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide (DEET). The CECs present at the highest geometric mean wet weight concentrations in bat carcasses were bisphenol A (397 ng/g), RPDBE congeners 28, 47, 99, 100, 153, and 154 (83.5 ng/g), triclosan (71.3 n/g), caffeine (68.3 ng/g), salicylic acid (66.4 ng/g), warfarin (57.6 ng/g), sulfathiazole (55.8 ng/g), tris(1-chloro-2-propyl) phosphate (53.8 ng/g), and DEET (37.2 ng/g). Bats frequently forage in aquatic and terrestrial habitats that may be subjected to discharges from wastewatertreatment plants, agricultural operations, and other point and nonpoint sources of contaminants. This study shows that some CECs are accumulating in the tissue of bats. We propose that CECs detected in bats have the potential to affect a number of physiological systems in bats including hibernation, immune function, and response to white-nose syndrome, a fungal disease causing population-level impacts to bats.
The Relationship between Habitat Quality and Mound Building by a Fossorial Rodent, Geomys bursarius
Journal of Mammalogy, Aug 30, 1988
Ecotoxicology, Nov 30, 2005
We correlated site specific differences in the organ somatic indices of nestlings of five passeri... more We correlated site specific differences in the organ somatic indices of nestlings of five passerine species (tree swallow, red-winged blackbird, house wren, Carolina chickadee, and eastern bluebird) with the degree of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) exposure in ovo and post-hatching. The birds were exposed to PCBs at or downstream of four PCB-contaminated sites. Of the organs evaluated for this paper, brain, bursa, heart, kidneys, lungs, pancreas, spleen, stomach, and thyroid varied significantly (p<0.05) or marginally significantly (0.05<p<0.11) between sites for at least one species. Differences were noted in the direction of the mean SI change (increased or decreased with increasing contaminant exposure by site) between different species for brain, lung, pancreas, spleen and thyroids. Our results indicated that no single passerine species fully represented the response characteristics observed in these species, and no single difference in organ SI should be used in ecotoxicological evaluations. Further, it is critical to include congener analysis in any evaluations since some endpoints in some species correlate well with total TEQs, and some with total PCBs and not TEQs. Some samples containing biologically significant levels of dioxinlike congeners would have been ''non-detects'' for total PCBs using common analytical methods.
Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 2006
Necropsy-observable cardiac deformities were evaluated from 283 nestling passerines collected fro... more Necropsy-observable cardiac deformities were evaluated from 283 nestling passerines collected from one reference site and five polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB)-contaminated sites around Bloomington and Bedford, Indiana, USA. Hearts were weighed and assessed on relative scales in three dimensions (height, length, and width) for externally visible deformities. Heart weights normalized to body weight (heart somatic index) were decreased significantly at the more contaminated sites in both house wren (Troglodytes aedon) and tree swallow (Tachycineta bicolor). Heart somatic indices significantly correlated with log PCB concentrations in Carolina chickadee (Parus carolinesis) and tree swallow and with log 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin toxic equivalent values in tree swallow alone. Ventricular length was increased significantly in eastern bluebirds (Sialia sialis) and decreased significantly in Carolina chickadee and tree swallow from contaminated sites versus the reference site. Heart length regressed significantly against the log PCB concentrations (Carolina chickadee and tree swallow) or the square of the PCB concentrations (red-winged blackbird [Agelaius phoeniceus]) in a sibling bird. The deformities that were observed most at the contaminated sites included abnormal tips (pointed, rounded, or flattened), center rolls, macro-and microsurface roughness, ventricular indentations on the ventral or dorsal surface, lateral ventricular notches, visibly thin ventricular walls, and changes in overall heart shape. A pooled heart deformity index regressed significantly against the logged contaminant concentrations for all species except red-winged blackbird. These results indicate that developmental changes in heart morphometrics and shape abnormalities are quantifiable and may be sensitive and useful indicators of PCB-related developmental impacts across many avian species.
Patterns in Stream Fish Assemblage Structure and Function Associated With a PCB Gradient
Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, Apr 21, 2013
Stream fish assemblage structure and function were examined for significant response along a poly... more Stream fish assemblage structure and function were examined for significant response along a polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) gradient from two PCB-contaminated streams (Clear Creek and Richland Creek watershed) at three locations and a control stream (Little Indian Creek), Indiana, USA. Fish were sampled in the summer months of 1995 and from 1999 to 2002. 51 fish assemblage attributes-including structure (i.e., fish composition) and function (i.e., trophic, reproductive, condition guilds), biomass, and index of biotic integrity (IBI) metric scores-were evaluated for significance according to an increasing PCB gradient. Eight biomass attributes of fish assemblages decreased with increasing PCB concentration: number of species biomass, number of sunfish biomass, percent sunfish biomass, number of sucker biomass, percent sucker biomass, biomass of sensitive species, percent sensitive species biomass, and percent carnivore biomass. Three biomass attributes increased with PCB concentration: percent minnow biomass, percent pioneer species biomass, and percent tolerant species biomass. Seven species composition and relative abundance characters decreased with increasing PCB concentration: number of species; number of darter, madtom, and sculpin; number of darter; number of sunfish; number of sucker; number of sensitive species; and percent individuals as carnivores. Percent individuals as pioneer species increased with increasing PCB concentration. Two IBI metrics, percent individuals as headwater species and number of minnow species, increased as PCB concentrations increased, whereas number of sucker species and percent individuals as pioneer species decreased with increasing PCB concentration class. We observed a direct response between decreased relative abundance and biomass of carnivores and increased relative abundance minnows as the PCB gradient increased. Total IBI score did not detect subtle changes to the fish community that were observed along a PCB gradient, whereas diagnostic analysis of the individual metrics did.
Journal of Great Lakes Research, 1998
In 1993, 20 great blue heron (Ardea herodias; GBH) eggs (one per nest) were collected from a colo... more In 1993, 20 great blue heron (Ardea herodias; GBH) eggs (one per nest) were collected from a colony at the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, Indiana (INDU). The eggs were artifIcially incubated until pipping and were then analyzed for organochlorines, mercury, and selenium. Livers of embryos were analyzed for hepatic microsomal ethoxyresorufln-O-dealkylase (EROD) activity. Brains were measured for asymmetry. Egg-laying began in early April and the mean clutch size was 4.2 eggs per clutch. Organochlorine concentrations were generally low (geometric mean p,p'-DDE = 1.6 f.lg/g wet weight; polychlorinated biphenyl [PCB] = 4.9 f.lg/g); however, one egg had elevated concentrations of p,p' -DDE (13 f.lg/g) and PCBs (56 f.lg/g). EROD activity in the embryos analyzed from INDU was not elevated. The frequency (II %) ol brain asymmetry was low. Eggshells averaged 3.4% thinner than eggshells collected prior to the use of DDT. Mercury (geometric mean = 0.9 f.lg/g dry weight) concentrations in GBH eggs were within background levels. Selenium (4.0 f.lg/g dry weight) concentrations in eggs were above background levels, but below a concentration threshold associated with reproductive impairment.
This study identified insecticides that were detected in bats obtained from Indiana’s Lake Michig... more This study identified insecticides that were detected in bats obtained from Indiana’s Lake Michigan watershed. Forty bats collected from Lake, Porter and LaPorte Counties, Indiana, were analyzed for pyrethroid, organochlorine, organophosphate and carbamate insecticides. Additionally, brain cholinesterase activity of 332 bats from throughout Indiana was measured and cholinesterase reactivation tests were performed. Organochlorine pesticides (dieldrin, DDT, DDE, DDD and heptachlor epoxide) were detected in 97.5% of the tested bats; organophosphate compounds (primarily diazinon) were detected in 30%; pyrethroids in 12.5% and carbamates in 2.5% of the bats, respectively. Cholinesterase determination and reactivation tests yielded both false negative and false positive errors, which indicate that reactivation methods are not suitable for analyzing tissues from animals that are not recently dead. These results are among the first reported detections of pyrethroids and carbamates in bat ti...
Radio Telemetry Documents 24-HOUR Feeding Activity of Wintering Lesser Scaup
The Wilson Journal of Ornithology, 1996
We used radio telemetry to record 198 h of feeding behavior of five Lesser Scaup (Aythya affinis)... more We used radio telemetry to record 198 h of feeding behavior of five Lesser Scaup (Aythya affinis) on the Indiana Harbor Canal in northwestem Indiana during January and February 1994. Lesser Scaup fed for short periods of time intermittently during each 24-h period. Lesser Scaup fed a total of 96 min during the day and 226 min during the night. They fed more between sunset and midnight (31.9% of the period, P = 0.003) than between sunrise and noon (11.6%) or noon and sunset (19.5%); time spent feeding between midnight and sunrise (26.3%) did not differ from other times of day. Mean dive duration (22.9 + 0.64 sec) did not vary by time of day (P = 0.186-0.744). These results are the first 24-h feeding activity reported for individually marked Lesser Scaup. Received 27 Sept. 1995, accepted 3 Feb. 1996. Knowledge of both diurnal and nocturnal activity is needed to under- stand the use of time and energy by waterfowl (Jorde and Owen 1988). However, estimates of 24-h activity of waterfowl,...
The Grand Calumet River watershed of southern Lake Michigan was surveyed to deter- mine the occur... more The Grand Calumet River watershed of southern Lake Michigan was surveyed to deter- mine the occurrence of salmonid fishes during the predominant fall spawning run. Weekly core collections were performed at five core reaches and monthly synoptic collections at 14 additional reaches in the Grand Calumet River and Indiana Harbor Canal. Once temperatures were consistently below 19 C. chinook salmon were present from mid-October until late November 1999. During this study, 465 chinook salmon and three rainbow trout (steelhead) were collected. Chinook salmon were found throughout the east and west branches of the Grand Calumet River. Chinook salmon were widely distributed and found throughout both branches to the mouths that form the Indiana Harbor Canal; however, we did not observe any successful reproduction. The presence of salmon in the Grand Calumet River could force changes in designated uses to a more conservative standard that are protective of coldwater fish, thus reducing pol- l...
A passarine multiple endpoint study: Productivity, reproductive success, growth, and development at a PCB-contaminated Superfund site
Preliminary evidence indicates that PCBs in the sediment of an abandoned sewage sludge lagoon are... more Preliminary evidence indicates that PCBs in the sediment of an abandoned sewage sludge lagoon are bioavailable and enter the food chain. The authors have used cavity-nesting passerines, primarily tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) to assess the potential for avian wildlife effects associated with this PCB exposure. Nest boxes were placed around the sludge lagoon, and in a control pond in a different watershed on the other side of the county. Nest boxes were observed daily, and productivity measures were recorded, including number of nests per site, number of eggs per nest, percentage of eggs hatched, nestling survival to 14 days. At 14 days, nestlings were sacrificed, necropsied, and assessed for gross abnormalities and individual and organ growth. One nestling per nest was used for contaminant analysis. In addition, two eggs from each nest were taken prior to incubation and incubated in the laboratory for 48 and 72 hours. The embryos were then assessed for developmental growth rate and gross indicator organ abnormalities. Preliminary observations indicate that there were differences between sites (contaminated versus control) in nest-building ability, relative reproductive success, embryo abnormality rates, and nestling and organ growth rates.
Journal of Fish Biology, 2006
Creek chub Semotilus atromaculatus from two PCB contaminated streams (Clear Creek and Richland Cr... more Creek chub Semotilus atromaculatus from two PCB contaminated streams (Clear Creek and Richland Creek) at three locations and a reference stream (Little Indian Creek), Indiana, U.S.A., were examined to determine if age class structure and growth variables were correlated with in-situ PCB exposure. Approximately five to 15 fish were captured weekly during the spring spawning season and monthly thereafter for a 12 month period. Fish collected ranged from 25 to 267 mm total length (L T). Throughout the course of this study, no spawning activity was observed at either location in Clear Creek, although some very small young-of-the-year (YOY) creek chub fry were observed at the downstream location by late summer. Creek chub nests were observed in both Richland Creek and Little Indian Creek but YOY were common only in Little Indian Creek. Exposure to PCBs was shown to both enhance and decrease growth in varied laboratory tests; subtle but significant gender-specific differences in the growth of creek chub populations between the sites were observed. Creek chub up to 24 months in age from Clear Creek and Richland Creek were significantly larger (both L T and mass for males and L T for females) than reference site creek chub. This trend was reversed for creek chub aged !24 months as the reference site fish were consistently larger with reference males weighing significantly more. Older age classes of creek chub were missing in areas of higher PCB contamination. Female population growth rates and individual instantaneous growth rates were consistently higher at the reference site in comparison to the PCB-contaminated sites. Calculation of 'functional b' (as a condition factor) did indicate that growth enhancement in young males did occur at the most contaminated site and reductions in growth (mass relative to L T) occurred in females from all contaminated sites. Furthermore, longterm survivorship for females was reduced in the PCB-contaminated streams. All of these subtle alterations in growth would not have been observed if males and females had not been analysed separately.
Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 2001
The objective of this study was to evaluate the toxicity of sediments from the Grand Calumet Rive... more The objective of this study was to evaluate the toxicity of sediments from the Grand Calumet River and Indiana Harbor Canal located in northwestern Indiana, USA. Toxicity tests used in this assessment included 10-day sediment exposures with the amphipod Hyalella azteca, 31-day sediment exposures with the oligochaete Lumbriculus variegatus, and the Microtox Solid-Phase Sediment Toxicity Test. A total of 30 sampling stations were selected in locations that had limited historic matching toxicity and chemistry data. Toxic effects on amphipod survival were observed in 60% of the samples from the assessment area. Results of a toxicity test with oligochaetes indicated that sediments from the assessment area were too toxic to be used in proposed bioaccumulation testing. Measurement of amphipod length after the 10-day exposures did not provide useful information beyond that provided by the survival endpoint. Seven of the 15 samples that were identified as toxic in the amphipod tests were not identified as toxic in the Microtox test, indicating that the 10-day H. azteca test was more sensitive than the Microtox test. Samples that were toxic tended to have the highest concentrations of metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). The toxic samples often had an excess of simultaneously extracted metals (SEM) relative to acid volatile sulfide (AVS) and had multiple exceedances of probable effect concentrations (PECs). Metals may have contributed to the toxicity of samples that had both an excess molar concentration of SEM relative to AVS and elevated concentrations of metals in pore water. However, of the samples that had an excess of SEM relative to AVS, only 38% of these samples had elevated concentration of metals in pore water. The lack of correspondence between SEM-AVS and pore water metals indicates that there are variables in addition to AVS controlling the concentrations of metals in pore water. A mean PEC quotient of 3.4
Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 2001
This article is the first in a series of three that describe the results of a Natural Resource Da... more This article is the first in a series of three that describe the results of a Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA) conducted in the Grand Calumet River and Indiana Harbor Area of Concern (IHAOC). The assessment area is located in northwest Indiana and was divided into nine reaches to facilitate the assessment. This component of the NRDA was undertaken to determine if sediments and sediment-dwelling organisms have been injured due to exposure to contaminants that have accumulated in sediments as a result of discharges of oil or releases of other hazardous substances from industrial, municipal, and nonpoint sources. To support this assessment, information was compiled on the chemical composition of sediment and pore water; on the toxicity of whole sediments, pore water, and elutriates; and on the status of benthic invertebrate communities. The data on each of these indicators were compared to regionally relevant benchmarks to assess the presence and extent of injury to surface water resources (i.e., sediments) or biological resources (i.e., sediment-dwelling organisms). The results of this assessment indicate that sediment injury has occurred throughout the assessment area, with up to four distinct lines of evidence demonstrating injury within the various reaches. The primary contaminants of concern (i.e., those substances that are present at concentrations that are sufficient to cause or substantially contribute to sediment injury) include metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and total polychlorinated biphenyls.
Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 2001
This article is the second in a series of three that describes the results of a Natural Resource ... more This article is the second in a series of three that describes the results of a Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA) conducted in the Grand Calumet River and Indiana Harbor Area of Concern (IHAOC). The assessment area is located in northwest Indiana and was divided into nine reaches to facilitate the assessment. This component of the NRDA was undertaken to determine if fish and wildlife resources have been injured due to exposure to contaminants that are associated with discharges of oil or releases of other hazardous substances. To support this assessment, information was compiled on the chemical composition of sediment and tissues; on the toxicity of whole sediments, pore water, and elutriates to fish; on the status of fish communities; and on fish health. The data on each of these indicators were compared to regionally relevant benchmarks to assess the presence and extent of injury to fish and wildlife resources. The results of this assessment indicate that injury to fish and wildlife resources has occurred throughout the assessment area, with up to five distinct lines of evidence demonstrating injury within the various reaches. Based on the frequency of exceedance of the benchmarks for assessing sediment and tissue chemistry data, total polychlorinated biphenyls is the primary bioaccumulative contaminant of concern in the assessment area. It is important to note, however, that this assessment was restricted by the availability of published bioaccumulation-based sediment quality guidelines, tissue residue guidelines, and other benchmarks of sediment quality conditions. The availability of chemistry data for tissues also restricted this assessment in certain reaches of the assessment area. Furthermore, insufficient information was located to facilitate identification of the substances that are causing or substantially contributing to effects on fish (i.e., sediment toxicity, impaired fish health, or impaired fish community structure). Therefore, substances not included on the list of COCs cannot necessarily be considered to be of low priority with respect to sediment injury (e.g., metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, alkanes, alkenes, organochlorine pesticides, phthalates, dioxins, and furans, etc.).
Sub-lethal Effects of Chlorpyrifos on Big Brown Bats (Eptesicus fuscus)
Archives of environmental contamination and toxicology, Jan 4, 2016
We determined dose-response curves for sublethal effects of the organophosphorus (OP) insecticide... more We determined dose-response curves for sublethal effects of the organophosphorus (OP) insecticide, chlorpyrifos, on bats. Big brown bats (Eptesicus fuscus, n = 64) were given a single dose of chlorpyrifos (nominal concentrations) of 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, or 60 µg/g body weight and examined at 12 or 24 h after dosing. A second experiment dosed 32 bats with 0 or 60 µg/g body weight and examined 1, 3, 7, or 14 days after dosing. Skin temperature and behavioral changes were recorded, and brain and plasma cholinesterase (ChE) activity were measured. The benchmark dose (BMD10) of chlorpyrifos that altered brain and plasma ChE activity at 24 h was 3.7 and 10.1 µg/g, respectively. The 95 % lower confidence limit for the BMD10 (i.e., BMDL10) was 1.6 and 7.7 µg/g. The best of five models (as determined by AIC) for impaired flight, impaired movement, or presence of tremors provided a BMD10 of 6.2, 12.9, and 7.8 µg/g body weight of chlorpyrifos, respectively. BMDL10 for impaired flight, imp...
Influence of remediation on sediment toxicity within the Grand Calumet River, Indiana, USA
Chemosphere
Fish, Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) and Natural Resource Injury Daniel W. Sparks The Natural R... more Fish, Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) and Natural Resource Injury Daniel W. Sparks The Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA) program is authorized by the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) and the Oil Pollution Act (OPA) to pursue compensation for injury to, or destruction and loss of, natural resources. Fish are an important "natural resource" present in almost all aquatic ecosystems. Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are a hazardous substance and have been shown to cause harm to fish (and fish-eating animals). A series of investigations were conducted to determine if "injury" had occurred to creek chub (Semotilus atromaculatus) and in one study, the fish community that creek chubs were a part of, at several PCB-contaminated study locations. We examined: hepatic condition and oxidative stress enzymes; a comprehensive look at reproductive condition; age and growth; and several metrics of fish community structure and function. Although the determination of hepatic oxidative stress is a response to PCBs, this in and of itself is not considered injury. However, it is a good biomarker of potential injury especially in the presence of other injuries, like reproductive failure. Consistent with the PCB toxicity literature, we consider hepatomegaly and lipidosis injuries that result from PCB exposure. Given that other common factors can also cause lipidosis, this is not an effective injury assessment tool. The age and growth analysis shows significantly reduced survivorship in females at the PCB sites; this is clearly an injury. Aspects of creek chub reproduction have also been adversely impacted: reduced vitellogenin (Vtg), altered sex steroid ratios, reduced fecundity, delayed/ impaired spawning of ova, and reduced / impaired testes maturation. Although not an injury per se, the reduced and seasonally altered pattern of the male secondary sex characteristic nuptial tubercles provides another line of evidence that neuroendocrine disruption is occurring at the PCB-contaminated stream sites. An assessment of the fish community at these PCB-contaminated streams also indicated that growth and survival were issues for the entire fish community. From Frye's standard of evidence [Frye v. United States, 293 F.1013 (D.C. Cir. 1923)], much of this work would have been extremely useful to trustees in court. What we found would be "generally acceptable" in our professional sphere. But scientists and lawyers look at facts differently: same language, same word, different meaning. The science of reproduction impacts is very complicated, and some aspects (i.e. neuroendocrine disruption) while clearly injury, are too complicated to prevail in the courtroom. The impacts to reproduction, including reduced vitellogenin (Vtg), reduced fecundity and delayed/ impaired spawning of ova have significant ecosystem consequences. Growth effects that follow a non-monotonic non-standard dose response curve would do poorly in court. While reduced survivorship should easily be translated to the injury known as "death," nothing in court is certain. Because it is extremely difficult to put a value on natural resources, it is very important to do whatever can be done early on to avoid litigation. A complete win on "injury determinations" (albeit unlikely), could still result in little or no restoration relief.
Proceedings of the Indiana Academy of Science, 2004
The Grand Calumet River watershed of southern Lake Michigan was surveyed to determine the occurre... more The Grand Calumet River watershed of southern Lake Michigan was surveyed to determine the occurrence of salmonid fishes during the predominant fall spawning run. Weekly core collections were performed at five core reaches and monthly synoptic collections at 14 additional reaches in the Grand Calumet River and Indiana Harbor Canal. Once temperatures were consistently below 19 C. chinook salmon were present from mid-October until late November 1999. During this study, 465 chinook salmon and three rainbow trout (steelhead) were collected. Chinook salmon were found throughout the east and west branches of the Grand Calumet River. Chinook salmon were widely distributed and found throughout both branches to the mouths that form the Indiana Harbor Canal; however, we did not observe any successful reproduction. The presence of salmon in the Grand Calumet River could force changes in designated uses to a more conservative standard that are protective of coldwater fish, thus reducing pollutant inputs into the basin.
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Papers by Daniel W Sparks