CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF FOX RUN WATERSHED, MERCER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 1

The impact of 5 alkaline iron laden discharges was monitored for their impact on water quality and macroinvertebrate communities in Fox Run, Mercer County Pennsylvania. Water samples were collected monthly and analyzed by an independent laboratory and 6 macroinvertebrate surveys were completed over 9 months using the Pennsylvania Environmental Protection Agency rapid assessment protocol to calculate a Biotic Index. At the completion of the study, a Habitat Evaluation Index (HEI) using the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency Protocols was completed at each stream sampling location. The Biotic indexes and the number of individuals and taxa were inversely correlated with total iron concentrations and positively correlated with the overall HEI. Both water quality macroinvertebrate communities improved 1.3 and 3.5 km downstream from the discharges. The reclamation plan for Fox Run will involve the installation of settling ponds and aerobic wetlands to reduce suspended iron loading into Fox Run.