| Summary: | A study was undertaken during June through September, 1981, in which the periphyton from ten locations in Culpeper, Virginia, were analyzed for arsenic, chromium, and copper, both upstream and downstream from the source of contamination. The periphyton primary productivity, chlorophyll-a content, and autotrophic index were also determined. Water samples were analyzed for the three metals; arsenic, chromium, and copper.
The highest mean periphyton arsenic and chromium concentration occurred at the station 1.2 miles below the site of contamination. The copper concentration in the periphyton was highest 2.7 miles below the area of contamination. All three periphyton metal concentrations were dependent upon the location of the sampling site, but only the periphyton copper content was dependent upon the date of sampling. All three periphyton metal concentrations below the spill site were higher than normal concentrations found in uncontaminated periphyton.
Periphyton primary productivity was greatest at the station above the spill site and lowest at the site 1.2 miles below the site of contamination. A negative correlation was observed between the productivity and the periphyton chromium concentration. No other relationships were noted. The chlorophyll-a level in the periphyton was dependent only upon the date of sampling, not on the location of the sampling site. No relationships were observed between the chlorophyll-a levels and any of the three metals' concentrations in the periphyton.
The autotrophic indices, the ratio of the organic matter to the periphyton chlorophyll-a concentration, were very high at all stations, indicating organically polluted water. Both the location and date of sampling significantly affected the autrophic index. === Master of Science
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