ANALYSIS OF BENTHIC MACROINVERTEBRATE COMMUNITIES FROM CONTAMINATED SEDIMENTS

Abstract

This task was a continuation of work for the EPA-ERL-Duluth sediment program designed to evaluate the toxicity of aquatic sediments. Staff members at the University of Wisconsin-Superior's Lake Superior Research Institute were responsible for analyzing the composition and abundance of the benthic invertebrate communities from several sites that contained contaminated sediments. A total of 96 benthic grab samples were collected from streams near Huntsville, Alabama in April and July, 1991 and in February, 1992. An additional 12 samples were collected from sites near Joplin, Missouri in April, 1992. All samples were preserved in 10% formalin in the field and delivered to UW-Superior.