ML19291B179
| ML19291B179 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Fort Saint Vrain  |
| Issue date: | 06/30/1979 |
| From: | Alexander D, Glover F, Holmes M THORNE ECOLOGICAL INSTITUTE |
| To: | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML19291B178 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 7908290616 | |
| Download: ML19291B179 (119) | |
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, .. R ECOLOGICAL MONITORING ,
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O FORT ST. VRAIN NUCLEAR GENERATING STATION ECOLOGICAL MONITORING PROGRAM Progress Report for the Period January 1, 1979 to June 30, 1979 A , -
. b- / -
' ' ' ' ?
Prepared by:/s/ ~.- - ,
Dr. Fred A. Glover, Project Director, Thorne Date Ecological Institute
~ ~
Reviewed b - dA '[O Fort St. Vrain Health Ph,vsics Department Date Reviewed by:/s/ I' --
c' 'M Nuclear Project Department CI _ _
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Date
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ed y:/s/
7~/3-77 Nuclear Project Department Date O
\
2013
Progress Report January 1, 1979 to June 30, 1979 .
ECOLOGICAL' MONITORING FORT ST. VRAIN NUCLEAR GENERATING STATION for Public Service Company of Colorado by Thorne Ecological Institute 2336 Pearl Boulder, Colorado Dr. Fred A. Glover Project Director 2013 T
TABLE OF CONTENTS Page I
S um a ry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
6 Introduction .....................--....
. 8 Investigator Reports .......................
9 Aquatic Section ....................... ,
10 Invertebrates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
35 Algae . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
53 Avian Section ........................
61 Terrestrial Section .....................
62 Vegetation Monitoring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
73 Ecophysiological Characteristics . . . . . . . . . . . .
85 Mamals, Amphibians, and Reptiles . . . . . . . . . . . .
103 Invertebrates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
anC
%}) . ' '.J 4
O
SUMMARY
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'P'-
2013 -
e 1
2 General Summary The non-radiation, environmental monitoring data presented in this report continue to indicate only minor variations in the ecosystems and trophic levels of the Fort St. Vrain environs. Background monitoring
- data are available and analyzed for most environnental components for a period of eight years. Generally, environmental quality remains about the same through the years. To date, no diccernible nor harmful measurable effects on the environment have become evident from operation of the Nuclear Station.
Aquatic Section Invertebrates Macroinvertebrate taxa were comparable to the same period in 1978 but a greater diversity was found. Most of the taxa change was the result of a few spacimens. Ice and high water apparently affected macroinvertebrate numbers.
Fish Fish are collected annually only in the fall; hence, no data on species, numbers, status, and foods are available for this reporting period.
Algae Algal populations and number of species were lower in 1979 as com-pared to the corresponding period in 1978. The greatest species diversity occurred in the diatoms but all sample sites showed low species diversity.
Spring runoff (scouring) and ice were greater in both rivers this year, either eliminating or greatly reducing algal numbers.
2013 007
7 3
Avian Section_
There has been a general decline in the bird populations for the t periods reporting period but the diversity of species for comparable pas Flooding, a cold, has remained about the same over the past eight years. ian 3
i wet spring and heavy livestock grazing might be factors affect ng av .
numbers. L 9
Terrestrial Section Vegetation )
Data from plant species occurring within exclosures (1972-1979 Outside the exclo-indicate no significant changes in species dominance.
sures, the extent and intensity of cattle grazing appear to be the con-i tics.
trolling in, fluence on species dominance and vegetation character s Ecophysiological Characteristics Elemental concentrations among the three monitored species ov However, mercury concentra-years (1973-1978) have been quite similar. There tions in kochia and pinto beans have increased over this period.
is a possibility'that cooling tower drift might be responsible liage for increased concentrations of phosphorus, magnesium, and sulfate in samples from near the cooling towers.
Mammals, Amphibians and Reptiles The same species of mammals, amphibians, and reptiles noted 1972 insi.ntory were believe? to be present on the Fort St. Vrain si However, some of the uncomm.on species were during the report period.
Climatological and not observed because of their unusual habits.
) 4 agricultural factors have had significant effects on the population status of most mammals. On the other hand, there appeared ';o be no cause and effect relationship from the Station's operations.
2013 00' e
0 5
FORT ST. VRAIN Generation Sunnary - January-June 1979 3
~
Gross Dates With Number of Generation Electric Days Without (MWH)
Generation Generation Month 7 109,306 1-19, 23-31 3 Januaiy 546 1
27 February
- 0 ,
O 31 March
- 0 O 30 Apri1* 0 O 31 May*
0 O 30 June *
- Refueling outage from February 1,1979 through end of reporting period.
2013 110 .
r
) 6 e
INTRODUCTION 2013 Sil 4
e
7 Introduction This progress report presents non-radiological, environmental monitoring information and activities concerned with the period January 1, 1979 to June 30, 1979. Environmental studies have been conducted on the
', St. Vrain Site environs since 15. . th monitoring data available and analyzed for most of the environmental components for eight years.
In an effort to control muskrat and beaver activities in the peripheral dike of Goosequill Pond, the water level was dropped sig-nificantly in April and May. As a result, monitoring information from some of the environmental components reflects the changes that occurred temporarily in the micreenvironments of Goosequill Pond.
2013 012 4
8
~
9 e
INVESTIGATOR REPORTS 2013 113 O
) 9 B
e AQUATIC SECTION 2()13 014 O
a
10 AQUATIC INVERTEBRATE MONITORING {.
by Clarence A. Carlson David L. Propst
. F
11 INTRODUCTIDN Vrain Monitoring of the aquatic biota in the area of the Fort S'.
Nuclear Generating Station in the first half of 1979 was conducted similar to the past.
Data resulting from analyses of timed collections of macro-invertebrates from natural substrates are the primary components of this report. Extremel/ high watar levels in June precluded macroinvertebrate Extensive ice coverage in January prevented collections at all stations.
complete macroinvertebrate collections (only the pick portion of the col-l lection was completed at SP4A, SP4U, and SP4B) on 9 January.
STUDY AREA DESCRIPTION Stations SP48 and Ci were describec by Cressey, Carlson and Fronx Station SP4U was described by Stacey, Carlson and Frank (1975).
(1974).
described by Carlson et al. (1977). Sampling stations Station SP4A wa for aquatic mac.oinvertebrates are illustrated in Figu.e 1.
The severe cold and resultant extensive ice cover during the winter months and subsequent high discharge during the spring caused a marked and The lower continuous alteration of the channel bed at all sampling sites.
outlet of Goosequill Ditch had a discharge on every sampling date until However, 26 April. Discharge did not resume until the latter part of May.
the flow was low after resumption of discharge. High water in the South Platte in June backed water a considerable distance up Goosequill Ditch.
For undetermined reasons, aquatic macroinvertebrate collections have Sampling at these sites not been made at SV2 and SV5 on the St. Vrain River.
Macroinvertebrates will resume July,1979, and continue on a biweekly basis.
have not been sampled in Goosequill Pond since 1977 because there are no The means to detemine what stresses might affect the macroinvertebrates.
resultant daia from 5 years of sampling were found not to be comparable with similar data from either of the rivers and there was no " control pond" available for comparison.
2013 116
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[ of 30 June 1979.
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13 METHODS Macroinvertebrate samples were collected by methods described b The samples were composed of macro-Eder, Carlson and Fronk (1974).
A triangular dipnet) invertebrates collected in 10-min samples (wit'.
combined with 5-min of debris picking. .i
. Physical and chemical parameters were determined according to (1971),
methods described by the American Public Health Ar .ciation Total hardness determinatiots with the exception of total hardness.
368). Mal-were made by use of a Hach Water Chemistry kit (Model AL-functioning of the Corning pH meter prevented measurement of pH i In May pH was determined with a Hach Water Chemistry March and April.
Malfunctioning of the Hach Turbidimeter since kit (Model AL-36B). Other equipment used April has prevented determination of turbidity. The included a mercury thermometer and a Beckman conductivity bridge.
malfunctioning equipment has been replaced or repaired to operate satisfactorily.
RESULTS SP4A
. A total of twenty-six macroinvertebrate taxa were collected from This value is Station SP4A from January through June 1979 (Table 1).
. However, there was a marked comparable to the same period in 1978.
decrease ia total number of organisms collected in the two samplin 01igochaetes were periods, i.e. 5886 in 1978 but only 2917 in 1979. t the most common organism comprising 37.9 percent of all macroinv Simulium sp. (Diptera: Simuliidae) were the brates collected at SP4A.
2013 118
7 14 Table 1. Total organism:: collected at Stations SP4A, SP4U, SP48, and ,
Cl from January through June 1979.
Station SP4U SP48 C1 Total J SP4A Organism 8 0 8 Isotomurus_ palustris 0 0 -
1 2 0 0 1 Heptagenia sp. 0- 1 0 1 Coenagridae 0 14 0 10 1 3 -; i Argia sp. 0 1 0 0 0 1 Dytiscidae 0 1 0 1 Dytiscidae larvae 0 2 0 2 0 Dytiscus sp. 0 1 0 1 0 Laccopnilus sp. 0 1 0 1 0 Laccobius sp. 0 1 0 1 0 '
hydroporus sp. 0 1 0 1 0 0
Noteridae 98 71 27 224 Hydropsyche sp. 28 8 8 0 0 Ochrotrichia sp. 0 8 0 0 0 Ceratopogonidae 8 273 88 96 64 Tipulidae 25 40 8 8 8 Tipulidae pupae 16 24 )
0 0 0 Hexatoma sp. 24 - 1 0 1 0 0 Pedicia sp. 0 0 1 1 0 Psycnoda_sp. 33 16 1 67 Simuliidae pupae 17 1940 617 366 303 Simulium _sp. 654 8 0 8 0 0 429 Chironomidae 161 120 56 Chironomidae pupae 92 3425 995 1308 482 Cricotopus sp. 640 87 10 13 Dicrotendices sp. / ,f 23 41 11 100 25 29 35 Concnapelopia sp. 18 24 24 74 Paralauterborniella_sp. 8 8 18 331 17 288 Chironomus sp. 2 1 14 I 10 Polypedilum sp. 0 0 9 9 Diamesa sp. 0 9 8 0 0 1 Cryptochironomus sp. 0 0 8 8 -
Thienemanniella sp. 0 25 0 16 9 Tricnocladius;sp. 0 13 2 9 0 2
Glyptotencipes_sp. 2 0 1 3 Smittia sp. 0 24 8 0 0 Goeld1chironomus sp. 16 16 0 0 0 lematomorpna 16 4075 1203 899 866 Oligochaeta 1107 8 0 8 0 0 10 Hirudinea 1 1 0 8 Planaridae 152 120 592 88 232 Daphnidae 16 0 24 8 0 Daohnia sp.
2013 W 9-
15 Table 1. Continued.
Station SP48 Cl Total SP4A SP4U Organism :
0 8 0 8 0 138 388 Cyclopidae 115 62 :
73 18 65 Hyalella_azteca_ 3 19 25 28 !
Asellus sp. 8 3 16 1 i 2 13
" Crangonyx sp. 0 0 11 1
1'5 0 i Physa sp. 0 0 1 Lymnoaa sp 2195 12406 3987 3306 2917 Totai # individuals 27 48 23 36 26 Total # taxa 2013 020 e
e
q 16 second-most comon macroinvertebrate, comprising 22.4 percent of the i Cricotoaus_ sp. (Diptera: Chironomidae) macroinvertebrates collected.
was only slightly less abundant than Simulium sp., comprising 21,9 Hydropsyche sp. (Trichoptera: Hydropsychidae) percent of the organisms. 3 d
was the only non-dipteran insect collected at SP4A and generally declin j ..
Daphnidae ,
in abundance through the sampling period (Figure 2).
Hyalella_ azt'eca (Amphipoda:
(Cladocera) were moderately abundant in May. O'~~
Talitridae), though never part.icularly comon, was generally found Nine taxa were represented throughout the sampling period (Figure 3).
SimuQum sp. was most comon in by 10 or fewer individuals (Table 1).
early 1979 and declined markedly in abundance by the spring months Cricotopus_ sp. was most comon from January through March (Figure 4).
Several (Figure 5). Oligochaetes fluctuated in abundance (Figure 6).
uncomon or previously unreported macroinvertebrates were collected at Tipulidae), Goeldichironomus sp.
SP4A, i.e. Hexatoma_ sp. (Diptera:
(Diptera:
Chironomidae), psychoda_sp. (Diptera: Psychodidae),and Nematomorpha.
Sp4U Twenty-three macroinvertebrate taxa were collected from Station Although SP4U had the greatest SP40 from January through June 1979.
The number ,
number of organisms, it had the fewest taxa of any station.
of taxa found at SP4U in the first half of 1979 is comparable to the '
number found in the same period in 1978, but the total number of Oligochaetes were the most organisms was significantly less in 1979.
abundant organism, comprising 30.2 percent of all macroinvertebrates Simulium sp. (15.5 percent) and Cricotoous sp. (25.0 percent),
collected.
2013 121
17
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Figure 2. Fluctuations in Hydrophyche_ sp. numbers near Fort St. Vrain Nuclear Generating Station, January through June 1979.
SP4A
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2013 122
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Figure 4. Fluct iations in Simulium sp. numbers near Fort St. Vrain fluclear Generating Station, January through June 1979.
2013 123 .
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Fluctuations in Oligochaeta numbers near Fort St. Vrain Nuclear Generating Station, January through June 1979.
~
2-013 025
21 Only three non-dipteran insects were collected at were rather comon. Coenagrionidae),
SP4U in the first half of 1979, i.e. M sp. (Odonata:
Hydroptilidae). Nine Hydropsyche_ sp and Ochrotrichia_ sp. (Trichoptera:
taxa were represented by 10 or fewer specimens at SP4U (Table 1).
- Hyalella azteca_ occurred throeghout the sampling period, but was Daphnidae b generally more comon from January through March (Figure 3).
was collected in March through May, but was most comon in May.
Simulium sp. was most common from January through March (Figure 4 Cricotopus_ sp. was present in relatively constant numbers throughou sampling period except for 22 February and 11 March when it was pr Smittia_sp. (Diptera: Chironomidae) in rather high numbers (Figure 5).
and Goeldichironomus_ sp. were the only unusual organisms collected a SP4U in the first half of 1979.
SP4B Thirty-six macroinvertebrate taxa were collected from Station SP4B from January through June 1979, the most collected at any station dur d
this sampling period and a s.ignificant increase over the number collect However, 21 of the taxa were represented during the first half of 1978.
by 10 or fewer individuals and 10 were represented by a single spe Like the other sampling sites, a few taxa dominated the (Table 1).
Cricotoous_sp. was the most abun-macroinvertebrate community at SP42.
dant organism, comprising 11.1 percent of the specimens collected.
Hyalella azteca_ was generallf present, but in relatively low numbers
~
Hydropsyche_sp. occurred throughout the sampling period (Figure 3).
Simulium sp. were intermittently during the sampling period (Figure 1).
(Figure 4).
most common in February and subsequently declined in abundance 2013 026
7 22 b subse-Cricotopus_ sp. were extremely comon one level 28 January for the but num ers quently decreased and remained atOligochaetes approximately the sam occurred at remainder of the sampling period (Figure 5). i d except on app:oximately constant levels throughout the sampling per o 26 April when they were extremely abundant (Figure 6). .
.C_1 Cl o,4 Twenty-seven macroinvertebrate taxa were collected at Sta Although C1 had the second-most taxa, from January through June 1979.
it had the fewest specimens.
Three taxa dominated the macroinvertebrate '
Oligochaetes were the most comon organism at C1, comunity of C1. 1 However, the comprising 39.5 percent of the organisms collected at C .
d on 28 May.
majority (52.7 percent) of 01ogichaetes were collecte omprising )
Cricotopus_ sp. was the second-most comon macroinvertebrate, c Simulium _ sp. represented 13.8 22.0 percent of the specimens collected.
Fourteen taxa were repre- '
percent of the organisms collected at C1. Hyalella_ azteca_was sented by 10 or fewer individuals at C1 (Table 1).
mainder of the h
more comon from January through 13 April than in t e re Hydropsyche_sp. occurred intermittantly sampling period (Figure 3).
Simulium sp. was quite comon during the sampling period (Figure 2). ftrr 11 during the winter but diminished drastically in occurrence a ,
Cricotopus_ sp. occurred with slight fluctuations in March (Figure 4). Ologochaetes abundance throughout the sampling periodling (Figure 5).
period and varied moderately in abundance during mostPecticia_sp.(Diptera:
of the samp
)
present in very high numbers on 28Chironomidae),
May (Figureand6 Smittia_sp.
Tipulidae), Cryptochironomus_sp. (Diptera:
were uncommon organisms collected at C1.
Ir 2013 027
23 Cheaical and Physical Data Chemical and physical data for January through June 1979 are Equipment breakdown resulted in presented in Tables 2, 3, 4 and 5.
incomplete chemical data for the sampling period.
- l Statistical Analysis
' A FORTRAN IV program (ECODIV) dev-loped by Galat, Keefe and Bergersen (1974) was used to analyze aquatic macrainvertebrate data for Three diversity indices were computed for this the first half of 1979.
analysis: Equitability (EQUIT), the Trophic Condition Index (TCI) and the Shannon Diversity Index (DBAR). Data are reported for the first half of 1979 (Table 6).
Three indices are used to evaluate the aquatic macroinvertebrate communities in tha South Platte River in the vicinity of the Fort St. Vrain
? . lear Generating Station. Two indices, EOUIT and DBAR, are assessments based upon the two components of diversity (evenness and richness).
Evenness is the distribution of individuals among the species collected and richness is the number of species in each community.
Formally DBAR is referred to as the Shannon Index of General Diversity and is based upon the information theory of Margalef (1958).
Va'les of DBAR of 3.0 or higher indicate communities rich in species and with the Conversely, individuals apportioned rather equitably among the species.
DBAR values near 1.0 indicate depauperate communities in which a few taxa Communities of low DBAR values are contain the bulk of the individuals.
typically stressed in some manner so that only the more tolerate organisms can aurvive.
2013 0128
t h h June 1979./
Summary of chemical and physical data for Station SP4A, January t rou9 Table 2. _
1979 Date 4/26 5/13 5/28 3/11 3/27 4/13 1/27 2/8 2/22 1/9
- Parameter 18.5 18.0 25.0 -
13.5 17.0 13.0
-1.0 -6.5 1.0 *-
Air Temp. (C) 8.5 13.0 18.0 5.5 9.0 9.0 0.0 1.0 3.0 Water Temp. (C) 5.3 4.4 4.9 6.9 7.1 7.0 8.1 9.5 8.7 8.0 4,5 ****
Dissolved 02 (mg/l) ** -- -- ,-
14.0 30.6 33.0 17.5 7.8 ?!
Dissolved CO2(mg/l) *** -- -- -- 8.0 8.0 7.5 7.5 7.8 247 252 pH 330 260 216 358 474 354 388 488 80 Total Alkalinity (mg/l) 656 632 880 480 720 696 672 776 608 820 500 Filtrable Solids (mg/1) 864 802 1040 1040 872 892 854 798 360 257 Dissolved Solids (mg/1) 325 222 310 308 323 325 308 325 340 Total Hardness (mg/1) 200 230 ?20 380 390 375 420 37C 450 --
Conductivity (micronhos/cm) 26.0 *****
23.0 13.5 20.5 14.0 15.5 Turbidity (JTU)
- Thermometer broken. -
- Dissolved CO2 canr.at be calculated without pH Ch?
[h_' ***pH meter malfunctioning.2 cannot be calculated without water temperature.
- Dissolved CO 3 ,y ***** Turbidimeter malfunctioning.
/ June samples not nude because of high water level.
m_3 J N 0 V
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I Table 3. Summary of chemical and physical data for Station SP4U, January through June 1979./
1979 Date 1/9 1/27 2/8 2/22 3/11 3/27 4/13 4/26 5/13 5/28 Parameter .'
-1.0 -7.5 8.0 13.0 23.0 11.5 18.5 18.0 26.0 22.0 Air Temp. (C) 0.0 0.5 3.0 6.0 10.0 8.0 8.5 12.5 19.0 24.0 Water Temp. 'C) 7.7 8.0 9.3 8.7 7.0 7.1 6.9 5.2 4.6 4.2 Dissolved 02 (mg/1) 45.0 4.0 28.0 36.0 - -- -- -- 4.5 5.5 Dissolved CO2 (mg/1) 7.3 8.4 7.5 7.4
- -- -- -- 8.0 7.9 Di pli 294 276 212 245 250 Total Alkalinity (mg/1) 306 372 342 372 314 656 624 480 640 640 480 Filtrable Solids (mg/1) 592 728 640 712 842 876 826 680 740 800 700 Dissolved Solids (mg/1) 762 868 864 Total liardness (mg/1) 308 325 308 308 325 325 240 310 360 291 435 320 500 480 210 260 215 290 rs) Conducitvity (micrombos/cm) 380 355 C~) ***
Turbidity (JTU) 11.0 12.5 24.5 15.0 20.0 26.0 -- -- --
{~;
O crs cc)
- Dissolved CO2 cannot be calculated without pil.
- pil meter malfunctioning.
- Turbidi.aeter malfunctioning
/ June samples not made because of high water level.
i through June 1979./
Summary of chemical and physical data far Station SP48, January Table 4.
1979 Date 4/26 5/13 5/28 3/11 3/27 4/13 1/27 2/8 2/22 1/9 Parameter 18.0 23.0 26.0 21.0 9.0 11.0
-8.5 7.5 10.5
-2.0 16.0 20.5 Air Temp. (C) 5.5 7.5 13.0 2.5 4.5 8.0 0.5 0.0 4.9 Water Temp. (C) 7.0 4.5 4.4 9.5 7.2 7.3 8.0 7.8 R .6 5.0 7.4 Dissolved 02 (mg/1) I- -
4.5 17.5 40.8 E?
12.0 8.0 7.8 Dissolved CO2(mg/1) !* -- -- --
8.4 7.8 7.5 1.9 255 254 pli 296 264 222 402 528 414 338 400 560 Total Alkalinity (mg/1) 744 648 720 640 720 752 664 760 600 840 580 Filtrable Solids (mg/1) 858 840 760 1760 722 892 862 840 360 291 Dissolved Solids (mg/1) 342 2 57 325 308 325 325 342 342 Total liardness (mg/1) 230 215 360 365 465 260 480 390 350 390 --
Conductivity (micromhos/cm) 25.0 !!* -- --
22.5 10.0 16.0 10.0 9.5 Turbidity (JTU) - . . -
rv
- Dissolved CO 2 cannot be calculated without pil. '
c:j
- pil meter malfunctioning.
L/w *** Turbidimeter malfunctioning./ June water samples not made because of high s.3 tra
'/
8 9 . .
Table 5. Summary of chemical and physical data for Station C1, January through June 1979./
1979 Date Parameter 1/9 1/27 2/8 2/22 3/11 3/27 4/13 4/26 5/13 5/28 Air Temp. (C) -4.0 -8,5 1.0 14.0 21.0 10.0 12.5 10.0 24.0 28.5 Water Temp. (C) 0.0 0.0 2.0 4.5 9.5 7.0 7.5 15.0 16.5 19.0 Dissolved 02 (mg/l) 7.8 8.0 9.4 9.0 -
7.6 6.8 4.7 4.7 4.7 Dissolved C02 (mg/1) 15.0 14.0 28.0 34.0 -- -- --
4.5 7.5 pil 7.8 8.4 7.6 7.5 -- -- --
8.0 7.8 R$
Total Alkalinity (mg/1) 328 396 404 430 344 298 266 206 245 256 Filtrable Solids (mg/1) 656 744 720 704 784 672 480 740 160 320 Dissolved Solids (mg/1) 840 912 834 854 872 826 760 1440 900 600 Total Hardness (mg/1) 325 325 308 325 342 342 240 257 342 257 Conductivity (micrombos/cm) 340 375 385 350 405 440 250 245 210 330 Turbidity (JTU) 9.5 10.5 22.0 12.0 16.0 27.5 -- -- --
O M
- Dissolved 02 bottle broken in transit.
O ** Dissolved CO2 cannot be calculated without pil.
u ***pil meter mal functioning.
N * * *
- Turbid imeter mal func t ioning.
/ June samples not made because of high water levels.
7 28 Table 6. Quarterly sumary of ECODIV indices for four stations on the South Platte River, January through June 1979.
January through March, 1979_ 7 C1 SP48 SP4U __
SP4A_ .
.8666 .8190
.6683 6239 TCI 2.3774 2.0933 2.5035 2.6533 C
~
08AR 499 457 .293 EQUIT
.388 April through June, 1979_
C1 ___ 3 SP4U_ SP48_ _
SP4A_
.433! .3281 4488 TCI .3896 2.5463 1.9460 2.2259 2.3502 08AR
.308 .280 )
460 EQUIT
.349 2013 133 J
29 Equitability (EQUIT) is based upon the " broken stick" theory of MacArthur (1957). Very simply, EQUIT is a more sophisticated measurement of comunity diversity that assumes (and correctly) that individuals are never evenly distributed among the species. Rather, some taxa are naturally more comon than others, and some, under natural conditions, are always rare and represented by only a few individuals. Thus, EQUIT is an attempt to account f'or this phenomena. Values for EQUIT are found by searching Lloyd and Gherland's (1964) table. The values in the table are derived from PacArthur's (1957) formula for equitability. EQUIT values approaching zero suggest a stressed comunity in w"<:h there are very few species and almost all or all individuals are in the few taxa.
In contrast, values approaching one are indicative of rather large, diverse communities that have not been subjected to any unnatural disturbances. .
The Trophic Condition Index (TCI) (Brinkhurst et al.1968) is an evaluation of a comunity that assigns each taxon to a tolerance clas-sification. For calculation each taxon is placed in one of three tolerance classifications: (1) tolerant to pollution (organic or inorganic);
(2) facultative or able to survive moderate levels of pollution; and (3) intolerant to any form of pollution. Placement of each taxon in a par-ticular classification is based upon a review of the pertinent literature, i.e., Weber 1973. TCI considers the number of individuals in each tolerance classification rather than the number of species per tolerance classification. TCI values range from zero, indicating oligotrophic conditions to two, indicating eutrophic conditions.
2013 034
7 3Q.
DISCUSSION ,
Station SP4B had a significantly greater number (36) of taxa than In the same sampling any other sampling site in the first half of 1979.
All other sampling stations had O period in 1978 SP48 had only 22 taxa.
approximately the same number of taxa *or both sampling periods.
Although eight more taxa were collected in the first half of 1979 than -
for the same period in 1978, the more noteworthy change was in the particular taxa. Seventeen taxa collected in the first half of 1978 Twenty-one taxa were not collected in the comparable period of 1979.
3 collacted in the first half of 1979 were not collected in the same Thus, except for SP4B there has not been a change in .
period in 1978.
the diversity of the macroinvertebrate communities but there has been a significant change in the particular components of the aquatic macro-invertebrate community of the South Platte River in the vicinity of However, in assessing the Fort St. Vrain Nuclear Generating Station.
this change attention should be directed to the nature of the change.
Taxa absent in 1979 collections but present in 1978 and taxa present in 1979 but absent in 1978 were ,anerally represented by relatively few specimens and these were collected only on one or a few sampling date Baetidae) (1978),
Notable exceptions are Baetis_sp. (Ephemeroptera:
Asellidae) (1979). In Daphnidae (1979) and Asellus sp. (Isopoda:
addition, many of the taxa present in 1979 but not 1978 were found at .
SP4B.
Interestingly, taxa changes were common in all major groups, i.e.
non-dipteran insects, dipterans and non-insect macroinvertebrates.
Several classical explanations are possible for the increased diversity of SP48. Certainly the most apparent is the marked change in Discharge in the South flow regimes between the two sampling periods. . ,.
2013 135
31 Platte was lower in 1978 than 1979, particula-ly during the spring runoff phase. In 1978 there were several rather high spates but these were of short duration. In 1979 water levels began to ir. crease with the melting of the ice in February and continued to increase at a constant rate through June. In addition, the severe and prolonged winter of 1979 resulted in extensive ice coverage which produced significant scouring of the substrate. Less apparent, but probah y as important, is the influence of the effluent from Goosequill Ditch at SP48. Goosequill Ditch had a constant flow until Goosequill Pond was dried in April 1979.
Throughout the period it was flowing, Goosequill Ditch had some phyto-plankton. Such a nutriant input would naturally enhance conditions supporting a more varied fauna, particularly during the colder months, but only so long as the nutrient input did not " overload" the system and create aneorobic conditions. Another possibility is the difference in amount of organic debris among the stations. However, the importance of this difference is obfuscated as Stations SP4A generally has the greatest amount and Station Cl has the least. SP4B always has a moderate amount but never more than SP4A. A final possible explanation is the differences in the composition of the substrate among the stations. SP4A has the most varied substrate, ranging from large gravel and cobble to sand-silt bottom areas. However, SP4B has the same range although the gravel-cobble component is generally not as extensive at SP4B as it is at SP4A.
Stations SP4U and Cl have rather monotonous substrates, composed primarily of sand and silt. The data do not support acceptance of any one hypothe-sis as an adequate explanation for the replacement of some taxa by others between sampling periods or for the rather diverse macrainvertebrate community of SP48 in 1979. Rather, a reasonabJe explanation probably 2013 0 %
7 32 involves the fortuitous combination of a varied substrate, moderate amount of organic debris, and less scouring by ice with the enrichment of the area by the influent from Goosequill Pond. The importance of the influent is difficult to assess accurately because of the limited data collected.
However, the early warming in the spring and prolonged warm water of Goosequill Pond in the fall pemits a more extended season for phyto-Thus, ,
plankton growth than for the South Platte or St. Vrain Rivers.
the effluent from Goosequill serves to moderate the themal properties of the South Platte and additionally introduce nutrients in the fom of phytoplankton during portions of the year when autochthonous production)
Such a scenario, in addition to the above is low in the South Platte.
indicated properties, may provide at least a partial explanation for the greater aquatic macroinvertebrate diversity of Station SP48. >
Generally, the same taxa dominate the aquatic macroinvertebrate Simulium sp., Cricotopus_sp. and oligochaetes comunities at all stations.
Other forms (e.g.
are almost always the most abundant organisms.
Several groups Chironomus_sp. and Daphnidae) are occasionally abundant.
(e.g. Hydropsyche_ sp. Tipulidae, and Hyalella_azteca_) occur relativel Thus the changes in com-constantly, but never in very great numbers.
munity structure are primarily among the relatively uncomon taxa.
Little importance can be attached to the general decrease in numbers of macroinvertebrates collected as incomplete samples were taken in .
January and none were taken in June.
2013 037-I
33 LITERATURE CITED American Public Health Asse'iation. 197'. Standard methods for the examination of water and wastewater. '"h ed. American Public Health Association, Washincton, D.C .,7pp.
Brinkhurst, R. O., A. L. Hamilton and H. B. Herrington. 1968. Components of the bottom fauna of the St. Lawrence, Great Lakes, No. PR 33.
Great Lakes Institute, Univ. of Toronto, Ontario. 49pp.
- Carlson, C. A., W. D. Frank, D. L. Propst, R. L. Rohrer, and P. E. Stacey.
1977. Aquatic invertebrates component, Fort St. Vrain Ecological Investigations. 1977 Semi-annual Report. Report to Thorne Ecological Institute. 23pp.
Cressey, S. , C. Carlson, and W. D. Fronk. 1974. Aquatic invertebrate component, Fort St. Vrain Ecological Investigations. 1974 Annual Report. Report to Thorne Ecological Institute. 17pp. mimeo.
Eder, S., C. Carlson, and W. D. Fronk. 1974. Final report, aquatic invertebrate component and fish food habits component, Fort St.
Vrain Ecological Investigations. Report to Thorne Ecological Institute. 80pp. mimeo.
Galat, D. L., T. J. Keefe, and E. P. Bergersen. 1974. Ecodiv-A Fortran IV Program to calculate biological indices and bivariate statistical analysis methodology for evaluation of water quality. Thorne' Ecological Institute Technical Publications Number 11.
Galat, D. L. , and W. J. McConnell . 1974. A quantificative baseline inventory of the aquatic macroinvertebrates and periphyton communities of the South Platte and St. Vrain Rivers, Fort St. Vrain Nuclear Generating Station. Report to Thorne Ecological Institute. 188pp.
Lloyd, M. and R. G. Ghelardi. 1964. A table for calculating the "equit-ability" component of species diversity. J. Anim. Ecol. 33:217-225.
MacArthur, R. H. 1957. On the relative abundance of bird species. Proc.
~
Nat. Acad. Sci. Wash. 43:293-295.
Margalef, R. 1958. Information theory in ecology. Gen. Systems 3:36-71.
Rohrer, R. L. , P. E. Stacey, C. A. Carlson, and W. D. Fronk. 1977.
Aquatic irr;ertebrate component, Fort St. Vrain Ecological Investi-gations. 1976 Annual Report to Thorne Ecological Institute.
38pp.
Stacey, P. E., C. A. Carlson, and W. D. Fronk. 1975. Aquatic inverte-brates component, Fort St. Vrain Ecological 'nvestigations. 1975 Semi-annual Report. Report to Thorne Ecologica'. Institute. 21 +
viii pp.
2013 138
34 '
Weber, C. I. (ed.). 1973. Biological field and laboratory methods for measuring the quality of surface waters and effluents. U.S. Environ-mental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, O'l.
O.
m 2013 139
35
. t ALGAL MONITORING 4
t'l Paul Kugrens 2013 140 O
36 INTRODUCTION The data in this 1979 semi-annual report includes a comprehensive species list (Table I); a comparative table that provides monthly dominants,
~
relative abundances, population sfzes, and general water conditions at the time of collection (Table II); a list indicating the percentage of a population comprised of various algae (table III); a table of species diver-sity at each site (Table IV); and a table listing species. ratios of the four most prominent algal divisions (Table V). Sampling techniques have remained the same, although during low or high water conditions, alternate substrates had to be chosen but these should not alter the results signif-icantly since previous observations indicate little difference in algal growth on the samplers vs. other substrates. As in the past, only living cells are included in actual counts, to represent actual site conditons.
If dead cells are included the numbers would be greatly inflated and inaccurate. Figure 1 presents the algae sampling sites.
OBSERVATIONS
- 1. Species Diversity Tables I and IV indicate that a total of 77 species was identified during the first six months of 1979. The algal populations consisted of 44 diatom species,18 green algae, five euglenoids, four blue-green algae, three golden-brown algae, one cryptomonad, one undescribed dinoflagellate, and one yellow-green alga. The greatest species diversity occurs in diatoms at all sampling sites and reflects past observations. However, the overwhelming dominance in diatom species at site GQ is absent. The lowest species diverisity is found at SPGQ and SP and mir]ht be caused by the swifter currents at these two sampling sites. By any species diversity 2013 MI
5PGQ
,5P -
s
- - PROPERTV 80Ur & Ry
'l (.
WARM PONO 50uiH PLATIE IWWE4 ;
'g JAf fHOMAS DiCH ,
,~ \
quill
~
'~
- ..,..~~~ , [, '
{.\. ..... -O 1
'sv N ..
, ,, g g, 9s !
, , SETILING 845tN5 ANO HOLO 8NGPONOS COOLING TOWER
' St VRAIN CR([K %p,' PLM T sniiCH vano ,'^ '
i
) ,< , - ,
sNTAME l
a o, .. -,
. . ',s l i
o ...-* ,, ['
- (t=4's oiica l
s svi .Acccis ,o.,
\y- s G005(outLL DeICH s l N '% _ . . _ .
u Figure 1. Algae sampling sites, Fort St. Vrain Nuclear Generating Station O
N
. D )
38 index, all sites represent a low species diversity, a characteristic of polluted or dystrophic aquatic habitats. The number of species at any given time is dependent upon temperature, ice, water level, and scouring by swift currents. Table V indicates the relative number of species from the four most prominent divisions and shows that diatom species dominate the algal populations. As the temperatures increased during March and April, a corresponding increase in species also took place but declined in May and June. Euglenoids were present in January through April at various sites but were absent in subsequent months. Blue-green algal species were occassionally present but for the most part are absent during the colder months. Green algae also were low in species numbers except in Goosequill Pond. The decline in species durir.g May and June is attributed to the high, swift water created by soring runoffs. These scour the substrates of algae and do not allow populations to become established. This trend is also noted in the quantitative aspects of this monitoring period.
- 2. Algal Populations and Succession All river sites had large proportions of Nitzschia palea throughout this monitoring period with Navicula cryptocephala also being prominent.
Euclena viridis made it's appearance in the winter flora as it has in past years, generally growing in large numbers from January to April (Table II). Diatoms, in general, are most prominent in the rivers (Table III) whereas green algae represent the dominants in Goosequill Pond, a characteristic noted previously. Euglenoids appear during mid-to late winter depending on the river. Blue-green algae are generally absent during the winter months.
2015 143
J 39 St.Vrain_3iver_
The St. Vrain River had, as its most common dominant, Navicula cryptocephala with Nitzschia palea being dominant at SVI in March and at While Euglena viridis never became dominant, SV during March and April.
9 it constituted a significant portion of the algal population during March This is somewhat later than and April at both St. Vrain River sites.
the appearance of E. viridis _ in the South Platte River. C)
The highest number of algae also occurred during March and April indicating favorable temperatures and more stable water conditions.
Prior to and after these two months, water was either frozen (SVI in January) or spring runoff created extremely swift and high wwter condi Goosequill Pond Throughout this sampling period, Scenedesmus cuadricauda_ domina the algsl population in Goosequill Pond and as the water temperatures Population increased, so did the proportion of dominance by this alga.
numbers also increased with the warmer water, even when the pond was 224,786 being drained during April and May, eventually increasing to individuals /ml.
South Platte River -
The 1979 monitoring period began with Euclena viridis being the dominant during the first three months, except at SVI during January During April and May Nitzschia calea_ was the and SP during March.
dominart at all sites with N. cale_a being the only consituent of the algal populations during May.
20l3 144
40 The number of periphyton was low during this monitoring period due to the continual swift currents present each month, finally eliminating all living representatives during June. Only empty cell walls were collected and identified through their ornamentation. The water condi-tions during May and June eliminated algal growth at all sampling sites in the South Platte River.
- 3. Comparison of Algal Populations between Rivers.
In general, the same species occur in both rivers but the dominants and the time of appearance of certain species varies. For instance Navicual cryptocephala is generally more dominant in the St. Vrain River whereas Nitzschia palea dominates periphyton in the South Platte River. In addition, Euclena viridis was never dominant in the St. Vrain River but dominated for three months in the South Platte River.
Furthermore Euglena viridis grows later (March-April) in the South Platte (January-March). Other algae that occur sporadically during certain months in both rivers are of little significance.
- 4. Effects of Fort St. Vrain Nuclear Generating Station on Algal Populations.
No discernible effects from the generating station on algal populations were detected during this monitoring period. ,
- 5. Comoarison with Corresocnding 1978 Monitorino Period.
The algal populations in both rivers were considerably higher in 1978, reaching population numbers of 2 million or more by June in the South Platte River, but considerably lower in the St. Vrain River.
t 2013 345
7 41 The decrease in the St. Vrain River was attributed to fast water in 19 ,
The South Platte River, on the other hand, did not experience any sving runoff in 1978 which allowed populations to build up to high levels.
This year the spring runoff was greater in both rivers, either elim-3 inating algae er greatly reducing their numbers.
The dominant algae were the same as last year with similar trends of succession and appearance. .
g While Scenedesmus cuadricauda was the dominant in Goosequill Pond at all sampling times in 1979, this was not the case in 1978.
Nitzschia calea and Cryptomomas ovata were the dominants in February and Goosequill Pond was completely frozen in April respectively in 1978.
January 1978, but was partially open at all t1mes in 1979.
2013 146
42 Legend for Tables SVI = St. Vrain Intake SV = St. Vrain below Intake
~
GQ
= 'Gooseonill Pond '
SPI = South Platte River below IntaPe ;
SPGQ = South Platte River below Intake but above effluent SP = South Platte River below effluent near the confluence A = Periphyton B = Phytoplankton 2013 047 O
43 7 Table I. Algal List and Sites for January - June 1979 Genus or Species Sampling Sites '
SPI SPGQ SP SVI SV GQ Division Bacillariophyta AB AB AB C AB Achnanthes lanceolata A AB Amphora ovalis A AB AB B AB AB Asterionella formosa AB Biddulphia laevis ,
Caloneis amphisbaena AB A >.
A Cocconeis placentula AB A ,
A Cyclotella meneghiniana A A A
Cymatopleura solea A A B Cymbella turgida A A Diatoma elongatum AB B Diatoma vulgare AB AB B
Fragilaria capucina A B B Fragilaria construens B AB B B A
Fragilaria crotonensis B Gomphonema constrictum A A
Gomphenema lanceolatum AB AB A
Gomphonema olivaceum AB AB AB AB AB A Gomphonema parvulum AB A A A AB A Gyrosigma acuminatum A B
Gyrosigma scalproides B A Hannea arcus B B Melostra granulata AB AB A B Melosira varians AB AB AB AB AB Navicula crypttocephala AB A AB AB Navicula cuspidata AB B B A B B A Navicula minima B Navicula pygmaea .
AB AB Navicula radiosa AB A A AB AB Navicula viridula AB AB AB AB AB Nitzschia acicularis AB A Nitzschia gracilis AB B
Nitzschia holsatica AB AB AB AB AB Nitzschia hungarica AB AB AB AB .
B Nitzschia sigmoidea A A AB Nitzschia vermicularis B ,
Pinnularia latevittata A B AB Rhoicosphenia curvata A AB AB AB AB AB Stephanodiscus hantzschii AB B A
Surfrella capronii A A AB AB AB AB Surirella ovata B B
Synedra rumpens :,, AB A AB AB AB AB Synedra ulna A - Peripayton B - Phytoplankton 2O}3 Ok
' 44 Table I. Algal List and Sites for January - June 1979 (continued)
Genus or Species Simpling Sites SPI SPGQ SP SVI SV GQ Division Chlorophyta B B A t Ankistrodesmus falcatus AB B
Chlamydomonas sp. !.
B Chlorogonium elongatum A A
Cladophora glomerata B Closteriopsis longissima A A Closterium lunula A Coelastruin microporuin Cosmarium sp. 8 B
Dictyosphaerium pulchellum AB Micractinium pusillum B AB A A
Oedogonium sp. B Occystis lacustris AB B
Pediastrum duplex B Pteromonas acuminatus A Rhizoclonium hieroglyphicum B A Scenedesmus acuminatus AB AB B AB Scenedesmus quadricauda A A
Stigercionium tenue Division Chrysophyta B
Anthophysa vegetans B AB B B
Dinobryon sp.
B ,
Gonyostomum semen Division Cryptophyta B AB B Cryptomonas ovata Division Cyanophyta B
Aphanizomenon flos-aquae Oscillatoria sp. B A
B Oscillatoria limosa AB A AB Oscillatoria princeps A Division Euglenophyta B
Astasia sp. AB A A A A AB Euglena acus AB AB A AB AB AB Euglena viridis Peranema sp. B A
Phacus brevicauda 2013 049
45 Table I. Algal List and Sites for January - June 1979 (continued) -
Sampling Sites Genus or Species 1
SPI SPGQ SP SV '.' SV GQ Division /yrrophyta AB B G Unidentified dinoflagellate >
Division Xanthophyta A
Vaucheria sp. '
- ~
O 2013 250 e
9 i
Conditions
, Table II. Comparison of Algal Populations and their Dominants as Influenced by C at their Respective Sites. River Populations Represent Periphyton whereas Species in the Population in parenthesis.
GQ Represents Phytoplankton Counts.
Months Site March February January 813,430 4,622 Nitzschia palea (49) frozen completely. Havicula cryptocephala (64)
SVI No samples. Havicula cryptocephala (28)
Havicula viridula (14) Euglena viridis (17)
Euglena acus (5) 104,452 18,718 Nitzschia palea (47)
SV 115..554 Navicula cryptocephala (67) Navicula cryptocephala (34) $;
Navicula cryptocephala (56) Nitzschia palea (22)
Siirirella ovata (20) Euglena viridis (12)
Nitzschia palea (10)
, Navicula viridula (6) 26,050 10,084 Scenedesmus quadricauda (87) 7,423 Scenedesmus quadricauda (67)
GQ Scenedesmus quadricauda (62) Chlamydomonas sp. (8)
Euglena viridis (20)
Stephanodiscus hantzschii (30) 136,342 113,233 Euglena viridis (53)
SPI 16,176 Euglena viridis (24)
Euglena viridis (43) Euglena acus (19)
Navicual cryptocephala (13) Nitzschia palea (12)
Nitzschia palea (29) Hitzschia palea (11)
Gomphonema parvulum (14) Navicula cryptocephala (8)
Navicula cryptocephala (14) r0 cp UE U
LD emo-
Table II.
(continued)
Site Months January February March SPGQ 6,932 286,549 198,736 Nitzschia palea (33) Euglena viridis (60) Euglenaviridis(47)
Achnanthes lanceolata (11) Havicula cryptocephala (27) Nitzschia palea (24)
Euglena viridis (11) Hitzschia palea (6) Navicula cryptocephala (20)
Surirella ovata (11)
Synedra ulna (11)
SP 16,176 67,015 76,259 Euglena viridis (71) Euglena viridis (38) Naviculh cryptocephala (42)
Hitzschia palea (21) Gomphonema parvulum (17) Euglenaviridis(27) .
Havicula cryptocephala (14) Hitzschia palea (15)
Nitzschia palea (7) Nitzschia acicularis (6) 0 General GQ - 4.5 C: Completely frozen GQ - 6.5 C: Open water in GQ - 9 C: High water, slightly Water SV - Cgmpletely frozen cgnteronly. greeg,enteringandexiting.
Conditions SP - 2 C: Clear, swift water. SV - 7 C: High, turbid, swift. SV - 10.5 C: Low, clear. Algal Some ice along banks. Considerable ice along popu bagks. SP-9-11}ationsevident.
C: High, swift, SP - 10 C: High, turbid, swift. Turbid.
CD LN O
C N
J G J
I Table II. (continued)
Montbt Site May June April -
23,108 4,044 SVI 494,528 Navicula cryptocephala (80) Havicula cryptocephala (57)
Navicula cryptocephala (46) Nitzschia palea (29)
Euglenaviridis(21) Naviculh radiosa (10) Melosira granulata (14)
.Nitzschia palea (16) Scenedesmus quadricauda (10) 9,243 2,889 SV 1,261,740 Navicula cryptocephala (75) Navicula cryptocephala (20)
Nitzschia palea (37) Melosira granulata (20)
Havicula cryptocephala (33) Melosira granulata (25)
Hitzschia acicularis (20)
Euglena viridis (10) Nitzschia palea (20) g Synedra ulna (?0) 46,848 224,786 GQ 19,957 Scenedesmus quadricauda (96) Scenedesmus quadricauda (99+)
Scenedesmus quadricauda (98)
Navicula c.uspidata (3) 23,109 SPI 11,957 Nitzschia palea (100) No living cells.
Nitzschia palea (46)
Havicula cryptocephala (33) 88,234 190 No living cells.
SPGQ Hitzschia palea (50)
Nitzschia palea (100)
Havicula cryptocephala (25) rv Q
v
/
M L.T1 U
i Table II. (continued)
+
Months >
~ Site i
.. June i May 7
April 4,622 No living cells, SP 238,230 taitzschia palea (100) !
flitzschia palea (56) -
flavicula cryptocephala (26)
Hitzschia acicularis (7)
GQ - 22.5 C: Green, no water GQ - 300 C: Deep green high water, General GQ - 18"C: Green water, no exitfngoverconcretedam. 3 wagerenteringorexiting. engeringbutsomeexiting.
Extremely swift. SV - 17.5 C: Extremely high, Water Conditions SV - 15 Cf :High, swift, turbid. SVhigh, turbid.
- 16 C: No algal mugdy, swift.
SP - 18.5 C High, swift, pogulations visible.
SP - 20 C: Extremely high, turbid. muddy, swift.
SP - 20 C: Extremely swift, high, turbid. No algal populations visible.
C3 O
LD 4
l J .s
,' r,
t I
Percent of Populations Comprised of Diatoms, Green Algae Euglenoids and Blue-Green__
' ' Table III.
Sites Month Sp spi spGq SVI SV GQ 89-0-11-0 29-0-71-0 33-65-2-0 57-0-43-0 January 0-0-0-0 100-0-0-0 49-0-51-0 59-0-38-3 6-73-21-0 100-0-0-0 February 100-0-0-0 100-0-0-0 52-0-48-0 70-0-30-0 3-97-0-0 28-2-70-0 March 78-0-22-0 87-0-13-0 100-0-0-0 96-0-4-0 2-98-0-0 98-0-2-0 76-0-24-0 90-0-10-0 April 100-0-0-0 100-0-0-0 100-0-0-0 100-0-0-0 4-96-0-0 May 90-10-0-0 0-0-0-0 0-0-0-0 0-100-0-0 0-0-0-0 100-0-0-0 80-20-0-0 June e
CD O
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51 7 Table IV.
Species Diversity according to Taxonomic Divisions from January through June 1979.
Sites Total Species ') i Division Identified spGQ SP Sy GQ SPI per Division
~
SVI 22 44 3 15 31 23 27 34 Bacillariophyta 18 1 6 14 3 2 6 Chlorophyta 3 1 1 1 1 1 1 Chrysophyta 1 )
1 1
-- 1 Cryptophyta 4 2 1
-- 1 4
Cyanophyta 5 3 2 2 3 2 3
Euglenophyta I .e
-- 1 1 Pyrrophyta -- 1
-- 1 Xanthophyta 29 31 U Total Number of 45 36 41 Species per site 37 20l3 156
B v
Table V.
Diatom - Green - Euglenoid - Blue-green Algal Species Ratios at Sampling Sites Showing Monthly Fluctuations in the Species Oiversity of these Four Dominant DlVisicas. -
Sites Total Number Months SP of Species SPI SPGQ
~
9-1 0 24-6-3-1 5-5-2-0 14-2-2-1 9-1-2-0 0-0-0-0 14-1-1-0 January 12-1-1-1 29-3-2-1
, 9-0-1 -0 15-0-2-0 10-6-6-0 4-3-1-0 February 10-0-1-0 25-8-3-2 13-0-2-1 8-2-2-0 11-4-3-0 16-2-2-1 ilarch 14-0-2-1 17-5-2-0 14-1-1-0 31-4-4-2 16-2-2-0 15-0-0-1 21-1-3-0 19-0-1-1 9-3-1-0 April 11-3-0-0 22-6-2-3 g 8-1-0-0 11-0-0-0 12-0-1-0 5-5-0-1 May 16-1-0-2 28-7-1-0 14-0-0-0 7-0-1-0 10-3-0-0 11-2-0-0 9-5-0-0 June 14-0-0-0 44-18-5-4 23-1-3-1 22-6-2-0 15-14-3-1 30-3-2-2 27-2-3-4 34-6-2 Total Number of Species per Site _
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l AVIAN SECTION 2013 158 a
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54 AVIAN MONITORING f by Ronald A. Ryder 2013 159
55 INTRODUCTION Monitoring, avifauna on areas adjoining the St. Vrain Nuclear Generating continuedin an effort to evaluate avian populations as possible Station was This indicators of the effects of operation of the Generating Station.
report discusses data collected from January through June 1979 and compares these data with similar periods from 1972 through 1978.
METHODS f
Descriptions of study areas and methods and modifications thereof were h.
presented in earlier progress reports.
FINDINGS Eight-year population trends for the month of June are presented in Figure 2. Total count data are presented in Table 1. Data for distribution of dominant species over the eight years of monitoring are presented in Several Table 2. Most bird populations have continued to decline.
species, particularly blackbirds, showed even more pronounced reductions Except for the 15 May 1979 count, Goosequill Pond was than in 1978.
On that date the pond was practically virtually deserted by all species.
Seventy-five individuals (17 species) dry, exposing many dead and dying fish.
were noted, compared to an average of four June counts of only 5 individuals (3 species). Except for the one count when Goosequill Pond was drained, the There appear to be more environ-pond was unusually full of water all year.
mental perturbations than in 1978, mainly flooding on all areas and heavy The only notable increase livestock grazing on the St. Vrain River area.
in 1979 was in mourning doves on the St. Vrain River area, an all-time high Red-winged average of 31 compared to last year's 23, then a 7-year high.
blackbirds and common flickers were down on both the St. Vrain Riv South Platte River areas.
It is not known whether these declines were due to any direct effect of operation of the Generating Staion. High water and a cold, wet spring are 2013 160
56 ~~)
believed to be largely responsible for the decline in avian use and delay in start of the 1979 nesting season. ,
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Location of three bird census areas (St. Vrain River, South Platte River and Goose
monitoring at the Fort St.
Table 1. Ei9 t-year tabulation h of species numbers and population levels fromStation (Num Vrain Nuclear Generatin9 1977 1978 1979 1974 1975 1976 Time Perjod 1972 1973 No count No count No count i 19(319) 20(335) 10(340)
, January No count 19(762) 23(422) 24(478) 30(1121)
February No count 19(2884) 24(15.474) No count 29(847) 25(14,063) 29(709) 33(627) 30(715) 31(546)
March No count 32(709) 38(720) No count l early April 28(823) 26(326) 32(487) 34(688) 43(622) 34(498) 44(719) 46(903) 40(717) late April 50(871) 34(561) 37(441) 45(591) 48(729) No count / 37(488) 1st wk May 47(574) 33(381) 45(534) 47(410)y 50(640) 54(510) 62(833) 52(533) 47(777) 2nd wk May 47(583) 39(382) 54(855) 43(522) 38(397) $
45(543) 43(563) 55(728) 3rd wk May 48(593) 44(451) 45(466);j 46(523) 50(635) 49(656) 45(565) 4th wk May 48(691) 38(450) 49(614) 43(518) 40(426) 40(641) 42(491) 38(569) 1st wk June 35(500) 39(373) 42(513) 46(660) 42(450) 40(416) 41(588) 33(414) 42(583) 40(419) 2nd wk June 39(585) 44(635) 40(457) 43(536) 38(551) 38(426) 33(469) 34(340) 3rd wk June No count 40(589) 41(510) 37(378) 37(509) 32(324) 34(426) 37(373) 4th wk June Due to floods it was not possible O May 1973 counts probably 'not comparable to those in 1972 and 1974.
to complete counts on all three areas weekly in May of 1973.
2f Early May count in 1978 delayed by unusually late snowstorm.
r0 CD O
U J J U U a e e e .
59 Table 2. Comparison of numbers of dominant species on three study areas of the Fort St. Vrain Nuclear Generating Station during the springs of 1972-1979.
Average Number of Birds per Census
- Study Areas 1976 1977 1978 1979 1972 1973 1974 1975 and Species St. Vrain River 53 65 63 58 53 Starling 67 58 57 27 20 36 19 19 21 20 26 House Wren .
46 50 53 22 17 {
Red-winged Blackbird 57 34 39 16 16 18 23 31 !
Mourning Dove 22 14 19 14 19 14 8 i 13 8 10 9 Common Flicker South Platte River 43 76 68 67 41 Starling 48 35 53 38 41 53 54 33 54 38 41 House Wren 4 2 11 10 4 Red-winged Blackbird 10 4 6 10 11 14 21 11 Mourning Dove 17 9 8 17 15 10 3 15 6 7 7 Coanon Flicker Goosequill Pond 10 13 8 2 2 Red-winged Blackbird 10 8 10 34 41 38 24 2 9 4 10 Yellow-headed Blackbird 5 10 7 3 3 1 9 3 Mallard Number of censuses 9 10 10 8 9 10 8 10 per spring
- Last 8 censuses (May and June) averaged for house wrens and yellow-headed blackbirds because of their late arrival.
2013 064
60 7 Individuals (Species) 6 I
700 (14)
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, ._ ,, t . . __ _ . . . p _ _ _ _ _ p - _ .. . _ __ __- 4 , i 1975 1975 1977 1978 1979 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1972 1973 1974 406 556 624 484 439 Individuals 530 384 530 14.3 10.7 13.9 13.9 11.7 11.0 Individuals 13.9 10.7 species ,
mean number of individuals per June count
- mean number of individuals per June count / mean number of species per June count Figure 2. Eight-year population trends of the three study areas combined, for the month of June only.
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61
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TERRESTRIAL SECTION 2013 166 O
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62
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VEGETATION MONITORING by Charles D. Bonham Dot Helm Larry L. Larson
63 INTRODUCTION Boti natural plant comunities and an irrigated pasture composed of introducco grass species are being monitored at the Fort Saint a Vrain Nuclear Generating Station. Data on natural plant comunities have been, collected since 1972 while information on plant biomass in the irrigated pasture has been collected since 1977. This latter study is concerned only with influences of water temperature on total plant biomass produced above ground. h contrast, the study of natural comunides includes observations on individual species ground cover values and standing crop of- dominant plant species. Only ccver values are obtained during June of each year from these comunities.
METHODS Field sampling was conducted during June 18-21 to obtain cover values of plant species occurring in exclosures and adjacent outside areas. A frame of 20 x 50 cm dimensions was used to estimate the projected foliage ground cover by species. A total of 25 frames was placed at random within each exclosure and 25 frames were placed outside the exclosure in a randomized start fashion (Figure 1).
All cover data was analyzed by a t-test to detect significant differences of species cover in the exclosures protected from livestock grazing compared to outside and grazed areas. A probability of 0.10 was considered to be significant and suggested some biological interpretation be made, if possible. The vegetation of the St. Vrain River loop area has not been grazed for several years since it is inaccessible to live-stock. There are, however, two distinct comunities and these were sampled individually.
2013 % 8
Q 64 RESULTS Means for plant cover and their standard errors are presented in Tables 1 through 7. The data on the plant species occurring in the confluence exclosure indicates that no changes have occurredin relative dominance (Table 1) for the early sampling period. No annual species showed any greater degree of occurrence this year with respect to pre- .
vious years. The only species that differed in cover inside the exclosure 7 vs outside was Lactuct scariolt. The small cover value outside, however, was not biologically important.
The presence of Agropyron elongatum within the irrigated pasture )
exclosure has been previously noted while it still has not been detected in sampling outside the exclosure. This pasture is grazed heavily by livestock and Festuca elatior is noted to have a high cover value outside the exclosure. No doubt that grazing contributes to species differences at this location. (Table 2)
Tables 1, 3, 6, and 7 are cover data for vegetaion representing floodplain communities. These types are periodically subjected to *
. . . , g ..
flooding and debris deposition. Therefore, thes~e communities are in various stages of pla.t succession and seldom have an opportunity to exhibit any stability in plant species composition. Annual species .
often dominate from early spring to early summer, while warm season perennial forbs and grasses dominate the vegetation structure later on during the growing season. Therefore, no particular interpretation is placed on these particular areas with respect to changes occurring in olant species characteristics until data is obt :ined during the August-period.
2013 169 t
) 65 The data from the exclosure south of Ben Houston's headquarters indicates that Agrooyron elongatum continues to dominate inside the fenced area, while Distichlis stricta dominates the adjacent outside area. This area is sub-irrigated and grazed heavily by livestock. The t latter perturbation probably continues to influence the vegetation composition more than any other factor.
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I S. ,of Beh Houston Hg. 1 South Platte P8 River Sc ale : .1. % '= .L su - f Figure 1. Loca ti'on of vegeta tion s tudy exclosures.
2013 971
) 67 Table 1. Cover values (percent) for plant species in the confluence exclosure compared to outside, June 1979.
In (n = 25) Out (n = 25)
Category x x P sX sX l
Agropyron smithii .1 .10 .6 .60 .42 Agropyron trachycaulum 27.4 6.45 19.4 6.78 .40 Ambrosia coronopofolia (m) 0.0 0.00 .2 , .14 .16 Bromus japonicus 10.6 4.81 3.0 2.08 .15 Bromus tectorum 9.0 4.46 20.0 6.46 .17 Descurainia spp. 0.0 0.00 1.6 1.50 .29 Asparacus officinale .6 .60 0.0 0.00 .32 Cardaria draba 15.1 4.35 7.1 2.94 .13 Cirsium spp. 4.3 2.16 4.0 2.86 .93 Hordeum pussilum 0.0 0.00 .1 .10 .32 Lactuca scariola 0.0 0.00 .6 .22 .01 Lepidium latifolium 0.0 0.00 2.1 1.59 .19 Lepidium perfoliatum 0.0 0.00 2.5 2.50 .32 Poa pratensisi (m) 0.0 0.00 1.6 1.50 .29 Ribes aureum 2.5 2.50 0.0 0.00 .32 Rosa nutkana 4.7 2.88 .6 .60 .17 Sporobolus cryptandrus (m) 0.0 0.00 .6 .60 .32 Spartina pectinata 0.0 0.00 1.5 1.50 .32 Symphoricarpos occidentalis 28.4 8.09 16.2 6.34 .24 Taraxacum officinale 1.2 .83 5.1 2.51 .15
. Rumex triangularvalvi_s_ 0.0 0.00 3.1 2.07 .14 Phyla cuneifolia 0.0 0.00 .1 .10 .32
. Euphorbia eusula 1.5 1.50 0.0 0.00 .32 Aster ericoides 0.0 0.00 .1 .10 .32 Lepidium virginicum 0.0 0.00 .9 .61 .15 Conya canadensis 0.0 0.00 .7 .60 .25 Euphorbia spp. 0.0 0.00 .1 .10 .32 Agrostis spp. 1.6 1.50 0.0 0.00 .29 (m) = monitoring species 2013 072
3 68 Table 2. Cover values (percent) for plant species in the irrigated pasture exclosure compared to outside, June 1979. ,
In (n = 25) Out (n = 25)
Category x x s- P sx .x 0
1.5 1.50 0.0 0.00 .32 Agropyron elonoatum Bromus inennis (m) 46.6 6.69 0.0 0.00 .00 j
.1 .10 0.0 0.00 .32 Chenooodium album Dactylis glomerata 3.9 3.90 0.0 0.00 .32 )
16.1 5.29 75.2 4.12 .00 Festuca elatior (m) 2.4 1.58 0.0 0.00 .14 Lactuca scariola 26.7 5.41 0.0 0.00 .00 Polygonum coccineum
.6 .60 0.0 0.00 .32 J Rumex triangularvalvis Thlaspi arvente 2.5 .97 0.0 0.00 .01 0.0 0.00 .4 .19 .04 Capsella bursa-pastoris 0.0 0.00 5.5 3.67 .14 Trifolium spp.
0.00 .32 J Ambrosia trifida 1.5 1.50 0.0 (m) = monitoring species 2013 J/3 .
69 Table 3. Cover values (percent) for plant species in the Goosequill exclosure compared to outside, June 1979.
In (n = 25) Out (n = 25)
Category x x s- P
- sX X Agropyron desertorum 0.0 0.00 .1 .10 .32 Acropyron smithii (m) 2.0 .82 .7 .60 .21 Acropyron trachycaulum 1.6 1.50 2.5 2.50 .76 Ambrosia coronopofolia (m) .1 .10 .2 .14 .56 Bromu; inermis 5.2 2.51 5.4 2.90 .96 Bromus tectorum 56.0 6.48 37.3 7.23 .06 Descurainia spp. 4.4 2.16 .1 .10 .05 Asparagus officinale 0.0 0.00 .1 .10 .32 ,
Cardaria draba .6 .60 0.0 0.00 .32 Chenopodium album 0.0 0.00 .1 .10 .32 Lepidium perfoliatum .1 .10 0.0 0.00 .32 Panicum virgatum .1 .10 0.0 0.00 .32 Portulaca oleracea 0.0 0.00 .7 .60 .25 Poa pratensis (m) .6 .60 0.0 0.00 .32 Rosa nutkana 1.2 .83 0.0 0.00 .16 Salsola kali .2 .14 4.3 1.76 .02 Sporobolus cryptandrus (m) 0.0 0.00 6.2 2.23 .01 Xanthium italicum 0.0 0.00 1.2 .83 .16 Thlaspi arvense 2.5 2.50 0.0 0.00 .32 Phyla cuneifolia 0.0 0.00 3.3 1.74 .06 Euphorbia eusula 2.1 1.59 0.0 0.00 .19 Aster ericoides .6 .60 .6 .60 1.00 Sisymbrium a_1tissimum .2 .14 .6 .60 .52 Leoidium viroinicum 1.7 1.50 0.0 0.00* .26 Asclepias spp. 0.0 0.00 .6 .60 .32 Tradescantia occidentalis 0.0 0.00 .2 .14 .16 Ipomoea leptophylla 0.0 0.00 .7 .60 .25 Conyea canadensis 0.0 0.00 .1 .10 .32 Cleoma serrulata 0.0 0.00 .1 .10 .32 Euphorbia spp. 0.0 0.00 .2 .14 .16 (m) = monitoring species 3 ))k
. . - _ - . = -- -- . . . .
70 0
. Table 4. Cover values (percent) for plant species in the north of plant exclosure compared to outside, June 1979.
In-(n = 25) Out (n = 25)
Category x s- x P X sX O.
Agropyron desertorum 9.1 2.79 9.7 3.24 .89 Bromus tectorum 31 . 0 5.55 31.2 5.32 .98 .
Descurainia spo. 1.0 .25 .9 .61 .88 Lactuca scariola .1 .10 0.0 0.00 .32 Medicago sativa 0.0 0.00 1.5 1.50 .32 Muhlenberoia asperifolia .6 .60 0.0 0.00 .32 Oenethera albus .4 .19 .8 .61 .53 Sporobolus cryptandrus (m) 3.8 1.71 9.1 2.50 .09 Lomatium spp. .1 .10 0.0 0.00 .32 Plantaoo soinulosa .7 .60 .8 .61 .91 Aster ,ericoides 4.2 2.56 0.0 0.00 .11 Sisymbrium altissimum 0.0 0.00 .8 .61 .19 Erigeron spp. 0.0 0.00 .1 .
. 10 .32 (m) = monitoring species Table 5. Cover values (percent) for plant species in the exclosure south of Ben Houston's compared to outside, June 1979.
Agrooyron elongatum 65.4 5.37 17 4 5.08 .00 Carex praegracilis .1 .10 5.2 2. 91 .09 -
Chencoudium album .1 .10 .1 .22 .04 Distichlis stricta (m) 16.3 4.66 35. ~ ' 5.84 .01 -
Lapoula redowski 0.0 0.00 1.5 1.50 .32 Koc.1ia scoparia .1 .10 5.4 2.90 .07 Taraxacum officina te 0.0 0.00 .1 .10 .32 Hordeum jubatum 0.0 0.00 5.5 3.67 .14 Glyceria straita 0.0 0.00 6.9 ~2.56 .01 (m) = monitoring species 20]3 175
)
71 Table 6. Cover values (percent) for plant species in the South Platte River exclosure compared to outside, June 1979.
In (n = 25) Out (n = 25)
Category x x P 3 sX sX Agropyron smithii 1.9 .99 2.6 1.11 .64 Agropyron trachycaulum 3.8 2.58 2.5 __1.58 _ .67 Ambrosia coronopofolia (m) .3 .17 1.3 .83 .24 Bromus tectorum 19.2 5.52 33.5 5.79 .08 Asparagus officinale 0.0 0.00 .1 .10 .32 Cardaria draba 12.3 4.88 10.6 2.88 .77 Smilacina stellata 1.7 1.50 .6 .60 .50 Lactuca scariola .1 .10 0.0 0.00 .32 Melilotus officinale 0.0 0.00 .1 .'10 .32 Poa pratensis (m) .6 .60 0.0 0.00 .32 Rhus radicans (m) 37.2' 7.15 18.9 5.86 .05 Ribes aureum .6 .60 0.0 0.00 .32 Spartina pectinata .1 .10 .6 .60 .42 Symphoricarpos occidentalis (m) 38.6 7.48 25.5 7.10 .21 Taraxacum officinale .1 .10 1.6 1.50 .32 Tragopogon dubius .1 .10 .6 .60 .42 Rumex triangularvalvis .6 .50 0.0 0.00 .32 .
Trifolium spp. .6 .60 .1 .10 .42 Euphorbia esula .6 .60 .6 .60 1.00 Aster ericoides 0.0 0.00 3.4 2.54 .19 (m) = monitoring species
. . .- _ . =
72 -s Table 7. Cover values (percent) for plant species in the Saint Vrain River loop with stratified sampling, August 1979.
In (n = 25) Out (n = 25)
Category x x s- P sX X O
Agropyron smithii 0.0 0.00 4.4 1.76 .02 Ambrosia coronopofolia (m) 0.0 0.00 .7 .23 .00 Bromus japonicus .6 , .60 .7 .60 .91 Bromus tectorum .6 .60 20.1 5.88 .00 ,
Descurainia spp. 0.0 0.00 .7 .60 .25 Cardaria draba 0.0 0.00 15.6 4.72 .00 Juncus balticus 0.0 0.00 4.1 3.42 .24 Carex praegracilis 0.0 0.00 13.0 5.67 .03 ,
Chenopodium album 0.0 0.00 1.5 1.50 .32 Cirsium spp. 52.0 5.56 5.8 2.93 .00 Conium maculatum 7.4 4.71 0.0 0.00 .12 Distichlis stricta (m) 0.0 0.00 .8 .61 .19 Equisetum kansasum 0.0 0.00 1.5 .83 .08 Lactuca scariola 0.0 0.00 .1 .10 .32 Lepidium latifolium 39.7 4.91 .2 .14 .00 Poa pratensis 0.0 0.00 2.0 .99 .05 Glyccyorhiza spp. .6 .60 .6 .60 1.00 Sporobolus cryptandrus (m) 0.0 0.00 .7 .60 .25 Spartina pectinata .6 .60 .6 .60 1.00 Symphoricarpos occidentalis 5.4 4.12 0.0 0.00 .20 Taraxacum officinale 0.0 0.00 .1 .10 .32 .
Rumex triangularvalvis 0.0 0.00 .6 .60 .32 Asclepias spectosa 1.2 .83 0.0 0.00 .16 .
Phyla cuneifolia 0.0 0.00 .6 .60 .32 Opuntia polyacantha 0.0 0.00 .1 .10 .32 Convolvulvus spp. .1 .10 1.2 .83 .19 Aster ericoides 0.0 0.00 .7 .60 .25 Sophora sericea 1.5 1.50 0.0 0.00 .32 (m) = monitoring species 2013 177
- . - . -.. - . . . _ . . _ . - - ..-- - .. . . - _ . - - - .~..
73 2
EC0 PHYSIOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS by M. J. Trlica R. S. Carmichael Dot Helm s
2013 W8
74 INTRODUCTION Terrestrial vegetation surrounding the St. Vrain Nuclear Generating
) Station may be directly or indirectly affected by the plant's operation.
Operation of the Generating Station will probably result in releases of small amounts of radionuclides. Heat, water vapor and salts'~ wilt ~ ~ ~~
also be lost to the atmosphere as a result of cooling tower operation.
In addition, water effluents will be released from the station which could affect vegetation along the water courses, or this water could be used for irrigation.
It is, therefore, desirable to have an inventory of the ecophysio-
~
logy of the vegetation which might be affected by increased heat, water vapor, and salt deposition as a result of cooling tower operations. Since all animal life is dependent either directly or indirectly upon vegeta-tion as a source of food, decreased productivity or palatability of vegetation may be detrimental to animal populations. In addition, opera-tion of the coo]ing towers may result in increased humidities and temper-ature changes in the imediate surrcunding environment. Since the St.
Vrain Nuclear Generating Statien is in the Denver Air Pollution Corridor, increased humidity could interact with vegetation, resulting in increased leaf injury caused by the pollutants. Numerous studies have indicated that a significantly-detrimental interaction exists between air pollutants and humidity which can cause severe damage to photosynthetically-active tissues.
2013 179
. _ . . _ _ _ _ _ ~ . _ . . _ _ _ _._ _ . ._. - __-.
^
75 OBJECTIVES .
The objectives of this study were:
- 1. To determine leaf damage by pollutants, disease, and insects g for certain species surrounding the nuclear generating station.
- 2. To detennine concentrations of important elements in foliage -
of several species as related to distance and direction from -
the nuclear generating station.
METHODS Leaves of cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum), kochia (Kochia scoparia),
and cottonwood (Populus sargentii) were cellected from a maximum of 32 locations on four radii at distances of 1/8, 1/ 4, 1/2 and one mile from the power plant during rapid spring growth from 1972 tnrough 1978 (Figure 1). Sampling of kochia and cottonwood at these same locations was again repeated when vegetation was mature in August,1972 through 1978. Estimates were made for each leaf sampled for total leaf area, leaf area injured by chewing insects, and leaf area spotted caused by air pollutants, disease, nutrition and sucking insects.
Chemical analyses were conducted on foliage samples of cottonwood, kochia, and pinto beans (Phaseolus vulgaris). Analyses indicated concen-trations of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), .
magnesium (Mg), zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), manganese (fin), copper (Cu), sulfate (SO4 -S), mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and boron (B) in foliage ti s sues . However, all of the above determinations were not made each 20j3 380
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Figure 1. Fort St. Vrain study area showing locations of collection sites.
2013 GBI
77 O year for each of the species. These analyses indicated whether concen-trations of various nutritive and toxic elements were influenced by either distance or direction from the nuclear generating station. These chemical analyses were done by the Front Range Environmental' Lab.
Methods and procedures for these analyses were given by Jim Rogers.in ,
an earlier report on soils of the St. Vrain study site. ,
A literature search indicated that pinto bean plants were sensitive to air pollu.tants. As pinto beans are an important crop produced in the area around the St. Vrain Nuclear Generating Station, they were utilized in 1973,1974,1976,1977 and 1978 as a controlled experiment to detemine effects of air pollution and drift at varying distances and directions from the cooling towers.
Pinto beans were planted in polyethylene-lined #10 cans in a green-house. All plants received similar treatment in the greenhouse until mid-July, when plants and containers were transported to the St. Vrain s tudy si te. Sixty-four containers with bean plants (four containers /
location) were placed at two distances and eight directions from the cooling towers (Figure 1). Distances from the towers were 50 feet and 1/4 mile. The bean plants all received similar amounts of supplemental .
fertilizer and water. They were allowed to grow for approximately six weeks during each year at the study area. At tnat time, leaves frcm each plant in each container were sampled to datermine leaf iniury. The remaining foliage was harvested, dried, and analyzed for several elemental concentrations.
h\
78 Wet bulb and dry bulb temperatures at each location for pinto beans were measured in 1976,1977 and 1978 each time bean plants were watered.
Data were collected using a portable psychrometer. Utilizing these data, relative humidity and dew point temperature were calculated to aid in .
detennining the sphere of influence arout;d the cooling towers. ll Analyses of data for vegetation samples collected from the 1972-through-1978 growing seasons continued through the winter. Statistical analyses of data for leaf injury of vegetation has been completed and was discussed in the January,1978 Progress Report. Therefore, only results of chemical analyses of foliage samples will be discussed here.
Analyses of variance were utilized for all data analyses. When significant (p < 0.01) F-values were found, Tukey's test was utilized to separate significant (p < 0.05) mean differences.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION KocMa scovana Analyses of data for elemental concentrations in foliage samples of kochia collected in August, 1978, indicated that mercury (Hg), lead (Pb),
and bacon (B) all varied significantly with distance from the St. Vrain
~
cooling towers. Mercury and lead concentrations near (1/8 mile) the towers averaged 0.19 and 1.44 ug/g, respectively, whereas at greater distances they averaged 0.09 and 0.79 ug/g. This may represent only natural variation, however Hg concentrations in kochia were significently higher in 1976, 1977, and 1978 than they were in 1973 and 1975; but lead concentrations were highest in 1973. Therefore, mercury and cadmium (high in 1978) concentrations '
)
e 1
2M3 083 /
79 'l in future sample collections will be closely monitored. Baron was sig-nificantly higher at greater distances from the towers and showed no relation to drift.
Concentrations of sulfata (50 -S)- T.<ra ry (Hg), cadmium (Cd) and 4
baron (B) 'in samples.'of kochh have significantly increased during at .
least one of the last two years. T.herefore, it would appear that mercury -
and cadmium are tr.e toxic elements of greatest concern at the present time.
Poculus saraent f Nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium
- (Mg), manganese (l4n), and copper (Cu) in foliage samples of cottonwood have all varied sig;ificantly with time from 1974 through 1978. Some of these elements have varied signlficantly with either distance or direction
- f. om the generating station, but no trend is apparent in the data. It would, therefore, appear that these differences represent natural varia-tions or dif ferences in agriculture practicas and are not related to the station qperations.
Concentrations of Ca, ano, Mg were higher in cottonwood foliage in 1978 than in the previous two years. Nitrogen, P, K, and Mn were all lower .
in 1978 than in the previous two years. This again may only represent natural variation or site differences Snd ha're little to do with the W .-
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~St. Vrain'Meclear Generating Station.
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80 Ph:aeolus out aris No differences were founti for most elemental concentratio foliage samples of pinto beans as related to direction from the cooling towers.
However, significant differences in N ar.d Fe were found as related Iron (Fe) was the only constituent that f
- to distance from the towers. d E
was higher in plants that were grown 60 feet frem the towers as compare It is possible with plants grown at 1/4 mile from the towers (Table 1).
that drift from the towers caused an increase in Fe concentratio Several other elements were also slightly more concentrated in foliage However, the heavy metals (Hg of pinto beans grown near the towers.
and Cd) were not concentrated in foliage of plants grown near the towers (Table 1).
All of the elements showed significant yearly variations in concen-Most of these dif-trations in pinto bean foliage between 1973 and 1978.
ferences probably are the result of differencas in growing conditions, Mercury but are confounded with cooling tower drift effects among years.
and cadmium were the only heavy metals that have shown a significant in Lead concentrations had shown a crease in one of the last two years.
decreasing trend from 1973 through 1977, but were again higher in 1978 Comparisons Among Soecies Throuch Years Elemental concentrations in foliage of kochia, cottonwood and pinto beans (controlled experiment) were compared for samples collected befo and after power generation was initiated power generation (1973-1976) 2013 085
lalale 1. Correntrattori of various ele nents ira aboveground bissuass of gatrito bean plants (! Anna.s.Fe.a seie7 paria) collected in August,1977, at two siistarues an.1 eight silrections frue the (oolieus towers of the St.
Vrain Nuclear Generating Statiosi.
Distance Utrection frua frun il P K Ca Ng 7n fe Mn Cu 50 4-5 lig Pb Cd 8 C' ' (pg/g) (pg/g) (pg/g) (pg/g) t (1) (Z) (Z) (%) (2) (1) (wg/g) (pg/g) (pg/g) (pg/g)
I 635.8a 14.04 50 feet 2.66b 0.30a 2.38a 3.88a 1.09a 125.9a 9.6a 2.814 0.00a 1.33a 0.38a 64.34 I/4 mile 3.45a 0.30a 2.29a 4.484 0.67a 114.4a 541.Bb 56.0a 11.54 0.34a 0.134 0.824 1.01a 66.0a I 0.57a 45.9a N 2.57a 0.324 2.69a 4.204 1.18a 135.6a 667.6bc 17.04 9.la 2.694 0.15a 1.15a NE 3.53a 0.29a 2.29a 5.57a 0.77a 1%.2a 466.5de 55.5a 12.44 0. 33a 0.06a 0.45a 1.48a 59.Fa E 3.01a 0.31a 2.6?4 3.62a 0.924 132.94 648.3d 60.0a 9.54 l.70a 0.08a 1.05a 0.34a 59.2a SL 3.60a 0.28a 2.54a 4.7la 0.664 112.9a 420.7e 54.0a 10.4a 0.35a 0.08a 1.144 0.95a 49.8a 3 S 3.13a 0.28a 2.26a 3.11a 0.75a 126.5a 732. Cab 72.0a ll.4a 1.24a 0.15a 1.06a 0.81a 71.8a SW 2.54a 0.294 2.304 3.48a 1.Ila 142.0a 812.6a 93.0a ll.7a 2.80a 0.Ola 2.00a 0.24a 82.6a W 3.394 0.34a 2.38a 5.054 0.18a 141.4a 645.4bc 63.0a 13.7a 0.35a 0.18a 0.37a 1.21a 92.3a NW 2.654 ---- 1.414 4.12a 0.97a 65.04 313.4f 42.0a 6.6a 3.47a 0.094 0.83a 0.48a 59.34 1
Nuu6ers in a colunut followed l>y a similar letter are not significantly dif ferent at the 0.05 level of protability.
2 An outlier of 0.071 has licen eliminated liere.
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82 (1977-1978) to determine if station operations might have any significant effect. Similar trends in elemental concentration through time were noted for the three species (Table 2). Nitrogen (N), potassium (K), man-ganese (Mn), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), and boron (B) all tended to be iU..
greater before station operation than after the station began operations. !M -
The reverse trend, however, was noted for phosphorus (P), magnesium (Mg),
sulfate (50 4-5) and mercury (Hg). It is possible that these last four elements are higher in blowdown water in the cooling towers and are being deposited on nearby vegetation. Analysis of blowdown water planned for 1979 should give us an indication if this hypothesis is correct.
Since trends in elemental concentrations among the three species over the years were quite similar, this may indicate only gross differ-ences in yearly climatic conditions affecting plant growth or differences in agricultural treatments in the surrounding area. Both naturally occurring species (kochia and cottonwcod) as well as pinto beans in potted containers responded in a similar manner. For these reasons, it is suspected tnat the differences were largely caused by influences other than the generating station's operation, such as the agricultural use of herbicides and insecticides or the influence of air pollutants drifting to the area from Denver. Additional data to be collected in 1979 should aid in confirming the causes for the differences in elemental concentrations in vegetation surrounding the nuclear generating station.
3 2013 % 7
lable 2.
Comeritrallinis of varinus eltsnents in foliage tissue of kochia (K,= leia superia). cottornsood (lywelms caev.mtli), and pinto 1.ean (l'han.mlens swigeria) before (1913-1916) ami af ter (19171978) beginning of operation of the St. Vrain Nuclear Generating Station.
.T ' _T ~_T.^.' ~.~~r: ' ~r-- ~~~~ ~ ~ T : _. _ . ; - - - :_--- -- - ~ --- -
N P K Ca Mg in
_ _ --~~ ~ -- -- z - -
fe Es Cu 504 -5 lig I'b Cd B (2) (1) (1) (2) (2) (,g/g) (pg/g) (,g/ (pg/g)
. _ _ _ . _ . - - .__._____...___.._.______.___..g) . .___
(g) (pg/g) (,g/g) (,gfg) (,q/g) liefore I 3.56a After 3.lla
- 0. 3% 0.053b 0.8944 0.325a 73.0b 0.504 0.104a 0.4104 0.436a 85.la '
]I yntun caes,qgn_tii Defore 2.31a' O.21b I.50a I.92a 0.41b 89.9a 85.the 40.94 9.45a 0.49b After 112.04 1.81b 0.34a 1.2th 2.094 0.52a 94.6a 11.0a 18.5b 6.8lb 0.14a 100.0b I
liswcolus smig_srin m .
Before 3.384 u l
- 0. 3% 2.944 2.02a 0.534 50.0b 525.04 56.04 II.32a 0. 3% 0.06lb 1.29?a 0.405a 64.6a After 2.99h 0.60a 2.45h 2.63a 0.584 83.0a 426.04 23.8b 9.10h 0.984 0.II0a 0.582b 0.383a 35.lb i i
Numbers in a coltuun followed by a similar letter are not significantly dif ferent at the 0.05 level of protability. --
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84 C0flCLUSIONS It appears that operation of the St. Vrain Nuclear Generating Station has had little influence on elemental concentrations of naturally occurring plant species in the vicinity of the station. Natural variations and
. agriculture practices are probably responsible for the significant.dif-ferences in concentrations observed. However, cooling tower drift may be responsible for increased concentrations of phosphorus, magnesium, and sulfate in foliage samples of pinto beans grown near the cooling towers in the controlled experiment and in two naturally occurring species. It is likely that the drift is limited to a fairly small radius around the towers, but the sphere of influence is not yet known.
Mercury concentrations in both kochia and pinto beans have increased from 1973 to 1978. The reason for these increases is not known, but warrants attention.
2013 189
85 MAMMALS, AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES by Bruce A. Wunder Douglas C. Ure 2015 090 3
86 INTRODUCTION AND METH005 The methods and procedures involved in monitoring amphibians, reptiles and mamalian populations during this phase of the project
- are those described in previous progress reports (see Progress Reports May 1 - December 31, 1973 and January 1 - June 30,1974). .
f Small mamal sampling sites were the ume as in past years and are indicated in Figure 1.
This report is concerned primarily with data gathered during
~
the first six months of 1979. Tissue heavy metal analyses were not conducted during the first six months of 1979. Presumably, these analyses will be conducted again when the Saint Vrain Nuclear Generating Station has begun full operation. At that point, compar-isons can then be made of heavy metal concentrations on amphibian and small mammal tissues acquired prior to and following full operation of the Nuclear Generating Station.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
. Mammals: species present The species of mammals noted on Public Service property since 1972 are listed in the yearly progress report for 1976. All species noted were present during the first six months of 1979 as indicated by direct observation, trapping or sign with the exception of species listed in Table 1. All of those species have been noted only as rare occurrences on our specific study plots, except for the thirteen-lined ground squirrel (Spemophilus tr{decemlir. cams) 2013 191
7 87 Thirteen-lined ground ,
and the pocket gopher (Gemys curscrius).
squirrels have previously been noted on Grid 1 and Transects 2 and
- 8. They may be present on more open areas of the Public Serrice Company property not in the vicinity of our census grids and 3 However, they have not been noted during diurnal surveys. .
transects.
Pocket gopher (Csomys or Thmomys sp.) burrows were observed on .
It is likely that they O Grid 3 during the late fall 1978 census.
were overlooked rather than absent during the first six months of 1979.
Black-tailed jackrabbits /Lepus californicus) have been seen only in open fields on the southwest portion of the property, far More frequent visitation removed from our established census areas.
of these areas would probably yield observations of ground squirrels 3
and more ha;es.
The smaller, noctural, rare species have never been caught in Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus) large numbers and may still be present.
are associated with human habitations and are not likely to frequent Often, carnivores such as badgers (Taxidea ecaus) our census sites.
and weasels (AlusteZc frenata) are seldom abundant and therefore, White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) are secretive seldom seen.
We have no reason to and we have only incidental records of them.
believe that any of these species have disappeared or become locally extinct due to operation of the Nuclear Generating Station. '
Cottontail rabbit (SylviZagus sp.) numbers were high during spring 1979, with most activity centered on wooded and grassy flood-The eastern plains fof the Saint Vrain and South Platte Rivers.
cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus) was positively identified from 2013 092
~ !,.
88 a skull and rabbits were noted that fit descriptions of the desert cottontail (Sylvilagus c:uiubcns). Both species could be present on Public Service Company property, but positive identification of the latter will be possible only if specimens are taken. White-tailed jackrabbits (Lepus econsendii) were observed in June in newly planted ,
fields northeast and southeast of the Nuclear Generating Station.
i Fox squirrels (Sciurus niger) were frequently seen on the wooded floodplain of the South Platte River. Fresh beaver (Castor ecncdensis) cuttings were seen along the outflow from Goosequill Pond, along the Saint Vrain River from Grid 3 up to the confluence of the Saint Vrain and South Platte Rivers, and west of Transect 2 in February and March. During this period, one beaver was seen in Goosequill Pond. Goosequill Pond was partially drained in late spring in an attempt to control muskrat (ondacre cibethicus) populations. During this time, outflow from Goosequill Pond into the beaver dams ceased and water levels behind the dam dropped. No fresh beaver cuttings were seen during May. Low water levels may have forced beaver to leave the pond area. The ultimate affect of the draining on muskrat populations remains to be seen. Muskrats were abundant on other parts of Public Service Company property. Muskrats were seen along the South Platte River from Transect 3 up to the confluence of the
- Saint Vrain and South Platte Rivers, in the swamp bordering Transect 2, and along the Saint Vrain River west of Transect 2. Frairie dog (Cyncmys Iudovicianus) numbers are increasing again following the June 1978 poisoning campaign. Twenty-two prairie dogs were active in the colony west of the dairy farm in mid-May. Several burrows 2013'093
^)
89 have been established on a rise southeast of the main colony and P In addition, contained at least seven animals in late June 1979.
a small second colony was discovered in the southwest quadrant of the Public Service Company property, west of Transect 2. )
Raccoon (Procyon totor) tracks were frequently seen along the banks of the Saint Vrain and South Platte Rivers and between Transec .
Late in the spring, tracks of both adults and )
and west of the river.
Raccoon feces containing primarily green matter juveniles were seen.
and crayfish remains were found along Transect 7 and west of Transect 2.
3 A striped skunk (Nephicus mephicus) was seen in the fields near Transect 5 and seven dead skunk kits were found outside a den near Transect 7. Also, a road-killed skunk was found south of the nuclear 3
Skunk tracks were seen north of Goosequill Pond generating station.
and on Transect 2. Coyote (Canis Iatrans) scats were found on the Foxes (vulpes vutpes) west side of Public Service Company property.
were identi#ied only by tracks which were present in the southwest The tracks of domestic dogs (Canis quadrant of the property.
fanitiaris) were seen along the west and north sides of Public Service Company land. Domestic cats (? etic domesticus) were present near human habitations and one cat was observed along the shore of .
Goosequill Pond. Mule deer (Odocosteus hemionus) were not seen during winter months, but appeared along the South Platte River and near Transect 2 in spring. Fifteen deer were observed near Goosequill Pond and five others near Grid 2 on the east side of the river.
Cdocos! sus sp. tracks were found on the South Platte and Saint Vrain floodplains.
}')h Q b
90 Mammals: copulation parameters In 1979, the late spring census was conducted from 27 May through 1 June. The census consisted of 2300 trap-nights. One hundred-thirty-four unusualindividuals were captured, two of which had been marked in the previous late fall census; a harvest mouse (Reithrodon-tomys megalotis) on Grid 3 and the same species on Transect 5. The ;
most abundant species captured were deer mice (Peromyscus manicuZatus),
house mice (ms musculus), western harvest mice (Reichrodontcmys megalotis), and prairie voles (Iderotus ochrogaster). Total numbers of individuals captured of the four most abundant species capture..
during the late spring, early autumn, and late autumn censuses from June 1972 through June 1979 are presented in Figure 2.
The number of deer mice captured in the late spring 1979 census is substantially lower than that of late spring 1978, comparing more closely with the low value of late spring.1977. Although we cannot be certain of the cause of the low numbers of deer mice this spring, it could relate to w 'ter harshness. Precipitation levels were very low during winter 1977 and population levels the following spring were also at a low. Similarly, the duration of subfreezing temperatures was long in winter 1979 and was followed by a late spring. Again, deer mouse population levels .are down. This decline in population
~
levels may be a result of high energy demands on the the animals and low energy availability due to a late comencement of plant growth.
Reproductive activity (pregnant and/or lactating) among adult and subudult female deer mice captured on trapping areas unaffected by agricultural practices (Grid 3, Transects 2, 3 and 5) during the
7 91 i
late spring census was lower than in the previous three years, This s' light reduction in although not greatly so (Figure 3).
reproductive activity, like the reduced population levels, may be O
a result of the relatively late initiation of spring plant growth and potentially low winter population levels due to high mortality during the cold winter. The reduction in the number of deer mice '
_)
captured in spring 1979 in spite of relatively constant breeding levels in the populations indicates that mortality could have been quite high during winter 1978-1979.
)
The prai*ie vole population has remained at a relatively stable low level as that observed in 1975-1978 (Fioure 2). Western h mouse populations have declined noticeably since spring 1978.
y Contrary to predictions, the number of harvest mice captured during the 1978 late autumn census did not reach a new high, but declined through the simmer and while more mice were captured then prior to 1976, population levels were lower than in fall 1976 and substantially Bui1 ding up from these low fall levels, lower than in fall 1977.
spring 1979 harvest mouse captures were slightly lower than late Two harvest mice marked the previous fall were recaptured fall 1978.
"erhaps weather extremes and energy during the recent spring census. '
availability and demand relation'.af ps did not affect the small House mouse ,
harvest mice as drastically as the larger deer mice.
captures, which had increased in late fall 1977 and spring 1978, They have increased only decreased dramatically by fall 1978.
slightly since then and were within the late spring 1972-late spring 1977 capture range once again during the late spring 1979 2013 196'
92 trapping session. As in 1978, most of the house mice captured were on Grid 1. Alfalfa cover was high (up to 0.9 m) and lush during the census period providing abundant food and cover. House mouse captures were also high on Transect 7. This site ,was greatly disturbed prior to the trapping sesa-on. The west side of Goosequill Ditch had been burned and cover was sparse and generally less than 0.2 m high. The east side had been built up and graded and provided even less cover. Seven house mice were collected here during late spring 1979 sampling, but prairie voles, western harvest mice, and meadow voles (Microcus pennsylocaicus) which were present-thrcughout 1978 were notably absent following the drastic habitat alternation on Transect 7.
Population levels of deer mice, harvest mice, house mice and prairie voles on our census plots are sufficiently nigh to serve as indicators of possible environmental change produced by the operation of the Saint Vrain Nuclear Generating Station. In the past years, the populations of these four species have risen and fallen in complimentary fashion. If the populations of all four species drop in concert after the Generating Station reaches full operation, then there may be a causa-effect relationship which should be investigated.
No meadow jumping mice (Zapus hudsonius) and only one meadow Meadow vole were captured during the 1979 late spring census.
jumping mice were captured on Transect 7 prior to 1978 and meadow voles were captured in the same area pr ar to spring 1979. They are either both suffering a periodic population low or their numbers 2013 097
')
93 are being adversely affected by agricultural practices, specifically .
chemical spraying and burning being done on irrigation ditches.
Amphibians and Reotiles: species present ')
Table 2 lists the species of amphibians and reptiles which -
have been observed since 1972 on the Public Service Company's property Two trips .
surrounding the Saint Vrain Nuclear Generating Station.
0, in Spring 1979 were made to the Station property to inventory Woodhouse's toads (Bufo woocloussi),
amphibian and reptile presence.
cho us frogs (Pseudcaris triserictc) and plains spadefoot toads )
(Scaphiopus bombifrons) were actively calling in large numbers and In addition, a few great plains breeding during our censuses.
toads (Sufo cognatus) and leopard frogs (Rara pipiens) were calling ?
and breeding. Bullfrog's (Rera ectesbicra) were also observed but The absence of calling great plains toads and were not breeding.
spadefoot toads in 1977 and 1978 should not be interpreted to mean Calling by these amphibians is temper-that they were not present.
Breeding ature dependent, and they could have easily been missed.
populations were high in nost marshy areas, but totally absent from Goosequill Pond. In previous years, calling frogs and toads were abundant there, bu', the draining of the pond for muskrat control left most shore plants far removed from surface water and .
This could prevented amphibians from breeding there this spring.
have the greatest effect on breeders in permanent water, but probably lesser effect on spadefoot toads which were breeding in a temporary pool west of Transect 7 as evidenced by the presence of numerous tadpoles of that species near the end of June.
2013 198
94 In addition to amphibians, three species of reptile were two observed during the late spring 1979 small mammal census:
bull snakes (Pituophis metanoleucus), two racers (Coluber constrictor),
and two garter snakes (Thamnophis sp.)
OVERALL CONCLUSIONS i With the exceptions noted above, the same species of mammals, ampeibians and reptiles noted during the inventory phase of this project are still present. Therefore, no drastic effects of the Saint vrain Nuclear Generating Station have been observed to date.
To this point, climatological and most importantly agricultural factors have probably played significant parts in influencing populati.on sizes of species, perhaps exaggerating the natural fluctuations in the sizes of the small mammal populations that are almost certainly occurring. Deer mice (Perorrgscus mcniculatus),
house mice (:eas musculus), harvest mice (Fei:hrodontonga megctotis),
and prairie voles (Microtus ochrogester) have provided adequate baseline population data. Prairie voies will provide adequate heavy metals baseline data on the effects of airborne heavy metal contaminants and Woodhouse's toad (Sufo uoodhoussi) should serve a similar function for possible aquatic concentration effects.
2013 099
^3 95 n
Mammal species previously noted on the Saint Vrain Nuclear Table 1. Generating Station that were not censused or observed in the first six months of 1979. 3 Scientific Name Comon Name -
Sors = sp.
- 1. Shrew repus californicus
- 2. Black-tailed jackrabbit Spermophitus tridecentineatus
- 3. Thirteen-lined ground squirrel Spermphilus spitoscma
- 4. Spotted ground squirrel Spermophitus vc:riegatus
- 5. Rock squirrel Geomys bursarius
- 6. Pocket gopher Onychomys leucogaster .)
- 7. Northern grasshopper mouse Rattus norvegicus
- 8. Norway rat Zarus hudsmicus
- 9. Meadow jumping mouse hatela frenata
- 10. Long-tailed weasel odociateus virginianus
- 11. White-tailed deer Taxidea cc :a
- 12. Badger 2013 100
96 Table 2. Amphibians and reptiles present in the vicinity of the Saint Vrain Nuclear Generating Station.
r l *
- l Presence Scientific Name 9.
- Comon Name l-
- 1. V-C Scaphiopus bombifrons
- 1. Spadefoot toad
- 2. C sufo cognatus
- 2. Great Plains toad
- 3. C Woodhouse's toad Bufo r_codhouses 3.
- 4. C Western chorus frog Pseudacris triseriata 4.
S. C Bullfrog Rana caceabiana 5.
- 6. V-C Rana pipiens
- 6. Leopard frog
- 7. V A:bystoma tigrinum
- 7. Tiger salamander
- 8. D Chelydra serpentina
- 8. Snapping turtle
- 9. V-D Chrysemys picca
- 9. Painted turtle Triony spiniferas 10. V
- 10. Spiny soft-shelled turtle
- 11. V-C Racer Coluber constrictor 11.
- 12. C
- 12. Comon garter snake Thamnophis sirtalis
- 13. C Platns garter snake Thamnophis radi:
13.
- 14. C-D
. Picaophis melanoleucas
- 14. Bull snake
- 15. V Crocclus viridis
- 15. Western rattlesnake I = captured C
D = found dead V = visual observation 2013 101
']
97 3 .
3 3
Figure 1. Small mamal sampling areas, grids and North American Census of Small Mammal Lines of Transects (NACSM) on 1 the Saint Vrain Nuclear Generating Station property.
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2013 102 ,
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9 Total number of small mammal individuals captured at Figure 2.
late y the Saint Vrain Nuclear Generating Station:
spring 1972-late spring 1979.
2013.104 O
)
100
-+ Deer Mice
- - Western Harvest Mice
- ---* Prairie Voles -
- "' House Mice '. .
.n_
'o 280- 2 2
a "o_ 22 0 a A o .
m 200 1 jt./:
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72 73 74- 75 76 77 78 79 2013 105
O 101 .
0 7
)
Figure 3. Percentages of adult and subadult female deer mouse
)
individuals captured on trapping areas unaffected by agricultural practices (Grid 3, Transects 2, 3 and 5) during the late spring census (1972-1978) that were reproductively active (pregnant or
- lactating).
2015 106
Total individual j
- females captured t 50-
_._ Number of reproductively -
l ctive females 40 _
captured m
G -
g E 30 e
- 50% _
t 20 -
57% 30s e - __
.o Eo 3
sg
- 33%
3gg m
24 %
7 4% . ss-g m 73 74 '75 76 77 78 79 C 72 2;
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s
103 i
t TERRESTRIAL INVERTEBRATES ~ ' ~
by J. Wayne Brewer J. Bodenham 2013 108
104 Introduction Terrestrial invertebrates have been collected from three sites near the Fort St. Vrain Nuclear Generating Station since April 1972.
The samples were used to establish (1) an inventory of the area and (2) baseline population estimates of groups selected for' the monitoring
~
~
phase of the study. Previous reports indicate that minor increas5s in radiation probably do not adversely affect terrestrial invertebrates (5Kaif e 19ed, cddm:ii anu & % 'n77, Noordink 1970 and Bushland 1971), but that te.mperature changes could cause important alterations in species and populations (Wurtz 1969). Therefore, terrestrial inverte-brate species and study areas were selected (Figure 1) that would be most greatly affected by the possible increases in environmental temperature.
Procedures All general procedures used have been previously reported (Brewer 1973). A minor procedural change was instituted in January,1979, when it was decided that the black light trap collections should be discontinued during the winter months of December, January, February and This report March. This procedure will be continued in future years.
- summarizes data collected from January 1 until June 30, 1979, and provides a comparison with data collected during the same periods of previous years.
Results and Discussion Inventory: The species inventory was reported by Brewer (1973) and additional species were appended to the list later (Brewer 1978). Analysis 2013 109
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Figure 1. Fort St. Vrain Nuclear Generating Station and environs, showing invertebrate collection sites.
2013 110 i !
106 -
of collection.: subsequent to 1978 have not revealed species new to the area.
Fonnicidae: The number of Formicidae collected during the period covered by this report, along with the range of numbers col 1Lected frain .
9 1976-1979, is presented in Table 1. Species identifications will be pre- t
. sented later.
I No members of this group were collected during January or February.
Thereafter numbers generally increased gradually at all three sample sites.
This pattern is typical of invertebrates since they are generally less active during periods of low temperature.
Most of the individuals, over 90 percent through May counc, were
' ~
collected from the area around pitfall row 2, where the formicids h.tve been abundant in prev.ious years. Normally the June numbers for row 2 would be as high or higher than those for May, but heavy rains and flooding of the South Platte River coincided with the June collecting period, ant' washed out the trap line. This has happened occasionally in past springs. Thus, the total for all rows in June is substantially lower than would ha expected.
The number of individuals collected in rows 3 and 4 during this semi-annual period was somewhat low as compared to previous years, although total popula-tion levels fall within the range of earlier collections. ,
Collembola: The Collembola collected in the pitfall traps ars,sent to a taxonomic specialist for identification and counts. The data for this period are not yet available and will be presented in a 'later report.
,o
\
s '
~
~ '
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J7 y Number of Formicidae collected from pittall traps at the r6rt St.'Vrain Nuclear Generating; Tahis :1, I
. Sttlion, Platteville; Co. J5.mdry 1 - June 30,1979 .
.T .
Feb. 10 Mar. 10
~~
May 12 June 9
[PitfallTrap R'ow Jan. 13 Apr.14 Row 2 0(0-0) 0(0-0) 0(0-34) 1820(1047-1857) '9456(1882-4188) (658-2h37)2/
i Row 3 0(0-0) 0(0-4) 2(7-28'; _ 69(44-248) 82(?81-527) 297(130-224)
Row 4 0(0_1) 0(0-1) 4(2-96) 61(73_125) 122(106-150) 92(60-390)
-t , ,
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"~'l Total 0(0-4) 6(44-124) 1950(1215-1974) 4660(21694865) 389(848-3491).
0(0-1) s
- E,a -
~
1979 1978 -
1977 1976 As...ua l .
y Totals ,
c for this 7357 84E7 5684 ,
7005
,p,eriod -
tJea.,1-June 30) _ ,
s'Tigures l in parenthesis are ranges of numbers collacted 1976-1978. _.
_2/No data for Row 2 due to flooding and loss of traps.
I w
A C:) _,
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s e _
> u)
. u) 5 . - .
108 Silpha ramosa: This carrion beetle is normally collected in relative The high populations high numbers in pitfall traps in the St. Vrain area.
and food habits (Brewer and Bacon 1975) of this species make it an impor-Brewer and Bacon (1975) suggested tant part of the monitoring program.
that changes in population levels of S_. ramosa were correlated with the I
number of rodents available for food and that population levels of the I beetle might be more related to rodent numbers than to other factors.
Population levels of adult and imature beetles for this period, along.
with the range 'of numbers collected during comparable periods of previous One adult beetle was collected in April, years, is presented in Table 2.
a month before any previous collection; thus it appears that emergence is somewhat early this year. Numbers of adult beetles are somewhat low for The total May and June, but fall within the range of earlier collections.
collection for Jan.1 - June 30 of 55 individuals is slightly lower than in any previous year for the period.
Immature beetles were not collected until June, and in rather low nu:abers.
However, the numbers fall within ranges of earlier years, and are possibly due to the influence of the cool, rainy weather during the June collection period.
Araneida: Spider: generally are collected throughout the year and thus comprise an important part of the monitoring program, particularly during the winter when most terrestrial invertebrates are inactive.
Seasonal fluctuations in spider populations for this period are shcwn in Table 3, along with the ranges for comparable periods of previous M
e 2013 113
Table 2. Number of adult and immature Silpha ramosa collected in pitfall traps near the Fort St. Vrain Nuclear Generating Station, Platteville, Colorado, January 1 - June 30, 19790 Adults Jan. 13 Feb. 10 Mar. 10 Apr. 14 May 12 June 9 Row 2 0(0-0) 0(0-0) 0(0-0) 0(0-0) 0(0-0) -(0-0)2/
Rop 3 0(0-0) 0(0-0) 0(0-0) 1(0-0) 2(13-61) 21(9-121)
R'ow 4 0(0-0) 0(0-0) 0(0-0) 0(0-0) 3( 3-47) 28(4-78)
Total 0(0-0) 0(0-0) 0(0-0) 1(0-0) 5(16-108) 49(13-161) l Annual 1979 1977 1976 1975 1974 1973 Totals 197T_
for this 55 60 254 221 150 61 62 i period (Jan. 1-June 30) -
8 Inuna ture Jan. 13 Feb. 10 Mar. 10 Apr. 14 May 12 June 9 Row 2 0(0-0) 0(0-0) 0(0-0) 0(0-0) 0(0-0) -(0-0)U Row 3 0(0-0) 0(0-0) 0(0-0) 0(0-0) 0(0-4) 10(4-282)
Row 4 0(0-0) 0(0-0) 0(0-0) 0(0-0) 0(0-1) 12(2-78)
Total 0(0-0, 0(0-0) 0(0-0) 0(0-0) 0(0-5) 22(12-360)
Annual 1979 1978 1977 1976 1975 1974 1973 Totals N for this 60 12 201 CD period 22 18 365 241 u (Jan. 1-June 30) 1/ Figures in parenthesis are ranges of numbers collected 1973-1977.
,-2fNo dat. for Row 2 due to flooding and loss of traps.
P'
, ,0 > J
4 9
Table 3.
Number of Araneida collected in pitfall traps near the Ft. jSt. Vrain Nuclear Generating '
1/.
Station, Platteville, Colorado, January 1 - June 30,1979 _
May 12 June 9 Feb. 10 Mar. 10 Apr. 14 Jan. 13 33(16-82) 33(70-173) -(15-201)3/
Row 2 1(1-19)S/ 1(7-122) 17(7-59)S/
36(154-299) 208(33-372) 30(17-193) 58(43-132)
Row 3 7(4-33) 0(5-74) 42(61-320) l'69(48-244) 77(72-331) 24(21-145)
Row 4 0(3-32) 9(2-54)
... ----------- ---------- .....--.......- --.................--------.....-----------....------ 377(119-731) 115(127-307) 111(396-6o9) 8(10-84) 1(11-193) 77(72-391)
Total 1975 1974 S/ 1973 S/ _
1977 1976
Annual 1979 1978- -
Totals 1721 1015 1333 1473 for this 689 919 16G8 period (Jan. 1 - June 30)
=
1/ Figures in parenthesis are _'aes of numbers collected 1973-1977.
2/ Traps disturbed by cows.
3/No data for Row 2 due to slooding and loss of traps.
4/ Collection procedures differed somewhat during 1973 and 1974 and the data may n comparable.
a C
/
M a.-=m
111 7
years. The data indicate that population levels of spiders are consider-ably lower than for previous years. Although collections for most months fall with the range expected for that period they are consistently at the low end of the rance. O, The collection for June showed good increases for rows 3 and 4, but the loss of the row 2 collection kept the total for the month low. Thus, low spider populations in early months and loss of row 2 data in June combined to give the lowest total for the 6 month period since the study was begun.
Tricoptera: The Tricoptera are aquatic during the imature stages and could be adversely affected by changes in water or temperature, created by operation of the Fort St. Vrain Nuclear Generating Station. The short-lived, nocturnal adults are collected in large numbers during the summer by the black light trap. Data on the collections of Tricoptera for this period are shown in Table 4. A few adult forms have been collected in early May of past years but most do not emerge until later in the sumer.
Thus it is not unusual that this group was not abundantly represented in the collections for this period.
Heteroceridae: The mud loving beetles live in the shores of ponds
~
and streams. Like Tricoptera they would be affected by changes in water or environmental temperature. Also, like Tricoptera the nocturnal adults ,
are collected in large numbers in the black light trap. Data on the collec-tions of Heteroceridae are presented in Table 5. One heterocerid occurred in the May collection > this year. These beetles have been collected this 2013 116 E
Table 4.
Number of Tricoptera collected from a black light trap near the Ft. St. Vrain Nuclear N.
Generating Station, Platteville, Colorado, January 1 - June 30,1979 May 5 June 2 Mar.U Apr. 7 Jan.E Feb.U 0(0-2) 1(0-61)
-(0-0) 0(0-0)
-(0-0) -(0-0) 1975 1974 1973 1977 1976 d 19, 1978 Annual m 0 0 1 Totals 1 63 6 for this 1 period (Jan. 1-June 30) 1973-1977.
Iffigures in parenthesis are ranges of numbers collected 2] Black light trap not set out during these months as outlined in procedural revisio to Dr. Fred Glover.
CD U
N 7,
Table 5. Number of lieteroceridae collected from a black light trap near the Ft. St. Vrain Nuclear Generating Station, Platteville, Colorado, January 1 - June 30,1979Il.
Jan.I Feb.E Mar.I Apr. 7 May 5 June 2
-(0-0) -(0-0) _(0-0) 0(0-0) 1(0-28) 69(0-626)
Annual 1979 1978 . 1977 1976 1975 1974 1973 Totals *
for this 70 0 654 0 0 0 0 C period .
(Jan. 1-June 30) ,N.
y Figures in parenthesis are ranges of numbers collected 1973-1977.
yBlack light trap not set out during these months.
N c0 W
- 5 > , ,d ,
d
114 They usually are not common early in previous years but infrequently.
This collection tends to support the indication of a until mid-summer.
general early emergence of terrestrial invertebrates in the area sugg '
~
by the data on Silpha ramosa.
The June collection is low but within the ic Ice range of numbers collected in previous years.
. j Data obtained on terrestrial invertebrates during this sampling period indicate no discernible effects from the Nuclear Generating Station.
20f.3 119 I
l
115 O References Brewer, J. W. 1978. Terrestrial Invertebrates. In: Progress Report Fort St. Vrain Nuclear Generating Station Environmental Impact Study. Thorne Ecological Institute. Boulder, Colorado.
Brewer, J. W., and T. R. Bacon. 1975. Biology of the Carrion Beetle, Silpha ramosa Say. Annals of the Entomological Society of America. 68:786-790. .
Brewer, J. W. 1973. Terrestrial Invertebrates. In: Progress Report:
Monitoring Fort St. Vrain Nuclear Generating Station for Public Service Co. of Colorado. Thorne Ecological Institute. Boulder, Colorado.
Bushland, R. C. 1971. Sterility principle for insect control:
Historical development and recent innovations. In: Sterility Principle for Insect Control or Erradication. IAEA. (Available from UNIPUB Inc., Box 433, New York) 542 p.
' Cadwell, L. L. and F. W. Whicker. 1972. The anthropod community.
In: Radioecology of some natural organisms and systems in Colorado, tenth annual progress report on Atomic Energy Commission contract. (Available from Department of Radiology and Radiation Biology, Colo. State Univ., Ft. Collins) 84 p.
Noordink, J. Ph.W. 1970. Irradiation, competitiveness and the use of radioisotopes in sterile male studies with the onion fly, Hylemya antiqua (Meigen). In: Steril,ity princi;1e for Insect Control or Erradication. IAEA. Vienna. (Availab'e from UNIPUB Inc., Box 433, New York) 542 p.
Skaife, S. H. 1968. Experiments ~on the effects of radiation on ants.
Australian Natural History. March 27-28.
Wunder. B. A. 1978. Mamal s. In: Progress Report: Ecological Monitoring Fort St. Vrain Nuclear Generating Station for Public * ,
Service Company of Colorado, Thorne Ecological Institute. Boulder, .
Wurtz, C. B. 1969. The effects of heater discharge on freshwater benthos. In: Biological aspect: of thermal pollution. Krenkel, P. A. and F. L. Parker, Editors. Vanderbilt U. Press. Nashville, Tennessee.
2013 120