Aquatic Habitat Studies on the Lower Mississippi River, River Mile 480 to 530. Report 3. Benthic Macro-Invertebrate Studies--Pilot Report

摘要

This is Report 3 of the EWQOS series 'Aquatic Habitat Studies on the Lower Mississippi River, River Mile 480 to 530.' This is a pilot report on the benthic macroinvertebrate studies. For the purposes of this study, sampling was conducted along a 50-mile reach of the Lower Mississippi River. A habitat approach was taken wherein nine habitat types were selected for study. From these nine aquatic habitats, a total of 20,562 organisms, representing 72 distinct taxa, 17 orders, and 5 classes of benthic macroinvertebrates were collected. Dike structures were the most productive habitat (563.4 organisms/rock sample). Abandoned channels were the second most productive habitat (70.04 organisms/0.05 sq. m.). Natural banks were the next most productive habitat (9.4 organisms/0.05 sq. m.).