Heavy Metals Pollution of the Upper Arkansas River, Colorado, and Its Effects on the Distribution of the Aquatic Macrofauna

摘要

A limnology study was done on a 30 km section of the upper Arkansas River, Colorado, to determine the effects of heavy metals pollution on the distribution of the aquatic macrofauna. Physical and chemical water parameters were measured, aquatic macroinvertebrates were collected, and fish populations at selected stations were evaluated to determine density and heavy metal content of tissue. Historically, river flows which dilute heavy metal concentrations were not as high as those occurring since transmountain diversions began. However, water quality, species diversity of aquatic macroinvertebrates, fish populations, and metal accumulation in fish tissue show that heavy metal pollution of the upper Arkansas River near Leadville, Colorado, is presently very severe. Heavy-metal-laden inflows adversely affect water quality and thus the aquatic animal populations, while freshening inflows improve water quality and, therefore, conditions for the aquatic fauna.