Before-After Control-Impact field surveys and novel experimental approaches provide valuable insights for characterizing stream recovery from acid mine drainage.

ABSTRACT: Mineral extraction has resulted in widespread stream impairment due to habitat degradation and water quality impacts from acid mine drainage (AMD). The North Fork of Clear Creek (NFCC), Colorado, USA was historically impaired by AMD from two major point-source inputs, with some stream segments devoid of aquatic life prior to remediation. In the summer of 2017, the North Clear Creek Water Treatment Plant (NCCWTP) began AMD water treatment. To predict and characterize the biological recovery of NFCC to improvements in water quality, we conducted stream mesocosm and field experiments, as well as biomonitoring of benthic communities using a Before-After Control-Impact (BACI) study design. The NFCC stream community responded rapidly to improved water quality. Benthic algal biomass increased at

SUBMITTER: Kotalik CJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7980037 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature