Susceptibility of Appalachian Mountain Streams to Non-Point Source Contaminantion

Abstract

Often thought of as pristine, the susceptibility of Tennessee’s Appalachian Mountains has remained largely uninvestigated likely due to their government protection and a lack of known point-source contamination. However, a growing body of scientific evidence suggests that depositional inputs can lead to concerning levels of contamination, even in isolated areas. To investigate potential concerns, concentrations of metals and organic pollutants were measured in eastern brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) in four Appalachian Mountain streams. Additionally, water quality parameters were used to model bioavailability of metals to aquatic organisms. This work is among the first to establish baselines of polychlorinated biphenyls, organochlorine pesticides, dioxins, furans, and phthalates in this area.