An integrated approach to assess toxic conditions in Wilson`s Creek National Battlefield Park, Springfield, MO

Wilson`s Creek is a tributary of the James River in southwestern Missouri that flows from the urban area of Springfield through Wilson`s Creek National Battlefield Park. Previous investigators identified poor water quality in Wilson`s Creek and reported several fish kill incidences in the watershed. Water quality problems are complicated by a marked increase in urbanization within the watershed and the interaction of surface water with a complex karst groundwater system. The objective of this study was to use macroinvertebrate and fish communities, single species bioassays, and toxicity identification procedures (TIEs) to identify contaminants and their sources. Macroinvertebrate and fish indices as well as Ceriodaphnia dubia test indicated upstream contaminants were affecting water quality in the park. Toxicity identification procedures suggested that metals were likely responsible for the toxicity. Four samples from Wilson`s Creek showed zinc exceeding 25 parts-per-billion (ppb); nickel at about 20 ppb with occasional incidences of copper and industrial organics.