Aquatic biodiversity in Illinois springs

Springs in Illinois are located in the Mississippian, Devonian, and Pennsylvanian limestone and sandstone of the Shawnee Hills and the western border of Illinois. Seven springs in southern Illinois were studied to obtain baseline data on their hydrogeology, water chemistry, and the spatial and tempo...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of the Kansas Entomological Society 1995-04, Vol.68 (2), p.93-107
Main Authors: Webb, D.W. (Illinois Natural History Survey, Champaign, IL.), Wetzel, M.J, Reed, P.C, Phillippe, L.R, Harris, M.A
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
ANALYTICAL METHODS
AQUATIC ORGANISMS
BIODIVERSIDAD
BIODIVERSITE
BIODIVERSITY
CALIDAD DEL AGUA
Creeks
Fauna
Freshwater
Geological surveys
Groundwater
ILLINOIS
Macroinvertebrates
MANANTIALES
Natural history
Natural springs
ORGANISME AQUATIQUE
ORGANISMOS ACUATICOS
QUALITE DE L'EAU
Salt springs
SOURCE
SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION
SPECIES DIVERSITY
Taxa
TECHNIQUE ANALYTIQUE
TECNICAS ANALITICAS
WATER QUALITY
WATER SPRINGS
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Summary:Springs in Illinois are located in the Mississippian, Devonian, and Pennsylvanian limestone and sandstone of the Shawnee Hills and the western border of Illinois. Seven springs in southern Illinois were studied to obtain baseline data on their hydrogeology, water chemistry, and the spatial and temporal distribution of their fauna and flora. These springs were selected because they were located outside areas of intensive agriculture.Hydrogen ion concentrations ranged from 6.9 to 8.0; oxygen levels ranged from 0.5 to 10.8 mg/liter; and total dissolved solids ranged from 139 to 17,167 mg/liter. Nitrate levels were found to be extremely low or below the levels of detection, indicating no contamination from agricultural runoff. Over 85 taxa of animals and two species of plants were collected. Turbellarians and amphipods were the most abundant organisms throughout the year, although the oligochaete worms with 24 taxa proved to be the most diverse group of organisms. Varichaetadrilus angustipenis, a rare species in Illinois, was recorded from six of the seven springs. The collection of Allonais paṛaguayensis in Old Driver Spring was the most interesting of the taxa collected. Old Driver Spring with 46 taxa displayed the greatest diversity of macroinvertebrates.
ISSN:0022-8567
1937-2353