Taylor, S. J., D. W. Webb and S. V. Panno. 2000. Spatial and temporal analyses of the bacterial fauna and water, sediment, and amphipod tissue chemistry within the range of Gammarus acherondytes. Illinois Natural History Survey, Center for Biodiversity, Technical Report 2000(18):1-115. |
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SUMMARY:
This report summarizes data collected in a 17 month study of four caves in southwestern Illinois which either support (Illinois Caverns, Krueger-Dry Run Cave, Fogelpole Cave) or formerly supported (Stemler Cave) populations of the federally endangered Illinois Cave Amphipod (Gammarus acherondytes). Supplemental data, primarily from karst groundwater samples, is presented for caves, springs, and selected other sites from across Illinois and southeastern Missouri to provide context for the data from the four caves. Stemler Cave water was markedly less alkaline than water from the other three caves, and, based on other studies, pH may be an important factor in amphipod biology. Dissolved oxygen, also important in amphipod biology, appeared to be reduced in Stemler Cave. Water in the four caves exhibited high levels of fecal coliform and fecal streptococcus bacteria, indicative of fecal contamination. Specific bacterial species known to be associated with fecal contamination were identified in the water samples. The source of this contamination was not determined. Agrichemicals occurred at moderate to low levels in water samples, especially in the late spring, but were infrequently detected in sediment samples. Analysis of tissues of amphipods and isopods collected from the four caves demonstrated bioaccumulation of Pendemethalin and Dieldrin, and low levels of lead were detected in most tissue samples. Surveys of karst groundwater across Illinois and southeastern Missouri revealed that fecal contamination is a more serious problem in southwestern Illinois, southeastern Missouri, and the Shawnee Hills than it is elsewhere. These areas exhibited elevated fecal bacterial counts that regularly exceeded various regulatory limits. Such elevated levels of fecal-associated bacteria pose serious threats to the well being of natural communities of karst groundwater organisms and also pose a potentially serious health threat to humans. |
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