Environmental Impact of the South Carolina Public Service Authority's FY'76 Aquatic Weed Control Program in Lake Marion,
Abstract
The study area consists of 750 acres of weed-choked waters in the Rimini Trestle area near the northern end of Lake Marion, in Sumter County, South Carolina. Thirty tons of granualr 2,4-D was applied on August 4-6, 1975, to eradicate Water Primrose. Then from August 27 through September 4, 1500 gallons of Ortho-Diquat was applied to control Elodea. All sampling and analyses were done according to Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater, 13th edition, 1971. The application of 2,4-D and Ortho-Diquat caused severe degradation of the water quality in the target area. The parameters that showed the most damage included dissolved oxygen, pH, specific conductance, biochemical oxygen demand, total alkalinity, color, turbidity, total organic carbon, phenols, herbicide levels, phytoplankton populations, and chlorophyl a. The degradation of water quality in the area was primarily caused by the decomposition of dead plant material, compounded by the low flow conditions which prevailed in the lake from August 1 to September 15. Due to this low flow, the decaying plant matter was not flushed from the study area.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1979
- Accession Number
- ADA069572
Entities
People
- John R. Inabinet
Organizations
- South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control