Albemarle-Pamlico Sounds
Bioclassification criteria
Type: Condition
of habitat and sources affecting habitat (i.e., the condition or functionality
of the habitat) and stressors affecting habitat (i.e., which sources
have contributed to its degradation and whether they are direct or indirect
factors).
Category: Submerged
Cost: Information not provided.
Description: The DWQ Biological Assessment Unit employs a standard method
for assessing streams' biological integrity by examining the structure and health
of fish communities. This assessment incorporates information about species
richness and composition, trophic composition, fish abundance and fish condition.
At each sample site, a 200 meter section of stream is selected. The fish within
the delineated stretch of stream are collected with the aid of backpack electrofishing
units.
Since fish spend their entire lives in the aquatic environment, they incorporate
chemicals from this environment into their body tissues. Therefore, by analyzing
fish tissue, determinations of what bioaccumulative chemicals are in the water
can be made. Contamination of aquatic resources, including freshwater, estuarine,
and marine fish and shellfish species have been documented for heavy metals,
pesticides, and other complex organic compounds. Results from fish tissue monitoring
can thus serve as an important indicator of contamination of sediments and surface
water.
Outcome: Bioclassifications are used to assess the various impacts of
both point source discharges and non-point source runoff. In addition to assessing
the effects of water pollution, biological information is also used to define
High Quality or Outstanding Resource Waters, support enforcement of stream standards,
and measure improvements associated with management actions. The results of
biological investigations have been an integral part in North Carolina's basinwide
monitoring program.
Contact: Trish MacPherson, Supervisor, NC DWQ Biological Assessment Unit,
4401 Reedy Creek Road, Raleigh, NC, (919) 733-6946 x238, fax (919) 733-9959,
Trish.MacPherson@ncmail.net
Citation: http://www.esb.enr.state.nc.us/BAU.html
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