Determine the physical characteristics of sediment from different sources and soil types, examine effects on water quality and substrate conditions in streams, and document effects on the growth, survival, and ecology of aquatic insects. The objective is to measure responses of aquatic insects exposed to specific amounts and types of sediment and associated water quality/substrate conditions and develop quantitative guidelines for assessing effects in southern Appalachian streams.

Field and laboratory studies will be conducted to determine: (a) if reduced pH causes a reduction in the nutritional value (caloric content) of insects; and (b) the potential for changes in food quality to influence the nutritional status, growth, and reproduction of brook trout. A food nutritional value index will be developed and incorporated with indicators of physio-chemical habitat quality into a comprehensive habitat suitability index.

The phenomenon of nutrient-induced bacterial gill disease in aquatic insects will be evaluated and the threat from various livestock management practices will be assessed. This research will result in publication of a field manual of guidelines and procedures for determining nutrient impacts in streams and wetlands.

Aquatic chemistry data will be used to develop a regional assessment of the threat contaminants pose to the reproduction and survival of fish populations in Appalachian streams.

This study will combine spatial data about atmospheric input of sulfate and nitrate with qualitative information about geologic vulnerability to assess overall vulnerability for trout streams in the southern Appalachians.

This research will use various measures of macroinvertebrate abundance and community structure in statistical models to predict vulnerability to acidification.

Some trout streams in the southern Appalachians are located in close proximity with hazardous waste sites, landfills, mines, and wastewater discharges. This study will compare distribution of these various stressors with distribution of trout streams in the southern Appalachians to evaluate the impact of these sites on the trout resource.

The presence of high-quality habitat and chemically stable refugia have slowed the decline of some trout and blacknose dace populations in acid-sensitive streams. However, if the trend of increasing acidification continues as predicted, the mitigative capacity of these refugia may be overcome and populations they protect eliminated. This research will document the basinwide distribution, abundance, and condition of fish and the distribution and quality of refugia in acid-sensitive watersheds.