Abstract: The purposes of this study were: (1) to determine the intensity of sewage and industrial pollution in the Vermilion River, located in South-Central Louisiana; (2) to evaluate this information in relation to time of the year and location at which samples were taken; and (3) to determine the sanitary and ecological significance of the various measurements of pollution.
Oxygen concentrations were usually below acceptable levels, but reached acceptable levels during cooler months.
Chemical oxygen demand values complemented those of dissolved oxygen, to indicate the presence of a large quantity of decomposing organic matter.
Highest chloride concentrations occurred near Vermilion Bay. High concentrations at other locations were probably caused mainly by sewage effluents.
Alkalinities were generally lower than optimum.
The pH of the river was within acceptable limits.
Salinity paralleled chloride fluctuations. The salinity was often too high for irrigation purposes. The river was usually limnetic (fresh-water), but at times was mixo-oligohaline.
Conductivity was usually not optimum for a varied fish fauna.
Seasonal changes in temperature were observed. The temperature was not high or low enough to be lethal to aquatic organisms.
No pattern of increase or decrease in color of the water could be detected among stations or dates.
Turbidity was generally low, except following heavy rains.
High counts of coliform bacteria indicated sewage pollution. Concentrations within and immediately below Lafayette exhibited highest coliform densities.
Pollution in the Vermilion River was due to a combination of sewage effluents, industrial wastes, agricultural land drainage, oil-field wastes, and barnyard run-off. The river was most heavily polluted near and immediately downstream from Lafayette.
Citation: Kilgen, R. H. (1966). Industrial and Sewage Pollution of the Vermilion River Near Lafayette, Louisiana. M.S., University of Southwestern Louisiana.
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