Water quality of the Upper Vermilion River, Louisiana, April-August 1980

Abstract:
Analyses of water-quality data collected during 1980 in a reach of the Vermilion River from its headwaters to a point 6 miles downstream from Lafayette, La. indicate that nonpoint runoff from the upper basin is a major factor in depressed dissolved-oxygen concentrations, high biochemical oxygen demand, and elevated fecal-bacteria concentrations. High flows masked the contributions of point and nonpoint sources in the Lafayette urban area. When flow lessened, waste inputs from the urban area degraded the water quality in the stagnant reach downstream from Lafayette, primarily through accumulations of nutrients, organic carbon, and biochemical oxygen demand. Changes in benthic macroinvertebrate populations and in algal dominance downstream from Lafayette suggest that discharges in the area have a detrimental impact on the already poor water quality of the Vermilion River during periods of low or zero flow. Samples were collected on an event basis from April through August 1980 and analyzed for inorganic substances, metals, pesticides and other organic compounds, nutrients, biochemical oxygen demand, fecal bacteria, phytoplankton, and benthic invertebrates.

Citation: Demcheck, D. K. and H. L. Leone (1983). Water quality of the Upper Vermilion River, Louisiana, April-August 1980. In cooperation with the Louisiana. Dept. of Public Works. Water resources. Technical Report number 30 (TR-30), Baton Rouge, LA.

URL: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1LY7YCO9Ul25uXICY0IZwzt68YkBqsbEY/view?usp=sharing
(Note: a copy available from USGS at http://la.water.usgs.gov/publications/pdfs/TR30.pdf  is missing pages 1, 16, 17, and the site map. I scanned these missing pages into the shared Google document).

Site map (best available image)

The chemistry of the Vermilion River and its bottom sediments in an area south of Lafayette, Louisiana: A reconnaissance study

Abstract:
The objectives of this study were to examine the river water chemistry and bottom sediment chemistry and determine the chemical effects of bottom sediment in overlying Vermilion River water. This study is significant as dredging to control local flooding in the area is common in the Vermilion River, and metals within the bottom sediment are often released with serious effects to the river water chemistry.

River water and/or bottom sediment samples were collected south of Lafayette, Louisiana: 1) at Vermilionville; 2) north of Abbeville; 3) south of Abbeville; 4) north of Intracoastal City; 5) at Intracoastal City. River water samples were analyzed using Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-AES) techniques. High concentrations of Ca2- were observed upstream and are possibly associated with construction activities and potential wastewater input at the time of sampling. Bottom sediment samples were analyzed for clay mineralogy using x-ray diffraction (XRD); results indicated that the mineralogy paralleled that of the Mississippi River and smectites were dominant. Additional bottom sediment samples were analyzed for whole rock composition and trace metal content using x-ray fluorescence spectrometry. Both barium and zinc concentrations increased north of Intracoastal City, possibly due to drilling mud contamination.


To study the impact of bottom sediment metals on river water, both Vermilion River water and sediment chemistry were examined in perturbation experiments during a 24-hour period. Results from the perturbation experiments indicated an increase in metal concentrations in the perturbed river water and in mixtures of perturbed river water and bottom sediment when compared with unperturbed river water concentrations. The increased concentrations of Mn2+ and Fe2 during perturbation experiments are attributed to release of reduced pore water metals.

Citation: Mulvihill, Anna M. (2003). The chemistry of the Vermilion River and its bottom sediments in an area south of Lafayette, Louisiana: A reconnaissance study. MS, Geology, The University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Advisor: Renee Clary, 106 pages.

URL: Not available online, University of Louisiana at Lafayette Library LD 3091.L665 2003 mulv

Industrial and Sewage Pollution of the Vermilion River Near Lafayette, Louisiana - R.H. Kilgen (1966)

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.

URL: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QT5QGgiTFP_62RlEmyE7adlVLsa8FvGC/view?usp=sharing