ecological characterization atlas of coastal alabama - Data Center

Water quality of the Mobile River above its confluence with Chickasaw
Creek is generally good, although fecal coliform levels are high during
periods of high flows (generally in the winter months) and power plant
cooling water discharges increase temperature levels . Below the entrance of
Chickasaw Creek (Mobile quadrangle) water quality tends to be lowered
somewhat, because of the greater loads of municipal waste water and
industrial wastes contributed by Chickasaw Creek, Norton Creek, and Threemile
Creek (Mobile quadrangle) (Table 46) . The combined municipal and industrial
waste discharge into these streams is 68 mgd (SARPC 1979) . Offsetting these
high waste loads is the greater absorbtive capacity of the Mobile River for
oxygen-consuming wastes . Comparing water quality (DO and BOD) from stations
above and below these creeks' confluences (Table 46) indicates that they have
a moderate influence on these aspects of water quality (U .S . Army Corps of
Engineers 1983) . However, this influence combined with salt levels, fecal
coliform counts, temperature and turbidity in this segment of the river
reduces it to an Agricultural and Industrial classification use only (Table
46) .
Mobile Bay . Bacterial and viral pollution can be a serious problem in
Mobi e Bay . When significantly high (14 most probable number per 100
milliliters (MPN/100 ml)) levels of bacterial pollution occur, oyster-reef
closures are necessary, causing direct economic losses to the area's economy .
The pollution of estuaries by bacteria in Alabama can be attributed primarily
to municipal and industrial wastes (Chermock 1974) . Gallagher et al . (1969)
reported that the most significant source of these pollutants in Mobile Bay
was the Mobile metropolitan area via the Mobile River . Measurements made
during flood stage at the mouth of the river ranged from 11,000 to 150,000
MPN/100 ml . Approximately 77% to 97% of this total was attributed to
Table 48 . (concluded) .
i an oa oa oT-f aT-- oa oropy
TKN grease dissolved lead zinc phosphorus a
(mg/1) (mg/1) solids ( mg/i) (mg/1) (mg/1) (mg/1) (mg/1)
1 .01 1 24,600 0 .01 0.036 0.13 10
0.08 1 76 0 .01 0 .011 0.034 2
0.54 1 18,000 0 .01 0.074 0.17 17
0.044 1 83 0 .01 .01 0.030 1
3 .20 1 15,900 0 .01 0.049 0.062 33
0.039 1 18 0 .01 0 .01 0.018 1
165