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Macrobenthos of Pine Island Bayou in the Big Thicket National Preserve, Texas

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Abstract

A water quality survey was conducted from June, 1977 to May, 1978 on Pine Island and Little Pine Island Bayous of southeast Texas. Generally, good water quality was found. At four locations in the streams, brine seepage was indicated. This tended to improve stream conditions by decreasing turbidity and suspended solids.

The benthic fauna was dominated by oligochaetes and chironomids. The greatest number of total and insect taxa occurred at the station with lowest turbidity. Below a sewage outfall the diversity decreased. However, stream conditions did not improve downstream due to increased turbidity.

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This research was funded in part by the National Park Service and Lamar University

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Darville, R.G., Harrel, R.C. Macrobenthos of Pine Island Bayou in the Big Thicket National Preserve, Texas. Hydrobiologia 69, 213–223 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00046795

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