Biogeochemical data of water, sediments, periphyton, and macroinvertebrates collected from springs in and near Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona (ver. 4.0, October 2022)

Publication Date

2019-12-09

Time Period

2016-04-20

Time Period

2021-03-02

Last Revision

2022-10-06

Fuller, C.C., Cain, D.J., Croteau, M.N., Barasch, D.A., Beisner, K.R., Stoliker, D.L., Schenk, E.R. and Campbell-Hay, K.M., 2019, Biogeochemical data of water, sediments, periphyton, and macroinvertebrates collected from springs in and near Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona (ver. 4.0, October 2022): U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/P9CR6GCW.

Processes controlling uranium (U) bioaccumulation and toxicity are poorly understood for aquatic macroinvertebrates, a large and diverse assemblage of species that is functionally vital to aquatic and riparian ecosystems. Conceptually, U exposure occurs from contact with contaminated water as well as from ingestion of contaminated food. Bioaccumulation and toxicity resulting from exposure are moderated by site-specific geochemical conditions and the ecological and physiological traits of the species. To complement laboratory studies aimed at developing a mechanistic model of U bioaccumulation for aquatic macroinvertebrates, field data are needed to constrain model parameters relevant to environmental conditions and taxa at sites in the Grand Canyon region. These data provide a description of the occurrence of U, and other trace elements associated with U-ore and to qualify their potential to contaminate aquatic food webs. Therefore, for this study, spring outflow pools and creeks are sampled because they are essential to aquatic and riparian ecosystems of the region. Site selection is guided by measurements of water chemistry from springs and associated runoff which have shown a range of U concentrations ranging from elevated levels in Horn Creek and Salt Creek situated below the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, and in Pigeon Spring in a tributary to Kanab Creek, to lower levels in nearby creeks. The contrast in dissolved U concentrations among sites provides a gradient in U exposure to examine responses in U bioaccumulation, as determined by body burdens of U in aquatic macroinvertebrates inhabiting the sites.

• USGS Data Release Products