Effects of Anakeesta shale disturbance upon benthic macroinvertebrate communities of upland streams in the North River watershed of Eastern Tennessee

Sulfide rich pyritic shales and slates of the Anakeesta series were encountered during highway construction in the Tellico Wildlife Management Area, Monroe County, Tennessee, with subsequent deposition of pyritiferous materials adjacent to the headwaters of recognized trout streams. Five upland, cool water tributaries to North River in the Appalachian Mountains of southeastern Tennessee were sampled at intervals from 1978 through 1981, to determine the influence of Anakeesta shale disturbance upon macroinvertebrate communities. Water quality data for seventeen parameters were collected to supplement biological data. Macroinvertebrate data were collected using both qualitative and quantitative methodology. Benthic communities were compared on the basis of total number of taxa, percent composition within the major orders, total number of individuals, diversity (Ƃ), and equitability (e).

Results demonstrate that water quality and macroinvertebrate community composition has been adversely impacted by deposition of Anakeesta shale adjacent to the headwaters of Hemlock Branch and McNabb Branch. The two impacted streams are characterized by low pH, elevated acidity, and increased levels of metals; macroinvertebrate community response includes decreased numbers of taxa and individuals and loss of diversity. Through 1981, three of the study streams had not been adversely impacted by Anakeesta shale disturbance.