134 Conservation Department 



IV. THE BIOLOGICAL INVESTIGATIONS OF POLLUTION 

 IN THE ERIE=NIAGARA WATERSHED 



By X. L. Cutler 

 Lately Biologist and Sanitarian, Conservation Department 



The biological investigations of the conditions of pollution in 

 the Erie-Niagara watershed were divided into, (1) Lake Erie and 

 Niagara river, and (2) streams. In a biological study of a lake 

 bottom it is harder to define the three characteristic pollution 

 zones that are usually found in stream studies, i.e. (a) zone of 

 recent pollution, (b) septic zone, (c) zone of recovery. In an 

 open body of water such as Lake Erie a septic zone is never 

 developed due to the rapid dispersion of the polluting substances 

 though areas confined, as by a breakwater, may approach this 

 condition. 



Methods. — The methods and apparatus employed in examining 

 a stream or lake bottom depend on the conditions encountered. 

 In shallow streams the stones may be turned over by hand and 

 specimens examined or the ''Needham dredge", a screen-like scoop 

 with a handle attached, may be used to catch the forms loosened 

 by stirring up the bottom. In deeper water the Ekman or the 

 Petersen bottom sampler are used. These consist essentially of 

 two jaws w^hich are lowered in the ''open" position and then when 

 closed on the bottom scoop up a certain definite area of bottom 

 material. The Petersen sampler weighing 35 lbs. was used exclu- 

 sively on Lake Erie and the Niagara river. The contents of the 

 sampler when brought to the surface were sifted through screen 

 bottom pans to strain out organisms, which were then preserved 

 for further study. 



Lake Erie and Niagara River. — Lake Erie shore: An attempt 

 was made to get bottom samples at all points along the Lake Erie 

 shore where chemical samples were taken*. This was not always 

 possible because of the shale rock formation. Samples were satis- 

 factorily obtained with the Petersen sampler at the New York- 

 Pennsylvania border, Dunkirk harbor, Cattaraugus creek, Eigh- 

 teenmile creek and Rush creek. 



At the New York-Pennsylvania border and at Eighteenmilc 

 creek the samples taken sliowed no evidences of j^ollution. 



Dunkirk harbor had heavy sludge deposits, luxuriant weed beds, 

 and an abundance of foul water organisms, particularly west of 

 the government dock. East of the dock the sewage was readily 

 dispelled into the lake. This condition of the harbor, it is 

 expected, will be corrected shortly when the new disposal plant is 

 installed. 



Cattaraugus creek carries down a heavy load of pollution from 

 Gowanda which is somewhat augmented at Irving and washes 



* See Series 1, page 120. 



