| To detect the possible impact of previous oil and gas activities in the Sabine National Forest and to establish baseline data for the future projected increase of petroleum exploration in that area, three streams were monitored and assessed for water quality using macroinvertebrate community composition. Two streams (Big Sandy and McKim) within the oil field were compared to one another and to a reference stream (Curry) which was outside of the oil field. Samples were taken from the streams by dipnet, Ekman grab and Hester Dendy sampling methods. Numbers of individuals and taxa, indicator organisms, diversity indices, annual mean statistical analyses and seasonal variation comparisons between streams were determined and evaluated. Results indicated that the two streams within the oil field supported healthy communities of macroinvertebrates and gave little evidence of being polluted by the oil field activities. All parameters indicated that Big Sandy Creek had the best water quality. Both streams in the oil field had better water quality than the reference stream, Curry Creek. |
