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Hexagenia Mayflies: Biological Monitors Of Water Quality In The Upper Mississippi River, Calvin R. Fremling

Journal of the Minnesota Academy of Science

ABSTRACT-Analysis of Hexageniamayfiy distribution patterns has proven to be a simple, inexpensive method of monitoring water quality in the Upper Mississippi River. Burrowing Hexagenia nymphs live at the mudwater interface intimately associated with organically enriched sediments that have a strong affinity for contaminants. By their presence or absence in silted habitats, they assess the synergistic effects of hypoxia, toxins, and other stresses throughout the year. Adults are large and easily collected, providing inexpensive water quality monitoring on a river so large that comprehensive chemical, physical, and biological analyses are not logistically feasible or affordable. Pollution abatement in metropolitan Minneapolis-St. Paul …