A macroinvertebrate biological assessment of the Reedy River in South Carolina following a diesel oil spill from a subsurface pipeline

James B. Glover
South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control. 2600 Bull Street. Columbia, SC. 29201; Phone- 803-898-4081, Fax- 803-898-4200, gloverjb@columb32.dhec.state.sc.us

On June 26, 1996 a subsurface pipeline ruptured and discharged approximately 22,800 barrels (957,600 gallons) of Fuel Oil #2 (diesel) into the Reedy River, near Greenville, South Carolina. Macroinvertebrate sampling was conducted by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC) in July, 1996 and by a private consulting firm in October, 1996 and July 1997. Macroinvertebrates were sampled from five locations in the river. One sampling site was located upstream from the spill and served as a control, while four sampling sites were located below the spill site. In addition, historic data collected at one of the downstream sites in 1989 and 1992, were used as controls. The July, 1996 results indicated that the sites downstream of the spill were severely impacted relative to the upstream and historic controls. No recovery was evident as far downstream as 20 km. By October, 1996 all stations below the break site had begun to recover and by July, 1997 all were comparable to the upstream and historic controls.