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Standard List Example Developed by the States

Standard lists can provide a useful and consistent starting point, but you should keep in mind that no list is complete. Below is an example of a standard list of candicate causes used in Mississippi.

 Table. Standard List of Candidate Causes Used for Stressor Identification in Bogue Homo, Mississippi

Candidate Cause Available Indicators
Oxygen concentration and oxygen demand Alteration to photosynthesis/respiration balance
Decrease in oxygen and increase in oxygen demand
Temperature alteration
Alteration to natural flow regime
Increase in organic enrichment
Disruption of nutrient cycles
Organic carbon Increase in organic enrichment
Change in food source
Alteration to photosynthesis/respiration balance characteristics
Decrease in oxygen and increase in oxygen demand
Nutrients Disruption of nutrient cycles
Alteration to photosynthesis/respiration balance characteristics
Decrease in oxygen and increase in oxygen demand
Change in food source characteristics
Temperature Alteration to thermal regulation
Alteration to photosynthesis/respiration balance characteristics
Decrease in oxygen and increase in oxygen demand
Turbidity Increase in amount and duration of suspended sediment
Alteration to natural flow regime
Decrease in suitable in-stream habitat
Alteration to channel morphology
Decrease in riparian vegetation
Habitat Alteration to natural flow regime
Decrease in suitable in-stream habitat
Decrease in riparian vegetation
Alteration to channel morphology
Increase in suspended and deposited sediment
Change in food source characteristics
Decrease in suitable floodplain habitat 
Temperature alteration
Alteration to groundwater interaction
Conductivity, total dissolved solids (TDS) and chloride Increase ion concentrations
Alteration to natural freshwater/saltwater interaction
pH Increase in alkalinity or decrease in hydrogen ion activity 
Increase in acidity or hydrogen ion activity
Toxic Substances Increase in toxic substance concentrations

References

  • Adapted from MSDEQ (2005) Stressor Identification for Bogue Homo. Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality, Jackson MS.​

Causal Analysis/Diagnosis Decision Information System (CADDIS)

  • CADDIS Home
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  • Volume 1: Stressor Identification
    • About Causal Assessment
    • Getting Started
    • Step 1. Define the Case
    • Step 2. List Candidate Causes
    • Step 3. Evaluate Data from the Case
    • Step 4. Evaluate Data from Elsewhere
    • Step 5. Identify Probable Causes
  • Volume 2: Sources, Stressors and Responses
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Last updated on February 7, 2025
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