scholarly journals Use of non-lethal endpoints to establish water quality requirements and optima of the endangered Topeka shiner (Notropis topeka)

Author(s):  
Rory T. Mott ◽  
Amanda E. Rosenberger ◽  
Doug Novinger

AbstractWater quality standards based on sub-lethal effects and performance optima for aquatic organisms, rather than onset of mortality, are more ecologically relevant for management of species of conservation concern. We investigated the effects of hypoxia, temperature (with acclimation), nitrogenous chemical compounds, and chloride on Topeka shiners (Notropis topeka) by monitoring behavioral responses to a reduction in oxygen and, using swimming speed, determining thermal optima and onset of effect for concentrations of nitrogenous compounds and chloride. We found ASR50 (i.e., dissolved oxygen concentrations where 50% of fish use aquatic surface respiration) to be 1.65 mg/L and ASR90 to be 1.08 mg/L of dissolved oxygen. Optimum temperatures for the species ranged from 17.7 to 28.0 °C, while predicted 100% mortality ranged from 33.7 to 40.3 °C, depending on the temperature at which fish were acclimated prior to experiments. Ammonia and sodium chloride reduced swimming speed at concentrations below known LC50 values, while nitrite concentrations did not correspond with swimming speed, but rather, post-experiment mortality. This provides insight into where Topeka shiners can not only persist, but also thrive. Although swimming speed may not be a suitable metric for determining the effects of all contaminants, our focus on optima and sub-lethal effects over tolerance allows selections of the most suitable reintroduction site matching the species’ physiological profile.

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Rory Tallon Mott

Water quality influences growth, development, and physiology of aquatic vertebrates. Current criteria on water quality assessments are primarily based on lethal level experiments (e.g. LC50 tests), which are poorly suited for assessing optimal water quality conditions or sub-lethal effects of common stressors. Measurements below threshold values may still impede organismal growth and development, especially considering the complex nature of compounding, low-level stressors. This is particularly important to consider for management of an endangered species that is actively cultured for reintroduction to extirpated locations. The endangered Topeka Shiner (Notropis topeka) is an ideal example for which this information is needed, as its remaining, stable populations display broad water quality optima and tolerance to naturally occurring stressors. We investigated the effects of dissolved oxygen, temperature (including acclimation), ammonia, nitrite, and chloride on Topeka Shiner using non-lethal endpoints by: (1) examining N. topeka's behavioral responses to a gradual reduction in oxygen, (2) determining thermal optima at different acclimation temperatures using swimming speed, and (3) determining the onset of effect of sub-lethal levels of nitrogenous compounds and chloride concentrations on swimming speed. We determined ASR50 and ASR90 (i.e. dissolved oxygen concentrations where 50 percent and 90 percent of fish use aquatic surface respiration) to occur at 1.65mg/L and 1.08 mg/L of dissolved oxygen, respectively. At 5.52 mg/L of dissolved oxygen, fish vertical position was significantly higher in the water column, presumably in preparation or aquatic surface respiration (ASR). With our thermal swimming tests, the optimum temperature range was etermined to be 17.7 to 28.0 degrees C, while the predicted incipient mortality to high temperature ranged from 33.7 to 40.3 degrees C, depending on acclimation temperature. Ammonia and sodium chloride significantly reduced swimming speed at concentrations below known LC50 values. Other than an initial drop from 0- concentration, nitrite did not reduce swimming speed, even at concentrations higher than known LC50 measurements. Although not all stressors were suitable to test with this methodology, emphasis on determining optimal conditions over tolerances, and sub-lethal effects over mortality, assists in selection of sites that have water quality suited for N. topeka to thrive after reintroduction.


2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 75-87
Author(s):  
Ummi Suraya ◽  
Lilia Lilia

This study aims to determine the water condition of Lake Pampait, KamelohBaru Village, Sebangau District, Palangka Raya City, measured from physical and chemical water quality as a measure of the condition of the water quality in Lake Pampait. The study was conducted for approximately 2 (two) months, namely from June to July 2018. Sampling was carried out in 3 (three) stations, namely inlet (station I), middle section (station II) and outlets (station III). The physical and chemical water quality measurements are carried out directly, namely temperature, brightness, depth, pH (Degrees of Acidity) and DO (Dissolved Oxygen) while indirectly or analyzed in the laboratory are PO4 (Phosphate), NO3 (Nitrate) and NH3 (Nitrate) Ammonia). The results of research on physical and chemical water quality is an average temperature of 23.7 oC. Brightness 28.75 cm, Depth 4.25 m, Degree of Acidity (pH) with an average of 6.03, and Dissolved Oxygen (DO) 2.93 mg/L, Phosphate (PO4), Nitrate (NO3), and Ammonia (NH3) ) 0.932 mg/L, it can be concluded that Lake Pampait can be said to be still not polluted and is still considered good for the life of fish and other aquatic organisms.


2012 ◽  
Vol 485 ◽  
pp. 318-322
Author(s):  
Jian Wei Ma ◽  
Shu Xuan Liang ◽  
Zhe Qin

Dissolved oxygen as a basic project of water quality monitoring can reflect water quality changing in time. The author studied the changing law of DO in Baiyang Lake with water depth and time in autumn and winter for providing important data to research the aquatic organisms living and water pollution state, a theory gist for water pollution control of Baiyang Lake was given at the same time.


2015 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 32 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. CLADAS ◽  
G. PAPANTONIOU ◽  
V. BEKIARI ◽  
N. FRAGKOPOULU

A dystrophic crisis occurred in late June 2012 in the Lagoon of Papas, Araxos region, Western Greece (Ionian Sea) resulting in massive mortalities of aquatic organisms. The whole event was monitored through the basic aquatic physicochemical parameters (temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen and pH) recorded before, during and after its occurrence. Although the phenomenon was manifested locally, it resulted in complete anoxia at the largest part of the lagoon which lasted ten days. Water quality of the entire lagoon was greatly affected by the dystrophic event and first signs of recovery were observed four months later.


2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 025-033
Author(s):  
S.O. Ajagbe ◽  
D.O. Odulate ◽  
O.S. Ariwoola ◽  
F.I. Abdulazeez ◽  
M.T. Ojubolamo ◽  
...  

Water quality determines the distribution of aquatic organisms within aquatic ecosystem. Deterioration of water quality is of a great concern in  freshwater ecosystem because of its adverse effects on freshwater organisms. Therefore, the physico-chemical parameters of Ikere-gorge were examined in this study to determine its suitability for fish production. Air and water temperature, transparency, electrical conductivity and totaldissolved solids were determined in-situ. Dissolved oxygen, alkalinity, hardness, phosphate and nitrate were determined with standard analytical methods. The selected parameters examined in this study were determined monthly between January 2017 and December 2018. The mean monthly values of physico-chemical parameters of Ikere-gorge obtained are as follows: air temperature (27.46±1.82 ºC), water temperature (28.14±1.57 ºC), pH (6.50±0.63), water transparency (1.34±0.12 m), dissolved oxygen (5.93±0.29 mg/L), electrical conductivity (130.59±7.59 μS/cm), total dissolved solids (67.67±4.37 mg/L), total hardness (56.70±15.76 mg/L), total alkalinity (58.97±9.53 mg/L), total phosphate (2.22±0.67 μg/L) and nitrate  (2.90±1.23 μg/L). Likewise, it was observed that surface water temperature had negative significant relationship with dissolved oxygen at P < 0.05.Transparency has negative significant relationship with phytoplankton abundance at 0.05 (P ˂ 0.05) and with phosphate and nitrate at 0.01 significant level. The annual mean of Trophic Status Index based on total phosphate is 15.04±1.63. This classified Ikere-gorge trophic status as mesotrophic at stage 2. The result of this study reveals the mesotrophic status of Ikere-gorge and water quality are within the ranges recommended  for fish production and should be adequately managed for sustainable fish production. Keywords: Aquatic organisms, Ecosystem, Freshwater, Trophic state, Abundance


2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 83-96
Author(s):  
Oluwakemi Elizabeth Odeyemi ◽  
Adebukola Adenike Adedeji ◽  
Olatunji Joshua Odeyemi

Abstract The study determines the physico-chemical parameters of water from Odo-Ebo River with a view to providing information on the effects of discharge from carwash on the River’s water quality. Samples (48) for physico-chemical water quality were collected monthly over a period of an annual cycle (February 2015–January 2016) from four stations, namely: upstream (about 500 m before the carwash), two discharge points (1st and 2nd discharge points), and downstream (about 500 m after the carwash). The discharge points had higher mean values in 9 out of the 13 investigated water quality parameters, especially plant nutrient ions (phosphate, nitrate, and sulphate), with the discharge points significantly differing from the other stations in terms of phosphate concentration and apparent colour. This led to reduction in dissolved oxygen and zooplankton abundance, changes in apparent water colour, and increase in COD at the effluent receiving points. Furthermore, the higher mean values of dissolved oxygen, BOD5, turbidity, and true colour recorded upstream and downstream were reflections of higher biological productivity and organic detritus at these stations as compared to discharge points. The specific presence of some eutrophic species at the discharge points has only further proven the negative effects the effluent from the carwash had on the river, thus posing a potential threat to its aquatic organisms’ diversity. This eutrophication effect was observed downstream as an increase in zooplankton abundance and diversity. Therefore, environmental protection regulations are needed to reduce anthropogenic influence on the rivers in Nigeria.


1988 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 568-577
Author(s):  
Harold S. Bailey

Abstract The water quality of the upper 110 kilometres of the St. Croix River is considered to be pristine. A major industrial discharge renders the lower 14 kilometres of the river a water quality limited segment. Prior to 1970 the Georgia-Pacific Pulp and Paper Mill at Woodland, Maine, discharged untreated effluent directly into the river causing dissolved oxygen concentrations to drop well below 5 mg/L, the objective chosen in the interest of restoring endemic fish populations. Since 1972, the Mill has installed primary and secondary treatment, regulated river discharge rate and effluent composition which has greatly improved the summer dissolved oxygen regime. By 1980, dissolved oxygen concentrations were generally above 5.0 mg/L and restocking the river with Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar) was initiated.


1998 ◽  
Vol 38 (10) ◽  
pp. 23-30
Author(s):  
Sarah Jubb ◽  
Philip Hulme ◽  
Ian Guymer ◽  
John Martin

This paper describes a preliminary investigation that identified factors important in the prediction of river water quality, especially regarding dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration. Intermittent discharges from combined sewer overflows (CSOs) within the sewerage, and overflows at water reclamation works (WRW) cause dynamic conditions with respect to both river hydraulics and water quality. The impact of such discharges has been investigated under both wet and dry weather flow conditions. Data collected from the River Maun, UK, has shown that an immediate, transient oxygen demand exists downstream of an outfall during storm conditions. The presence of a delayed oxygen demand has also been identified. With regard to modelling, initial investigations used a simplified channel and the Streeter-Phelps (1925) dissolved oxygen sag curve equation. Later, a model taking into account hydrodynamic, transport and dispersion processes was used. This suggested that processes other than water phase degradation of organic matter significantly affect the dissolved oxygen concentration downstream of the location of an intermittent discharge. It is proposed that the dynamic rate of reaeration and the sediment oxygen demand should be the focus of further investigation.


1998 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 177-185 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hany Hassan ◽  
Keisuke Hanaki ◽  
Tomonori Matsuo

Global climate change induced by increased concentrations of greenhouse gases (especially CO2) is expected to include changes in precipitation, wind speed, incoming solar radiation, and air temperature. These major climate variables directly influence water quality in lakes by altering changes in flow and water temperature balance. High concentration of nutrient enrichment and expected variability of climate can lead to periodic phytoplankton blooms and an alteration of the neutral trophic balance. As a result, dissolved oxygen levels, with low concentrations, can fluctuate widely and algal productivity may reach critical levels. In this work, we will present: 1) recent results of GCMs climate scenarios downscaling project that was held at the University of Derby, UK.; 2) current/future comparative results of a new mathematical lake eutrophication model (LEM) in which output of phytoplankton growth rate and dissolved oxygen will be presented for Suwa lake in Japan as a case study. The model parameters were calibrated for the period of 1973–1983 and validated for the period of 1983–1993. Meterologic, hydrologic, and lake water quality data of 1990 were selected for the assessment analysis. Statistical relationships between seven daily meteorological time series and three airflow indices were used as a means for downscaling daily outputs of Hadley Centre Climate Model (HadCM2SUL) to the station sub-grid scale.


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