Impact of copper mine tailings (stamp sand) on survival and development of aquatic organisms near Gay, Michigan

Heavy metal-rich copper mine tailings, called stamp sands, were dumped by mining companies directly into streams and along the Lake Superior shoreline, degrading Keweenaw Peninsula waterways. One of the largest disposal sites is near Gay, Michigan, where tailings have been moved along the shoreline by currents since mining ceased. As a result, the smallest sand particles have been washed into deeper water and are filling the interstitial spaces of Buffalo Reef, a critical lake trout spawning site. This research is the first to investigate if stamp sand is detrimental to survival and early development of eggs and larvae of lake sturgeon, lake trout, and Northern leopard frogs, and also examines if the presence of stamp sands influences substrate selection of earthworms. This study found that stamp sand had significantly larger mean particle sizes and irregular shapes compared to natural sand, and earthworms show a strong preference for natural substrate over any combination that included stamp sand. Additionally, copper analysis (Cu2+) of surface water over stamp sand and natural sand showed concentrations were significantly higher in stamp sand surface water (100 μg/L) compared to natural sand surface water (10 μg/L). Frog embryos had similar hatch success over both types of sand, but tadpoles reared over natural sand grew faster and had higher survival rates. Eggs of lake sturgeon showed similar hatch success and development over natural vs. stamp sand over 17 days, while lake trout eggs hatched earlier and developed faster when incubated over stamp sand, yet showed similar development over a 163 day period. Copper from stamp sand appears to impact amphibians more than fish species in this study. These results will help determine what impact stamp sand has on organisms found throughout the Keweenaw Peninsula which encounter the material at some point in their life history

Enamel-based mark performance for marking Chinese mystery snail \u3ci\u3eBellamya chinensis\u3c/i\u3e

The exoskeleton of gastropods provides a convenient surface for carrying marks, and in the interest of improving future marking methods our laboratory assessed the performance of an enamel paint. The endurance of the paint was also compared to other marking methods assessed in the past. We marked the shells of 30 adult Chinese mystery snails Bellamya chinensis and held them in an aquarium for 181 days. We observed no complete degradation of any enamel-paint mark during the 181 days. The enamel-paint mark was superior to a nail-polish mark, which lasted a median of 100 days. Enamel-paint marks also have a lower rate of loss (0.00 month-1 181 days) than plastic bee tags (0.01 month-1, 57 days), gouache paint (0.07 month-1, 18.5 days), or car body paint from studies found in scientific literature. Legibility of enamelpaint marks had a median lifetime of 102 days. The use of enamel paint on the shells of gastropods is a viable option for studies lasting up to 6 months. Furthermore, visits to a capture-mark-recapture site 1 year after application of enamel-paint marks on B. chinensis shells produced several individuals on which the enamel paint was still visible, although further testing is required to clarify durability over longer periods

Bioenergetics and habitat suitability models for the Chinese mystery snail (\u3ci\u3eBellamya chinensis\u3c/i\u3e)

Relatively little is known about the invasive Chinese mystery snail (Bellamya chinensis). This research aims to elucidate some of the mystery surrounding this species. First, we place the species in context with other invasive freshwater snails of the USA and Canada, identifying current information gaps, categorizing shared characteristics among families and species, and comparing functional roles and ecological effects of freshwater snails. We conclude that more focus needs to be directed to regulating the aquarium, pet, and food trades if we are serious about preventing future invasions. Next, we develop a bioenergetics model for the species by quantifying and comparing consumption, egestion, respiration, and production of the Chinese mystery snail at varying water temperatures. We observed differences in these values across different water temperatures, indicating that temperature affects growth and reproductive strategies of this species. Then we focused on analyzing a specific case study to identify physical, chemical, and biological lake characteristics that help predict where the Chinese mystery snail is found. The top predictor model found that Chinese mystery snail presence is correlated with Secchi depth, latitude, and the presence of other aquatic invasive species. Finally, we use network analysis to develop a method for coupling social and ecological network models so they may be used in tandem to assess how humans aid the movement of the Chinese mystery snail, as well as how the snail affects an ecosystem after invasion. This was achieved through the adaptation of the framework of infectious disease network modeling. Advisors: Kevin L. Pope and Valery E. Forbe

Bioenergetics and habitat suitability models for the Chinese mystery snail (Bellamya chinensis)

Relatively little is known about the invasive Chinese mystery snail ( Bellamya chinensis). This research aims to elucidate some of the mystery surrounding this species. First, we place the species in context with other invasive freshwater snails of the USA and Canada, identifying current information gaps, categorizing shared characteristics among families and species, and comparing functional roles and ecological effects of freshwater snails. We conclude that more focus needs to be directed to regulating the aquarium, pet, and food trades if we are serious about preventing future invasions. Next, we develop a bioenergetics model for the species by quantifying and comparing consumption, egestion, respiration, and production of the Chinese mystery snail at varying water temperatures. We observed differences in these values across different water temperatures, indicating that temperature affects growth and reproductive strategies of this species. Then we focused on analyzing a specific case study to identify physical, chemical, and biological lake characteristics that help predict where the Chinese mystery snail is found. The top predictor model found that Chinese mystery snail presence is correlated with Secchi depth, latitude, and the presence of other aquatic invasive species. Finally, we use network analysis to develop a method for coupling social and ecological network models so they may be used in tandem to assess how humans aid the movement of the Chinese mystery snail, as well as how the snail affects an ecosystem after invasion. This was achieved through the adaptation of the framework of infectious disease network modeling

Mortality estimate of Chinese mystery snail, \u3ci\u3eBellamya chinensis\u3c/i\u3e (Reeve, 1863) in a Nebraska reservoir

The Chinese mystery snail (Bellamya chinensis) is an aquatic invasive species found throughout the USA. Little is known about this species’ life history or ecology, and only one population estimate has been published, for Wild Plum Lake in southeast Nebraska. A recent die-off event occurred at this same reservoir and we present a mortality estimate for this B. chinensis population using a quadrat approach. Assuming uniform distribution throughout the newly-exposed lake bed (20,900 m2), we estimate 42,845 individuals died during this event, amounting to approximately 17% of the previously-estimated population size of 253,570. Assuming uniform distribution throughout all previouslyreported available habitat (48,525 m2), we estimate 99,476 individuals died, comprising 39% of the previously-reported adult population. The die-off occurred during an extreme drought event, which was coincident with abnormally hot weather. However, the exact reason of the dieoff is still unclear. More monitoring of the population dynamics of B. chinensis is necessary to further our understanding of this species’ ecology

Ik? Een verhoogd risico? Een verslag van twee studies over hoe burgers betekenis geven aan informatie in online gezondheidschecks.

This article reports on two qualitative user studies that were designed to understand how people interpret and give meaning to information from online health checks. The object of both studies was the Dutch PreventionConsult, consisting of a short cardiometabolic risk calculator and an elaborate survey measuring lifestyle. In study 1, 16 people completed the risk calculator. In study 2, 20 people completed the risk calculator as well as the lifestyle survey. In both studies, semi-structured interviews were held to examine how the participants had interpreted the online health (risk) information provided. A qualitative thematic analysis of the interview data revealed that people generally used existing knowledge and beliefs rather than the information provided in the health check to interpret their test results. This suggests that online health information as provided in health checks could be improved by building on these existing views, e.g. by more explicitly referring to information that people deem relevant, such as family history

Toxicity of copper sulfate and rotenone to Chinese mystery snail (\u3ci\u3eBellamya chinensis\u3c/i\u3e)

The Chinese mystery snail (Bellamya chinensis) is a freshwater snail native to Southeast Asia, Japan, and Russia and is currently classified as an invasive species in at least 27 states in the USA. The species tolerates a wide range of environmental conditions, making management of established populations difficult. We tested the efficacy of two traditional chemical treatments, rotenone and copper sulfate, on the elimination of adult Chinese mystery snails in laboratory experiments. All snails (N=50) survived 72-hour exposure to rotenone-treated lake water, and 96% (N=25) survived 72-hour exposure to pre-determined rotenone concentrations of 0.25, 2.5, and 25.0 mg/L. All snails (N=10) survived exposure to 1.25 mg/L copper sulfate solution, 90% (N=10) survived exposure to 2.50 mg/L copper sulfate solution, and 80% (N=5) survived exposure to 5.0 mg/L copper sulfate solution. Neither rotenone nor copper sulfate effectively killed adult Chinese mystery snails in laboratory experiments, most likely due to their relatively large size, thick shell, and operculum. Therefore, it appears that populations will be very difficult to control once established, and management should focus on preventing additional spread or introductions of this species

Survival and behavior of Chinese mystery snails (\u3ci\u3eBellamya chinensis\u3c/i\u3e) in response to simulated water body drawdowns and extended air exposure

Nonnative invasive mollusks degrade aquatic ecosystems and induce economic losses worldwide. Extended air exposure through water body drawdown is one management action used for control. In North America, the Chinese mystery snail (Bellamya chinensis) is an invasive aquatic snail with an expanding range, but eradication methods for this species are not well documented. We assessed the ability of B. chinensis to survive different durations of air exposure, and observed behavioral responses prior to, during, and following desiccation events. Individual B. chinensis specimens survived air exposure in a laboratory setting for \u3e 9 weeks, and survivorship was greater among adults than juveniles. Several B. chinensis specimens responded to desiccation by sealing their opercula and/or burrowing in mud substrate. Our results indicate that drawdowns alone may not be an effective means of eliminating B. chinensis. This study lays the groundwork for future management research that may determine the effectiveness of drawdowns when combined with factors such as extreme temperatures, predation, or molluscicides