Stream water quality and benthic macroinvertebrate ecology in a coal-mining, acid-sensitive region

Acid mine drainage (AMD) and acid rain are important sources of impairment to streams in the Tygart Valley and Cheat River basins in north central West Virginia, USA. Due to a network of abandoned mined lands and bond forfeiture sites in this coal-mining region, AMD represents severe, but rather localized impacts to water quality. AMD is a consequence of the chemical oxidation of reduced geological minerals (sulfides) usually associated with coal during mining operations. The reactions produce aqueous solutions high in sulfates and dissolved metals when the minerals are exposed to the oxic environment through land disturbance. In addition, the weakly buffered and mostly acid producing to circum-neutral mineral geology of this region makes surface waters susceptible to the chemical consequences of acid rain. Acid rain forms when gaseous compounds of nitrogen and sulfur from fossil fuel combustion react with atmospheric moisture.;I tested a classification system based on water chemistry in streams of these two basins. Streams of the region ranged from very good water quality (reference type) to increasingly impaired by AMD (moderate to severe AMD types). Streams with soft water had characteristics associated with the impacts from acid rain, and streams with hard water were either natural occurrences or were influenced by alkaline materials injected into water to treat acid sources. A transitional water quality type was recognized, which was very difficult to characterize because of its gradation in chemistry across the spectrum from reference and hard water types to waters increasingly influenced by AMD.;It is commonly observed that benthic macroinvertebrates in streams from unpolluted waters are distributed continuously without being organized into discrete communities. The discreteness of water quality observed in this research, however, suggests that benthic macroinvertebrates ought not to be distributed continuously, but rather should correspond discretely to water quality types as distinct communities. Therefore, I tested the expectation that macroinvertebrate communities should be distributed in concordance with water quality types in the Cheat River basin. Multivariate models suggested that water quality types significantly structured macroinvertebrates. Measures of classification strength by water quality on community composition were weak, but significant. Indicator species analysis found several important macroinvertebrate genera that were linked especially to reference and soft water quality types.;In the Cheat River mainstem, benthic macroinvertebrate communities and a measure of stream ecosystem health were highly correlated to spatial and temporal inputs of AMD and thermal effluent. However, when these stressors occurred simultaneously, stream health and community structure did not recover with downstream improvements in water quality as they did when stressors occurred singly. In the Cheat River mainstem overall, AMD was responsible for most degradation, but AMD in combination with thermal effluent was also responsible for extensive loss of ecological integrity in the Cheat Canyon region. Consequently, local water chemistry accounts for the distributions of benthic macroinvertebrates in the Cheat basin. Therefore, macroinvertebrates may respond in predictable ways to restoration efforts that reduce harmful chemical constituents associated with acidic impacts. Large, watershed-scale attributes may be needed to explain variation in benthic macroinvertebrate communities not captured by local water quality types

Amphibian Use of Constructed Ponds on Maryland\u27s Eastern Shore

Amphibian assemblages were sampled at nine constructed ponds (three in each age category: new ponds-age \u3c1 yr, young ponds-age 4-5 yr, old ponds-age \u3e30 yr) on Maryland\u27s eastern shore (May-October 1994, March-August 1995) using a total of 27 drift fence and funnel trap arrays. The importance of habitat and landscape variables including pond age was considered in explaining amphibian use and distribution across ponds. Specifically, amphibian (1) abundance; (2) composition; (3) diversity; (4) richness; and (5) reproductive success were studied. During both years, we captured 1904 individuals comprising ten species. The most frequently collected species (species found in all treatments) were Bufo fowleri, Rana sphenocephala utricularius, and Rana catesbeiana. Bufo fow/eri comprised the majority of the collections in 1994 and 1995, 60.6% and 49.4% respectively. Some species were only collected at new ponds (Hy/a chrysoscelis, H. cinerea), some only at young and old ponds (Acris crepitans, Rana clamitans), and some only at old ponds (Scaphiopus holbrookii, Ambystoma opacum). Despite these differences in composition, no statistically significant differences in reproductive success or numbers collected were found across treatments. Brillouin diversity indices indicated amphibian diversity was greatest at young ponds in both years. Results suggest that, in the ponds studied, pond age affects amphibian composition, richness, and diversity but is not particularly useful in predicting reproductive success or the sizes of amphibian collections. However, because canonical correspondence analysis showed age to be a relatively important variable, it should not be discounted. Species-specific habitat requirements, regional abundance, and pond placement in the landscape (e.g., next to agriculture) appear to be more important in explaining amphibian use of constructed ponds

Demographic characteristics of an avian predator, Louisiana Waterthrush (Parkesia motacilla), in response to its aquatic prey in a Central Appalachian USA watershed impacted by shale gas development

We related Louisiana Waterthrush (Parkesia motacilla) demographic response and nest sur- vival to benthic macroinvertebrate aquatic prey and to shale gas development parameters using models that accounted for both spatial and non-spatial sources of variability in a Central Appala- chian USA watershed. In 2013, aquatic prey density and pollution intolerant genera (i.e., pollu- tion tolerance value \u3c4) decreased statistically with increased waterthrush territory length but not in 2014 when territory densities were lower. In general, most demographic responses to aquatic prey were variable and negatively related to aquatic prey in 2013 but positively related in 2014. Competing aquatic prey covariate models to explain nest survival were not statistically significant but differed annually and in general reversed from negative to positive influence on daily survival rate. Potential hydraulic fracturing runoff decreased nest survival both years and was statistically significant in 2014. The EPA Rapid Bioassessment protocol (EPA) and Habitat Suitability Index (HSI) designed for assessing suitability requirements for waterthrush were posi- tively linked to aquatic prey where higher scores increased aquatic prey metrics, but EPA was more strongly linked than HSI and varied annually. While potential hydraulic fracturing runoff in 2013 may have increased Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera (EPT) richness, in 2014 shale gas territory disturbance decreased EPT richness. In 2014, intolerant genera decreased at the territory and nest level with increased shale gas disturbance suggesting the potential for localized negative effects on waterthrush. Loss of food resources does not seem directly or solely responsible for demographic declines where waterthrush likely were able to meet their foraging needs. However collective evidence suggests there may be a shale gas dis- turbance threshold at which waterthrush respond negatively to aquatic prey community changes. Density-dependent regulation of their ability to adapt to environmental change through acquisition of additional resources may also alter demographic response

Assessing Health of the Little Juniata River Watershed

The Little Juniata River is a popular coldwater fishery, however we do not know many of the details of the health of the watershed. Therefore, we initiated a study to quantify the health of the Little Juniata River and its tributaries so that we can classify conditions at the watershed scale. We collected water quality and benthic macroinvertebrates from 38 sites, and we plan on collecting fish and habitat on most of those same sites. This current presentation focuses on our findings for the main stem of Little Juniata River only. We identified benthic macroinvertebrate samples from 10 main stem sites and examined the patterns in community structure as it related to water chemistry and land use attributes. We also calculated the PA IBI from benthic macroinvertebrate data at each site, and then constructed an empirical model that relates PA IBI scores to landscape conditions. We obtained land use data from the Chesapeake Conservancy Landscape Data Project and we analyzed relationships at the segment-level watershed scale. We found that benthic macroinvertebrate assemblages varied greatly among sites on the main stem. Water quality stayed relatively constant. Our analyses herein detail the relationship between benthic macroinvertebrates and land use patterns, and how it can be used for predicting conditions in un-sampled reaches of the main stem. Similar techniques can be used for the entire watershed. Being able to classify stream conditions will allow us to identify high quality areas for conservation and will allow us to identify low quality areas that can be targeted for restoration

Demographic characteristics of an avian predator, Louisiana Waterthrush (Parkesia motacilla), in response to its aquatic prey in a Central Appalachian USA watershed impacted by shale gas development.

We related Louisiana Waterthrush (Parkesia motacilla) demographic response and nest survival to benthic macroinvertebrate aquatic prey and to shale gas development parameters using models that accounted for both spatial and non-spatial sources of variability in a Central Appalachian USA watershed. In 2013, aquatic prey density and pollution intolerant genera (i.e., pollution tolerance value <4) decreased statistically with increased waterthrush territory length but not in 2014 when territory densities were lower. In general, most demographic responses to aquatic prey were variable and negatively related to aquatic prey in 2013 but positively related in 2014. Competing aquatic prey covariate models to explain nest survival were not statistically significant but differed annually and in general reversed from negative to positive influence on daily survival rate. Potential hydraulic fracturing runoff decreased nest survival both years and was statistically significant in 2014. The EPA Rapid Bioassessment protocol (EPA) and Habitat Suitability Index (HSI) designed for assessing suitability requirements for waterthrush were positively linked to aquatic prey where higher scores increased aquatic prey metrics, but EPA was more strongly linked than HSI and varied annually. While potential hydraulic fracturing runoff in 2013 may have increased Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera (EPT) richness, in 2014 shale gas territory disturbance decreased EPT richness. In 2014, intolerant genera decreased at the territory and nest level with increased shale gas disturbance suggesting the potential for localized negative effects on waterthrush. Loss of food resources does not seem directly or solely responsible for demographic declines where waterthrush likely were able to meet their foraging needs. However collective evidence suggests there may be a shale gas disturbance threshold at which waterthrush respond negatively to aquatic prey community changes. Density-dependent regulation of their ability to adapt to environmental change through acquisition of additional resources may also alter demographic response

Diet of Young-Of-The-Year Smallmouth Bass in the Upper Juniata River System

The decline of young-of-the-year (YOY) smallmouth bass (SMB, Micropterus dolomieu) recruitment and adult densities in the Susquehanna River basin since 2005 raises concern for the health and well being of the fishery. Our study focused on understanding the feeding ecology of YOY SMB in the upper Juniata River watershed, a major tributary to the Susquehanna River. We studied the mainstem of the upper Juniata River, and the major tributaries forming and joining the river. We sampled the YOY smallmouth bass for a two-year period during the summer of 2016 and 2017. Our specific objectives were to 1) characterize the diet of SMB and a potential invasive competitor, the rusty crayfish (Orconectes rusticus), 2) document the physical condition and external health of individuals, and 3) evaluate the effectiveness of gastric lavage to extract diet contents at an early life history stage. A subset of individuals was sacrificed to check lavage efficiency and these individuals were also sent to be examined for histopathological anomalies that may result from pharmaceutical contamination (i.e., endocrine disrupting compounds) that is considered to be a likely cause of SMB decline. We also quantified habitat conditions using rapid visual techniques and ecological health of each site following the protocols for the Pennsylvania Index of Biotic Integrity for wadeable freestone streams. PA IBI scores (range 34 – 67) and habitat conditions (range 46 – 70%) were rather poor in both years. In summer (July and August) 2016, YOY SMB were numerous and were in excellent health, but were nearly absence during the same time in 2017. Few external anomalies consisted of parasites only. Most individuals were full of prey items, which on average consisted of about half aquatic prey and half terrestrial or neustonic prey. Rusty crayfish diet contents lacked any resemblance to diet contents in YOY SMB. Gastric lavage techniques were effective at removing gut contents and only a few individuals were found to have stomach contents remaining when dissected in the lab. Furthermore, nearly all YOY SMB fully recovered from field lavage experiences. Only 2 individuals died, and this was likely due to extreme river surface water temperatures (89 F) at the time of sampling. Thus, gastric lavage is a safe and effective technique to study YOY SMB feeding ecology and important links between recruitment, diet, and food quality without having to kill numerous fish

Linking Patterns in Endocrine-Disrupting Compounds to Storm Discharge and Yoy Smb Health in the Upper Juniata River Watershed

Population declines and disease incidence in smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu) in the Susquehanna River basin have been linked to endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs) as a likely causative agent. Nothing is known about this link in the upper Juniat

Variability in Endocrine-Disrupting Compounds in the Upper Juniata River System

Population declines and disease incidence in smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu) in the Susquehanna River basin have been linked to endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs) as a likely causative agent. Nothing is known about EDC dynamics in the upper Juniata River basin, and specifically how EDC patterns may vary with hydrologic conditions and landscape characteristics. We sampled water in the mainstem of the Juniata River and at 5 major tributaries across a range of discharges (e.g., peak storm flows, descending flows, base flows, etc.) and landscape characteristics over a 2-year time frame during the summers of 2016 and 2017. Samples were analyzed for EDCs measured as total estradiol equivalents (EEQ, ng/L). We also collected information on pH, dissolved oxygen, temperature, specific conductance, and total dissolved solids during each sampling event to identify possible connections between hydrologic conditions and variation in EDC concentrations. We found extremely high spatial and temporal variation in EDCs concentrations. Concentrations varied highly within sites at the same time, within sites at different times, among sites, and between years, but levels thus far have not surpassed the 1 ng/L threshold considered to be a concern for fish health. Thus far, we could not detect a trend in EDC concentrations along a continuum of the Juniata River downstream of the waste water treatment plant. Additionally, our current analyses cannot link variation in EDC concentrations to discharge, simple water quality measurements, or landuse/landcover at 2 spatial scales, but early indications suggest that EDCs are present in quantities that should be considered important for addressing ecological health in the broader Susquehanna River basin