1
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Craska HD, Davis AY. Incongruence between residential uses and perceptions of fertilizers and deicers. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0306550. [PMID: 39028698 PMCID: PMC11259275 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0306550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/18/2024] [Indexed: 07/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Fertilizers and deicers are common materials for property maintenance in the Midwest, however, their application contributes to negative environmental impacts when applied incorrectly. While fertilizer use is well researched, deicer use on private properties is not. This research aims to ascertain whether patterns of fertilizer use are different from those of deicer use in Hamilton County, Ohio, and determine what factors influence a resident's decision to use these materials. Survey data were collected from 110 single-family households (38.9% response rate). Respondents are motivated by property appearance to apply fertilizers. Deicer use stems from safety concerns. Respondents were significantly more likely to consider the environmental impact of fertilizers than deicers. Respondents felt that using deicers is a more neighborly practice while using fertilizers reflects more positively on them in their neighborhood. This information can be used to develop outreach programs to reduce the environmental impacts of fertilizers and deicers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heather D. Craska
- Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Amélie Y. Davis
- Department of Economics and Geosciences, United States Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colorado, United States of America
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2
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Marks NK, Cravotta CA, Rossi ML, Silva C, Kremer P, Goldsmith ST. Exploring spatial and temporal symptoms of the freshwater salinization syndrome in a rural to urban watershed. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 947:174266. [PMID: 38960200 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.174266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2024] [Revised: 06/20/2024] [Accepted: 06/22/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024]
Abstract
The freshwater salinization syndrome (FSS), a concomitant watershed-scale increase in salinity, alkalinity, and major-cation and trace-metal concentrations, over recent decades, has been described for major rivers draining extensive urban areas, yet few studies have evaluated temporal and spatial FSS variations, or causal factors, at the subwatershed scale in mixed-use landscapes. This study examines the potential influence of land-use practices and wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) effluent on the export of major ions and trace metals from the mixed-use East Branch Brandywine Creek watershed in southeastern Pennsylvania, during the 2019 water year. Separate analysis of baseflow and stormflow subsets revealed similar correlations among land-use characteristics and streamwater chemistry. Positive associations between percent impervious surface cover, which ranged from 1.26 % to 21.9 % for the 13 sites sampled, and concentrations of Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, and Cl- are consistent with road-salt driven reverse cation exchange and weathering of the built environment. The relative volume of upstream WWTP was correlated with Cu and Zn, which may be derived in part from corroded water-conveyance infrastructure; chloride to sulfate mass ratios (CSMR) ranged from ~6.3 to ~7.7× the 0.5 threshold indicating serious corrosivity potential. Observed exceedances of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Na+ and Cl- drinking water and aquatic life criteria occurred in winter months. Finally, correlations between percent cultivated cropland and As and Pb concentrations may be explained by the persistence of agricultural pesticides that had been used historically. Study results contribute to the understanding of FSS solute origin, fate, and transport in mixed-use watersheds, particularly those in road salt-affected regions. Study results also emphasize the complexity of trace-metal source attribution and explore the potential for FSS solutes to affect human health, aquatic life, and infrastructure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole K Marks
- Department of Geography and the Environment, Villanova University, Villanova, PA 19085, United States of America
| | - Charles A Cravotta
- Cravotta Geochemical Consulting, Bethel, PA 19507, United States of America
| | - Marissa L Rossi
- Department of Geography and the Environment, Villanova University, Villanova, PA 19085, United States of America; U.S. Geological Survey, Pennsylvania Water Science Center, 408 Boot Road, Downingtown, PA 19335, United States of America
| | - Camila Silva
- Department of Geography and the Environment, Villanova University, Villanova, PA 19085, United States of America
| | - Peleg Kremer
- Department of Geography and the Environment, Villanova University, Villanova, PA 19085, United States of America
| | - Steven T Goldsmith
- Department of Geography and the Environment, Villanova University, Villanova, PA 19085, United States of America.
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3
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Li B, Zhao S, Zhang W, Liu N, Xu H, Wei X, Wang Z, Wang T, Li X. Reclamation history and land use types across multiple spatial scales shape anuran communities in the coastal land reclamation region. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2024; 353:120262. [PMID: 38330840 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.120262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Revised: 12/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
Land reclamation is a widely adopted method for managing land shortage and promoting coastal economic development globally. However, its impacts on biodiversity vary based on distinct reclamation histories and land use management strategies in different regions. This study aims to examine the effects of reclamation history and land use types at different spatial scales on anuran communities in coastal reclaimed land, which are an important taxon in the coastal ecosystem. We used visual and acoustic encounter methods to survey anurans in 2016 and 2017 across 20 1-km radius coastal land reclamation landscapes with different reclamation histories (10, 20, and 60 y after reclamation) in Nanhui Dongtan of Shanghai, an important coastal land reclamation region along the Yangtze River Estuary. Landscape variables (farmlands, woodlands, and impermeable surface covers, and the landscape Shannon diversity index) at four different spatial scales (250 m, 500 m, 750 m and 1000 m) and water salinity in each landscape were measured. Our findings reveal differences in anuran communities between study sites with 10, 20, and 60 years of reclamation history. Abundances of the ornamented pygmy frog (Microhyla fissipes) and Beijing gold-striped pond frog (Pelophylax plancyi) in landscapes with a 10-year reclamation history were significantly lower compared to those with histories of 20 and 60 years. Zhoushan toad (Bufo gargarizans) abundance was significantly negatively related to farmland cover at the 1000 m scale and impermeable surface cover at the 250 m scale; Hong Kong rice-paddy frog (Fejervarya multistriata) abundance was significantly positively related to farmland cover at the 1000 m scale; ornamented pygmy frog abundance was positively related to farmland cover at the 1000 m scale; and Beijing gold-striped pond frog abundance was significantly positively and negatively related to the landscape Shannon diversity index at the 1000 m scale and to water salinity, respectively. Amphibians quickly migrated and colonized coastal reclaimed land from older natural lands. However, two anuran species with specific habitat requirements tended to avoid areas with shorter reclamation histories. The single-species models revealed different responses to various land uses at the various scales, which indicated that land use management was important to amphibian conservation in coastal reclamation regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ben Li
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, Yangtze Delta Estuarine Wetland Ecosystem Observation and Research Station, Ministry of Education & Shanghai Science and Technology Committee, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China; School of Life Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200062, China.
| | - Shanshan Zhao
- College of Life Science, China Jiliang University, Hangzhou, 310018, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- Natural History Research Centre of Shanghai Natural History Museum, Shanghai Science & Technology Museum, Shanghai, 200041, China; Department of Ecology and Enviroment of Qinghai Province, Qinghai, 810007, China
| | - Ningning Liu
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Ecological Engineering, Coastal Ecosystems Research Station of the Yangtze River Estuary, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Huan Xu
- Shanghai Wildlife and Protected Natural Areas Research Center, Shanghai, 200336, China
| | - Xu Wei
- School of Life Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200062, China
| | - Zhenghuan Wang
- School of Life Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200062, China
| | - Tianhou Wang
- School of Life Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200062, China
| | - Xiuzhen Li
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, Yangtze Delta Estuarine Wetland Ecosystem Observation and Research Station, Ministry of Education & Shanghai Science and Technology Committee, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China
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4
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Lukanov S, Kolev A, Dimitrova B, Popgeorgiev G. Rice Fields as Important Habitats for Three Anuran Species-Significance and Implications for Conservation. Animals (Basel) 2023; 14:106. [PMID: 38200836 PMCID: PMC10778459 DOI: 10.3390/ani14010106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Agriculture can have different effects on wildlife depending on land-use type and extensive/intensive practices. The aim of this study was to establish the significance of rice fields in Central Bulgaria as anuran habitats. We used Audiomoth acoustic loggers to record calling activity at three sites near the city of Plovdiv-one shallow pond and two rice fields-from June to September in 2022 and 2023. We registered the three most widespread species in the region-Bufotes viridis, Hyla orientalis and Pelophylax ridibundus-and created pattern-matching models for them using the free web interface Arbimon, which enabled us to perform presence/absence counts and abundance estimates. At the beginning and the end of the rice vegetation period, water samples were collected and analysed for 62 substances. Substance concentrations were compared between ponds and with LC50 data from the available literature. We registered 19 and 21 substances in 2022 and 2023, respectively, with concentrations within the accepted limits, and although some metals were near risk levels, this was not reflected in the presence counts or the abundance estimates. The results indicated that frog activity was not related to any of the registered substances, but that it was positively correlated with daily rainfall and was higher in the rice fields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simeon Lukanov
- Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia 1000, Bulgaria;
| | - Andrey Kolev
- Faculty of Biology, Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”, Sofia 1164, Bulgaria;
| | - Blagovesta Dimitrova
- Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia 1000, Bulgaria;
| | - Georgi Popgeorgiev
- National Museum of Natural History, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia 1000, Bulgaria;
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Otero MA, Grenat PR, Pollo FE, Baraquet M, Martino AL. Effect on growth and development of common toad (Rhinella arenarum) tadpoles in environment related to fluorite mine. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 904:166936. [PMID: 37690762 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Revised: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
Fluorite mining activities have been scarcely evaluated so far and the potential effect of this activity on larval stages is poorly known. Thus, studies addressing the effect of contaminants present in water bodies on the health of amphibian larvae are crucial information for their conservation and constitute a warning sign of environmental modification. This study aims to evaluate the effects of natural and artificial surface waters associated with a fluorite mine on the early life stages of Rhinella arenarum. Using microcosms, we assessed four sites with different degrees of disturbance by the fluorine mine: Vallecitos stream (undisturbed); Cerros Negros upstream of mining camp (low disturbance); Cerros Negro downstream of mining camp (medium disturbance); Decantation Ponds (high disturbance). For 65 days we measured different endpoints at different periods of tadpole development. The highest mortality of tadpoles was observed in the Decantation Ponds. In the same way, larval body condition was lower at Decantation Ponds throughout the study, due mainly to the lower weight. A significant decrease in growth and development was observed in Cerros Negro downstream of the mining camp and Decantation Ponds. No significant differences in growth, development and mortality were observed for the other two sites. At the metamorphic climax we observe a lower body condition and a reduced recruitment of individuals in Decantation Ponds. This study allowed us to assess the effect on larvae of R. arenarum of fluorite mining wastewater compared with other near-natural sites. Given the potentially negative synergic effects of mixed water pollutants on tadpoles, this study suggests that chronic exposure to fluorite mining water may significantly impact the adult amphibian population structure, thus altering population viability. Therefore, we propose to monitor the correct functioning of the mine and especially of Decantation Ponds to avoid discharges into the natural streams.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel A Otero
- Instituto de Ciencias de La Tierra, Biodiversidad y Ambiente (ICBIA), UNRC-CONICET, Argentina; Ecología, Departamento de Ciencias Naturales, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físico-Químicas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto, Ruta Nacional N 36 e Km 601, CP 5800 Río Cuarto, Argentina.
| | - Pablo R Grenat
- Instituto de Ciencias de La Tierra, Biodiversidad y Ambiente (ICBIA), UNRC-CONICET, Argentina; Ecología, Departamento de Ciencias Naturales, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físico-Químicas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto, Ruta Nacional N 36 e Km 601, CP 5800 Río Cuarto, Argentina
| | - Favio E Pollo
- Instituto de Ciencias de La Tierra, Biodiversidad y Ambiente (ICBIA), UNRC-CONICET, Argentina; Ecología, Departamento de Ciencias Naturales, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físico-Químicas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto, Ruta Nacional N 36 e Km 601, CP 5800 Río Cuarto, Argentina
| | - Mariana Baraquet
- Instituto de Ciencias de La Tierra, Biodiversidad y Ambiente (ICBIA), UNRC-CONICET, Argentina; Ecología, Departamento de Ciencias Naturales, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físico-Químicas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto, Ruta Nacional N 36 e Km 601, CP 5800 Río Cuarto, Argentina
| | - Adolfo L Martino
- Instituto de Ciencias de La Tierra, Biodiversidad y Ambiente (ICBIA), UNRC-CONICET, Argentina; Ecología, Departamento de Ciencias Naturales, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físico-Químicas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto, Ruta Nacional N 36 e Km 601, CP 5800 Río Cuarto, Argentina
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6
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Relyea RA, Schermerhorn CX, Mattes BM, Shepard ID. Phenotypically plastic responses to freshwater salinization in larval amphibians: Induced tolerance and induced sensitivity. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 337:122588. [PMID: 37734634 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.122588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Revised: 09/16/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023]
Abstract
Contamination of aquatic ecosystems is pervasive around the world and there has been a growing interest in understanding the ecological and evolutionary impacts. For contaminants such as pesticides, researchers are discovering widespread evolution of increased tolerance in target and non-target species and the role of phenotypic plasticity in facilitating this evolution. In contrast, we know much less about the evolution of tolerance in response to the increasing problem of freshwater salinization. In amphibians, recent studies have discovered that some populations from ponds with high salt pollution (from deicing road salts) have evolved higher tolerance. In this study, we examined whether populations of wood frog tadpoles (Rana sylvatica) possess rapid, inducible tolerance to salinity in a manner similar to their inducible tolerance to pesticides. Using newly hatched tadpoles from nine populations, we discovered that eight of the populations were able to alter their tolerance to salt. However, seven of the eight inducible populations experienced a higher sensitivity to salt while the eighth population experienced a higher tolerance to salt. Such inducible responses likely reflect the interplay of salt dynamics in the ponds, combined with the available genetic variation and selection intensity of each pond. This appears to be the first example of inducible salt tolerance in any animal and future studies should examine the generality of the response and how it may affect the evolution of tolerance to the global issue of freshwater salinization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rick A Relyea
- Department of Biological Sciences, Darrin Fresh Water Institute, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY 12180, USA.
| | - Candace X Schermerhorn
- Department of Biological Sciences, Darrin Fresh Water Institute, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY 12180, USA
| | - Brian M Mattes
- Department of Biological Sciences, Darrin Fresh Water Institute, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY 12180, USA
| | - Isaac D Shepard
- Department of Biological Sciences, Darrin Fresh Water Institute, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY 12180, USA
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7
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Lorrain-Soligon L, Robin F, Bertin X, Jankovic M, Rousseau P, Lelong V, Brischoux F. Long-term trends of salinity in coastal wetlands: Effects of climate, extreme weather events, and sea water level. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 237:116937. [PMID: 37611783 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.116937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2023] [Revised: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023]
Abstract
Coastal freshwater ecosystems play major roles as reservoirs of biodiversity and provide many ecosystem services and protection from extreme weather events. While they are of particular importance worldwide, they are affected by a large variety of anthropogenic threats, among which salinization has been less studied, particularly regarding large temporal and spatial data sets based on real case scenarios, while salinity can impact biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. In this study, we investigated the variations of salinity across long-term (1996-2020) and seasonal (monthly records) temporal scales and spatial (varying distance to the coastline) scales in water bodies of two typical temperate coastal wetlands situated on the Atlantic coast of France. We complemented our analyses with models of sea water levels computed at both sites across 2000-2020. Our detailed data set allowed for highlighting that salinity in ponds varied seasonally (higher during summer, due to decreased precipitation and higher temperature), but also spatially (higher closer to the seashore, which pattern increased through time). Over the long term, decreased precipitation but not increased temperature induced increasing salinity. We also highlighted contrasted long-term patterns of salinity changes on these two coastal wetlands, with one site were salinity decreased over time linked to the responses to marine flood, allowing to document the temporal dynamics of salinity following a massive intrusion of sea water. Complementarily, at both sites, water levels at high tides increased through time, a pattern which can induce additional salinization. To our knowledge, our study is the first to investigate long-term changes in salinity in coastal wetlands through natural processes (e.g. seaspray, seasonal variations) and ongoing climate perturbations (e.g. marine surges linked to extreme weather events, increased temperature and decreased precipitations).
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Affiliation(s)
- Léa Lorrain-Soligon
- Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé, CEBC UMR 7372, CNRS - La Rochelle Université, 79360, Villiers en Bois, France.
| | | | - Xavier Bertin
- UMR 7266 LIENSs, CNRS-La Rochelle Université, La Rochelle, France
| | - Marko Jankovic
- Réserve Naturelle Du Marais d'Yves LPO, Ferme de La Belle Espérance, 17340, Yves, France
| | - Pierre Rousseau
- Réserve Naturelle de Moëze-Oléron, LPO, Plaisance, Saint-Froult, 17780, France
| | - Vincent Lelong
- Réserve Naturelle de Moëze-Oléron, LPO, Plaisance, Saint-Froult, 17780, France
| | - François Brischoux
- Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé, CEBC UMR 7372, CNRS - La Rochelle Université, 79360, Villiers en Bois, France
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8
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Buss N, Hua J. Host exposure to a common pollutant can influence diversity-disease relationships. J Anim Ecol 2023; 92:2151-2162. [PMID: 37587564 DOI: 10.1111/1365-2656.13988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023]
Abstract
Hosts and parasites are embedded in communities where species richness and composition can influence disease outcomes (diversity-disease relationships). The direction and magnitude of diversity-disease relationships are influenced by variation in competence (ability to support and transmit infections) of hosts in a community. However, host susceptibility to parasites, which mediates host competence, is not static and is influenced by environmental factors, including pollutants. Despite the role that pollutants can play in augmenting host susceptibility, how pollutants influence diversity-disease dynamics is not well understood. Using an amphibian-trematode model, we tested how NaCl influences diversity-disease dynamics. We predicted that NaCl exposure can alter relative susceptibility of host species to trematodes, leading to cascading effects on the diversity-disease relationship. To test these predictions, we exposed hosts to benign or NaCl environments and generated communities that differed in number and composition of host species. We exposed these communities to trematodes and measured disease outcomes at the community (total infections across all hosts within a community) and species levels (average number of infections per host species within a community). Host species differed in their relative susceptibility to trematodes when exposed to NaCl. Consequently, at the community level (total infections across all hosts within a community), we only detected diversity-disease relationships (dilution effects) in communities where hosts were exposed to NaCl. At the species level, disease outcomes (average number of infections/species) and whether multi-species communities supported lower number of infections relative to single-species communities depended on community composition. Notably, however, as with overall community infection, diversity-disease relationships only emerged when hosts were exposed to NaCl. Synthesis. Pollutants are ubiquitous in nature and can influence disease dynamics across a number of host-parasite systems. Here, we show that NaCl exposure can alter the relative susceptibility of host species to parasites, influencing the relationship between biodiversity and disease at both community and species levels. Collectively, our study contributes to the limited knowledge surrounding environmental mediators of host susceptibility and their influence on diversity-disease dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas Buss
- Department of Biological Sciences, Binghamton University (SUNY), Binghamton, New York, USA
| | - Jessica Hua
- Department of Biological Sciences, Binghamton University (SUNY), Binghamton, New York, USA
- Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
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9
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Park JK, Do Y. Current State of Conservation Physiology for Amphibians: Major Research Topics and Physiological Parameters. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:3162. [PMID: 37893886 PMCID: PMC10603670 DOI: 10.3390/ani13203162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Revised: 10/07/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Analysis of physiological responses can be used to assess population health, identify threat factors, and understand mechanisms of stress. In addition to this, conservation physiologists have sought to establish potential management strategies for environmental change and evaluate the effectiveness of conservation efforts. From past to present, the field of conservation physiology is developing in an increasingly broader context. In this review, we aim to categorize the topics covered in conservation physiology research on amphibians and present the measured physiological parameters to provide directions for future research on conservation physiology. Physiological responses of amphibians to environmental stressors are the most studied topic, but conservation physiological studies on metamorphosis, habitat loss and fragmentation, climate change, and conservation methods are relatively lacking. A number of physiological indices have been extracted to study amphibian conservation physiology, and the indices have varying strengths of correlation with each subject. Future research directions are suggested to develop a comprehensive monitoring method for amphibians, identify interactions among various stressors, establish physiological mechanisms for environmental factors, and quantify the effects of conservation activities on amphibian physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yuno Do
- Department of Biological Sciences, Kongju National University, Gongju 32588, Republic of Korea;
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10
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Woodley A, Hintz LL, Wilmoth B, Hintz WD. Impacts of water hardness and road deicing salt on zooplankton survival and reproduction. Sci Rep 2023; 13:2975. [PMID: 36806739 PMCID: PMC9941116 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-30116-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Rising salinity from road deicing salts threatens the survival and reproduction of freshwater organisms. We conducted two experiments to address how Daphnia pulex survival and reproduction were affected by road salt concentration (control, 120, 640 and 1200 mg Cl-/L) crossed with three concentrations of water hardness (20, 97, 185 mg CaCO3 /L). D. pulex survival was poor in our hard water treatment in both experiments (185 mg CaCO3 /L), potentially indicating a low tolerance to hard water for the strain used in our experiments. With the remaining two hardness treatments (20 and 97 mg CaCO3 /L), we found no evidence of an interactive effect between salt concentration and water hardness on D. pulex survival. In our population-level experiment, D. pulex survival was reduced by > 60% at 120 mg Cl-/L compared to the control. In the individual experiment, survival was similar between the control and 120 mg Cl-/L, but ≤ 40% of individuals survived in 640 and 1200 mg Cl-/L. For the surviving individuals across all treatments, the number of offspring produced per individual declined with increasing Cl- concentration and in hard water. Our results indicate that current Cl- thresholds may not protect some zooplankton and reduced food availability per capita may enhance the negative impacts of road salt.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aniyah Woodley
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Lake Erie Center, The University of Toledo, 6200 Bay Shore Road, Oregon, OH, 43616, USA
| | - Leslie L Hintz
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Lake Erie Center, The University of Toledo, 6200 Bay Shore Road, Oregon, OH, 43616, USA
| | - Bayley Wilmoth
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Lake Erie Center, The University of Toledo, 6200 Bay Shore Road, Oregon, OH, 43616, USA
| | - William D Hintz
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Lake Erie Center, The University of Toledo, 6200 Bay Shore Road, Oregon, OH, 43616, USA.
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Conan A, Dehaut N, Enstipp M, Handrich Y, Jumeau J. Stormwater ponds as an amphibian breeding site: a case study with European green toad tadpoles. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:12114-12124. [PMID: 36104646 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-22991-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Stormwater ponds (SWPs) are built to collect and retain polluted runoff water from roads. Consequently, they are not perceived as suitable habitat for wetland species, such as many amphibians. However, given the drastic decline of wetland areas, SWPs may serve as a habitat for protected amphibian species, such as the European green toad (Bufotes viridis). The latter species is frequently found inside these artificial ponds, but their reproductive success is unknown. We assessed the suitability of SWPs as breeding habitat for European green toads by monitoring 8 SWPs and 8 semi-natural ponds (SNPs), which served as control sites. At each site, two groups of 30 tadpoles, originating at that site, were held inside two floating enclosures that contained sediment from the respective pond. During bi-weekly monitoring, tadpoles were counted and measured, allowing to estimate growth and mortality rates. A variety of biotic and abiotic factors were studied to determine the causes of potential differences in growth and mortality rates between the two pond types. While growth rate did not differ between pond types, mortality rates were significantly greater in SWPs than in SNPs. The extremely low survival rate observed in SWPs might be explained by the considerably greater pollutant concentration in their sediment and/or by the presence of leeches, which were found exclusively inside SWPs. Implementation of management measures, such as regular draining/dredging during winter, might help to lower the pollutant concentration in the sediment and reduce the density of leeches inside SWPs, improving their suitability as habitat for amphibians.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonin Conan
- CNRS, IPHC UMR 7178, Université de Strasbourg, 67000, Strasbourg, France.
- Collectivité Européenne d'Alsace, CERISE, Place du Quartier Blanc, 67964, Cedex 9, Strasbourg, France.
| | - Nathan Dehaut
- Collectivité Européenne d'Alsace, CERISE, Place du Quartier Blanc, 67964, Cedex 9, Strasbourg, France
| | - Manfred Enstipp
- CNRS, IPHC UMR 7178, Université de Strasbourg, 67000, Strasbourg, France
| | - Yves Handrich
- CNRS, IPHC UMR 7178, Université de Strasbourg, 67000, Strasbourg, France
| | - Jonathan Jumeau
- Collectivité Européenne d'Alsace, CERISE, Place du Quartier Blanc, 67964, Cedex 9, Strasbourg, France
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12
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Ocampo M, Chuirazzi C, Takahashi MK. The effects of road salt (NaCl), predation, and competition on the growth and community interactions of spotted salamanders (Ambystoma maculatum) and wood frogs (Lithobates sylvaticus). ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 315:120349. [PMID: 36206892 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Revised: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/30/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Road deicing salts are frequently used in northern regions of the world during the winter and early spring months. As a result, a significant portion of road runoff into surrounding aquatic habitats contains road deicing salts. Previous studies found road salt contaminations in vernal pools that pond-breeding amphibians commonly use, including spotted salamanders (Ambystoma maculatum) and wood frogs (Lithobates sylvaticus). Studies have examined the impact of road salt on both amphibian species, but to our knowledge no previous studies have examined how road salt impacts the interspecific competition between both amphibians. We hypothesized that road salt would negatively impact growth and survivorship of both amphibian species. During the spring and summer of 2017, we conducted an outdoor mesocosm experiment in which we created eight experimental conditions with three main factors: presence/absence of NaCl (1000 mg/L Cl-), presence/absence of interspecific competition between the two amphibian species (A. maculatum and L. sylvaticus), and presence/absence of predatory dragonfly larvae (Family Libellulidae). Our experiment revealed that salt delayed hatching and increased deformity in spotted salamander hatchlings. Additionally, salt reduced salamander survivorship by 62% and frog survivorship by 30%. Wood frog tadpoles and road salt interacted to diminish salamander survivorship a further 80% beyond salt alone, likely through an increase in interspecific competition. Road salt increased the larval period of salamanders and decreased the proportion metamorphosed by the end of the experiment. Dragonfly larvae reduced salamander survivorship by 35%, whereas they increased wood frog tadpole development rates. Dragonfly larvae and salt interacted to alter tadpole denticle size, with salt negating the impact of dragonfly larvae. Thus, we found that salt interfered with aquatic predatory chemical cues. Overall, the results of this study suggest that management strategies should be implemented in order to reduce the impact of road salts on freshwater aquatic ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa Ocampo
- Department of Biology, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA, 17837, USA.
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13
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Rossi ML, Kremer P, Cravotta CA, Scheirer KE, Goldsmith ST. Long-term impacts of impervious surface cover change and roadway deicing agent application on chloride concentrations in exurban and suburban watersheds. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 851:157933. [PMID: 35987233 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.157933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Revised: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Roadway deicing agents, including rock salt and brine containing NaCl, have had a profound impact on the water quality and aquatic health of rivers and streams in urbanized areas with temperate climates. Yet, few studies evaluate impacts to watersheds characterized by relatively low impervious surface cover (ISC; < 15 %). Here, we use long-term (1997-2019), monthly streamwater quality data combined with daily streamflow for six exurban and suburban watersheds in southeastern Pennsylvania to examine the relations among chloride (Cl-) concentrations and ISC. Both flow-normalized Cl- concentrations and ISC increased over time in each of the six watersheds, consistent with changes in watershed management (e.g., ISC, road salt application, etc.). The watersheds that experienced the greatest changes in percent ISC (e.g., agriculture replaced by residential and commercial development) experienced the greatest changes in flow-normalized Cl- concentrations. We also utilized a comprehensive mass-balance model (2011-2018) that indicated Cl- inputs exceeded the outputs for the study watersheds. Road salt applied to state roads, non-state roads, and other impervious surfaces accounted for the majority of Cl- inputs to the six watersheds. Furthermore, increasing Cl- concentrations during baseflow conditions confirm impacts to shallow groundwater. Although flow-normalized Cl- concentrations are below the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's chronic threshold value for impacts to aquatic organisms, year-round exceedances may result before the end of this century based on current trends. Though reduced Cl- loading to streams may be achieved by limiting the expansion of impervious surfaces in exurban and suburban watersheds, changes in baseflow concentrations are likely to be gradual because of the accumulated Cl- in groundwater.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marissa L Rossi
- Department of Geography and the Environment, Villanova University, Villanova, PA 19085, United States of America
| | - Peleg Kremer
- Department of Geography and the Environment, Villanova University, Villanova, PA 19085, United States of America
| | - Charles A Cravotta
- U.S. Geological Survey, Pennsylvania Water Science Center, 215 Limekiln Road, New Cumberland, PA 17070, United States of America
| | - Krista E Scheirer
- Aqua Pennsylvania, Inc., 762 W. Lancaster Ave, Bryn Mawr, PA 19010, United States of America
| | - Steven T Goldsmith
- Department of Geography and the Environment, Villanova University, Villanova, PA 19085, United States of America.
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14
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Multiscale drivers of amphibian community occupancy in urban ponds. Urban Ecosyst 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s11252-022-01239-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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15
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Cruz YD, Rossi ML, Goldsmith ST. Impacts of Road Deicing Application on Sodium and Chloride Concentrations in Philadelphia Region Drinking Water. GEOHEALTH 2022; 6:e2021GH000538. [PMID: 35372746 PMCID: PMC8859511 DOI: 10.1029/2021gh000538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2021] [Revised: 01/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Historical application of roadway deicing agents (e.g., road salt and brines) has led to an increase in sodium and chloride concentrations in surface water over time. Numerous studies have explored the impacts of road salt on freshwater aquatic organisms such as amphibians and benthic macroinvertebrates; however, the public health risk associated with consuming drinking water with elevated sodium has been largely unexplored in the literature. Yet, sodium ingestion, primarily through diet, has been linked to adverse human health conditions, such as hypertension. This study documents weekly sodium and chloride concentrations in municipal tap water from three municipalities within the Philadelphia metropolitan area during winter 2018-2019 (November through March). A late winter peak in sodium and chloride concentrations was observed for all three municipalities immediately following successive snow events coupled with daily high temperatures above 0°C. Among municipalities, mean and peak sodium and chloride concentrations were associated with relatively higher development in upstream areas. Observed sodium concentrations ranged from 1 to 6.4x the USEPA recommended guideline of 20 mg/L for individuals restricted to a total sodium intake of 500 mg/day. Additionally, the contribution of sodium ingestion from water consumption to the recommended daily sodium intake limits for adults ranged from 3.5% to 18.8% for non-restricted and 4.2%-33.3% for "low salt" (i.e., <1,500 mg/day) diets, respectively. The study results coupled with a records review for 40 U.S. municipalities in snow affected regions indicate the need for real-time communication between water utilities and the general public regarding sodium exposure risk during winter months.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuliza D. Cruz
- Department of Geography and the EnvironmentVillanova UniversityVillanovaPAUSA
| | - Marissa L. Rossi
- Department of Geography and the EnvironmentVillanova UniversityVillanovaPAUSA
| | - Steven T. Goldsmith
- Department of Geography and the EnvironmentVillanova UniversityVillanovaPAUSA
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16
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Gillis PL, Salerno J, McKay VL, Bennett CJ, Lemon KLK, Rochfort QJ, Prosser RS. Salt-Laden Winter Runoff and Freshwater Mussels; Assessing the Effect on Early Life Stages in the Laboratory and Wild Mussel Populations in Receiving Waters. ARCHIVES OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY 2022; 82:239-254. [PMID: 33388842 PMCID: PMC8818002 DOI: 10.1007/s00244-020-00791-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2020] [Accepted: 11/15/2020] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
The widespread use of road salt for winter road maintenance has led to an increase in the salinity of surface water in many seasonally cold areas. Freshwater mussels have a heightened sensitivity to salt, which is a concern, because many Canadian mussel species at risk have ranges limited to southern Ontario, Canada's most road-dense region. This study examined the effect of winter road runoff on freshwater mussels. The impact of two bridges that span mussel habitat in the Thames River watershed (Ontario, Canada), the second most species-rich watershed for mussels in Canada, were studied. During a winter melt event, bridge runoff, as well as creek surface water surrounding the bridges were collected. Chloride concentrations in samples from bridge deck and tile drains varied (99-8250 mg/L). In general, survival of Lampsilis fasciola glochidia exposed to those samples reflected chloride levels (e.g. 84% at 99 mg/L; 0% at 8250 mg/L), although potassium (60 mg/L) may have at least contributed to toxicity in one sample. Serial dilution exposures with the two most toxic runoff samples revealed 48-h glochidia EC50s of 44% (McGregor Creek Tile Drain) and 26% (Baptiste Creek Deck Drain). During the melt event, the chloride concentrations in creek surface waters downstream of the bridges ranged from 69 to 179 mg Cl-/L; effects on glochidia (viability 77-91%) exposed to those waters was minimal. There were no live mussels surrounding one bridge (Baptiste Creek), likely due to poor habitat. At the other targeted bridge (McGregor Creek), fewer mussels were found close (< 100 m up- or downstream) to the bridge than further (> 200 m) away. However, other contributing factors, including agriculture, were present at both study areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia L Gillis
- Aquatic Contaminants Research Division, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Burlington, ON, Canada.
| | - Joseph Salerno
- Aquatic Contaminants Research Division, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Burlington, ON, Canada
| | - Vicki L McKay
- Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority, Chatham, ON, Canada
| | - C James Bennett
- Aquatic Contaminants Research Division, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Burlington, ON, Canada
| | - Karen L K Lemon
- Aquatic Contaminants Research Division, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Burlington, ON, Canada
| | - Quintin J Rochfort
- Aquatic Contaminants Research Division, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Burlington, ON, Canada
| | - Ryan S Prosser
- School of Environmental Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
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17
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Izzo G, Ownby D, Snodgrass JW. Stream Salamanders are Relatively Tolerant of Salty Streams. ARCHIVES OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY 2022; 82:255-265. [PMID: 34318349 DOI: 10.1007/s00244-021-00875-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2021] [Accepted: 07/15/2021] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
The application of road salt as a deicing agent is common, but investigations of potential negative effects of salt runoff on stream salamanders have been limited. Additionally, modern stormwater management practices should influence the delivery of salt ions to streams. We used data loggers in streams draining watersheds with and without stormwater management ponds and acute 96-h LC50 tests to investigate exposure of, and road salt toxicity among, two widespread salamanders in the Eastern USA, northern dusky salamanders (Desmognathus fuscus) and northern two-lined salamanders (Eurycea bislineata). In streams below stormwater ponds, base levels of conductivity were elevated throughout the year and elevated Cl- levels led to more frequent acute and chronic exceedances of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ambient water quality criteria for Cl- when compared to streams draining watersheds with no stormwater management ponds. However, five of the six streams studied had exceedance frequencies suggesting Cl- associated with road salt application represented a persistent threat to aquatic life. Larval stream salamanders were relatively tolerant of salt, not exhibiting any lethal effects over a 96-h period until chloride levels exceeded 5000 mg/L for both species, and concentrations in streams rarely exceeded these levels and only for very short periods of time. Our results suggest road salts are not having acute lethal effects on salamanders in the streams we studied, but exceedance of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ambient water quality standards for Cl- suggest the potential for sublethal and indirect effects of Cl- on salamander populations that require further study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grant Izzo
- Urban Environmental Biogeochemistry Laboratory, Towson University, Towson, MD, 21252, USA
| | - David Ownby
- Urban Environmental Biogeochemistry Laboratory, Towson University, Towson, MD, 21252, USA
| | - Joel W Snodgrass
- Urban Environmental Biogeochemistry Laboratory, Towson University, Towson, MD, 21252, USA.
- Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA.
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18
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Hosseinian Yousefkhani SS. Conservation biology of the critically endangered salamander, Paradactylodon persicus gorganensis (Clergue-Gazeau & Thorn, 1979) (Amphibia: Hynobiidae) in northeastern Iran. ANIM BIOL 2021. [DOI: 10.1163/15707563-bja10057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Paradactylodon persicus gorganensis is a critically endangered salamander found in northeastern Iran which faces increasing major anthropogenic threats such as agriculture, industry and mining. The aim of the current study is to identify key environmental variables associated with the species’ presence. Also, measuring and comparing the water quality parameters in habitats where P. p. gorganensis is present and absent are the other aims of the study. The results indicate that high pH and dissolved oxygen values have a negative effect on the species’ presence, while its presence was strongly correlated with low mean water temperatures. The species’ range in response to the climate change will shift to the south and east, where areas of high elevation occur, because the species favors cold habitats. This study indicates that it will be particularly important to evaluate the whole range where P. p. gorganensis exists when preparing conservation action plans. It is recommended that ex-situ conservation programs are incorporated into conservation planning for the species, because the number of individuals in the wild is so low and their future viability is fragile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seyyed Saeed Hosseinian Yousefkhani
- Department of Animal Science, School of Biology, Damghan University, 3671735336, Damghan, Iran
- Institute of Biological Science, School of Biology, Damghan University, 3671735336, Damghan, Iran
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19
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Honarvar Nazari M, Mousavi SZ, Potapova A, McIntyre J, Shi X. Toxicological impacts of roadway deicers on aquatic resources and human health: A review. WATER ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH : A RESEARCH PUBLICATION OF THE WATER ENVIRONMENT FEDERATION 2021; 93:1855-1881. [PMID: 33978278 DOI: 10.1002/wer.1581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2020] [Revised: 03/17/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
During winter, snow and ice on roads in regions with cold weather can increase traffic crashes and casualties, resulting in travel delays and financial burdens to society. Anti-icing or deicing the roads can serve a cost-effective method to significantly reduce such risks. Although traditionally the main priorities of winter road maintenance (WRM) have been level of service, cost-effectiveness, and corrosion reduction, it is increasingly clear that understanding the environmental impacts of deicers is vital. One of the most important problems in this regard is environmental contamination caused by cumulative use of deicers, which has many detrimental effects on the aquatic systems. Among the deicers, the chloride-based ones raise the most toxicological concerns because they are highly soluble, can migrate quickly in the environment and have cumulative effects over time. In this review, we summarize and organize existing data, including the latest findings about the adverse effects of deicers on surface water and groundwater, aquatic species, and human health, and identify future research priorities. In addition, the data provided can be used to develop a framework for quantifying some of the variables that stakeholders and agencies use when preparing guidelines and standards for WRM programs. PRACTITIONER POINTS: Pollution from the increasing use of roadway deicers may have detrimental effects on the environment. Of particular concern are the acute and cumulative risks that chloride salts pose to aquatic species. Chloride salts are water-soluble, very difficult to remove, highly mobile, and non-degradable. Deicers cause water stratification, change the chemicophysical properties of water, and affect aquatic species and human health. Current guidelines may not be appropriate for environmental protection and need to be revised.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehdi Honarvar Nazari
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA
| | - S Zeinab Mousavi
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA
| | - Anna Potapova
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA
| | - Jenifer McIntyre
- School of the Environment, Puyallup Research & Extension Center, Washington State University, Puyallup, WA, USA
| | - Xianming Shi
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA
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20
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Delaune KD, Nesich D, Goos JM, Relyea RA. Impacts of salinization on aquatic communities: Abrupt vs. gradual exposures. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2021; 285:117636. [PMID: 34380226 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.117636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2021] [Revised: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/19/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Increasing chloride concentrations from road salt applications are an emerging threat to freshwater diversity in cold weather regions. Few studies have focused on how road salt affects freshwater biota and even fewer have focused on how the rate of exposure alters organism responses. We hypothesized that road salt concentrations delivered gradually would result in slower population declines and more rapid rebounds due to evolved tolerance. To test this hypothesis, we examined the responses of freshwater lake organisms to four environmentally relevant salt concentrations (100, 230, 860, and 1600 mg Cl-/L) that differed in application rate (abrupt vs. gradual). We used outdoor aquatic mesocosms containing zooplankton, filamentous algae, phytoplankton, periphyton, and macroinvertebrates. We found negative effects of road salt on zooplankton and macroinvertebrate abundance, but positive effects on phytoplankton and periphyton, likely resulting from reduced grazing. Only rarely did we detect a difference between abrupt vs gradual salt applications and the directions of those differences were not consistent. This affirms the need for additional research on how road salt pollution entering ecosystems at different frequencies and magnitudes will alter freshwater communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelbi D Delaune
- Department of Biological Sciences, Darrin Fresh Water Institute, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, 12980, USA
| | - David Nesich
- Department of Biological Sciences, Darrin Fresh Water Institute, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, 12980, USA
| | - Jared M Goos
- Department of Biological Sciences, Darrin Fresh Water Institute, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, 12980, USA
| | - Rick A Relyea
- Department of Biological Sciences, Darrin Fresh Water Institute, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, 12980, USA.
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21
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Effects of Sodium Chloride on Algae and Crustaceans—The Neighbouring Links of the Water Trophic Chain. WATER 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/w13182493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Salinity limits the habitable living environment for aquatic organisms. Algae and crustaceans are widely used as bioindicators in freshwater environmental risk assessments. This study aimed to use biotests (Algaltoxkit and Daphtoxkit) to determine the effect of sodium chloride (NaCl) on algae Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata and crustaceans Daphnia magna. Standard biotests were extended to include NaCl effects on algal chlorophyll fluorescence and crustaceans swimming and heart rate. It was found that after 7 days, a 0.24 M of NaCl reduced the growth rate of the algae by 50% (EC50). A NaCl of 0.27 M inhibited the minimum (Fo), maximum (Fm) and variable (Fv) fluorescence by 50%, on average. The crustaceans also responded to NaCl. Those exposed to 0.19 M NaCl during 15 min swam slower by 50% and a 0.27 M immobilised three organisms (EC50). The crustacean immobilisation was less modified by NaCl than swimming. To determine the lethal effect in non-swimming organisms, the heart rate was examined. At 0.35 M of NaCl, all organisms were dead after 30 min, as their hearts did not beat. These studies suggest that physiological and behavioural features are sensitive indicators of the toxic effects of NaCl in algae and crustaceans, before morphological changes are observed.
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22
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Shidemantle G, Buss N, Hua J. Are glucocorticoids good indicators of disturbance across populations that exhibit cryptic variation in contaminant tolerance? Anim Conserv 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/acv.12737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- G. Shidemantle
- Biological Sciences Department Binghamton University (SUNY) Binghamton NY USA
| | - N. Buss
- Biological Sciences Department Binghamton University (SUNY) Binghamton NY USA
| | - J. Hua
- Biological Sciences Department Binghamton University (SUNY) Binghamton NY USA
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23
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Pomezanski D. How many years of acoustic monitoring are needed to accommodate for anuran species turnover and detection? ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2021; 193:553. [PMID: 34357459 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-021-09343-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2020] [Accepted: 07/22/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Anuran species are threatened by a range of anthropogenically induced disturbances, highlighting the need for robust and reliable monitoring programs to detect trends in species occupancy. Anuran species experience not only differences in seasonal distributions of breeding activity, but also interannual variations in habitat occupancy which are dependent on stochastic environmental processes. Acoustic calling surveys are a widely used and reportedly reliable technique for detecting a range of anuran species in Southern Ontario. Short-term applications of this technique may be challenged to detect species which are temporarily absent from suitable habitats due to natural extirpation processes. In this paper, I analyzed anuran occupancy data from 67 long-term acoustic monitoring sites across Southern Ontario to determine the relationship between accumulated species occupancy and number of monitoring years. Data was taken from Birds Canada's Marsh Monitoring Protocol database for amphibians and filtered to extract sites which were monitored for at least 8 years and recorded at least 4 anuran species. Species accumulation curves were created using EstimateS. Results suggest that there may be detectability issues for some species such as the pickerel frog, wood frog, and western chorus frog. Interannual detection rates and species accumulation curves point to the need for long-term (> 5 years) monitoring programs to reliably detect on average more than 90% of anuran species occupying a monitoring site. They also reflect well-documented reports of high species turnover in anuran metapopulations, suggesting that extirpation-recolonization processes are widespread and frequent. Monitoring programs should address this issue by lengthening monitoring programs, particularly those that aim to document changes to species occupancy before and after major habitat disturbances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorian Pomezanski
- School of Environment, Resources, and Sustainability, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON, N2L3G1, Canada.
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24
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Buss N, Swierk L, Hua J. Amphibian breeding phenology influences offspring size and response to a common wetland contaminant. Front Zool 2021; 18:31. [PMID: 34172063 PMCID: PMC8228996 DOI: 10.1186/s12983-021-00413-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Increases in temperature variability associated with climate change have critical implications for the phenology of wildlife across the globe. For example, warmer winter temperatures can induce forward shifts in breeding phenology across taxa (“false springs”), which can put organisms at risk of freezing conditions during reproduction or vulnerable early life stages. As human activities continue to encroach on natural ecosystems, it is also important to consider how breeding phenology interacts with other anthropogenic stressors (e.g., pollutants). Using 14 populations of a widespread amphibian (wood frog; Rana sylvatica), we compared 1) growth; 2) tolerance to a common wetland contaminant (NaCl); and 3) the ability of tadpoles to acclimate to lethal NaCl exposure following sublethal exposure earlier in life. We evaluated these metrics across two breeding seasons (2018 and 2019) and across populations of tadpoles whose parents differed in breeding phenology (earlier- versus later-breeding cohorts). In both years, the earlier-breeding cohorts completed breeding activity prior to a winter storm and later-breeding cohorts completed breeding activities after a winter storm. The freezing conditions that later-breeding cohorts were exposed to in 2018 were more severe in both magnitude and duration than those in 2019. Results In 2018, offspring of the later-breeding cohort were larger but less tolerant of NaCl compared to offspring of the earlier-breeding cohort. The offspring of the earlier-breeding cohort additionally were able to acclimate to a lethal concentration of NaCl following sublethal exposure earlier in life, while the later-breeding cohort became less tolerant of NaCl following acclimation. Interestingly, in 2019, the warmer of the two breeding seasons, we did not detect the negative effects of later breeding phenology on responses to NaCl. Conclusions These results suggest that phenological shifts that expose breeding amphibians to freezing conditions can have cascading consequences on offspring mass and ability to tolerate future stressors but likely depends on the severity of the freeze event. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12983-021-00413-0.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas Buss
- Biological Sciences Department, Binghamton University, State University of New York, 4400 Vestal Parkway East, Binghamton, NY, 13902, USA.
| | - Lindsey Swierk
- Biological Sciences Department, Binghamton University, State University of New York, 4400 Vestal Parkway East, Binghamton, NY, 13902, USA.,Environmental Studies Program, Binghamton University, State University of New York, 4400 Vestal Parkway East, Binghamton, NY, 13902, USA
| | - Jessica Hua
- Biological Sciences Department, Binghamton University, State University of New York, 4400 Vestal Parkway East, Binghamton, NY, 13902, USA
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25
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Niedrist GH, Cañedo-Argüelles M, Cauvy-Fraunié S. Salinization of Alpine rivers during winter months. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 28:7295-7306. [PMID: 33029775 PMCID: PMC7840655 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-020-11077-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2020] [Accepted: 09/30/2020] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Human-induced (i.e., secondary) salinization affects aquatic biodiversity and ecosystem functioning worldwide. While agriculture or resource extraction are the main drivers of secondary salinization in arid and semi-arid regions of the world, the application of deicing road salt in winter can be an important source of salts entering freshwaters in cold regions. Alpine rivers are probably affected by salinization, especially in highly populated mountain regions, although this remains to be explored. In this study, we analyzed multi-year conductance time series from four rivers in the European Alps and demonstrated that the application of deicing road salt is linked to peaking rivers' salinity levels during late winter/early spring. Especially in small catchments with more urban surfaces close to the rivers, conductance increased during constant low-flow periods in late winter and was less correlated with discharge than in summer. Thus, our results suggest that small rivers highly connected to urban infrastructures are prone to considerable salinity peaks during late winter/early spring. Given the low natural level of salinities in Alpine rivers, the aquatic biodiversity might be significantly affected by the recorded changes in conductance, with potential consequences on ecosystem functioning. Thereby, we urge the research community to assess the impact of secondary salinization in Alpine rivers and call for an implementation of management practices to prevent the degradation of these pristine and valuable ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georg H Niedrist
- Department of Ecology, River and Conservation Research, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.
| | - Miguel Cañedo-Argüelles
- Freshwater Ecology, Hydrology and Management group (FEHM), Departament de Biologia Evolutiva, Ecologia i Ciències Ambientals, Institut de Recerca de l'Aigua (IdRA), Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
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Leggett S, Borrelli J, Jones DK, Relyea R. The Combined Effects of Road Salt and Biotic Stressors on Amphibian Sex Ratios. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2021; 40:231-235. [PMID: 33090538 DOI: 10.1002/etc.4913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2020] [Revised: 09/16/2020] [Accepted: 10/17/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Aquatic systems worldwide are threatened by the anthropogenic use of synthetic chemicals, including pesticides, pharmaceuticals, and road de-icers. Exposure to contaminants can alter the behavior, morphology, and physiology of organisms if it occurs during sensitive life stages. For instance, past studies have documented feminization of male amphibians following herbicide exposure and skewed sex ratios among amphibian populations exposed to road salt. However, many of these studies lack the complexities found within natural environments, such as competition with conspecifics or threat of predation, which are also known to influence development. Thus, it is important to understand how anthropogenic and natural stressors interact to alter animal sex ratios. Given the growing concern of secondary salinization of freshwater systems, we exposed larval wood frogs (Rana sylvatica) to either road salt (sodium chloride [NaCl]) or an alternative salt mixture (NaCl, magnesium chloride [MgCl2 ], and potassium chloride [KCl]) at 3 concentrations (200, 600, and 1000 mg Cl- /L) crossed with 3 biotic stressors (no-stressor control, competition, or predator cues) to examine their potentially interactive effects on sex. Exposure to biotic stressors and NaCl did not influence wood frog sex ratios. In contrast, tadpole exposure to the intermediate salt mixture concentration significantly reduced the proportion of female frogs. Future studies are needed to determine whether such changes in sex are widespread among sensitive species with complex life cycles, and to assess the consequences of sex ratio changes on long-term population dynamics. Environ Toxicol Chem 2021;40:231-235. © 2020 SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sagan Leggett
- Department of Biological Sciences, Darrin Fresh Water Institute, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, New York, USA
| | - Jonathan Borrelli
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA
| | - Devin K Jones
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA
| | - Rick Relyea
- Department of Biological Sciences, Darrin Fresh Water Institute, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, New York, USA
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Lawson L, Jackson DA. Salty summertime streams—road salt contaminated watersheds and estimates of the proportion of impacted species. Facets (Ott) 2021. [DOI: 10.1139/facets-2020-0068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Road salt runoff is a leading cause of secondary freshwater salinization in north temperate climates. Increased chloride concentrations in freshwater can be toxic and lead to changes in organismal behavior, lethality, biotic homogenization, and altered food webs. High chloride concentrations have been reported for winter months in urban centers, as road density is highest in cities. However, summer chloride conditions are not typically studied as road salt is not actively applied outside of winter months, yet summer is when many taxa reproduce and are most sensitive to chloride. In our study, we test the spatial variability of summer chloride conditions across four watersheds in Toronto, Canada. We find 89% of 214 sampled sites exceeded the federal chronic exposure guidelines for chloride, and 13% exceeded the federal acute guidelines. Through a model linking concentration to cumulative proportion of impacted species, we estimate 34% of sites show in excess of one-quarter of all species may be impacted by their site-specific chloride concentrations, with up to two-thirds of species impacted at some sites. Our results suggest that even presumed low seasons for chloride show concentrations sufficient to cause significant negative impacts to aquatic communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren Lawson
- Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto, 25 Willcocks Street, Toronto, ON M5S 3B2, Canada
| | - Donald A. Jackson
- Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto, 25 Willcocks Street, Toronto, ON M5S 3B2, Canada
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Tornabene BJ, Breuner CW, Hossack BR. Relative Toxicity and Sublethal Effects of NaCl and Energy-Related Saline Wastewaters on Prairie Amphibians. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2020; 228:105626. [PMID: 32992088 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2020.105626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2020] [Revised: 08/25/2020] [Accepted: 08/29/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Increasing salinity in freshwater environments is a growing problem due both to the negative influences of salts on ecosystems and their accumulation and persistence in environments. Two major sources of increased salinity from sodium chloride salts (NaCl) are saline wastewaters co-produced during energy production (herein, wastewaters) and road salts. Effects of road salts have received more attention, but legacy contamination from wastewaters is widespread in some regions and spills still occur. Amphibians are sensitive to contaminants, including NaCl, because of their porous skin and osmoregulatory adaptations to freshwater. However, similarities and differences between effects of wastewaters and road salts have not been investigated. Therefore, we investigated the relative influence of wastewaters and NaCl at equivalent concentrations of chloride on three larval amphibian species that occur in areas with increased salinity. We determined acute toxicity and growth effects on Boreal Chorus Frogs (Pseudacris maculata), Northern Leopard Frogs (Rana pipiens), and Barred Tiger Salamanders (Ambystoma mavortium). We posited that wastewaters would have additive effects on amphibians compared to NaCl because wastewaters often have additional toxic heavy metals and other contaminants. For NaCl, toxicity was higher for frogs than the salamander. Toxicity of wastewaters was also similar between chorus and leopard frogs. Only chorus frog survival was lower when exposed to wastewater compared to NaCl. Mass and length of leopard and chorus frog larvae decreased with increasing salinity after only 96 hours of exposure but did not for tiger salamanders. Size of leopard frogs was lower when exposed to NaCl compared to wastewater. However, growth effects were similar between wastewater and NaCl for chorus frogs. Taken together, our results suggest that previous studies on effects of road salt could inform future studies and management of wastewater-contaminated ecosystems, and vice versa. Nevertheless, effects of road salts and wastewaters may be context-, species-, and trait-specific and require further investigations. The negative influence of salts on imperiled amphibians underscores the need to restore landscapes with increased salinity and reduce future salinization of freshwater ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian J Tornabene
- Wildlife Biology Program, W.A. Franke College of Forestry & Conservation, University of Montana, 32 Campus Drive, Missoula, MT, 59812, United States.
| | - Creagh W Breuner
- Wildlife Biology Program, W.A. Franke College of Forestry & Conservation, University of Montana, 32 Campus Drive, Missoula, MT, 59812, United States
| | - Blake R Hossack
- Wildlife Biology Program, W.A. Franke College of Forestry & Conservation, University of Montana, 32 Campus Drive, Missoula, MT, 59812, United States; U.S. Geological Survey, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center, Missoula, MT, 59812, United States
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Physiological Response of Pelophylax nigromaculatus Adults to Salinity Exposure. Animals (Basel) 2020; 10:ani10091698. [PMID: 32962210 PMCID: PMC7552660 DOI: 10.3390/ani10091698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2020] [Revised: 09/17/2020] [Accepted: 09/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary This study explored physiological resilience to and recovery from saline exposure in Pelophylax nigromaculatus, a semi-aquatic frog that is widely distributed in East Asia. Analysis of 11 serum components revealed the physiological response of frogs to either severe saline exposure for six days or moderate saline exposure for forty days, followed by a twenty day recovery period. During exposure to both severe and moderate saline conditions, serum electrolytes increased, protein concentrations in serum decreased, and creatinine, an indicator of renal function, sharply increased. However, renal tissue sampled after the study did not show renal dysfunction. Moreover, serum components that changed during exposure to salinity returned to their initial values during the recovery period. Adult anurans seem capable of resilience, to some extent, to saline conditions. Abstract Many freshwater ecosystems are becoming more saline, and amphibians, which have permeable skin, are sensitive to this change. We studied the physiological responses to high salinity and recovery from saline exposure in adult frogs (Pelophylax nigromaculatus). Frogs that experienced severe salinity were exposed to saline conditions for 6 days, while those in the moderate group were exposed to saline conditions for 40 days, followed by a recovery period in freshwater for 20 days. Our data showed that during exposure to saline conditions of severe and moderate groups, serum electrolytes increased, protein concentrations decreased, and creatinine, an indicator of renal function, sharply increased. However, renal tissue sampled after exposure did not show renal dysfunction. In addition, serum components that changed during exposure to salinity returned to their initial values during the recovery period. Thus, adult anurans can be resilient, to some extent, to saline conditions in habitats that experience either rapid or slow salinity changes.
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Teixeira FZ, Rytwinski T, Fahrig L. Inference in road ecology research: what we know versus what we think we know. Biol Lett 2020; 16:20200140. [PMID: 32692946 DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2020.0140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Roads and traffic impacts on wildlife populations are well documented. Three major mechanisms can cause them: reduced connectivity, increased mortality and reduced habitat quality. Researchers commonly recommend mitigation based on the mechanism they deem responsible. We reviewed the 2012-2016 literature to evaluate authors' inferences, to determine whether they explicitly acknowledge all possible mechanisms that are consistent with their results. We found 327 negative responses of wildlife to roads, from 307 studies. While most (84%) of these responses were consistent with multiple mechanisms, 60% of authors invoked a single mechanism. This indicates that many authors are over-confident in their inferences, and that the literature does not allow estimation of the relative importance of the mechanisms. We found preferences in authors' discussion of mechanisms. When all three mechanisms were consistent with the response measured, authors were 2.4 and 2.9 times as likely to infer reduced habitat quality compared to reduced connectivity or increased mortality, respectively. When both reduced connectivity and increased mortality were consistent with the response measured, authors were 5.2 times as likely to infer reduced connectivity compared to increased mortality. Given these results, road ecologists and managers are likely over-recommending mitigation for improving habitat quality and connectivity, and under-recommending measures to reduce road-kill.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernanda Z Teixeira
- Graduate Program in Ecology, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Trina Rytwinski
- Department of Biology and Institute of Environmental and Interdisciplinary Sciences, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, Canada, K1S 5B6
| | - Lenore Fahrig
- Department of Biology, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, Canada, K1S 5B6
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Yaghobi S, Vaissi S, Khas ZT, Sharifi M. Influence of Salinity on Predator–Prey Interactions between the Mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) and Larvae of the Green Toad (Bufotes variabilis). RUSS J ECOL+ 2020. [DOI: 10.1134/s1067413620030157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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Mitchell TS, Agnew L, Meyer R, Sikkink KL, Oberhauser KS, Borer ET, Snell-Rood EC. Traffic influences nutritional quality of roadside plants for monarch caterpillars. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 724:138045. [PMID: 32408428 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.138045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2020] [Revised: 03/17/2020] [Accepted: 03/17/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Roadside habitats are increasingly being targeted for restoration and conservation. Roadside habitats often exhibit altered soil and plant chemistry due to pollution from maintenance (e.g. de-icing salt), car deterioration, and exhaust. Roadside plants may attract animals due to elevated levels of sodium or nitrogen, but high concentrations of heavy metals and sodium can be toxic, potentially setting an ecological trap. In this study, we determine how roads influence the chemistry of common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) as it is the primary roadside host plant for the declining monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) in the eastern United States. Even though road salt is applied during the winter, we detect enhanced sodium along roads the following growing season. Road salts increase soil sodium, which in turn elevates host-plant foliar sodium (occasionally to toxic levels in <10% of plants) and sodium content in monarch caterpillars feeding on these plants. Sodium levels of milkweed leaves are highest close to the edge of busy roads. Some heavy metals (lead, zinc) are also elevated in roadside soils or plants. Nitrogen content was affected by adjacent agricultural use, but not traffic volume or proximity to a road. Other potential road pollutants (e.g. nickel) were not elevated in soil or plants. Despite a clear signature of road pollution in the chemistry of milkweed, most plants are likely still suitable for developing monarchs. Nonetheless, restoration investments in snowy regions should prioritize sites with lower-traffic density that are further from the road edge to minimize toxic impacts of high sodium. To extend this research to other insects of conservation concern, future work should characterize the nutritional quality of nectar, pollen, and other species of host-plants in roadside habitats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy S Mitchell
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Behavior, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN 55108, United States of America.
| | - Lauren Agnew
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Behavior, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN 55108, United States of America
| | - Rebecca Meyer
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Behavior, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN 55108, United States of America
| | - Kristin L Sikkink
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Behavior, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN 55108, United States of America
| | - Karen S Oberhauser
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Behavior, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN 55108, United States of America
| | - Elizabeth T Borer
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Behavior, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN 55108, United States of America
| | - Emilie C Snell-Rood
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Behavior, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN 55108, United States of America
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Salinity Tolerance and Brackish Habitat Utilization in the Common Australian Frog Crinia signifera. J HERPETOL 2020. [DOI: 10.1670/19-048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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Jumeau J, Lopez J, Morand A, Petrod L, Burel F, Handrich Y. Factors driving the distribution of an amphibian community in stormwater ponds: a study case in the agricultural plain of Bas-Rhin, France. EUR J WILDLIFE RES 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s10344-020-1364-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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Treatment Assessment of Road Runoff Water in Zones filled with ZVI, Activated Carbon and Mineral Materials. SUSTAINABILITY 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/su12030873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Reducing the discharge of contaminants present in runoff water is important for a clean environment. This paper analyses field test results of three pilot-scale horizontal runoff water treatment zones filled with mixtures of zero valent iron (ZVI), activated carbon (AC), silica spongolite (SS), zeolite (Z), and limestone (LS). The investigated systems were (S1) ZVI/AC/SS, (S2) ZVI/AC/Z and (S3) ZVI/AC/LS. The efficiency of the three systems in the removal of Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn, COD and ammonium ions from runoff water was compared and the factors (temperature, pH, redox potential, hydraulic conductivity) and relationships affecting treatment effectiveness were determined. A statistical analysis of effluent contaminant concentrations and physicochemical parameters of effluent solutions included descriptive statistics, analysis of variance (ANOVA), a multidimensional analysis using a Principal Component Analysis (PCA), a factor analysis (FA) and a cluster analysis (CA). The ANOVA and cluster analyses indicated similarities between systems containing SS and LS. As a consequence, using cheaper SS can reduce investment costs. In addition, there were no significant differences between the three systems regarding Cd and Ni removal, while Cu and Pb were removed to almost 100%. The results indicate that all the tested materials supported ZVI and AC in the removal of heavy metals in a similar way. However, runoff water was enriched with nitrogen oxides and sulfates while flowing through treatment zones with SS and LS. The enrichment increased with increasing temperature and redox potential. The conducted analyses indicate that the most suitable mixture is ZVI/AC/Z. It should be emphasized that the ongoing processes (precipitation and ZVI corrosion) reduced the hydraulic conductivity of the filters up to two orders of magnitude. Expansive iron corrosion was the most limiting factor in ZVI filtration systems. In the future, applications decreasing the percentage of ZVI in the mixture are suggested.
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Ruso GE, Morrissey CA, Hogan NS, Sheedy C, Gallant MJ, Jardine TD. Detecting Amphibians in Agricultural Landscapes Using Environmental DNA Reveals the Importance of Wetland Condition. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2019; 38:2750-2763. [PMID: 31546287 DOI: 10.1002/etc.4598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2019] [Revised: 07/23/2019] [Accepted: 09/16/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Amphibians are declining worldwide, in part because of large-scale degradation of habitat from agriculture and pervasive pathogens. Yet a common North American amphibian, the wood frog (Lithobates sylvaticus), ranges widely and persists in agricultural landscapes. Conventional survey techniques rely on visual encounters and dip-netting efforts, but detectability limits the ability to test for the effects of environmental variables on amphibian habitat suitability. We used environmental DNA to determine the presence of wood frogs and an amphibian pathogen (ranavirus) in Prairie Pothole wetlands and investigated the effects of 32 water quality, wetland habitat, and landscape-level variables on frog presence at sites representing different degrees of agricultural intensity. Several wetland variables influenced wood frog presence, the most influential being those associated with wetland productivity (i.e., nutrients), vegetation buffer width, and proportion of the surrounding landscape that is comprised of other water bodies. Wood frog presence was positively associated with higher dissolved phosphorus (>0.4 mg/L), moderate dissolved nitrogen (0.1-0.2 mg/L), lower chlorophyll a (≤15 µg/L), wider vegetation buffers (≥10 m), and more water on the landscape (≥0.25). These results highlight the effects of environmental factors at multiple scales on the presence of amphibians in this highly modified landscape-namely the importance of maintaining wetland water quality, vegetation buffers, and surrounding habitat heterogeneity. Environ Toxicol Chem 2019;38:2750-2763. © 2019 SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabrielle E Ruso
- Toxicology Graduate Program, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - Christy A Morrissey
- Department of Biology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
- School of Environment and Sustainability, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - Natacha S Hogan
- Toxicology Centre, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
- Department of Animal and Poultry Science, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - Claudia Sheedy
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Lethbridge Research and Development Centre, Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada
| | - Melanie J Gallant
- Toxicology Graduate Program, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - Timothy D Jardine
- School of Environment and Sustainability, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
- Toxicology Centre, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
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Mangahas RS, Murray RL, McCauley SJ. Chronic Exposure to High Concentrations of Road Salt Decreases the Immune Response of Dragonfly Larvae. Front Ecol Evol 2019. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2019.00376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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Green FB, East AG, Salice CJ. Will temperature increases associated with climate change potentiate toxicity of environmentally relevant concentrations of chloride on larval green frogs (Lithobates clamitans)? THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 682:282-290. [PMID: 31121353 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.05.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2019] [Revised: 05/01/2019] [Accepted: 05/02/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
An important challenge in amphibian ecotoxicology and conservation is that amphibian toxicity tests are usually focused on a single chemical while populations experience multiple, simultaneous stressors. For example, about 14 million tons of road de-icing salts are used each year in North America with NaCl accounting for 98% of total salt use and, hence, elevated chloride is an important environmental stressor to aquatic organisms, including amphibians. As well, higher temperature as a result of climate change is becoming an increasingly important environmental stressor. There are no data on the combined effects of chloride and temperature on amphibians hinders conservation efforts. We conducted field studies to characterize chloride concentrations and water temperatures in known amphibian breeding habitats and performed toxicity tests to explore impacts of these two stressors on a common anuran, the green frog (Lithobates clamitans). A 96-hour acute toxicity test was conducted to first determine a chloride LC50 (2587.5 mg Cl-/L) at a single, neutral temperature, which was used to inform the treatment levels of the sub-chronic test, which also included a temperature range. In the sub-chronic study, green frog larvae were exposed to three temperatures (18, 22, and 25 °C), and four concentrations of chloride (0, 500, 1000, and 2000 mg Cl-/L) for 35 days. At all temperatures, tadpoles exposed to 2000 mg Cl-/L had significantly higher mortality. While there was no significant effect of temperature alone on mortality, survival of tadpoles was significantly lower at 1000 mg Cl-/L at the two higher temperatures suggesting a potentiation of chloride ion toxicity with increasing temperature. Comparing toxicity results to field measurements of chloride and temperature suggests green frog tadpoles and other species with similar sensitivity are likely negatively affected. Data on additional species and populations would further increase our understanding of how salt and temperature may shape aquatic communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frank B Green
- Environmental Science and Studies Program, Towson University, Towson, MD, United States of America; Department of Biological Sciences, Towson University, Towson, MD, United States of America
| | - Andrew G East
- Environmental Science and Studies Program, Towson University, Towson, MD, United States of America
| | - Christopher J Salice
- Environmental Science and Studies Program, Towson University, Towson, MD, United States of America; Department of Biological Sciences, Towson University, Towson, MD, United States of America.
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Weigand NM, Wagner RB, Tonra CM, Popescu VD. Proximity to highways has limited influence on space use and physiology of terrestrial testudines. EUR J WILDLIFE RES 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s10344-019-1315-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Roy JW. Endobenthic Organisms Exposed to Chronically High Chloride from Groundwater Discharging along Freshwater Urban Streams and Lakeshores. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2019; 53:9389-9397. [PMID: 31328912 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.9b02288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Chloride, especially from road salt, is one of the most ubiquitous contaminants of urban groundwater in temperate climates. The discharge of chloride-laden groundwater to freshwater ecosystems may pose a heightened risk to endobenthic organisms (buried in sediments), which may experience high concentrations prior to dilution from the overlying water. However, available exposure data is limited. Presented here are 22 chloride data sets from 15 urban sites across Canada, encompassing >1300 samples of shallow discharging groundwater collected principally during summer through autumn. Over half of the sites had an average chloride concentration above the long-term aquatic life guideline (120 mg/L), while 14% of each site's samples, on average, surpassed the short-term guideline (640 mg/L). Chloride concentrations frequently varied substantially (even >1000 mg/L) between adjacent locations (mostly <20 m separation), indicating patchy exposure. Chloride/bromide ratios, artificial sweeteners, and other tracers suggest a predominant contribution from road salt, with wastewater and landfill leachate important at some sites. Overall, these concentrations exceed those typically reported for urban wells and streams (even during the snowmelt period) in similar climates. These findings suggest that high chloride concentrations in shallow groundwater, largely from road salt, present a long-term threat to endobenthic organisms of urban surface waters in cold-region countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- James W Roy
- Water Science and Technology Directorate , Environment and Climate Change Canada , Burlington , ON L7S 1A1 , Canada
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41
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Venâncio C, Castro BB, Ribeiro R, Antunes SC, Lopes I. Sensitivity to salinization and acclimation potential of amphibian (Pelophylax perezi) and fish (Lepomis gibbosus) models. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2019; 172:348-355. [PMID: 30731265 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2019.01.099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2018] [Revised: 01/25/2019] [Accepted: 01/29/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Predictions of the International Panel for Climate Changes on sea level rise foresee that the number of coastal regions impacted with salinization will increase in a near future. The present work intended to evaluate the sensitivity to salinization of two freshwater vertebrate species (the frog Pelophylax perezi and the fish Lepomis gibbosus) and their ability to acclimate to this stressor. For this, three specific objectives were targeted: (i) to assess if NaCl may be used as a safe surrogate for risk assessment of seawater (SW) intrusion for freshwater vertebrates; (ii) to evaluate the sensitivity of two freshwater vertebrate models to increased salinity (both due to NaCl or SW); (iii) to determine the capacity of the studied species to acclimate to low levels of salinization. To assess specific objectives (i) and (ii), organisms were exposed to serial concentrations of NaCl or SW dilutions. To assess the capacity of acclimation of both species to salinization, organisms were exposed to low serial concentrations of NaCl during the embryonic development or for a period of two months, respectively, and their sensitivity to NaCl was re-evaluated after this period. Results showed that fish juveniles were more tolerant (96-h LC50 of 21.3 mS cm-1 for NaCl and 23.6 mS cm-1 for SW) than frog embryos (96-h LC50 of 10.7 mS cm-1 for NaCl and 10.7 mS cm-1 for SW) and tadpoles (96-h LC50 of 19.4 mS cm-1 for NaCl and 8.72 mS cm-1 for SW). The fish was able to cope with conductivities of almost one third of SW conductivity, while effect conductivities computed for the amphibian were much lower than SW conductivity (≈ 52 mS cm-1). The two-fold difference between the sensitivity of the two tested species reinforces the idea that ecological risk assessment for amphibians based on fish toxicity data may underestimate the risk to the former. Acclimation to low levels of salinity caused an increase in tolerance to salinization in P. perezi tadpoles but not in fish.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Venâncio
- Department of Biology & CESAM, University of Aveiro, Campus de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
| | - B B Castro
- Centre of Molecular and Environmental Biology (CBMA), Department of Biology, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
| | - R Ribeiro
- CFE - Centre for Functional Ecology, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - S C Antunes
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences & CIIMAR-Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Portugal
| | - I Lopes
- Department of Biology & CESAM, University of Aveiro, Campus de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
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Smalling KL, Anderson CW, Honeycutt RK, Cozzarelli IM, Preston T, Hossack BR. Associations between environmental pollutants and larval amphibians in wetlands contaminated by energy-related brines are potentially mediated by feeding traits. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2019; 248:260-268. [PMID: 30798027 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2019.02.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2018] [Revised: 01/28/2019] [Accepted: 02/11/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Energy production in the Williston Basin, located in the Prairie Pothole Region of central North America, has increased rapidly over the last several decades. Advances in recycling and disposal practices of saline wastewaters (brines) co-produced during energy production have reduced ecological risks, but spills still occur often and legacy practices of releasing brines into the environment caused persistent salinization in many areas. Aside from sodium and chloride, these brines contain elevated concentrations of metals and metalloids (lead, selenium, strontium, antimony and vanadium), ammonium, volatile organic compounds, hydrocarbons, and radionuclides. Amphibians are especially sensitive to chloride and some metals, increasing potential effects in wetlands contaminated by brines. We collected bed sediment and larval amphibians (Ambystoma mavortium, Lithobates pipiens and Pseudacris maculata) from wetlands in Montana and North Dakota representing a range of brine contamination history and severity to determine if contamination was associated with metal concentrations in sediments and if metal accumulation in tissues varied by species. In wetland sediments, brine contamination was positively associated with the concentrations of sodium and strontium, both known to occur in oil and gas wastewater, but negatively correlated with mercury. In amphibian tissues, selenium and vanadium were associated with brine contamination. Metal tissue concentrations were higher in tadpoles that graze compared to predatory salamanders; this suggests frequent contact with the sediments could lead to greater ingestion of metal-laden materials. Although many of these metals may not be directly linked with energy development, the potential additive or synergistic effects of exposure along with elevated chloride from brines could have important consequences for aquatic organisms. To effectively manage amphibian populations in wetlands contaminated by saline wastewaters we need a better understanding of how life history traits, species-specific susceptibilities and the physical-chemical properties of metals co-occurring in wetland sediments interact with other stressors like chloride and wetland drying.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly L Smalling
- U.S. Geological Survey, New Jersey Water Science Center, 3450 Princeton Pike, Suite 110, Lawrenceville, NJ, 08648, USA.
| | - Chauncey W Anderson
- U.S. Geological Survey, Oregon Water Science Center, 2130 SW 5th Ave, Portland, OR, 97215, USA
| | - R Ken Honeycutt
- U.S. Geological Survey, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center, 800 E. Beckwith Ave., Missoula, MT, 59801, USA
| | - Isabelle M Cozzarelli
- U.S. Geological Survey, Earth System Processes Division of Water Mission Area, 12201 Sunrise Valley Dr., Reston, VA, 20192, USA
| | - Todd Preston
- U.S. Geological Survey, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center, 2327 University Way, Suite 2, Bozeman, MT, 59715, USA
| | - Blake R Hossack
- U.S. Geological Survey, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center, 800 E. Beckwith Ave., Missoula, MT, 59801, USA
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Ofoegbu PU, Campos D, Soares AMVM, Pestana JLT. Combined effects of NaCl and fluoxetine on the freshwater planarian, Schmidtea mediterranea (Platyhelminthes: Dugesiidae). ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2019; 26:11326-11335. [PMID: 30798496 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-019-04532-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2018] [Accepted: 02/07/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Increasing salinity levels in freshwaters due to natural and anthropogenic sources pose risk to exposed aquatic organisms. However, there is a paucity of information on how salinity may influence the effects of other chemical stressors especially psychiatric pharmaceuticals. Freshwater planarians which have been suggested as bioindicator species in aquatic habitats were used in this study to evaluate toxic effects of sodium chloride (NaCl) used here as a surrogate for increasing salinity, and its influence on the effects of the antidepressant, fluoxetine. Effects of NaCl on Schmidtea mediterranea were evaluated using survival, regeneration, locomotion, feeding, and reproduction as endpoints. Subsequently, combined effects of NaCl and fluoxetine on planarians' locomotion and reproduction were also evaluated. Result showed that exposure to increased NaCl concentrations is toxic to planarians with 48 and 96 h LC50 of 9.15 and 7.55 g NaCl L-1 respectively and exposure to sub-lethal concentrations led to reductions in feeding (LOEC of 0.75 g NaCl L-1 or 1906 μS cm-1 at 20 °C) and reproduction (LOEC 3.0 g NaCl L-1 or 5530 μS cm-1 at 20 °C), delayed head regeneration (LOEC of 1.5 g NaCl L-1 or 3210 μS cm-1 at 20 °C), and also slight decreases in locomotor activity. Moreover, some developmental malformations were observed in regenerating planarians, as well as delayed or inhibition of wound healing and degeneration after fissioning and during head regeneration. A significant interaction between fluoxetine and NaCl was observed for locomotor activity and unlike planarians exposed to fluoxetine alone, fissioned planarians and their pieces from the combined exposure treatments were also unable to regenerate missing portions. Results show that S. mediterranea can be highly sensitive to low NaCl concentrations and that this stressor can alter the effects of fluoxetine. The implication of these effects for planarian populations in the natural habitat is discussed as well as the need for more research on the effects of neuroactive pharmaceuticals under relevant exposure scenarios.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pearl U Ofoegbu
- Department of Biology & CESAM, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal.
- Department of Biology, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria.
| | - Diana Campos
- Department of Biology & CESAM, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Amadeu M V M Soares
- Department of Biology & CESAM, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Joāo L T Pestana
- Department of Biology & CESAM, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
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Wersebe M, Blackwood P, Guo YT, Jaeger J, May D, Meindl G, Ryan SN, Wong V, Hua J. The effects of different cold-temperature regimes on development, growth, and susceptibility to an abiotic and biotic stressor. Ecol Evol 2019; 9:3355-3366. [PMID: 30962897 PMCID: PMC6434568 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.4957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2018] [Revised: 12/19/2018] [Accepted: 01/08/2019] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Global climate change is expected to both increase average temperatures as well as temperature variability.Increased average temperatures have led to earlier breeding in many spring-breeding organisms. However, individuals breeding earlier will also face increased temperature fluctuations, including exposure to potentially harmful cold-temperature regimes during early developmental stages.Using a model spring-breeding amphibian, we investigated how embryonic exposure to different cold-temperature regimes (control, cold-pulse, and cold-press) affected (a) compensatory larval development and growth, (b) larval susceptibility to a common contaminant, and (c) larval susceptibility to parasites.We found: (a) no evidence of compensatory development or growth, (b) larvae exposed to the cold-press treatment were more susceptible to NaCl at 4-days post-hatching but recovered by 17-days post-hatching, and (c) larvae exposed to both cold treatments were less susceptible to parasites.These results demonstrate that variation in cold-temperature regimes can lead to unique direct and indirect effects on larval growth, development, and response to stressors. This underscores the importance of considering cold-temperature variability and not just increased average temperatures when examining the impacts of climate disruption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Wersebe
- Biological Sciences DepartmentBinghamton University (SUNY)BinghamtonNew York
| | - Paradyse Blackwood
- Biological Sciences DepartmentBinghamton University (SUNY)BinghamtonNew York
| | - Ying Tong Guo
- Biological Sciences DepartmentBinghamton University (SUNY)BinghamtonNew York
| | - Jared Jaeger
- Biological Sciences DepartmentBinghamton University (SUNY)BinghamtonNew York
| | - Dyllan May
- Biological Sciences DepartmentBinghamton University (SUNY)BinghamtonNew York
| | - George Meindl
- Biological Sciences DepartmentBinghamton University (SUNY)BinghamtonNew York
| | - Sean N. Ryan
- Biological Sciences DepartmentBinghamton University (SUNY)BinghamtonNew York
| | - Vivian Wong
- Biological Sciences DepartmentBinghamton University (SUNY)BinghamtonNew York
| | - Jessica Hua
- Biological Sciences DepartmentBinghamton University (SUNY)BinghamtonNew York
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Nutile SA, Solan ME. Toxicity testing of "eco-friendly" de-icing formulations using Chironomus dilutus. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2019; 246:408-413. [PMID: 30577009 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2018.12.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2018] [Revised: 10/26/2018] [Accepted: 12/11/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
An influx of chloride ions from road de-icing solutions can result in toxicological effects to organisms in terrestrial and aquatic environments. As such, "eco-friendly" de-icing alternatives are sought to mitigate environmental impacts of de-icing impervious surfaces, while maintaining human safety. While many alternative de-icers are economically impractical for municipal use, the residential commercial market is flooded with de-icing formulations claiming to be "eco-friendly". Given the little regulation and guidance that surrounds eco-labeling, the meaning of "eco-friendly" remains unclear in the context of biological systems. The objective of the current study was to determine the toxicity of three "eco-friendly" de-icing formulations to Chironomus dilutus using 10 d toxicity tests. The toxicity of these three formulations was compared to a traditional formulation composed entirely of chloride salts. Two of the "eco-friendly" de-icers demonstrated LC50s of 6.61 and 6.32 g/L, which were similar in toxicity to the traditional sodium chloride formulation with a LC50 6.29 g/L. The comparable toxicities of these formulations is likely due to the presence of chloride salts in each of the "eco-friendly" de-icers. The third "eco-friendly" formulation, a urea-based de-icer, demonstrated toxicity an order of magnitude higher than that of the traditional formulation with an LC50 of 0.63 g/L. While C. dilutus may not have been the intended endpoint in consideration when marketing these products as "eco-friendly", consideration of how eco-labeling is utilized and the role of environmental scientists in determining the meaning of such claims must be considered to ensure continued and future protection of the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel A Nutile
- Department of Biology, School of Science, Pennsylvania State University, The Behrend College, Erie, PA, 16563, USA.
| | - Megan E Solan
- Department of Biology, School of Science, Pennsylvania State University, The Behrend College, Erie, PA, 16563, USA
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46
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Jackson JK, Funk DH. Temperature affects acute mayfly responses to elevated salinity: implications for toxicity of road de-icing salts. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2018; 374:rstb.2018.0081. [PMID: 30509923 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2018.0081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/23/2018] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Salinity in freshwater ecosystems has increased significantly at numerous locations throughout the world, and this increase often reflects the use or production of salts from road de-icing, mining/oil and gas drilling activities, or agricultural production. When related to de-icing salts, highest salinity often occurs in winter when water temperature is often low relative to mean annual temperature at a site. Our study examined acute (96 h) responses to elevated salinity (NaCl) concentrations at five to seven temperature treatments (5-25°C) for four mayfly species (Baetidae: Neocloeon triangulifer, Procloeon fragile; Heptageniidae: Maccaffertium modestum; Leptophlebiidae: Leptophlebia cupida) that are widely distributed across eastern North America. Based on acute LC50s at 20°C, P. fragile was most sensitive (LC50 = 767 mg l-1, 1447 µS cm-1), followed by N. triangulifer (2755 mg l-1, 5104 µS cm-1), M. modestum (2760 mg l-1, 5118 µS cm-1) and L. cupida (4588 mg l-1, 8485 µS cm-1). Acute LC50s decreased as temperature increased for all four species (n = 5-7, R 2 = 0.65-0.88, p = 0.052-0.002). Thus, acute salt toxicity is strongly temperature dependent for the mayfly species we tested, which suggests that brief periods of elevated salinity during cold seasons or in colder locations may be ecologically less toxic than predicted by standard 20 or 25°C laboratory bioassays.This article is part of the theme issue 'Salt in freshwaters: causes, ecological consequences and future prospects'.
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Affiliation(s)
- John K Jackson
- Stroud Water Research Center, 970 Spencer Road, Avondale, PA 19311, USA
| | - David H Funk
- Stroud Water Research Center, 970 Spencer Road, Avondale, PA 19311, USA
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47
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DiGiacopo DG, Meindl GA, Ryan S, Jaeger J, Wersebe M, Martin A, Robinson SA, Graham G, Palmer AR, Setteducate A, Murray I, Prior K, Hua J. Interaction between invasive plant leaf litter and NaCl on two model amphibians. Biol Invasions 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s10530-018-1836-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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48
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Variation in age, body size, and reproductive traits among urban and rural amphibian populations. Urban Ecosyst 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s11252-018-0801-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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49
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Jeremias G, Barbosa J, Marques SM, De Schamphelaere KAC, Van Nieuwerburgh F, Deforce D, Gonçalves FJM, Pereira JL, Asselman J. Transgenerational Inheritance of DNA Hypomethylation in Daphnia magna in Response to Salinity Stress. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2018; 52:10114-10123. [PMID: 30113818 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.8b03225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Epigenetic mechanisms have been found to play important roles in environmental stress response and regulation. These can, theoretically, be transmitted to future unexposed generations, yet few studies have shown persisting stress-induced transgenerational effects, particularly in invertebrates. Here, we focus on the aquatic microcrustacean Daphnia, a parthenogenetic model species, and its response to salinity stress. Salinity is a serious threat to freshwater ecosystems and a relevant form of environmental perturbation affecting freshwater ecosystems. We exposed one generation of D. magna to high levels of salinity (F0) and found that the exposure provoked specific methylation patterns that were transferred to the three consequent nonexposed generations (F1, F2, and F3). This was the case for the hypomethylation of six protein-coding genes with important roles in the organisms' response to environmental change: DNA damage repair, cytoskeleton organization, and protein synthesis. This suggests that epigenetic changes in Daphnia are particularly targeted to genes involved in coping with general cellular stress responses. Our results highlight that epigenetic marks are affected by environmental stressors and can be transferred to subsequent unexposed generations. Epigenetic marks could therefore prove to be useful indicators of past or historic pollution in this parthenogenetic model system. Furthermore, no life history costs seem to be associated with the maintenance of hypomethylation across unexposed generations in Daphnia following a single stress exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guilherme Jeremias
- Department of Biology , University of Aveiro , 3810-193 , Aveiro , Portugal
| | - João Barbosa
- Department of Biology , University of Aveiro , 3810-193 , Aveiro , Portugal
| | - Sérgio M Marques
- Department of Biology , University of Aveiro , 3810-193 , Aveiro , Portugal
- CESAM (Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies) , University of Aveiro , 3810-193 , Aveiro , Portugal
| | - Karel A C De Schamphelaere
- Laboratory for Environmental Toxicology and Aquatic Ecology (GhEnToxLab) , Ghent University , 9000 , Ghent , Belgium
| | | | - Dieter Deforce
- Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology , Ghent University , 9000 , Ghent , Belgium
| | - Fernando J M Gonçalves
- Department of Biology , University of Aveiro , 3810-193 , Aveiro , Portugal
- CESAM (Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies) , University of Aveiro , 3810-193 , Aveiro , Portugal
| | - Joana Luísa Pereira
- Department of Biology , University of Aveiro , 3810-193 , Aveiro , Portugal
- CESAM (Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies) , University of Aveiro , 3810-193 , Aveiro , Portugal
| | - Jana Asselman
- Laboratory for Environmental Toxicology and Aquatic Ecology (GhEnToxLab) , Ghent University , 9000 , Ghent , Belgium
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50
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Fong PP, Lambert OJ, Hoagland ML, Kurtz ER. Differential sensitivity to the antifouling chemical medetomidine between wood frog and American toad tadpoles with evidence for low-dose stimulation and high-dose inhibition of metamorphosis. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2018; 25:19470-19479. [PMID: 29730754 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-018-2168-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2018] [Accepted: 04/26/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Antifouling chemicals are legacy contaminants in aquatic ecosystems. Previous experiments have shown that a 14-day exposure to the antifouling chemical medetomidine delays metamorphosis and reduces body mass in wood frog tadpoles. In the present study, we exposed wood frog tadpoles to medetomidine for 3, 7, and 10 days at 100 nM, 1 μM, and 10 μM. We also exposed American toad tadpoles to medetomidine for 3 days at four concentrations (10 nM, 100 nM, 1 μM, and 10 μM) in static renewal experiments. In each experiment, we measured growth, frequency and time to metamorphosis, and mass at metamorphosis. In both species, medetomidine significantly slowed development as measured by the Gosner stage. After 34 days in culture, wood frog tadpoles exposed to 1 and 10 μM medetomidine for as few as 3 days were significantly less developed compared to controls. Toads exposed to 1 μM medetomidine for 3 days were also significantly less developed on day 27, but by day 34, there was no difference from controls. For wood frogs, medetomidine significantly affected time to metamorphosis with a trend for tadpoles at lower concentrations metamorphosing sooner than those at higher concentrations. While medetomidine affected time to metamorphosis in wood frogs, it did not affect fresh mass, dry mass, or mortality compared to controls. Wood frog tadpoles that did not metamorphose after over 90 days in culture were more frequent in high-concentration groups than in the control. In toads, 10 μM medetomidine was 100% lethal within 23 days, but at the same concentration and duration, no wood frog tadpoles died. Lower concentrations were also significantly lethal to toads compared to controls, but tadpoles that survived in 10 and 100 nM metamorphosed sooner than those in 1 μM. Fresh mass of toad tadpoles exposed to 1 μm was significantly smaller at metamorphosis compared to that of controls. Medetomidine also affected the behavior of tadpoles. In toads, medetomidine significantly reduced both percent activity and startle response. In wood frogs, medetomidine significantly reduced percent activity, but increased startle response. We discuss our finding of low-dose stimulation and high-dose inhibition of different life history endpoints in terms of hormetic mechanisms. The differential sensitivity between species in terms of mortality, frequency of metamorphosis, and behavior highlights the potential negative environmental effects of medetomidine to amphibians.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter P Fong
- Department of Biology, Gettysburg College, Gettysburg, PA, 17325, USA.
| | - Olivia J Lambert
- Department of Biology, Gettysburg College, Gettysburg, PA, 17325, USA
| | - Margot L Hoagland
- Department of Health Sciences, Gettysburg College, Gettysburg, PA, 17325, USA
| | - Emily R Kurtz
- Department of Biology, Gettysburg College, Gettysburg, PA, 17325, USA
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