Toxicology

Evaluation of elevated nutrients on juvenile mussels

This project was an in situ toxicological study to identify if nitrogen contaminants (ammonia and nitrate) or other water quality factors are potentially affecting mussel populations in the Buffalo National River, AR. Laboratory studies have suggested that juvenile freshwater mussels are the most sensitive to inorganic nitrogen. Paired with this study, we also re-evaluated the status of freshwater mussel populations throughout the length of the river.

Thesis

Female Arkansas broken-ray showing lure.jpg

Arkansas Brokenray Mussel:

Lampsilis reeveiana, a common species in the Buffalo National River.

Photo credit: Doug Hardesty, USGS

What is a Mussel Silo?

used to investigate mussel survival and growth in response to pollutants and other environmental factors
uses the Bernoulli effect to pull water through an inner chamber containing the juvenile mussels
paired with sediment boxes to evaluate direct exposure to substrate

Silos

W-V Boxes