Defense Date

3-12-2014

Graduation Date

Spring 2014

Availability

Immediate Access

Submission Type

thesis

Degree Name

MS

Department

Environmental Science and Management (ESM)

Committee Chair

Sarah K Woodley

Committee Member

Stanley J Kabala

Committee Member

Brady Porter

Keywords

Conductivity, Salinity, Total Dissolved Solids

Abstract

Elevated total dissolved solids (TDS) have been found in streams in Pennsylvania primarily due to unconventional natural gas development (UNGD) and mine drainage. TDS is the concentration of dissolved salts in water. To understand the effects of TDS on amphibians, a semi-aquatic salamander (Desmognathus ochrophaeus exposed to synthetic solutions containing TDS up to 5,000 ppm. In an initial study, animals exposed to a solution of approximately 2,000 ppm TDS containing elevated sulfate experienced reduced survival and decreased locomotory activity. Follow-up studies were consistent with the hypothesis that elevated TDS had adverse effects on survival, but effects were not seen unless the TDS was closer to 5,000 ppm. In all studies, larger animals were more prone to adverse effects of TDS. Results indicated that elevated TDS can have adverse effects on D. ochrophaeus further research is needed to understand the doses and conditions at which effects are evident.

Format

PDF

Language

English

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