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Heavy Metal Uptake by Burrowing Mayflies in Western Lake Erie

Opfer, Sarah E.
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1213907121

Abstract Details

2008, Master of Science (MS), Bowling Green State University, Biological Sciences.
During the past two decades, burrowing Hexagenia mayflies have returned to the western basin of Lake Erie. Because of their importance as a prey resource for higher trophic levels and distribution in the sediment, Hexagenia may be a source of heavy metal transfer. To better understand the current distribution of both heavy metals in sediment and mayflies, surface water, sediment, and mayfly nymphs were collected from 24 locations across the western basin of Lake Erie in May 2007. Following EPA protocols, samples were analyzed for 16 elements using ICP-OES or ICP-MS. Metal concentrations in sediment exceeded EPA effect levels at many of my sample sites across the western basin. Sediment heavy metal distribution profiles indicate that highest concentration occurred in the middle of the western basin. Percent organic matter in the sediments was significantly higher in offshore (>5km from shore) sites and had a significant linear relationship with sediment metal concentrations. Hexagenia were distributed throughout the western basin, but were at highest density (1350/m2) within the Detroit River plume. Cd and Zn levels in mayflies averaged approximately 4 times and 2 times higher (respectfully) than sediment levels. All other mayfly concentrations were below sediment metal concentrations. Spatial representation of metal concentrations in mayflies exhibited similar patterns to the spatial distribution of heavy metals in the sediments with higher concentrations of metals in mayflies residing in the central region of the western basin.
Jeffrey Miner, Dr. (Advisor)
John Farver, Dr. (Advisor)
Kenneth Krieger, Dr. (Committee Member)
40 p.
Biology; Environmental Science; Freshwater Ecology
Hexagenia; Lake Erie; heavy metal contamination

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Opfer, S. E. (2008). Heavy Metal Uptake by Burrowing Mayflies in Western Lake Erie [Master's thesis, Bowling Green State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1213907121

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Opfer, Sarah. Heavy Metal Uptake by Burrowing Mayflies in Western Lake Erie. 2008. Bowling Green State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1213907121.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Opfer, Sarah. "Heavy Metal Uptake by Burrowing Mayflies in Western Lake Erie." Master's thesis, Bowling Green State University, 2008. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1213907121

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

bgsu1213907121
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© 2008, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Bowling Green State University and OhioLINK.