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Effects of Copper Sulfate Application on Zooplankton and Macroinvertebrate Communities in Upground Reservoirs

Weaver, Meghan C.
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1339094079

Abstract Details

2012, Master of Science (MS), Bowling Green State University, Biological Sciences.
Copper sulfate (25.2% Cu by weight) has been extensively used to control nuisance algae in drinking water storage reservoirs; in upground reservoirs in northwest Ohio, CuSO4 application regimens vary from no application to 600 µg Cu/L/year. While CuSO4 is effective in suppressing algae, it also has documented toxicities to zooplankton and chironomids, which are food resources for stocked sport fish. Between May-August 2010, water, sediment, sediment trap, zooplankton, and macroinvertebrate samples were collected at four upground reservoirs with varying CuSO4 application regimens in order to track the fate of copper and enumerate zooplankton and macroinvertebrate community changes before and after CuSO4 application. Additionally, to quantify the combined effects of pulsed copper-laden food resources and contaminated sediment on chironomids of different instars, an experiment was conducted with Chironomus riparius in the laboratory. In the reservoirs, water copper concentration was 2-4 times higher post-application than before; correspondingly, zooplankton biomass and density were depressed by as much as 93% and 87% for at least one week after application. Furthermore, post-application zooplankton communities were dominated by copepod nauplii, which are an unsuitable food source for fish stocked into these reservoirs. Chironomid density changes appeared to reflect adult emergence rather than CuSO4 application, although standard sampling protocol prevented tracking all instars through time, so the effects of CuSO4 application on chironomid communities were not evident. The sedimentation rate of detritus and algae increased by 36% post-application and contained more than 5000 µg Cu/g dry weight. In the experiment, I found that organisms receiving a pulse of copper-laden algae in the first instar experienced 85% mortality, while organisms fed unspiked algae (controls) experienced 40% mortality. Field observations underscore the need for communication between reservoir managers and fisheries managers. It may be possible to time the application of CuSO4 such that both water quality and fishery needs are met. Experimental results suggest that entire chironomid cohorts may be affected by the timing of CuSO4 application. Furthermore, toxicity studies in which chironomids are fed ecologically-unrealistic food may substantively underestimate the effects of contaminated sediment.
Jeffrey G. Miner, PhD (Advisor)
John R. Farver, PhD (Committee Member)
Helen J. Michaels, PhD (Committee Member)
Joseph D. Conroy, PhD (Committee Member)
59 p.
Ecology; Entomology; Freshwater Ecology; Limnology; Toxicology
copper sulfate; zooplankton; chironomid; toxicity; aquatic ecology

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Weaver, M. C. (2012). Effects of Copper Sulfate Application on Zooplankton and Macroinvertebrate Communities in Upground Reservoirs [Master's thesis, Bowling Green State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1339094079

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Weaver, Meghan. Effects of Copper Sulfate Application on Zooplankton and Macroinvertebrate Communities in Upground Reservoirs. 2012. Bowling Green State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1339094079.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Weaver, Meghan. "Effects of Copper Sulfate Application on Zooplankton and Macroinvertebrate Communities in Upground Reservoirs." Master's thesis, Bowling Green State University, 2012. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1339094079

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

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This open access ETD is published by Bowling Green State University and OhioLINK.