An assessment of the environmental effects of coal ash effluents using structural and functional parameters of aufwuchs communities
| dc.contributor.author | Nicholson, Richard B. | en |
| dc.contributor.department | Zoology | en |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2019-01-31T17:50:34Z | en |
| dc.date.available | 2019-01-31T17:50:34Z | en |
| dc.date.issued | 1982 | en |
| dc.description.abstract | A site-specific artificial stream system receiving selected levels of fly ash, heavy metals, or sulfates was compared to a natural stream (Adair Run) influenced by effluent from the fly ash settling basin at Glen Lyn, Virginia. Aufwuchs communities colonizing glass microscope slides were monitored for dry weights, ash-free dry weights, chlorophylls, ATP, and 14-carbon and 35-sulfate assimilation rates. Productivity appeared to be enhanced in Adair Run due to increased concentrations of sulfates (150 mg/l), and temperature (delta T=4. 5 C) in the ash basin effluent. A recovery response was observed following termination of basin operation. Artificial streams receiving selected concentrations of fly ash at low TSS (8.0-25 mg/l) exhibited no inhibition for all parameters except chlorophyll a and ATP. Higher levels (80-100 mg/l) depressed all aufwuchs parameters except AFDW within six days. Six heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn), when collectively pumped into artificial streams at concentrations modeling the ash basin effluent effectively lowered productivity parameters. This was followed by a slow recovery response. Aufwuchs demonstrated an ability to bioconcentrate heavy metals from ambient water. Streams dosed with sulfates demonstrated a stimulation response at concentrations modeling the Adair Run system. Current U.S. EPA effluent guidelines for fly ash (30 mg/l maximum weekly average; 100 mg/l maximum) are evaluated concerning the degree of protection afforded primary producers of aquatic receiving systems. | en |
| dc.description.degree | Master of Science | en |
| dc.format.extent | xii, 259, [2] leaves | en |
| dc.format.mimetype | application/pdf | en |
| dc.identifier.uri | http://hdl.handle.net/10919/87134 | en |
| dc.language.iso | en_US | en |
| dc.publisher | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | en |
| dc.relation.isformatof | OCLC# 9403308 | en |
| dc.rights | In Copyright | en |
| dc.rights.uri | http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ | en |
| dc.subject.lcc | LD5655.V855 1982.N523 | en |
| dc.subject.lcsh | Aquatic organisms -- Effect of water pollution on | en |
| dc.subject.lcsh | Coal ash -- Environmental aspects | en |
| dc.subject.lcsh | Fly ash -- Environmental aspects | en |
| dc.subject.lcsh | Water -- Pollution | en |
| dc.title | An assessment of the environmental effects of coal ash effluents using structural and functional parameters of aufwuchs communities | en |
| dc.type | Thesis | en |
| dc.type.dcmitype | Text | en |
| thesis.degree.discipline | Zoology | en |
| thesis.degree.grantor | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | en |
| thesis.degree.level | masters | en |
| thesis.degree.name | Master of Science | en |
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